I’m surprised I didn’t see it mentioned in this thread, And I apologize if I’m mistaken.
There is a very similar device to the Tone-Ohm.
It’s called the “leak-seeker 89” by “electronic design specialists” (EDS). It Was designed by Dave Migga 20 or 30 years ago. I’ve recently built one, and I am very impressed. It may very well replace my polar toneOhm devices that have been on my bench for the past few years.
It’s very intuitive, very accurate, and super easy to use! EDS doesn’t sell them anymore, and they can’t be found used. But Dave at EDS offers parts kits, Including programmed chips.
And “the eccentric workshop“ sells The PCB’s for $20, Original enclosure for $30, and even the original graphic decals for $10. All of it is the highest quality with no expense spared… so total build cost will be around $160. Very well worth it in my opinion!
The guy from eccentric workshop worked really hard tracking down the original enclosures, which are made in America and very high quality. He designed the PCBs to great quality, and they drop effortlessly into the enclosure. It’s very obvious the PCB was designed to drop in that exact enclosure. it fits like a glove and makes Construction super fast! The decals are very high-quality vinyl, and have a UV protective top layer which should allow them to last a long time.
I’m only a hobbyist, but my entire workbench is equipped with HP and TEK gear that I purchased “untested or broken”… And repaired myself. my experience and understanding is extremely lacking when compared to most of you guys… But I have disassembled, diagnosed, or repaired 50 or so pieces of “decent“ test gear in the past year. Mostly tek and HP stuff. So although Im inexperienced and not so knowledgeable… I have a basic understanding of what quality looks like...inside and out.
And leakseeker has a good fit and finish, & a lot of thought has gone into design. The parts are all high-quality and everything is as it should be.
If you search for the leak seeker 89 on YouTube, there’s a guy or who repairs video games and consoles… I don’t quite remember his name but he has a video demonstrating this device. He is very impressed with it. He didn’t really read the manual or practice with it first, so it’s a bit slow & repetitive… But you’ll get the general idea.
I can tell you from experience, it took me about two hours to build the unit, and then about 30 minutes playing around with it, to become comfortable with the user interface. like I said it’s very intuitive. A child could use it. And it’s incredibly sensitive, But with the ability to adjust sensitivity and re-calibrate automatically.....in a heartbeat... without moving your hands or lifting the probe.
The designer (Dave migga) also has a few videos on the design.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my TONEOHM devices, my HP current tracer, my various curve tracers, my DE5000, The diy ESR multimeter adapter designed by the gentleman here on the forum, and of course my flir thermal camera. But the LEAKSEEKER was a welcome addition to my bench. And I’m sure you see the connection between all of those devices.... and my terrible grammar or writing style.... those devices make it easier for a dummy like myself, Who lacks great experience and understanding, but is learning quickly. And these various faultfinding tools feel like cheating… but help a beginner like myself to understand & see what’s happening in the circuit.
Thank you for enduring my write up.
I hope someone finds this helpful.
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