My Agilent crocodiles broke, any recomendations for new ones?

[toli]

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.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37472979/2013_0824_1204_57.jpg
I'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 condition

Anyway, 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?

[Oracle]

How much would you like to spend?

[toli]

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=39
I'm not familiar with this brand, are they any good? The price sure seems great for such a kit.

[Oracle]

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=76067

But, if I were you, I wouldn't look to save money on accessory after all...

[toli]

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?

[zaoka]

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.

[free_electron]

probe masters are good.

[toli]

Excellent, thank you.

Now just have to find a store where shipping to Israel doesn't cost 90$ as in their web-site 

[alm]

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.

[mzacharias]

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.

[toli]

Thanks. For the price of the AC72 I can get the entire kit from ProbeMaster (~45$ shipped from eBay), seems like a better deal

[Oracle]

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?

yes, 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....

[Oracle]

Thanks. For the price of the AC72 I can get the entire kit from ProbeMaster (~45$ shipped from eBay), seems like a better deal

yes, absolutely.

[nanofrog]

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%3aProbemaster
Testwave (no idea if they ship internationally or not, but the prices are good): http://www.testwave.com/probe_master.html

[Oracle]

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.