Sharp test leads that fit Agilent/Keysight meters. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2025, 11:03:59 pm
content: Hi everyone,I recently replaced my secondary Voltcraft bench DMM with an Agilent 34401A. Unfortunately my test leads of choice (low cost test leads from Aliexpress, the pictures below show those next to the original Agilent/Keysight ones) don't fit into the jacks on the meter, I have the same problem with my 34465A. I find this funny, because those leads fit intoeveryother meter I have i.e. my old Voltcraft bench DMM, a Prema 5000, and also into my portable meters. I'm not a big fan of the Agilent/Keysight probes supplied with the meter simply because the tips aren't sharp enough. Can anyone recommend a decent set of leads with tips similar to the Aliexpress-Special leads, that are compatible with the Agilent/Keysight jacks? Ideally those leads would be available in stores in GermanyEleshopandWelectronfor instance have quite the range to choose from. From the picture in the Welectron store theSiglent SDM-PB leadslook suspiciously similar to mine - so I'm pretty sure those won't fit either.Cheers Traceless

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2025, 11:36:37 pm
content: Here's some we use, they fit in our HP/AG 34401A, KS34465A, DMM6500 and SDM3065X.The Probe Master (8152) are very sharp and spring loaded, Keysight as suppled with their DMMs are also somewhat sharp, but not as sharp as Probe Master.https://probemaster.com/dmm-multimeter-test-leads/?page=1The Yaorea Coaxial Probes are for 4-Wire Kelvin Type measurements and require an adapter for DMM use.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/dmm-adapters-for-yr1035-and-hrm-10-cablesfixtures/msg5801845/#msg5801845Best

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2025, 11:49:40 pm
content: Thanks mawyatt, the tips of the Probemaster leads look like they could work for me. I never worked with spring loaded probes, but I could give that and see if I like those. There is also aProbemaster 8043Swhich seems to be just a "regular", non spring loaded probe.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2025, 11:53:01 pm
content: We never worked with spring loaded probes either, now that we've experienced such with Probe Master all the other probes seem 2nd rateBTW the Coaxial Probes work surprisingly well (the center is spring loaded), even on leaded components.Best

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2025, 12:12:01 am
content: Sounds good, I'm gonna order two sets one for each of my meters, I'll give the spring loaded probe masters a shot and order a "regular" set for the other. While they are an order of magnitude more expensive than the Aliexpress-Specials, I assume the Probemasters are probably pretty durable and won't need replacing any time soon. So that should be fine. If anyone has suggestions for a set of non spring loaded probes known to fit the 34401A/34465A let me know. Budged options are also welcome - as mentioned above I've been happy with the cheap probes so far and would continue using them if they did fit.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2025, 12:22:26 am
content: We have the cheap ones also, they almost never get used. The Probe Master 8152 have replaceable tips, we haven't broken any yet tho.Best

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2025, 12:28:12 am
content: +1 for the Probemaster. The spring-loaded "pogo" pin test leads are excellent, they're sharp gold plated beryllium copper and have quite low resistance. The fixed probes are gold-plated stainless steel and are VERY sharp, they'll slice through your finger like butter. They're also excellent but they do have a tiny bit more resistance. As a bonus, these leads can be custom ordered (at little to no increased cost) with the retractable sheaths which allow them to be used with any sort of meter or power supply with a banana jack, not just the special ones that receive the sheath. Keep in mind that these are all completely hand-made and may have "slight cosmetic variability". I've never had to return anything though.

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2025, 12:40:59 am
content: Thank you bdunham7, that sounds good. I'm really curious about the Probemasters now, while the custom option sounds tempting I assume that is probably either only available in the US or not economically viable. Shipping rates and taxes from the US to EU are pretty ridiculous and can easily double the price of your order or worse, unless Probemaster has a distributor in the EU that offers custom ordered probes as well.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2025, 12:51:24 am
content: It looks like Welectron sells them in Germany.

author: JonnyZee
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 12, 2025, 06:05:34 pm
content: I definitely second the ProbeMaster 8043 SK. I have had these for a long time and they are just EXCELLENT probes! I just received my HP 34401a and the probes fit perfectly. I also recently purchased a Brymen BM869S and those probes fit the33401a as well.Speaking of the Brymen... I live in Pennsylvania and ordered the Brymen from Welectron in Germany. The cost delivered was 199 Euros so it came out to about $210. I ordered on a Saturday and had the package in my hands on Tuesday! Three days from Germany is pretty awesome. Fantastic meter btw!

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2025, 06:55:37 pm
content: @Vgkid: Yes they do and so does Eleshop, however currently many of the Probemaster probes are out of stock at Welectron. However@bdunham7recommended custom made probes with retractable sheaths. Currently neither of the shops offers Probemaster customization on their website. However I mailed Probemaster and they told me that Welectron acutally is their official distributor in Germany.Also after taking a closer look at the Probemaster website it seems that there actually areoff-the-shelf spring loaded probes with retractable sheaths aka. 8153, so a custom order might not even be necessary after all. Maybe Welectron can order those with lead time. Interestingly I also found compatibility matrices on the Probemaster website andaccording to the chart there is only one set of probes (8018S) that is compatible with the 34401A. The list seems pretty outdated though as Keysight isn't even listed.Quote from: JonnyZee on February 12, 2025, 06:05:34 pmThanks for reporting back your experience with the leads, they indeed seem to have a big fan-base here in the forum.Quote from: JonnyZee on February 12, 2025, 06:05:34 pmIf I'd purchase them I'f have to pay around 230€ delivered within Germany. I guess you get 20% off because you don't have to pay 19% VAT.Quote from: JonnyZee on February 12, 2025, 06:05:34 pmYes it is a very good hand-held meter.I did some high-frequency/low amplitude AC measurements with my 869s vs a 6.5 digit bench DMM. The Brymen did pretty well.

author: Poroit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2025, 07:20:40 am
content: Thanks for the lead details mawyatt.Has anyone found the 8152 leads is Australia?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2025, 09:26:16 am
content: Quote from: Traceless on February 12, 2025, 06:55:37 pmMy measurements of AC BW of MTX3293 and BM869S ..