Non-Junk Test Lead / Jumper Wire Kits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Bronco Leonard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 08:15:30 am
content: I've recently upgraded my entire bench with some nice new test equipment (hobby level, nothing too fancy) and find myself still using cheap, crappy old jumper wires. I've searched this site plus a number of suppliers and still can't find what I want. I'm looking for decent quality small grabber-to-grabber and alligator-to-alligator and banana-to-grabber and banana-to-alligator leads using quality wire and connectors. I'm ready to toss all that $5 to $10 dollar kit stuff which are just complete crap. I've got all the true test leads I need for my multimeters and my new Rigol scope and power supply, etc. I just want various connector wires. (BTW, I'm not talking about breadboarding jumpers.)Who makes better quality equivalents of these cheap (= crap) patch wire Emerson-type kits? I'm not looking to spend Pomona or Mueller level money, but there must be something in between. I also would rather buy them pre-made rather than building my own. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for any help.

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 08:45:31 am
content: EZ Hook (http://www.e-z-hook.com/index.html) are generally cheaper than Pomona, and almost as quality. If you have a fry's near you they tend to carry EZ Hook along with Pomona connectors.

author: Bronco Leonard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 09:17:57 am
content: During a trip to Fry's a couple of years ago, I remember seeing some sets that seemed to be well made and were priced well above the "Emerson" stuff but significantly less than the Pomona, etc. They were probably the ones you described. I'll poke around and have a look. Thanks.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 06:25:50 pm
content: Franky, a respected member here, and honest seller has possibly what you are looking forhttp://stores.ebay.ca/99centHobbiesMartin's reviewI have no financial incentive or ties with Franky.Franky was also on eevblab #20

author: billfernandez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 04:39:10 am
content: These are probably not as small as you want (because they're test leads), but just in case: I've found the Extech TL809 Electronic Test Lead Kit (with grabbers, alligator clips and banana plugs) to be both inexpensive and good.

author: Bronco Leonard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 06:24:50 am
content: OP here: thank you for the responses. I've just ordered some leads from Franky and will also grab some E-Z Hooks items from my local Fry's and see how they all work out. If I see any interesting differences, I'll report back. Thanks again.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 10:03:55 pm
content: Quote from: CustomEngineerer on December 18, 2016, 08:45:31 amI have some of the EZ-HOOK mini hooks purchased at Fry's and not only they are cheaper than other brand name ones but also work quite well.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2016, 05:17:34 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on December 19, 2016, 10:03:55 pmHow's the pricing vs. Probemaster?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2016, 12:18:10 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 20, 2016, 05:17:34 pmThe difference is significant in relative terms: about US$2.50: (comparehereandhere).

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2016, 05:19:51 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on December 21, 2016, 12:18:10 pmThanks.I guess that extra $2.50 is the silicone wire tax.FWIW, you can find silicone insulated wire in 20AWG and make your own (I have seen just the mini-grabbers themselves at $0.86 per on their own website). Or buy from Franky.