Looking for some good test leads for my multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Nick1296
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 09:56:44 pm
content: Since I got my RS 2200087 meter, I have been very happy with the meter itself. However, I don't like the factory Radio Shack test leads it came with. They are too loose, even if you try stretching the metal tabs out. While they are looser then I'd like, they do work. Slightly stretching the metal tabs in the leads made a small improvement with how well they fit in the meter, but having to mess with new test leads is a little ridiculous. Since I don't know if I can ever reliably fix them, I feel like I am better off buying better leads and keeping these in the box as a spare set. I don't feel like taking a chance on leads that needed to be messed with out of the box is worth it.I will keep them around, but I don't think the leads will last, nor will I ever be able to make them stay in as securely as I'd like. Even though I have limited confidence in the original leads, they are still serviceable as a backup set.Outside of the list of leads I am willing to look at on the list, is there any other leads that might be worth looking at?So far, I have been looking at the following leads:Fluke:TL71 (~$28-30)TL75 (~$25-34)It is very unlikely I will get the TL75 leads, but I am including them here as another option since I may still get them. I like the TL71 leads better, judging from the pictures.Extech:TL803 (~$9)TL805 (~$14)TL841 (~$93-100)Amprobe:PVCMTL-90B (~$20)TL-1500 (~$20)SiliconeTL244B (Price unknown/Limited availability)TL36A (~$19)UNI-T (not a primary choice, due to UNI-T's reputation):UT-L07 (~ $6 or more)

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 10:15:24 pm
content: I like this set of leads from Hirschmann (1011414):http://uk.farnell.com/hirschmann-testmeasurement/932959001/test-lead-kit/dp/1011414It isn't very cheap though.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 10:42:29 pm
content: Nothing wrong with getting a new set, but I can attest the original leads are fine as well: I have both a 2200087 and a 2200039 that carry the same leads. They are plugged/unplugged daily for about three years and, despite they get a bit loose at times, they are standing well the test of time.

author: shteii01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 10:57:41 pm
content: Go for the gold:http://probemaster.com/8000-series-test-leads-only/

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 11:04:07 pm
content: I like the Hirschmann PMS 2600 set although more aimed at electrical work:https://www.reichelt.com/Pruefmittel-Sets/PMS-2600/3/index.html?ACTION=3&LA=2&ARTICLE=63482&GROUPID=5619&artnr=PMS+2600&SEARCH=%252A

author: Nick1296
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 11:30:37 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on April 09, 2017, 10:42:29 pmI have a feeling my leads are defective. I had the 2200075 a few years ago (10A jack was cracked out of the box) and the leads were not loose at all. Their stock leads were serviceable a few years ago, so maybe they just got cheap over the course of a few years. The leads look the exact same from what the picture shows on the 2200075.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 11:41:10 pm
content: Quote from: Nick1296 on April 09, 2017, 11:30:37 pmAlso not forget manufacturing tolerances regarding the size of the plug.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 11:50:59 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on April 09, 2017, 10:15:24 pmThey're about £18 GBP + VAT, as test leadsetsfrom a reputable manufacturer go that's inexpensive. A similar complexity set from Pomona would be upwards of £50 GBP.

author: kcbrown
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2017, 11:52:42 pm
content: Quote from: shteii01 on April 09, 2017, 10:57:41 pmThis. The Probemaster probes are truly excellent, and quite inexpensive for the kind of quality you get ($16 for a pair of basic probes).

author: Nick1296
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 12:12:51 am
content: Quote from: The Soulman on April 09, 2017, 11:41:10 pmI no longer have the meter (I returned it a few years ago, and the store here no longer has the exact model), nor do I think it's worth buying the similar meter to rule the possibility of a manufacturing tolerance variation between the 0075 and 0087 meters.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 12:49:10 am
content: I like my Fluke needles for probing small parts. For more general use, I like the Probemaster products. The downside is they don't fit in the case holders. In the garage I use what ever came with the meter.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 01:05:16 am
content: yay for probemaster.I like the little spiky castellated tips.They stick where you put them. I never worry about them slipping off and shorting something.

author: kcbrown
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 01:28:57 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on April 10, 2017, 12:49:10 amThe probemaster probe handles will fit in the case holders (at least, they do on my meters), but they'll stick up more than normal probe handles would. But you get a benefit for this: they feel wonderful in-hand. Ergonomically, they're better than most probes because of their shape.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 04:08:29 am
content: I like the ProbeMasters as well, though they do feel a little bit like a cow's teet in the hand...My other favorite probes are the Elwyn military surplus probes. Once you feel real rubber leads you will think silicone is rubbish... of course you have to lube real rubber every year or two to keep it from drying out. But that takes about two minutes.

author: Nick1296
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 10:42:42 am
content: Quote from: kcbrown on April 10, 2017, 01:28:57 amI don't know if they will fit in my case holder, at least if you are talking about the one integrated into the jacket on the meter. They are probably only designed to fit the Radio Shack leads (possibly leads with a similar design as well), but I doubt the Probemaster leads will fit. It looks like the Elwyn leads MAY fit, so there's that. However, that's not a main focus since that would limit my options; it would be nice, but it is not a feature I need to be there.Pictures (Too large for the forum):http://imgur.com/a/vj61i

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 11:12:56 am
content: Another good option are the Brymen leads that Dave ships with his meter:http://www.ebay.com/itm/PP-BM10A-Test-lead-10A-red-and-black-PPBM10A-BRYMEN-/201802631991They also fit in most normal DMM holders (they fit on my Agilent/Keysight handhelds).They are just as fine and sharp as the ProbeMaster ones, but still one of the best probes I've had.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 06:24:24 pm
content: Quote from: Nick1296 on April 09, 2017, 11:30:37 pmThe probes I have are similar to what is shown in the RS product page and are not serviceable as well, but the banana plugs are not solid but instead divided in four parts to set its diameter - this tends to weaken its structure, but on the other hand it becomes very easy to reset its dimensions.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 06:38:55 pm
content: I just received these probes, proudly "made in the usa", with a $15 shipping to France, and I'm very happy with them !http://probemaster.com/8000-series-kits/

author: Nick1296
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 10:37:43 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on April 10, 2017, 06:24:24 pmYes, they suck and are borderline serviceable, but I have no intention to use them for very long. The only advantage to the design the RS leads use is it's easy to fix when something happens. The problem is it doesn't last very long.

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 10:54:05 pm
content: Quote from: shteii01 on April 09, 2017, 10:57:41 pmAgreed

author: kcbrown
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 01:00:07 am
content: Quote from: Nick1296 on April 10, 2017, 10:42:42 amAh. those integrated probe holders are different from most that you'd see. The Probemasters might still work with that, but I'd be pretty skeptical of that given the shape of the Probemasters' finger protection.Even so, the Probemasters might be worth having if only because they're such nice probes, and not really a lot of money especially for what you get. The tips areverysharp, they're gold plated, the leads are very nice silicone rubber, and the probes themselves feel quite nice in hand. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all with them, even if they don't fit in the holders of your meter.

author: Nick1296
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 01:36:25 am
content: Quote from: kcbrown on April 11, 2017, 01:00:07 amYeah. It looks like they designed them to work with their leads, rather then be universal enough to work with most leads you see on the market.

author: Jon.C
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 02:50:52 am
content: hiprobe master for brymen ,fluke , uni-twhat model ? 8013S or 8017S

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 02:56:18 am
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on April 10, 2017, 06:38:55 pmThose are the main probes I use for home. They are nice and durable. They would ruin the rubber case if tried to cram them in the holders so I flip them upside down. Also have some of their other probes along with a few other brands that come in handy. The Fluke needles are nice if you need something a little smaller. PM also makes some needles that have the same handle. They are also very nice.

author: BMack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 06:08:06 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on April 11, 2017, 02:56:18 amI doubt he'd want to send the money on those Flukes with that meter haha. But yeah, they are very nice. I have the Pomona and the Fluke versions and they're identical other than the price.Edit: NM, thought you were responding to OP.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 08:12:06 pm
content: Quote from: Jon.C on April 11, 2017, 02:50:52 amYou want the bananaplugs(whether straight or right angle), notjack.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 09:10:20 pm
content: I ordered the 8043S, and they are banana PLUG, and they fit fine on my multimetersthis is a female banana jack on ebay :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1pair-4mm-Banana-Female-Jack-for-Seal-Insulated-Stackable-4mm-Banana-Plug-R-B-UK-/282323507575

author: Nick1296
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 09:29:55 pm
content: Quote from: BMack on April 11, 2017, 06:08:06 amIf I had a name brand meter I could justify it on like a Extech or Fluke, I'd probably consider it. The meters I have are basic-ish CAT II meters, so these meters are hard to justify spending that much on.

author: norks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 01:57:00 am
content: I got this fieldpiece set mainly because I wanted the backprobes but they worked out quite well. Silicone except for the short alligator leads. The thinner probe bodies are a perfect fit on the back of my meter (fluke 189). Their biggest problem is the short overall length, but since I already had full length leads I found them convenient most of the time, less time wrapping and unwrapping.($22)https://www.amazon.com/Fieldpiece-ADK7-Deluxe-Silicone-Test/dp/B0013NH6SM

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 02:42:36 am
content: Quote from: Nick1296 on April 11, 2017, 09:29:55 pmRight. I do a fair amount of work where I need to attached to small leads and pads which is where the needles work well. The reason for so many attachments to make things easier and some times safer. It's taken me several years to accumulate my collection. Something comes up and I look to see if someone makes a probe that will help. The ProbeMasters are my general purpose go to probes. They see the most use. Plenty sharp enough and with the removable covers and attachments, good enough for most things.