In my home lab, I own a large collection of Probe Master probes, tips, and shrouded banana plug cables. They are top-notch. I love the spring-loaded tip option. Great for piercing insulation or corrosion without stressing the circuit board too much.
I never thought that I would be excited by watching a video comparing test leads, but you Sir have nailed-it! I have a new top of the range Siglent desktop multimeter and resistance measurement takes forever as you push each probe to make a decent contact. I'll be swapping these out for some Probe Master wonderfulness. I just wish they made the meter connection plug straight, rather than right-angled. Thank you for your time and effort in making this video. Cheers!
Thank you for your kind words. If you go to the ProbeMaster webpage that showcases the Kit I purchased, you will see, directly under the price, 8 different variations you can choose from, including variations that have straight plugs. probemaster.com/8000-series-test-lead-master-kits/
Mmmm.. they look very nice James! And considering the quality they are priced well within the reach of hobbyists which is always welcome! Excellent review!
Price is the thing, right? If you ignore the shipping charges, the price isn't too bad. But even with shipping to Japan it was bearable. I also bought their Speedy Bends kit some months back, which is a set of 3 plastic tools which help you bend the leads of axial components. Really great for the SE Reloaded kit, which is why I included that in the recent Giveaway. All said, Probe Master makes some good stuff!
Just got my kit earlier today. Exactly like yours. I am so impressed. Very high quality. Very pleasant to use. A solid product that works and will last forever. Too, Probe Master sent with the kit a pamphlet that was the US Constitution. Very thoughtful and I really appreciated the gesture. I called them to thank them for such a great product and for the patriotic gift. As you probably know, their products are all made and assembled in El Cajon, California. It’s impressive to find that a U.S. based company has the best quality product.
I have the probe master probes with the standard banana plugs and they are great to use with any multimeter as well as with other bench top equipment like power supply and similar instruments. Thanks for the video!
Yes, and after this video, I bagged and stored those UEi probes away. I don't anticipate I will be using them again. To be honest, I never had a set of probes as bad as those. If you watched my 121GW review video, you will see that I show the stock probes on my other meters like the Fluke 116. Those aren't as perfect as the Probe Master when doing the continuity tap-test, but almost! And when it comes to that infuriatingly lone UEi probe stain relief, I've not see that before either. They are all around badly designed probes. And it's rather unfortunate for the 121GW meter because it originally shipped with Brymen gold-plated probes.
Do you have a part number for those male headers at 15:33? Do they work well? I have a bunch of .1" header connector test leads and love them on PCBs (where I always add headers for testing), but have not found headers that properly fit into a breadboard. The normal ones are too short and don't connect properly. I also tried "extra long" ones but the plastic thing always moves on me.
I've never had header issues with my JAMECO breadboards. The most recent header kit I purchased was from Amazon. You can see me show that kit in my ROM-inator video here: th-cam.com/video/CVClCLgBm6k/w-d-xo.html Header & Jumper Kit (affiliate link): amzn.to/3tQoCi8
Maybe the contact is not made with the screw terminal? There could be a gold plated contact inside the hole where you plug the tip into. Could you check this?
My advice for everyone with nickel plated probes: give them a little scuff with some scotchbrite and some alcohol. It'll do wonders with the surface conductivity. Not as good as goldplated (although nickelplated is much more durable than goldplated, so maybe more suitable for 'rugged' enviroments), but it'll solve 99% of the problems. But nice review, it sure looks like top quality. But this kit isn't cheap; where I live (europe) this kit is €90 (incl tax), so quite an extra expense on a ~€200,- multimeter. The brymen gold plated silicone test leads that were originally supplied with the 121GW multimeter only cost €11,--. Too bad (and honestly hard to believe) that UEI (which is an experienced and well known manufacturer) couldn't come up with a suitable (gold plated) alternative to those.
I didn't try rubbing the 121GW's stock probe tips with abrasives like ScotchBrite , but I did use 100% IPA and that didn't improve surface conductivity at all, proving that oil and debris are not the issue with the UEI probe tips. Cost does matter though, so for people who can buy the Brymen gold plated probes, that would also be a great alternative, although you wouldn't get all the accessories that are included with the ProbeMaster kit I reviewed. I agree that UEI dropped the ball when it comes to offering use better probes.
@@JDW- It's indeed not a matter of an oily or greasy surface. My guess is that the nickel layer is just very passified (and has formed an oxide layer or a layer of chemical reaction with another substance), maybe due to additives in the nickelplating (additives to speed up the process or to enhance the shine or something like that). A chemical like sulfuric acid of reasonable concentration also might remove that passive layer but that is not a substance I'd recommend people to mess around with when some scotchbrite (like the green back of a kitchen sponge) does the same thing. Even the cheapest probes like you get with cheap aneng meters start to function sufficiently with that. It's not on the level of a decent gold plated probe, but it never will be. For electronics, gold plated probes are the best, and they should've come with a supposedly top tier multimeter like the 121GW. Especially as Dave is pretty much the godfather of the stroke-continuity-test importance.
In my review video of the 121GW, I showed Dave’s reply back to me on the EEBlog forum, where he said he changed the probes for reasons of logistics and practicality. While I can appreciate and fully understand that, the fact remains that the product suffered a bit, when compared to to the probes included in the initial 121GW offering. So it seems, Dave was willing to make that sacrifice. I will try your scotch brite idea and see if that changes anything.
@@JDW- Yes I saw Dave's reaction in your other video. I can understand that supply problems are a valid reason (when a customer has ordered and paid, you have to ship), but logistic reasons like opening the box is imho a bit of a lame excuse. He did that for the first few years, which I assume are the years that the meter sells best, and having made a video about it where he literally says that the viewer should take gold plated probes in account when choosing a multimeter gives me the opinion that he should just man up and put in those extra few seconds to open the box and include the gold plated probes if supply issues aren't a problem now anymore. To get an idea about the amounts we're talking about: his current stock is 37pcs according to his website. So even if that's a weekly stock, imho it's still doable in a lost hour on a saturday afternoon. I always have a suspicious mind so I wonder if there are things at play that he's not telling us (like UEI potentially not liking it that probes from a competitor are being shipped) I'd like to hear back if the scotch brite trick worked for you on those UEI probes. If so, maybe Dave could open every box he sells and give the included UEI probes the treatment 😂🤣
Thank you very much for the great review (and the 121GW review). You have no idea how happy I am to find your videos on one of my targeted DMMs. (I just placed order for 121GW indeed). May I know how you choose between different models from Probe Master? I could not find much comparison between their products.
Thank you for your kind words. If you expand the text description under my video and look at the section named "BUY FROM PROBE MASTER," you will see links to my recommendations. Specifically, I show a smaller and less expensive kit, as well as the same kit I purchased. When you compare both of those kits I recommend, you will notice that both have the "8043S- Rt Angle Safety Banana Plug" selected, which is for compatibility with the 121GW. You will also note that I have a length of 48" selected in the popup menu on those respective product pages, and you can change that to end problem wire length you like between 24" and 120", which is amazing! Lastly, if for some reason you don't want "right angle" connectors for your probes to connect to the 121GW, note that 8028S is a straight connector that is fully compatible with the 121GW. That is an option you would need to select before you buy, but I prefer the right angle 8043S connectors (what is shown in my video). Please let me know if this answers your question.
Thank you for the explanation. I think I now know what to look for and I will probably buy the same kit as yours. The 9010 series is modular and probably not what I need. It seems that Porbe Master does not offer a stackable version of safety banana plug. I may need one in the future… 🤞🏼
I purchased my kit direct from ProbeMaster, not Amazon Japan. Amazon Japan prices are insane for that product and make no sense at all. Too bad too, because it would be easier and faster if the kit was officially sold on Amazon by the manufacturer. Instead we have rip-off artists who buy the kits from the USA, then sell them on Amazon Japan for prices no one would pay.
I can only "assume" you are asking "what makes the ProbeMaster probes different from the stock probes included with the 121GW multimeter." My answer to THAT question is the gold plating, perhaps, makes the biggest difference, seeing that both the stock 121GW probes and the ProbeMaster probes use soft-and-flexible silicone insulated leads. Not only that, but as you can see in my video, you get a lot of tip accessories with the ProbeMaster kit that you don't get when you buy the 121GW.
In my home lab, I own a large collection of Probe Master probes, tips, and shrouded banana plug cables. They are top-notch. I love the spring-loaded tip option. Great for piercing insulation or corrosion without stressing the circuit board too much.
Always lovely to see your content sir. I hope you and yours are well.
I never thought that I would be excited by watching a video comparing test leads, but you Sir have nailed-it! I have a new top of the range Siglent desktop multimeter and resistance measurement takes forever as you push each probe to make a decent contact. I'll be swapping these out for some Probe Master wonderfulness. I just wish they made the meter connection plug straight, rather than right-angled. Thank you for your time and effort in making this video. Cheers!
Thank you for your kind words. If you go to the ProbeMaster webpage that showcases the Kit I purchased, you will see, directly under the price, 8 different variations you can choose from, including variations that have straight plugs. probemaster.com/8000-series-test-lead-master-kits/
Mmmm.. they look very nice James! And considering the quality they are priced well within the reach of hobbyists which is always welcome! Excellent review!
Price is the thing, right? If you ignore the shipping charges, the price isn't too bad. But even with shipping to Japan it was bearable. I also bought their Speedy Bends kit some months back, which is a set of 3 plastic tools which help you bend the leads of axial components. Really great for the SE Reloaded kit, which is why I included that in the recent Giveaway. All said, Probe Master makes some good stuff!
Very nice and informative video. Thanks for posting. I’ll be ordering a set like yours as it looks quite complete.
Just got my kit earlier today. Exactly like yours. I am so impressed. Very high quality. Very pleasant to use. A solid product that works and will last forever.
Too, Probe Master sent with the kit a pamphlet that was the US Constitution. Very thoughtful and I really appreciated the gesture. I called them to thank them for such a great product and for the patriotic gift. As you probably know, their products are all made and assembled in El Cajon, California. It’s impressive to find that a U.S. based company has the best quality product.
I have the probe master probes with the standard banana plugs and they are great to use with any multimeter as well as with other bench top equipment like power supply and similar instruments. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the in depth look at these. Definitely going to go to these should my existing probes fail for any reason!
I love mine. Got the SMD kit.
Nice probes. I always do the "continuity test" myself and probes like the silver ones you showed here are not allowed in my toolbox.
Yes, and after this video, I bagged and stored those UEi probes away. I don't anticipate I will be using them again. To be honest, I never had a set of probes as bad as those. If you watched my 121GW review video, you will see that I show the stock probes on my other meters like the Fluke 116. Those aren't as perfect as the Probe Master when doing the continuity tap-test, but almost! And when it comes to that infuriatingly lone UEi probe stain relief, I've not see that before either. They are all around badly designed probes. And it's rather unfortunate for the 121GW meter because it originally shipped with Brymen gold-plated probes.
Do you have a part number for those male headers at 15:33? Do they work well? I have a bunch of .1" header connector test leads and love them on PCBs (where I always add headers for testing), but have not found headers that properly fit into a breadboard. The normal ones are too short and don't connect properly. I also tried "extra long" ones but the plastic thing always moves on me.
I've never had header issues with my JAMECO breadboards. The most recent header kit I purchased was from Amazon. You can see me show that kit in my ROM-inator video here: th-cam.com/video/CVClCLgBm6k/w-d-xo.html
Header & Jumper Kit (affiliate link): amzn.to/3tQoCi8
Maybe the contact is not made with the screw terminal? There could be a gold plated contact inside the hole where you plug the tip into. Could you check this?
I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.
My advice for everyone with nickel plated probes: give them a little scuff with some scotchbrite and some alcohol.
It'll do wonders with the surface conductivity. Not as good as goldplated (although nickelplated is much more durable than goldplated, so maybe more suitable for 'rugged' enviroments), but it'll solve 99% of the problems.
But nice review, it sure looks like top quality. But this kit isn't cheap; where I live (europe) this kit is €90 (incl tax), so quite an extra expense on a ~€200,- multimeter.
The brymen gold plated silicone test leads that were originally supplied with the 121GW multimeter only cost €11,--. Too bad (and honestly hard to believe) that UEI (which is an experienced and well known manufacturer) couldn't come up with a suitable (gold plated) alternative to those.
I didn't try rubbing the 121GW's stock probe tips with abrasives like ScotchBrite , but I did use 100% IPA and that didn't improve surface conductivity at all, proving that oil and debris are not the issue with the UEI probe tips. Cost does matter though, so for people who can buy the Brymen gold plated probes, that would also be a great alternative, although you wouldn't get all the accessories that are included with the ProbeMaster kit I reviewed. I agree that UEI dropped the ball when it comes to offering use better probes.
@@JDW- It's indeed not a matter of an oily or greasy surface. My guess is that the nickel layer is just very passified (and has formed an oxide layer or a layer of chemical reaction with another substance), maybe due to additives in the nickelplating (additives to speed up the process or to enhance the shine or something like that).
A chemical like sulfuric acid of reasonable concentration also might remove that passive layer but that is not a substance I'd recommend people to mess around with when some scotchbrite (like the green back of a kitchen sponge) does the same thing.
Even the cheapest probes like you get with cheap aneng meters start to function sufficiently with that.
It's not on the level of a decent gold plated probe, but it never will be. For electronics, gold plated probes are the best, and they should've come with a supposedly top tier multimeter like the 121GW.
Especially as Dave is pretty much the godfather of the stroke-continuity-test importance.
In my review video of the 121GW, I showed Dave’s reply back to me on the EEBlog forum, where he said he changed the probes for reasons of logistics and practicality. While I can appreciate and fully understand that, the fact remains that the product suffered a bit, when compared to to the probes included in the initial 121GW offering. So it seems, Dave was willing to make that sacrifice. I will try your scotch brite idea and see if that changes anything.
@@JDW- Yes I saw Dave's reaction in your other video. I can understand that supply problems are a valid reason (when a customer has ordered and paid, you have to ship), but logistic reasons like opening the box is imho a bit of a lame excuse. He did that for the first few years, which I assume are the years that the meter sells best, and having made a video about it where he literally says that the viewer should take gold plated probes in account when choosing a multimeter gives me the opinion that he should just man up and put in those extra few seconds to open the box and include the gold plated probes if supply issues aren't a problem now anymore. To get an idea about the amounts we're talking about: his current stock is 37pcs according to his website. So even if that's a weekly stock, imho it's still doable in a lost hour on a saturday afternoon.
I always have a suspicious mind so I wonder if there are things at play that he's not telling us (like UEI potentially not liking it that probes from a competitor are being shipped)
I'd like to hear back if the scotch brite trick worked for you on those UEI probes.
If so, maybe Dave could open every box he sells and give the included UEI probes the treatment 😂🤣
Thank you very much for the great review (and the 121GW review). You have no idea how happy I am to find your videos on one of my targeted DMMs. (I just placed order for 121GW indeed).
May I know how you choose between different models from Probe Master? I could not find much comparison between their products.
Thank you for your kind words.
If you expand the text description under my video and look at the section named "BUY FROM PROBE MASTER," you will see links to my recommendations. Specifically, I show a smaller and less expensive kit, as well as the same kit I purchased. When you compare both of those kits I recommend, you will notice that both have the "8043S- Rt Angle Safety Banana Plug" selected, which is for compatibility with the 121GW. You will also note that I have a length of 48" selected in the popup menu on those respective product pages, and you can change that to end problem wire length you like between 24" and 120", which is amazing! Lastly, if for some reason you don't want "right angle" connectors for your probes to connect to the 121GW, note that 8028S is a straight connector that is fully compatible with the 121GW. That is an option you would need to select before you buy, but I prefer the right angle 8043S connectors (what is shown in my video). Please let me know if this answers your question.
Thank you for the explanation. I think I now know what to look for and I will probably buy the same kit as yours.
The 9010 series is modular and probably not what I need.
It seems that Porbe Master does not offer a stackable version of safety banana plug. I may need one in the future… 🤞🏼
How much are Probemasters in Japan? They seem to be over 20,000 yen on Amazon.... which when they supposedly cost $35 doesnt seem to make sense.
I purchased my kit direct from ProbeMaster, not Amazon Japan. Amazon Japan prices are insane for that product and make no sense at all. Too bad too, because it would be easier and faster if the kit was officially sold on Amazon by the manufacturer. Instead we have rip-off artists who buy the kits from the USA, then sell them on Amazon Japan for prices no one would pay.
what make it different? the coating or the wire?
I can only "assume" you are asking "what makes the ProbeMaster probes different from the stock probes included with the 121GW multimeter." My answer to THAT question is the gold plating, perhaps, makes the biggest difference, seeing that both the stock 121GW probes and the ProbeMaster probes use soft-and-flexible silicone insulated leads. Not only that, but as you can see in my video, you get a lot of tip accessories with the ProbeMaster kit that you don't get when you buy the 121GW.
Excelente