Review of o'scope probe holders - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: keitheevblog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 03:42:41 am
content: Hey all, I recently purchased some o'scope probe holders from this Swiss company called Gisler Precision. I think it's a one man operation, but overall really nice products. Expensive, but nice.There's a few different models and I published a review with some photos of each one in operation. I haven't found any good reasonably priced alternatives.Love to hear your thoughts on my post, including how you probe more than one signal at a time, and still have a hand free to drive the scope!https://www.techtravels.org/2025/05/a-closer-look-at-gisler-precisions-probe-holders-for-signal-debugging/No relation to seller.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 03:53:05 am
content: I think that someone mentioned one of those holders some time ago on forumI was thinking myself to get the biggest model to try it out but had no time for it so far.I also seen some set PCBite 6029 which is here like approx 1,5x the price of that o'scope holder more but I also had not tested it.Both have their advantages and I might end with both but rn I need to dig out of jobs in progress

author: keitheevblog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 04:32:27 am
content: Thanks yeah I have seen that PCBite stuff before and considered them, but yeah quite pricey stuff. The main reason I haven't bought them is that I can't quite wrap my head around how the heck the probe actually stays put. One of my current use cases is an amiga mobo which is actually fairly large, bigger than their A4 base.The probeholder X I reviewed is really quite nice and works exactly as you'd want. I struggled with what else to discuss whenever you just put it in place and it stays!

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 04:55:38 am
content: With the PCBite holders there is no locking mechanism or anything like that. It all relies on the weight of the probe and holder making the probe tip "dig in" where you put it. So, ideally, you want the probe to be fairly vertical so it pushes straight down. It's not perfect but it really does work quite well.Also, with PCBite/Sensepeek the probe and holder is more or less one unit so for the price you're getting the holder and the probe. €89 for a 350MHz passive probe with holder isn't so bad IMHO.I have a kit (bought with my own money) with their older style probes, their newer probes looks more polished but the holders looks to be the same.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 05:07:31 am
content: PCBite kits are cheaper here than single proberegarding staying in place also those o'scope have a special weight as an option and I used similar method for anything else I used from customers gear in the past(but sometimes it is not easy to attach one or have a proper distribution of weight around the probeOne of companies I worked years ago had special round weights with hole inside then cutted in half with a hinge on one side custom made for their probes and holders (it was pre 3D printers time)

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 05:08:57 am
content: Quote from: H.O on June 02, 2025, 04:55:38 amdo you happen to know how stable are their magnetic pcb holders?

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 06:30:55 am
content: Oh, they are very stable. The magnets are strong and the springs quite stiff, I like them.I do believe Dave has shown them in a video but perhaps it was a mailbag segment so could be hard to find. I'm sure there are other Youtube videos showing them off.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 07:27:56 am
content: Siglent accessory……don’t ask the price

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 07:51:02 am
content: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=clothespins&t=ffab&ia=images&iax=images

author: jjoonathan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 09:07:32 am
content: QuoteIndeed: scope vendors are eager to charge you mega markup for not knowing what an "indicator stand" is. Machinists use these all the time and these days the options from China are cheap and good. In fact, I think I see that exact stand for ultra cheap on aliexpress.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 09:17:16 am
content: Quote from: jjoonathan on June 02, 2025, 09:07:32 amWhilst it’s not obvious in the image above, that probe holder is for the SAP5000D 5 GHz differential probe at a price where the probe holder is only an additional small change.Used with the adjustable 2 pin differential head it provides a sound probing solution but not something most of us would need or want to afford.https://siglentna.com/products/accessories/probes/differential-probe/sap5000d/

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 09:38:00 am
content: Quote from: kmoonwalker on June 02, 2025, 05:07:31 amI could not live without these PCBite probes...got 4 of them.

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 09:44:28 am
content: PCBite is pricey but when you need them they save your ass big time. Can't post pic cos it's work stuff but I recently had to setup a test with 8 different probe points on small smd pads across a large board, with regular probing changes to debug an issue. They turned it from a huge chore (would have needed to tack on test wires to SC70 and 0402 pads) to pretty trivial.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 06:32:11 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on June 02, 2025, 07:27:56 ammain problem is the distance between base and point on probed board or you need to go with large angle or you cannot due to "obstacles" on board but this PP301 was at least keeping position - and that is an advantage hehe (price OMG...)most of solutions is usually very short like made for probing max 12 cm from boards side

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 10:23:21 am
content: Another vote for PCBite, the kit has saved me so much bodging of test wire. Paid for itself 10x over.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 10:56:24 am
content: Quote from: kmoonwalker on June 02, 2025, 06:32:11 pmAs mentioned PP301 is listed as an accessory for the 5 GHz SAP5000D 350 fF capacitance differential probe when using the adjustable head:All manner of near field effects come into play when a probe like this is required......

author: ifonlyeverything
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 12:44:06 pm
content: I made a DIY version of the Yokogawa holder. Chinese knockoff Dial indicator magnetic base ($25) + Chinese knockoff "Small Rig" style super clamp ($10) + M5 to 1/4" adapter ($3). Works great for holding scope probes, DMM probes, hot air gun, etc. If you need a longer reach look into "Magic Arm" style arms. The downside is that most magnetic bases are metric threaded while the Magic Arms are imperial, so you'll need to cobble together an adapter or re-tap the threads.

author: NYG
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 08:01:13 pm
content: I'm just a hobbyist and bought a set of the pcbite gear. 6027 I think it was. Frustration drove me to give it a try. The only thing I need to get more comfortable with is microscope/camera placement. The pcbite probes work extremely well but it can get tricky for me to not block the microscope to see the placement.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 09:58:28 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on June 03, 2025, 10:56:24 amI meant it as a compliment as I used more expensive stuff and it was for example not holding set position but slowly going down down down...(or on side)1k$ I wont name the brand but I suppose here maybe more than a few unlucky ones whom had to work with such "wonders" of technology

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 07:29:02 am
content: Quote from: jjoonathan on June 02, 2025, 09:07:32 amHeck, even an original Swiss-made one costs between $150-300. The scope companies charging $800 and up for one is just insane.

author: BillyGo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 11:03:33 am
content: Quote from: tautech on June 02, 2025, 07:27:56 amIsn't that a small Dial Indicator holder for lathes? The bigger version costs about twenty bucks or so.I guess this is the same idea as selling the oil coolant hose as a soldering holder.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 04:35:45 pm
content: Quote from: BillyGo on June 04, 2025, 11:03:33 amabout 10-12 if you search a bitit usually looks like that from management's point of view:remarks:- arms too long no way - make em shorter, this is a basic model and add some chromium detail- change base shape lets make it look different- price ... hmm less material used make it for us per 5 on quantity and we have a deal- to package team - make a nice custom box- to sales team - nice packing box caused price increase to 499Time to go for that well deserver vacation ;PBTW some I used and costed $$$ were not even worth 5...