Metrix / STIX Fused Test probe - Nice quality - NOS Ex MoD inc X-Ray images - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 10:34:39 am
content: I bought some new old stock Ex Ministry of Defence (MoD UK) fused test probes and the quality has impressed me so I thought I would share. They cost just £5 each and IMHO are good value for money. Their rating is CAT IV 600V.I bought the probes form here:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371180811653?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITThey are sold as Metrix brand but are branded STIX on the probe parts.The probe kit was originally for the Metrix MX67 but will work with any meter that accepts 4mm shrouded plugs. The kit contains one probe that contains a SIBA HRC 500mA fuse, a spare fuse,a sharp probe tip and a large 'dolphin' crocodile clip.The probe handle contains a shrouded 4mm plug at its front and this accepts either the sharp tip or the crocodile clip. Very nice design.The probe oozes quality throughout and looks typical MoD high quality specification. Designed to last.I bought four of these probes as they look very useful and at the asking price they appear to be a true bargain. The crocodile clip alone would normally cost the asking price. It may also be possible to attach other 4mm receptacle probe tips such as back probes to this probe body.I have photographed and X-Ray imaged the probe for your interest.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 10:41:06 am
content: More pictures.....

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 10:43:43 am
content: More pictures.......

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 10:45:47 am
content: The ID label details.....

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 10:47:16 am
content: X-Ray images begin here......

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 10:48:54 am
content: More X-Ray images.....Take a close look at the 'Dolphin' crocodile clip design. It has the serrated curved 'mouth' and a flat clamping section at the front to grip thin wire 'end on'. Very nice quality and design.That's all folksHope this is of interest.Fraser

author: kado
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 11:31:32 am
content: Thanks "Fraser" for your effort and charing the amazing x-ray pics.Where did you bought the Probemaster Kits ? In the EU or direct in the USA ?Any hints are welcome....Karsten

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 11:38:26 am
content: Kado,The Probe Master kits were bought from this forums Moderator, Simon. He runs an on-line shop called Sparky Labs.http://www.sparkylabs.co.uk/shop/index.php?manufacturers_id=9I suggest that you contact him to discuss prices and shipping to you. He supplies Europe with the probes and is the only source of such outside the USA that I am aware of.Fraser

author: kado
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 12:06:25 pm
content: FraserThanks for this information, i am pleased to know now.I will contact him for purchase of some probes.Karsten

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2016, 01:06:59 pm
content: I just ordered another 2 sets of these Metrix fused probes.I also sent some pictures to the seller as his current auction picture does not do the probe set justice.I attach those pictures here as they are slightly different to the previous pictures in this thread.I attached the probe to a FLUKE 87 III with no issues and proved that the probe handle 4mm plug is also a standard shroud dimension which is good news. Any tips designed to mate with a 4mm shrouded plug should fit.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2016, 01:10:13 pm
content: Fluke test.......The 4mm shrouded plug at both ends of the probe fit into the FLUKE 87 III without issues so they are standard dimensions, unlike some shrouded plugs.Fraser

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2016, 08:39:34 pm
content: Really enjoying the x-ray pics. Thanks

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 05:54:14 am
content: I too bought a slack handful of these. Excellent quality.It is a shame that they are 'Henry Ford' though (any colour you want...)BT

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 06:45:39 am
content: I believe that they are all black because they are only used on the return side of high-energy circuits, with the red side being the long probe tip of the high energy meter. I got one as well, it's good quality (as you'd expect from Metrix). The fuse isn't as burly as the ones in a Fluke 87, but it's ceramic and should be safe from rupture for the application.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 07:26:46 pm
content: I have supplied the seller with my pictures of the probe as his picture was unclear.Please be assured that I have no connection with the seller and I am just a happy customer.Very nice probes and I am pleased that other forum members have also taken advantage of their availability at a great price. With regard to only being available in Black. Yes its a pity but, when working on low energy circuits, a user can always place a red marker strip (insulation tape?) around the probe tip to identify it. Just like marker rings are used on oscilloscope probes to identify channels. Using incorrect coloured probes on high energy circuits is likely not in compliance with regulations though.Fraser

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 04:12:03 am
content: No red ones!

author: redg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 11:44:01 pm
content: Thanks Fraser,Really helpful. I ordered two leads, will put red tape on one. The price is extremely attractive for what appears to be great kit. Cost was £14 (about US$19) including shipping to New York. Do you happen to know how long the leads are?Parenthetically, if the 500mA fuses can be easily and safely changed out for 5 - 10A fuses, these leads may come in very handy for some tests that I want to do on my motorcycle.While checking out the listing I came across some interesting info from Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority on using fused leads, which are quite expensive, with high energy sources:Brochure:https://www.esasafe.com/assets/files/esasafe/pdf/Multimeter_Brochure.pdfVideo:

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2016, 12:02:05 pm
content: I just took a look at the auction listing...wow, they have been selling well. £5 is a pretty decent price for a brand name fused probe so I am not surprised really.For those who bought them as a result of this thread, I hope they serve you well.Fraser

author: korlatos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2016, 07:41:02 pm
content: I just received my two leads - as Fraser has indicated, they are of very high quality.

author: redg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2016, 09:24:59 pm
content: Mine arrived today. Very good quality. The leads are 4' long.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2016, 08:49:13 pm
content: I got my pair today (next day). £5 each including UK first class post can't be bad. I can't fault the quality, good flexible leads and nice sharp points. I'm wondering now about pushing the boat out and getting some 19mm 3:1 Red heatshrink!Thanks Fraser.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2016, 11:07:12 pm
content: Hi Gyro,My pleasure.The seller was quite shocked by the sudden interest in these probes. He normally sells a few per year and suddenly 50 got ordered in a few weeks ! I am pleased that he and we have benefitted from this thread. As you say nice leads, but all too easily lost on eBay amongst piles of Chinese auctions for such.Fraser

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 12:48:52 am
content: Looks like they finally sold through their stockpile. I hope everyone who wanted one of these got one!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 02:36:42 am
content: Nope, he still has stockhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metrix-Electronics-fused-probe-MX67-meter-Fluke-meters-/371784563947?hash=item5690163ceb:g:9AsAAOSwgmJXzBzSFraser

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 03:47:12 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on November 28, 2016, 02:36:42 amThat's good to hear; I stand corrected.I've used my Metrix probes a few times since I wrote in September. I'll say that while they are made of quality materials, the fit is a little uneven: on one set of probes from a Chauvin-made DMM, the black probe works fine, but the red probe is such a tight fit in its alligator grabber that it takes real muscles to separate them.