Inexpensive Oscilloscope probes? (UK) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: ThisNameIsBlank
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 07:15:04 am
content: Greetings!I've just bought a Tek 2225 (thanks KJDS) which should be delivered next week, but is without probes.So I'm looking for recommendations for inexpensive probes that are reasonably decent. I can see lots of very cheap ones on ebay - are any of them any good or are they rubbish?I'm not going to be doing anything high precision and tbh the £30 ones seem expensive.Anyone got recommendations?thanks

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 07:39:32 am
content: I've collected some references outlining the principal characteristics of different types of probes. It includes sufficient fundamental theory and practical techniques for you to be able to understand whether or not the probes will adversely affectyourmeasurements. There's also one reference on probes that are too cheap.Seehttps://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/library-2/scope-probe-reference-material/

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 09:06:23 am
content: Quote from: ThisNameIsBlank on July 03, 2015, 07:15:04 am'Rubbish' depends on the bandwidth you expect from them. I expect they'reallrubbish on a 500MHz 'scope.On a 50MHz 'scope? You're probably fine. 50MHz is no big deal for a probe, even a cheap one.Bottom line: Don't go for absolute rock bottom but there's certainly no need to go up to £30.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 02:13:36 pm
content: This is a video I made for the Hantek PP150. These cost about $9.00/ea US. I wonder if I buy another set in 2 years if they will perform this well.

author: danny_isr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 03:58:13 pm
content: funny, i'm in the exact same situation. Bought a 2225 from eBay recently, and it arrived without probes.So i understand it's only 50Mz scope, and cheaper will do. BUT what about the main advantage of this scope (500uv/dev). Don't you need a good probeto actually get decent signal in that range ?thanks

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 07:15:13 pm
content: If you can find a set of WITTIG 100MHz (W201) or 200Mhz (W202) probes. You will be happy with them. I bought many sets cheaply as this company went bust and large stocks of probes appeared on ebay. In tests, the probes performed well. I bought my W202 probes from MCS in the UK for £15 per a set of four ! Needless to say I bought many sets. They have become almost disposable probes.Take a look here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/pos-ebay-'scope-probes/msg398972/#msg398972According to that thread, WITTIG probes are made by TEXAS.You can get some here for £5 +£4 p&p. A bargain in my opinion.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WITTIG-W201-OSCILLOSCOPE-BLACK-PROBE-KIT-/320964369425£6.50 with FREE postage here:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-100MHz-x1-x10-switchable-oscilloscope-probe-/161751199844?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25a91f7064Unlike many cheap Chinese probes from ebay, these actually work well up to their stated spec. They have fully insulated BNC plugs for use on portable isolated oscilloscopes as well.The 200MHz version is even better but I could not find any on ebay. There are large stocks of these probes left over from the WITTIG collapse.Aurora

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 07:54:47 pm
content: If only I could find a spare clip hook for my PM8918 probe! Anyone got one?

author: ThisNameIsBlank
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 08:04:46 pm
content: Thanks very much everyone.Just ordered a couple from Aurora's links.tggzzzz - some interesting reading there - thank you.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 08:59:33 pm
content: @TheAmmoniacal,As you likely already know, PM8918 probes and accessories are not only hard to find but horendously expensiveI own a lot of PM8918 probes and accessories and will take a look to see if there is a spare probe clip amongst them. I will let you know.I also have a complete, virtually new, in the box, Philips PM97 scopemeter with all probes. That will likely raise around £200 on ebay when I sell it, but the daft thing is that the two PM8918 probes that it comes with sell for almost as much on their own. its a mad mad worldAurora

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 09:10:29 pm
content: I looked at a big pile of old HP scopes today. The probes that were with them were probably worth more than the scopes.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 09:42:30 pm
content: @TheAmmoniacal,I have just looked in the lab. I have everything except spare grabber tips. These often suffer from open circuit earth leads so are rarer than other parts. I do have complete probe sets, but I need the grabber tips supplied with those. Sorry.Aurora