SensePeek oscilloscope flying probe - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 10:02:38 am
content: Today we got the first working sample of the new SensePeek 4013 oscilloscope flying probe, this model works up to 100Mhz and in the future a 200MHz version should also come. The product is so beautiful that I could not resist taking a picture and sharing it with you!I keep you informed of the official release date.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 10:28:11 am
content: Interesting development 👍🙂Please keep us advised of pricing and availability as I will be looking to buy some.ThanksFraser

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 10:44:55 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on October 15, 2019, 10:28:11 amThanks Fraser, here is what we know for now:Part number 4013includes:1x SP100 - 100 Mhz handsfree oscilloscope probe1x Testhook with detachable cable for ground connection1x Set of color coded cable holders. 3psc of each color in blue, red, green and yellow1x Extra test needleEuro 39.NetPart number 4015includes:4× PCBite holder1x Large Base plate (A4)2x SP100 - 100 Mhz handsfree oscilloscope probes (article 4013)1x Set of yellow insulation washers1x Micro fiber clothEuro 139.Net (save Euro 8.Net)As soon they are available for the market I will uptake the thread.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 10:49:59 am
content: Excellent ! Thank you. I will be a customer for the oscilloscope probes as I already have the full base kitBest WishesFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 10:56:51 am
content: It would also be useful to know the full specification of the probe head.Is it X1 or X10Is it 1Mor 50Input capacitanceIf X10, what is the compensation rangeStuff like that.From the picture I cannot see a compensation trimmer so thought maybe it is a 50or 1MX1 probe, which could be an issue for some users.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 11:00:50 am
content: Here is the draft from the data sheet.I confirm the presence of the compensation trimmer and the adjustment tool is provided with the probe.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 11:23:54 am
content: Perfect ! Exactly what I wanted to knowI also note that the threaded probe mounting system where it attaches to the flexible arm has been improved ! The mounting system on your picture looks much strongerA good improvement in my opinion.I am finding my SensePeek PCBITE kit with four flexible probe arms to be a great help as I probe the small PCB’s that I work on. 0402 sized components are common on those PCB’s. I also managed to source different pogo pin probe tips with various tip profiles for differing situations. This has been a really good purchase that works as well as advertised in my experience. Very pleased that SensePeek continue to develop new probe heads for their arm system. I also like the fact that the probe PCB mounting system has been kept simple to enable users to develop their own probe head assemblies for specialist work. I have some excellent Tektronix active oscilloscope probes that are the same size as the SensePeek probe head and I will be adding the required brass threaded insert to them so that I have active probe capabilityFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2019, 11:35:05 am
content: For those unaware, I wrote about the SensePeek PCBITE PCB holder system and flying probe arms here.....https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/pcbite-2-0-pcb-holder-and-pogo-pin-test-probes-discounted-from-elektot/I also attach a picture of my Tektronix P6501 active probes that I will be using with my kit after I attach an M4 threaded insert and pogo pin probe to it.My P6501 active Probe spec....The P6501 Microprobe is a small, 1 Mohm input active probe optimizedfor probe card mounting and use with probing stations.FEATURESBandwidth: DC to 750 MHzRise Time: 450 psAttenuation: 10XInput Resistance: 1 MohmCapacitive Loading: <1.9 pFDynamic Range: +10 V.But they cost $499 each !Maybe SensePeek will develop a ‘poor mans’ active probe head as well ?Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2019, 12:36:40 pm
content: Hi Simone,Is there any news on the oscilloscope probe and it’s expected release for sale please ? I am keen to try the oscilloscope probes on some thermal camera repairs that I have on my ‘to-do’ listHappy to Beta test some prototypes if desired.If the frequency response is proving challenging, I believe a lower bandwidth probe is still a very useful addition to the Pcbite kit. Even 20MHz would meet many of my needs.Best WishesFraser

author: jemangedeslolos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2019, 10:05:32 am
content: Same here.I will bought one kit a soon as it is in stock

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2019, 10:47:05 am
content: Quote from: jemangedeslolos on December 07, 2019, 10:05:32 amCiao Fraser, not quite sure on what's going on about the availability. As soon as we receive our stock we will give priority to people like you expressing interest.Actually we bought to have them much earlier ... keep waiting ... ciao!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2019, 11:27:00 am
content: Many thanks SimoneFraser

author: Sighound36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2019, 11:34:32 am
content: I would be happy with one of these as well Simone

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2019, 01:41:53 pm
content: The very long ground lead concerns me. This could cause problems by picking up noise and oscillations due to the inductance of the ground lead.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2019, 02:10:26 pm
content: A very good point “nctnico”I always see those long ground leads as a low frequency lead and use very short ones when working on a higher frequency circuit. The open PCB nature of this probe looks to be versatile in this respect as custom ground leads can be easily constructed. Maybe the final product will come with different ground lead options ? The ground lead connection should be near to the tip to provide better performance though. Having it at the rear of the probe a PCB (as pictured) introduces unnecessary ground wire length into the design.Maybe the grounding lead design and length is causing some of the delay in the 100MHz probes public release ?Fraser

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2019, 02:23:18 pm
content: A long ground lead is much less of a problem if the input capacitance of the probe is very low. Say in the <1pf ballpark. But that isn't easy to accomplish.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 09:26:16 am
content: Hello there, it looks like we can ship both the 4013 (single probe) and the 4015 (kit) from next week.I also have a new user guide with specs, see the attachment.4013 and 4015 are now live on our website.Let me know if I can give you more information.Ciao.

author: cowana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 05:38:52 pm
content: Glad to see these are available!Are the probes available individually (for users already having the magnetic base/arm)? Once VAT and delivery are included, the price of an individual 4013 kit comes out to close to €70, which is a shame when I just want the PCB+cable!

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 05:55:10 pm
content: hello, yes it is available the single probe, please check on our website: SensePeek SP100 - 100 MHz handsfree oscilloscope probeit is in stock right nowciao

author: luma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 07:57:32 pm
content: I'm curious about the arm holding the probes. In my experience these sorts of arms can be hard to get into position with any accuracy. When you move the arm into position, and then let go, the arm wants to rebound back away from the position you moved it into.In the demo video you can see this exact thing happening- a probe is moved into position to make contact with the leg of a chip, and then immediately rebounds back out of position as soon as the user lets go. I don't see how one could ever make a measurement when that's happening, and looking at the video there's no way that probe is still making contact with that pin (and the video immediately cuts after this happens).Has anyone here used this? How well does the probe stay in place after you let go of the probe?

author: GerryR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 07:59:43 pm
content: US Distributor?? Thanks.After reading luma's post, I remembered how my Starrett indicator holder works. The knurled knob furthest to the right in the photo is a spring loaded adjustment giving about 0.100" up-down adjustment to the indicator. You move the arm to get the indicator close and adjust the knob to "load" the indicator. That would make a nice addition to the end of the spring arms holding the probes!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 09:16:56 pm
content: Unlike some flexible arms, this design of arm has no stiffener inside it. As such it is very 'floppy' and the weighted head works with gravity to hold the spring loaded probe tip in place on the pin or test point. I have not experienced issues with lack of probe contact were I position it. When I place the probe tip I gentle compress the pogo pin spring and then let go of the probe. It rebounds slightly due to the force of the pogo pin spring and not the action of the flexible arm. The rebound of the spring does not dislodge the probe tip in my experience.Fraser

author: luma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2020, 10:06:37 pm
content: As is usually the case, my inability to understand how these things would work was a failure of imagination on my part, not a failure of design on SensePeek's part.I had been waffling over this as it really looked handy and finally decided to grab a set to see how it works. I'm happy to reportTHESE THINGS ROCK! Super-easy workholding for the PCB and for the probes. It's just like Fraser described, the arms a little floppy and the probes have a pogo pin on the end which makes positioning the probe and keeping it in contact very easy. The single requirement is that the things you are probing are on a top surface (meaning the probes are pointing down). They won't hold themselves in place without something underneath the probe itself. This isn't a problem really but I figured it's worth mentioning.Of course, no scope probe is going to land on the bench without some testing!The setupBodnar fast risetime pulse genRigol ADP0150BNC 50Ω adapterSP-100 probeRigol MSO5074unlocked to full bandwidthSome sloppy cable routing and general inattention to detail and processThe results~2.6ns works out to about135MHz. Consider me a happy customer!

author: profanum429
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 03:42:41 am
content: I just received my kit today; they work really well. I did have a little oops when I underestimated the strength of the threaded portion soldered to the probe head PCB and broke it off, but a little solder fixed it up and it's solidly attached again.Within about a minute of setting it up I was able to probe an SPI bus on a TSSOP-14 package, not super tiny, but pretty small for my eyesight. Probes were solid and I couldn't of done it prior without finding a convenient header or soldering on some test leads to the chip. Will definitely be getting an additional two probes to complement the two that came with the kit. The PCB holder is also pretty cool and a definite plus, very solid for my little board.

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 10:30:08 am
content: My set got here yesterday as well, they seem a tad flimsy

author: jemangedeslolos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 11:01:20 am
content: Quote from: Elasia on May 22, 2020, 10:30:08 amWhy ?I received my sets too ( 1 x 4003 + 1 x 4015 + 2 x 4013 )I rather have the impression that it is of good quality.You will have to be careful with the pogo pin but I am also careful when I use my ordinary scope probes.I would have liked to have more spare pogo pin but I am rather satisfied.I will receive a PCB later and I will have to write a driver for an ADC so I will play with it a bit

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 12:00:54 pm
content: The Pogo pins are thankfully industry standard Types and are available cheaply on EBay if you need more or different head profilesFraser

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 02:07:50 pm
content: Quote from: jemangedeslolos on May 22, 2020, 11:01:20 amNothing, just surprised the gooseneck is that looseMaterials themselves are good quality and like the spring loaded pcb holders, i have similar ones but they are threaded, these are much better

author: jemangedeslolos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 03:30:35 pm
content: I think it helps keep the probe in place.With too much rigidity, there would be an elastic phenomenon too strong which would fight against the probe IMHO.

author: profanum429
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 03:25:29 am
content: The probe holders are definitely pretty limp, but they've held up really well when I position the probes, push the pogopin down and release. They've been rock solid so far for me, but they definitely don't hold themselves up if I didn't have them probing a pin.

author: JxR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 04:11:06 am
content: These do look kind of neat. Be interesting to try and make a 3D printed adapter to hold your own scope probes that screw into the SensePeek arm.

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 04:52:55 am
content: Yes, the “flimsiness” is a feature, not a bug.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 02:16:41 pm
content: I have, at last, purchased the Sensepeek 100 MHz oscilloscope probeI decided I could not live without one after working with 0402 components whilst repairing a Seek Reveal Pro thermal imaging core. My hands are definitely not as steady as they used to be and one slip could have had serious consequences. I normally use PMK oscilloscope probes with spring loaded tips. The Sensepeek probe will be very useful on modern electronics with their tiny components and fine pitch IC leads. It also removes hand shake from the risk equation which, for me, can only be goodI have ordered the probe from Batronix and they could not have been more friendly and helpful. I received a small discount upon request for a quote and ordering was easy. I have no hesitation in recommending them. My 60 Euro order was tiny compared to some that they must receive, yet I was treated as though I was buying an expensive DSO. My sincerest thanks to JoelFraser

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 11:33:31 pm
content: been using them for 3 months now or so.. pretty nice to use.. i've had one probe just sitting on the same spot for the last 3 weeks at an oddly cocked angle too... still in positionI think Joel was who i got my SDS2k+ from... cool guy

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2020, 12:54:59 pm
content: The SP100 arrived this morning ...... very impressed with it in terms of design, build quality and ease of use. It will be perfect for my needsThank you Sensepeek for making this useful probe and Batronix for supplying it to meFraser

author: Noy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2020, 02:52:28 pm
content: Hm nice thing.But 100MHz is too low.350/500MHz would be nice.

author: luma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2020, 11:01:48 am
content: Does anyone have any ideas about sourcing a larger base plate for these?Ideally, I'd want a self-healing mat w/ some ferrous steel (or whatever) underneath for the PCBite clamps to stick to. Maybe something around 300m x 700m in size. Any ideas?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2020, 12:29:15 pm
content: Not a self healing mat but in the UK we have dry marker white boards for noticeboards that come in many sizes, are aluminium framed and use a durable plastic coated or painted steel for the writing surface so magnetic paper holders and fridge magnets stick to themVery inexpensive as wellI have two sizes and they are perfect for use with the Sensepeek PCB holders and probes.This product from Amazon looks like the ones I have.......https://www.amazon.com/Welmors-magn%C3%A9tica-aluminio-borrador-pulgadas/dp/B07PBBDSYH/ref=sxin_10_pb?cv_ct_cx=Magnetic+white+board&dchild=1&keywords=Magnetic+white+board&pd_rd_i=B07PBBDSYH&pd_rd_r=b4e6abd0-0e9d-4a19-a3ba-c3280cbb43f4&pd_rd_w=UITGl&pd_rd_wg=eETYM&pf_rd_p=e92691f8-9b9f-4bfe-83cf-424599dbdc1d&pf_rd_r=Z9XTW2QK5N81D3AS72Q1&qid=1598790584&sr=1-1-8065ff8c-2587-4a7f-b8da-1df8b2563c1112” x 16” or 24” x 32”You could cover the surface with a thin plastic ‘surface protector’ like a kitchen cutting mat that is less than 1mm thick. The provided surface on these white boards are normally pretty durable though.Fraser

author: oewean
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2020, 12:40:24 pm
content: Ikea have a desk pad that is magnetic.https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/rissla-desk-pad-black-40246156/