Oscilloscope Probes, Rigol

[SeoulBigChris]

I've had a Rigol DS1054Z for years, and a couple of years back I got a newer MSO5074 model. The scope probes are just crap, or upon more investigation, the spring clips are the problem. They are extremely noisy / make poor contact. You just bump the wire or the probe, and the signal goes bonkers.

If I don't use the clip, the signals are rock solid. Is this a known defect in Rigol probes, either in general or a one-off bad lot? Is there a simple solution, or just bite the bullet and order a new set of (compatible) probes from a different company? If the latter, any suggestions?

[SeoulBigChris]

So, on a whim, I unpacked the DS1054Z and swapped out its probes with the MSO5074. Works like a champ. The ones from the MSO5074 are labeled PVP2350, which is a 350 MHz probe according to their website. The ones from the DS1054Z are labeled PVP3150, a 150 MHz flavor. I'm all set for now, but I'd like to eventually sort this out, buying new probes or maybe new clips.

[Darkover]

and order a new set of (compatible) probes from a different company? If the latter, any suggestions?

I am a huge fan ov PMK 2.5mm. For example the PML211

https://pmkamerica.com/collections/pml-high-z-probe-series

The advantage is the spring contact in the middle. That made it even easier to connect with the spring clip.
Not cheap, but PML delivers the probe for most of the expensive brand and are probably cheaper than Tek or Agilent. 

Olaf

[David Hess]

I cannot access the site at the moment, but previously Rigol was using probes from Texas, or Texas was selling the same probes.  Keysight also has used their probes in the past.

http://www.texas.com.cn

I have some of their 350 MHz 10x probes and they still work, but in the future I plan on buying probes from someone else like Probemaster.

[KungFuJosh]

I prefer the probes from ProbeMaster.com to anything else I've tried.

[SeoulBigChris]

Thanks for the tips (pun not intended). The Probe Master ones fit my budget and hopefully expectations. I’m also going to write to Rigol and see if they will send me four of the spring clips as replacements for what I consider a defective set of probe kits (I’m assuming the issue is the spring clip itself and not the probe, given the symptoms).

Judging from the photos on their website, I like the long and thin shape of the Probe Master spring clip, allowing better reach and grouping of probes than the Rigol design. They sure make a wide variety of test leads, not just o-scope probes.

I am tempted to order their “probe kit” which you customize with the probes of your selection. That case seems less likely to be lost compared to the typical vinyl zip lock bags.

[TomKatt]

I love the ProbeMaster gear - I have the 8000 series meter kit and the 4900 series scope kit.  They are very well made but the best part may be the accessories available - they have something for virtually every hookup you can find yourself in.  Silly things like the Dupont style wire-wrap pin sockets come in handy when you need to probe pins on a crowded socket.  And they provide those pin leads for both the ground terminal as well as the tip (it slides on the tip like a cup).  Additionally, you can create your own custom kits as you like - I got a set of 4 with two 1X/10X and two 10X fixed with the accessories.

Also, if you ever do run into problems they stand behind their products with a no questions asked replacement.  They are also Made in the USA if you appreciate that (I do).

The only thing I wish was different on my scope probes is that the cable leads aren't as soft and flexible as their meter probes are...  They use some kind of custom made coax scope cable that is certainly high quality, but not as flexible as some other brands.  But that's not to infer that they are too rigid - they are more than serviceable and I think I'll benefit in the long run when they outlast other probes in my often rough production floor environments.

EDIT - The PM storage case is also well made, but I find the fit a bit tight for a set of 4 probes and accessories...  I bought a nylon travel case for my scope that has pockets for the probes, so I just keep the myriad of accessories in the PM case.

[KungFuJosh]

ProbeMaster is awesome, and well priced...but also a slippery slope. I bought waaaaaaaaay too many probes from them already lol. TEAS applies to probes too!

EDIT - The PM storage case is also well made, but I find the fit a bit tight for a set of 4 probes and accessories...  I bought a nylon travel case for my scope that has pockets for the probes, so I just keep the myriad of accessories in the PM case.

They sell the cases separately. I have some in storage, some in my quick access drawer. I agree, I don't leave more than 2 probes in 1 case, and I also have a couple cases of just accessories (1 for DMM stuff, 1 for scope stuff).

I am tempted to order their “probe kit” which you customize with the probes of your selection. That case seems less likely to be lost compared to the typical vinyl zip lock bags.

A master kit is a nice choice for a first set. If you're getting more than two probes, you might want to get an extra case too.

[David Hess]

I have so far only purchased a custom multimeter probe kit from ProbeMaster, without the case, but the implementation and quality was excellent.

I have considered PMK, but their availability is not the best in the US.

[crysti]

I would kindly ask, if anyone owns a Rigol PVP2350 oscilloscope probe, could you please let me know the probe's resistance in 1x mode? I'm asking because I recently purchased such a probe, and it measures 180 ohms. I suspect this might be the reason I'm experiencing linearity issues — the signal drops off sharply after 106 MHz. The oscilloscope's original probes exhibit a linear drop in the displayed voltage.

[David Hess]

I would kindly ask, if anyone owns a Rigol PVP2350 oscilloscope probe, could you please let me know the probe's resistance in 1x mode? I'm asking because I recently purchased such a probe, and it measures 180 ohms. I suspect this might be the reason I'm experiencing linearity issues — the signal drops off sharply after 106 MHz. The oscilloscope's original probes exhibit a linear drop in the displayed voltage.

I do not have one, but 180 ohms is about typical for a probe in 1x mode.  The difficult part to replicate in an oscilloscope probe is the cable which uses a center conductor with a specific amount of distributed resistance.

[Fungus]

I don't have one of those but I have a 3150 and it measures 235 Ohms - not far off 180.

[DaneLaw]

I often use these.



Cant recall their frequency spec's but its either 300MHz or 500Mhz...10x and 100x
Seems to be same far east production backland that some of the known brands source probes from.

I like the sq to oval elongated form factor in the hand, and makes it easy to clamp in a rig and same with the banana socket interface for ground, and the ability to use all the banana based accessories i have on hand, not least 4mm gear and also shielded cables, if I can't rely on a short ground path.
And the quality seems decent for the price, with a molded hardrubber grip and silicone gwire.

[thm_w]

You can buy new probes or use alternate ground leads.
I like these ones, or you can make pin header ones, etc.: https://parrot-invent.com/parrot-clip-models/oscilloscope-probes/

I would kindly ask, if anyone owns a Rigol PVP2350 oscilloscope probe, could you please let me know the probe's resistance in 1x mode? I'm asking because I recently purchased such a probe, and it measures 180 ohms. I suspect this might be the reason I'm experiencing linearity issues — the signal drops off sharply after 106 MHz. The oscilloscope's original probes exhibit a linear drop in the displayed voltage.

You realize the bandwidth rating for 1X mode on those probes is 35MHz right? Well below what you measured.
https://www.batronix.com/files/Rigol/Tastkoepfe/PVP2350_Users_guide.pdf

[crysti]

You can buy new probes or use alternate ground leads.
I like these ones, or you can make pin header ones, etc.: https://parrot-invent.com/parrot-clip-models/oscilloscope-probes/

I would kindly ask, if anyone owns a Rigol PVP2350 oscilloscope probe, could you please let me know the probe's resistance in 1x mode? I'm asking because I recently purchased such a probe, and it measures 180 ohms. I suspect this might be the reason I'm experiencing linearity issues — the signal drops off sharply after 106 MHz. The oscilloscope's original probes exhibit a linear drop in the displayed voltage.

You realize the bandwidth rating for 1X mode on those probes is 35MHz right? Well below what you measured.
https://www.batronix.com/files/Rigol/Tastkoepfe/PVP2350_Users_guide.pdf

In 1x mode, I have almost 45 MHz for a -3 dB attenuation.

[Fungus]

You realize the bandwidth rating for 1X mode on those probes is 35MHz right? Well below what you measured.
https://www.batronix.com/files/Rigol/Tastkoepfe/PVP2350_Users_guide.pdf

In 1x mode, I have almost 45 MHz for a -3 dB attenuation.

They exceed specification? Be happy!