Which fluke test leads to choose

[leniwiec]

Hi guys!

My old fluke tl75 leads are dead and I am about to buy new... but I am little bit confused because there are, in similar prise, few models:

1. TL-75
2. TL-75-1
3. TL-175
4. TL175E
5. TL-71
6. TL-76

Can anyone show me the difference between each of them (I mean tl-75 vs tl-75-1, tl-175 vs. TL-175E) and which of them will be better in general electronics use, I was using tl-75 but all of them are in about the same price.

Cheers!

ps. sorry for my bad english - it is not my native ;-)

[jamesp15]

My favorites are the TL-71, nice soft and supple silicone leads, they don't tangle and aren't too expensive (at least in the US, $23 on amazon with free shipping).

TL175E's are nice as well, but the TL-71's are more comfortable to use for me.

[StubbornGreek]

I also like the TL-71's. I wish I could find a 'miniature' set of these...

The difference between the TL-75 and TL-175 is the Twist'Lock technology (no experience with them but I'd like to call out gimmick).

[jamesp15]

For low voltage/current stuff, I _love_ the Fluke TL910's...  which are kinda like a "miniature" set of the TL-71's

TINY points on them, sewing pin tiny and sharp and the tips are replacable.  Silicone leads and all.
The hand-grip parts on them are a bit small, but that just helps them get into tight area's. 
Not a great "primary" leads set, and a bit pricey, but for fine electronics work I find them indispensable.

www.amazon.com/Fluke-TL910-Electronic-Test-Probes/dp/B000VRJH0G

[leniwiec]

For low voltage/current stuff, I _love_ the Fluke TL910's...  which are kinda like a "miniature" set of the TL-71's

TINY points on them, sewing pin tiny and sharp and the tips are replacable.  Silicone leads and all.
The hand-grip parts on them are a bit small, but that just helps them get into tight area's. 
Not a great "primary" leads set, and a bit pricey, but for fine electronics work I find them indispensable.

www.amazon.com/Fluke-TL910-Electronic-Test-Probes/dp/B000VRJH0G

TL910's looks nice, but they are about 4 times more expensive here in poland.
You are using both TL75 and TL71, besides of the handgrip difference, are the needle at the end are same size in both of them ?

[FenderBender]

I have a set of TL-175s.

They have a retractable guard which provides more isolation from what you are measuring...if you need it.

Nice silicone leads like all Fluke test leads. Not too expensive. Only thing I wish they had was some more cushioning, but in reality, they are quite nice.

[StubbornGreek]

I have a set of TL-175s.

They have a retractable guard which provides more isolation from what you are measuring...if you need it.

Nice silicone leads like all Fluke test leads. Not too expensive. Only thing I wish they had was some more cushioning, but in reality, they are quite nice.

Good to know. I always wondered whether these were any good.

@ jamesp15, oh, I think I found my next set of leads. Thanks for the link.

[robrenz]

These Probemaster probes are very well made and also very competitively priced.  This looks like a very comprehensive set but there are lots of other styles and sets on the site.

[SLJ]

These guys make probe kits here in the U.S. (Ohio): http://www.usprobes.net/index.htm
They look pretty good for the price. I'm going to purchase a kit with the needle probes shortly.

[jamesp15]

For low voltage/current stuff, I _love_ the Fluke TL910's...  which are kinda like a "miniature" set of the TL-71's

TINY points on them, sewing pin tiny and sharp and the tips are replacable.  Silicone leads and all.
The hand-grip parts on them are a bit small, but that just helps them get into tight area's. 
Not a great "primary" leads set, and a bit pricey, but for fine electronics work I find them indispensable.

www.amazon.com/Fluke-TL910-Electronic-Test-Probes/dp/B000VRJH0G

TL910's looks nice, but they are about 4 times more expensive here in poland.
You are using both TL75 and TL71, besides of the handgrip difference, are the needle at the end are same size in both of them ?

The points on the TL71 and TL75 are the same, the difference is in the composition of the hand grips and the wires themselves.  I much prefer silicone insulated wire for their flexibility and how they dont "want" to tangle up when bundling them up like PVC insulated ones usually do.

[Shuggsy]

I have a set of TL-175s.

They have a retractable guard which provides more isolation from what you are measuring...if you need it.

Nice silicone leads like all Fluke test leads. Not too expensive. Only thing I wish they had was some more cushioning, but in reality, they are quite nice.

Ditto this, got them not too long ago. Put in for a set at work then grabbed one for myself shortly afterward. I've yet to have an issue when them and the retractable guards have been nice for me when I'm probing around mains input terminal blocks

[leniwiec]

I have a set of TL-175s.

They have a retractable guard which provides more isolation from what you are measuring...if you need it.

Nice silicone leads like all Fluke test leads. Not too expensive. Only thing I wish they had was some more cushioning, but in reality, they are quite nice.

But this retractable guard are comfortable in use ? I mean, is this retractable mechanism solid so after some time will it don;t turn around by it self ?

For low voltage/current stuff, I _love_ the Fluke TL910's...  which are kinda like a "miniature" set of the TL-71's

TINY points on them, sewing pin tiny and sharp and the tips are replacable.  Silicone leads and all.
The hand-grip parts on them are a bit small, but that just helps them get into tight area's. 
Not a great "primary" leads set, and a bit pricey, but for fine electronics work I find them indispensable.

www.amazon.com/Fluke-TL910-Electronic-Test-Probes/dp/B000VRJH0G

TL910's looks nice, but they are about 4 times more expensive here in poland.
You are using both TL75 and TL71, besides of the handgrip difference, are the needle at the end are same size in both of them ?

The points on the TL71 and TL75 are the same, the difference is in the composition of the hand grips and the wires themselves.  I much prefer silicone insulated wire for their flexibility and how they dont "want" to tangle up when bundling them up like PVC insulated ones usually do.

So now I am between TL75 and TL-175... ;-)

[melrel]

Hi leniwiec
I have a set of TL175's and I thought they were a bit gimmicky at first.  Dave didn't like them much either, I think mostly because of their size.  However there are some redeeming factors.  Mine came with a set of banana connectors which you screw on to the end of the probe point when they are in the full out position.  This is great when using breadboard stuff and I need them to slot into binding posts etc.  They also came with a substantial pair of CAT 11/111 alligator clips - beautiful.  These just slot on the end of the probes when they are in the out position.  I use these for mains applications.  Hopes this helps you choose.

[zaoka]

You can byt TL910 from Pomona under different name, they cost about 30% less.

I recommend Probe Master, they are better quality than TL910.

[leniwiec]

You can byt TL910 from Pomona under different name, they cost about 30% less.

I recommend Probe Master, they are better quality than TL910.

Problem is that Pomona and Probe Master are not available in Poland, and shipping costs will be around 100usd.
I think I will finally get tl-175 ;-)

[zaoka]

You can get them from Conrad or Nedis...

[mianchen]

These Probemaster probes are very well made and also very competitively priced.  This looks like a very comprehensive set but there are lots of other styles and sets on the site.

Those look lovely, but the shipping cost is insane ($84 to the UK) 

[Wartex]

You can byt TL910 from Pomona under different name, they cost about 30% less.

I recommend Probe Master, they are better quality than TL910.

Problem is that Pomona and Probe Master are not available in Poland, and shipping costs will be around 100usd.
I think I will finally get tl-175 ;-)

I can ship them to you if you send money over paypal.

[willb]

I have TL-75 leads for my Fluke 45 and 325 and a pair of TL-175 for my 87IV and I like the TL-175 a lot more. The silicone leads feel much nicer, definitely a lot more flexible. I can never get my 75's to coil nicely. I want to equip all my meters with a pair. I also like the twist guard feature, I thought it was a bit of a gimmick at first but I have found it quite handy on a few occasions working on professional grade audio amplifiers which are often cramped.

I, somehow, broke my first set of TL-175 leads. The pointy section of one of the leads broke off. I have no idea how I broke them. Fluke Canada was awesome about it. They replaced them right away, no hassle. My second pair is holding up so far.

[leniwiec]

You can byt TL910 from Pomona under different name, they cost about 30% less.

I recommend Probe Master, they are better quality than TL910.

Problem is that Pomona and Probe Master are not available in Poland, and shipping costs will be around 100usd.
I think I will finally get tl-175 ;-)

I can ship them to you if you send money over paypal.

Nice! But it is not the solution, still I will have to pay tax and UE import duty, yh!
And I still think that fluke will be better because there is a service in Poland so guarantee is not a problem.

[leniwiec]

I have TL-75 leads for my Fluke 45 and 325 and a pair of TL-175 for my 87IV and I like the TL-175 a lot more. The silicone leads feel much nicer, definitely a lot more flexible. I can never get my 75's to coil nicely. I want to equip all my meters with a pair. I also like the twist guard feature, I thought it was a bit of a gimmick at first but I have found it quite handy on a few occasions working on professional grade audio amplifiers which are often cramped.

I, somehow, broke my first set of TL-175 leads. The pointy section of one of the leads broke off. I have no idea how I broke them. Fluke Canada was awesome about it. They replaced them right away, no hassle. My second pair is holding up so far.

I see the difference on your photos, this confirms me in the belief that TL175 will be better choice

[jamesp15]

Dont know if this will be helpful, but here is a close-in of the handles/tips of the TL75/71/910.

[Shuggsy]

Not sure about others, but we go through a fair amount of TL910's at work. I had a pair which I took very good care of (always kept the covers over the tips when not in use, always coiled loosely while keeping the wire right at the end of the probe straight, kept in a case when not in use, etc.) and they died on me after about 2 years of fairly low use. First the black lead died right around the probe and a few months later the red lead died. Still not sure what exactly broke in them, but others at work have had the same problem. In that same time, there's been some pairs of larger leads (don't know the model) that have been in use for 10's of years each.

It's one reason I went with the TL175 vs. another set of TL910's... the small probe is very nice, but I can make due with the larger TL175... especially if they hold up better!

[jamesp15]

Not sure about others, but we go through a fair amount of TL910's at work. I had a pair which I took very good care of (always kept the covers over the tips when not in use, always coiled loosely while keeping the wire right at the end of the probe straight, kept in a case when not in use, etc.) and they died on me after about 2 years of fairly low use. First the black lead died right around the probe and a few months later the red lead died. Still not sure what exactly broke in them, but others at work have had the same problem. In that same time, there's been some pairs of larger leads (don't know the model) that have been in use for 10's of years each.

It's one reason I went with the TL175 vs. another set of TL910's... the small probe is very nice, but I can make due with the larger TL175... especially if they hold up better!

I have 2 sets of the Fluke 910's and 1 of the Pomona version and all 3 have help up well. (1 set is ~2 years old, the other 2 are ~1 year old)

I use one set pretty heavily, its on its 2nd set of replacement tips, never had an issue with any of them.

That said, they definitely are NOT for everyday "front line" use.  For that the TL71's I like the best out of the TL75/TL71/TL175's.

[leniwiec]

I just get confused when I was to order my new tl-175. There are TL-175-1 and TL-175E and the price is different by about 10Eur, but the specification for both are the same! Can anyone tell me what is the difference between them ?