My Agilent crocodiles broke, any recomendations for new ones? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: toli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 09:23:53 am
content: Hi Guys,After a few months of not using these leads/crocodiles, I took them out for some measurements, pressed the silicon surround to open the crocodiles, and the silicon simply broke. It was very stiff and fragile for some reason:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37472979/2013_0824_1205_08.jpghttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37472979/2013_0824_1204_57.jpgI'm not sure why that happened, but I was quite disappointed. I didn't expect that to happen on these leads as they came with the U1253A. My old pair that came with my 40$ cheapo DMM 5 years earlier are still in excellent conditionAnyway, I need a new pair of these. Preferably just the crocodiles, but if I can get a good pair of probes for a few extra $ it'll be great.I'd like something that will be easy to use (preferably with the hole at the back side close to the edge of the silicon, I don't like the fact I had to play with the old probes for a few seconds before they where aligned with the hold at the back of the crocodiles), and won't be too expensive as price is definitely an issue. Any recommendations?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 09:33:17 am
content: How much would you like to spend?

author: toli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 09:35:06 am
content: Honestly, I'm not sure how much these cost when they come from a good company. Lets say as little as possible for a pair that will be safe and easy to use, and hopefully won't brake after a couple of years like the Agilent broke.Edit: Looking at a few threads here on the forum, someone mentioned these:http://www.probemaster.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_12&products_id=39I'm not familiar with this brand, are they any good? The price sure seems great for such a kit.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 10:18:53 am
content: Your DMM probes does have a little thread to lock the alligator clips? because if it's so, you can only buy the alligator clips instead an entire probe kit (and save a bit of money) see this from fluke:http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/accessories/Test-Leads-Probes-and-Clips/AC175-Alligator-Clip-Set.htm?PID=76067But, if I were you, I wouldn't look to save money on accessory after all...

author: toli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 12:08:53 pm
content: by thread you mean the screw at the end like on these:http://www.probemaster.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_12&products_id=39?If so, no, my probes don't have these.Are these probemaster kits any good? Anyone who has one can comment on this?

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 02:41:10 pm
content: I have ProbeMaster, they have the best quality I have seen. Their silicone quality is the best.Big brands mix silicone and plastic into "silicone cable" so they can save. Probe master does not do that.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 02:42:54 pm
content: probe masters are good.

author: toli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 02:50:23 pm
content: Excellent, thank you.Now just have to find a store where shipping to Israel doesn't cost 90$ as in their web-site

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 02:57:55 pm
content: I'm not sure if ProbeMaster is a good deal outside the US. Pomona/Fluke (most Fluke leads and accessories are made by Pomona) might be easier to get and is good quality. Is no going to be cheap either, though.I guess this is consistent with saturation's assessment in his review that the qualify of the accessories that Agilent ships with the leads is mediocre.

author: mzacharias
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 03:45:19 pm
content: Fluke AC72 grabbers are functionally identical slip-on types and in my experience the rubber holds up better. They are widely available, eBay for example.

author: toli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 04:00:27 pm
content: Thanks. For the price of the AC72 I can get the entire kit from ProbeMaster (~45$ shipped from eBay), seems like a better deal

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 05:05:43 pm
content: Quote from: toli on August 24, 2013, 12:08:53 pmyes, I exactly mean that for "thread".... Well, if you don't have it you should get a kit. ProbeMaster is unknown to me, so I can't help, but they seem reasonably good quality....

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 05:06:45 pm
content: Quote from: toli on August 24, 2013, 04:00:27 pmyes, absolutely.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2013, 11:59:29 pm
content: Probemaster is very good stuff (I have a 9000 series kit and a set of pogo probes on my bench). Wire is like a wet spaghetti noodle, and the ends are solid.Other than eBay, you could try to contact Probemaster directly to see if they have a distributor in your country. If not, try the following...Stanley Supply (they do ship internationally):http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/search.aspx?f=2%3aProbemasterTestwave (no idea if they ship internationally or not, but the prices are good):http://www.testwave.com/probe_master.html

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2013, 07:35:33 am
content: Retractable Shroud Lead Kits is very intresting for only 30 buck.... and also that fine tip kit. Well If i broke some probes, I Know where to buy. Thanks.