Products > Test Equipment
Siglent P510 Probes - Junk or bad luck ?
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TomKatt:

--- Quote from: bd139 on September 16, 2023, 10:08:20 pm ---I still can't see why they don't buy in some 10x fixed probes. Surely something like an Agilent 10074C can be produced for the same or probably less money than a shitty switchable one.

Actually on that they really need to sell the following separately as well:

1. Standard 10x probe
2. Standard 1x probe
3. Replacement hardware kit for the above!

Probe kits need the long strap, ground spring, coax adapter, markers and some decent plastic protectors that allow SOIC / DIP poking.

Should ship Nx 10X (where N=number of channels) and 1x 1X with the scopes.

--- End quote ---
The available accessories were a large factor in my decision to purchase the Probe Master set - the number of options is very impressive.  Combined with higher build quality and nice silicone wire, they're a good investment. 

Edit - I watched a Probe Master promo video...  I knew they were made in the US but didn't realize they do their own plastic injection and make virtually all the components used to make their probes.  Apparently they also custom spec their cable wire.  And it's nice to support US manufacturing when I can.
vk6zgo:

--- Quote from: Doctorandus_P on September 16, 2023, 12:39:04 pm ---So apparently a loose PCB in the probe is a common problem and they send you a replacement when you send them a picture of a faulty one. So that solves most of it.

For the rest, if the PCB inside the probe moves, then just drill a hole through the outer shell of the probe and inject some hot glue to fixate the PCB. (Of course after you've received confirmation you get a new probe).

As for the probe switch. Sure you can do low frequency stuff with the switch set to 1:1, and it lowers the noise floor, as there is less amplification in the scope, but you can do that with any wire.

--- End quote ---

The advantage of a 1:1 probe is that it isn't just "any wire" & offers you the same convenience you get with a X10 probe.
The clip will usually stay where you put it, & slipping the end off the probe, you have a nice slim point for "back probing" plugs or looking at the pins of ICs, etc.

Along with a BWD 845 Oscilloscope, I recently acquired a switched probe, also from BWD.
After 50 odd years, the switch still works perfectly, the probe is little thicker than the modern "El Cheapos" I have, but not obtrusively so.
Of course, in 1970, it probably cost a couple of day's wages, so it should have been well made!

When I was at the TV Studio, there were always a few dead Tektronix probes around which could be rebuilt into "Frankenprobes".
They were officially "written off", but found their way into my toolbox, as they were perfectly OK when rebuilt.

I was told to take my toolbox with me when I left, so I did so, complete with rebuilt probes & a few probe corpses.
That was a long time back, so the "Frankenprobes" have all run out.

The cheap secondhand Tek probes from the USA appearing on eBay become unaffordable when the ridiculous shipping quotes are added to the price, so in Oz, they are pretty much not worth the effort.

Strangely, again on Oz eBay, it is cheaper to buy Chinese "El Cheapo" probes through ostensibly Australian sellers than direct from China, & they aren't all that much more expensive "across the counter" at "bricks & mortar" shops.
tautech:

--- Quote from: bd139 on September 16, 2023, 10:08:20 pm ---I still can't see why they don't buy in some 10x fixed probes.
--- End quote ---
Siglent do but only 350 MHz probes:
https://siglentna.com/product/sp2035-350-mhz-oscilloscope-probe/


--- Quote ---Actually on that they really need to sell the following separately as well:
1. Standard 10x probe
2. Standard 1x probe
3. Replacement hardware kit for the above!
--- End quote ---
https://siglentna.com/product/probe-accessory-kit-pak1/
https://siglentna.com/product/probe-accessory-kit-pak2/


--- Quote ---Probe kits need the long strap, ground spring, coax adapter, markers and some decent plastic protectors that allow SOIC / DIP poking.
--- End quote ---
All in the above pak2


--- Quote ---Should ship Nx 10X (where N=number of channels) and 1x 1X with the scopes.
--- End quote ---
And what acceptable % cost increase would cover these ?  :-//

IMO it would make more sense to only ship 10x probes with scopes however the convenience of 1x with a switchable probe is valuable for some but can be done with the cheap BNC to croc leads that are widely available and do also have other usefulness on the bench.
BillyO:

--- Quote from: tautech on September 17, 2023, 01:40:35 am ---IMO it would make more sense to only ship 10x probes with scopes however the convenience of 1x with a switchable probe is valuable for some but can be done with the cheap BNC to croc leads that are widely available and do also have other usefulness on the bench.

--- End quote ---

Not quite right though.  1X 10X switchable probes have resistance wire for the center conductor.  Usually 300-500 ohms.  This helps dampen issues related to impedance mismatches which you can easily get with the BNC to crock leads.  If the crock leads are used correctly (50 ohm loading both ends) they are actually pretty damn good, but just connected up willy-nilly can land you in a land of nightmares and "interesting" results.  Especially the cheaper ones with long un-shielded leads to the clips.  Of course with audio frequencies it matters little about reflections and ringing, but EMI noise pickup can still be a pain.
bdunham7:

--- Quote from: BillyO on September 17, 2023, 01:53:16 am ---Not quite right though.  1X 10X switchable probes have resistance wire for the center conductor.  Usually 300-500 ohms.  This helps dampen issues related to impedance mismatches which you can easily get with the BNC to crock leads.  If the crock leads are used correctly (50 ohm loading both ends) they are actually pretty damn good, but just connected up willy-nilly can land you in a land of nightmares and "interesting" results.  Especially the cheaper ones with long un-shielded leads to the clips.  Of course with audio frequencies it matters little about reflections and ringing, but EMI noise pickup can still be a pain.

--- End quote ---

The wavelength of 20 MHz is about 50 meters, so about 35 meters in coax.  As long as you use your 20 MHz BW limiter, there won't be any transmission line effects.  You still can pick up noise below that with loops in the test leads, etc, but that isn't related to any impedance or transmission line effects.  I wouldn't use any 1X probe with a 50R input setting, or am I misunderstanding you?

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