Needle tip oscilloscope probes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mharding
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 11, 2015, 07:12:59 pm
content: HiCan anyone recommend some up to 100 MHz cheap needle tip oscilloscope probes for smd work ?I have cheap chinese needle-tip multimeter probes, which cost about 3 euros on ebay, but I don't seem to be able to find needle-tip oscilloscope probes anywhere.Thanks in advanceMarkhttp://www.mharding.net

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2015, 07:18:44 pm
content: You can take out the grabber in most (if not all) of the scope probes exposing the tip.Or do you need something longer than what they already have?Or are you looking for pogo pins on the tip?Picture for reference, that has a ground spring for the ground connection of the probe to minimize ringing.

author: mharding
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 11, 2015, 07:30:01 pm
content: Thanks for your reply miguelvp, but I'm needing a much finer tip, for getting onto 0402 (metric) components, for example, and 0.5mm pitch smd packages. Something I can prick my finger with!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2015, 08:13:24 pm
content: Well, even the cheap probes that came with my Rigol 1054Z are pointy enough to do those. No doubt something even sharper would grip a bit better. Maybe buy some decent probes and then sharpen them yourself?

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2015, 09:12:26 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on November 11, 2015, 08:13:24 pmWith the grabber removed, the even cheaper probe for my Hantek 6022BE are pointy enough for 0.5mm pitch... with the help of extra tools like a reading glass and/or magnifier to find the right leg.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2015, 10:22:56 pm
content: The probe tip its self can be much larger than the pin you are probing with only a small sharp point like shown above (the wide angle of the point is stronger and lasts longer) its the accessories that allow easy probing of fine pitch packages:https://www.picotech.com/accessories/passive-oscilloscope-probes/advanced-accessory-kitMost manufacturers offer probes with these caps that sit around the tip of the probe and prevent it slipping onto adjacent pins. Trying to keep a steady hand while adjusting other parts of the system or the scope is quite hard and there are micro grabbers small enough to hold onto those pins and remain in place hands free but they are very fragile, similarly the sharp and pointy pogo pins used in some probes bend out of shape with use and need regular replacement.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 12:31:12 pm
content: Resuming this old thread to show I did research firstMy Siglent probes are not pointy enough (see attachment) either and I can't seem to find some adaptors online to plug on top of the probe? I know adaptors might not be the best in terms of signal integrity but that would work for not-critical measurements.Any ideas?

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 02:50:31 pm
content: I have some Agilent 1160A probes, part of which is something they call a 'browser' probe. This uses a sharp, sprung pogo pin as a tip.These probes certainly aren't cheap, but if you can find a probe that will accept pogo pins you can get a great choice of tip types. The pogo holder on the 1160A is actually itself a push-on tip like the standard hook tip, it just has a sprung point.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 03:31:25 pm
content: Tek's basic passive probe, P6139A/B is sharp enough.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 04:10:10 pm
content: If you can get ProbeMaster.com probes, they have multiple options for pointiness.The DMM probes from them are sharp enough that they effortlessly stabbed my finger 6mm deep. 🤦

author: Momchilo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 04:42:21 pm
content: Probe Master 4913-1:https://eleshop.eu/probe-master-4913-1-passive-probe.htmlor used Lecroy PP007 or PP008 probes. They are 2.5mm instead of 5mm.You can buy new tips for those probes if required. They are really sharp. The Probe Master ones are spring loaded and for the Lecroy ones you can buy both options. Depending on what you prefer.There are certainly others as well. You should search for 2.5mm probes.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 05:36:15 pm
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on January 15, 2025, 04:10:10 pmI have some probemaster DMM probes and those are amazing. But they're not cheap.I was hoping of some inexpensive adaptors? For now I used the probemaster DMM probes wired to the scope probe with an alligator clip - I know, but I don't need signal integrity at the momentThe Lecroy look good - though it's still £50.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 02:12:40 am
content: There's the old sayings "buy cheap, buy twice" or "buy once, cry once." Of course, it's much easier for me being in the US; I know I have access to a better variety of their stuff. Maybe Testec has something good you can use.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 09:47:30 am
content: eheh - I am very well aware of that old say.I just don't feel like spending £100 on something I don't normally use.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 11:40:52 am
content: I use the PCbite from Sensepeek.https://sensepeek.com/

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 01:45:36 pm
content: The probe clip typically slides over the sides of the tip, so the diameter is critical for a good connection.However I don't think the tip of the tip (!) matters. Maybe you could just grind it a bit sharper, as long as it doesn't have plating.Plating would likely have a very short life at the very tip so it seems unlikely to be present.

author: woody
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 01:47:08 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on January 18, 2025, 11:40:52 amMe too. While not being cheap in any sense of the word they are an absolute joy to use on small components and tracks. Available up to 500MHz nowadays.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 01:53:48 pm
content: Quote from: woody on January 18, 2025, 01:47:08 pmThey're insanely cheap compared with those HP1160 probes ! (mine were all bought secondhand - even then I had to wait for bargains)

author: Darkover
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 08:45:52 pm
content: Quote from: artag on January 18, 2025, 01:53:48 pmThis is the make of the probes for the well known expensive brands:https://www.pmk.de/en/products/pml_high_z_tastkoepfePerhaps it is cheaper to buy them without an expensive label.Olaf