Difference between revisions of "Probe comparison"

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The ZEROPLUS probes seem to be custom-made by/for ZEROPLUS and are of similarly good quality, too (only one pin where you can attach, though; most other probe types usually have two).
The ZEROPLUS probes seem to be custom-made by/for ZEROPLUS and are of similarly good quality, too (only one pin where you can attach, though; most other probe types usually have two).


Saleae used to deliver EZ-Hooks with the Logic; currently at least the Logic16 comes with a cheaper copy. The Link Instruments MSO-19 comes with the same probes (in different colors).
Saleae used to deliver EZ-Hooks with the [[Saleae Logic]]; currently at least the [[Saleae Logic16]] comes with a cheaper copy. The [[Link Instruments MSO-19]] comes with the same probes (in different colors).


<gallery>
<gallery>
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File:Probe-mso19.jpg|<small>Link Instruments MSO19 probe.</small>
File:Probe-mso19.jpg|<small>Link Instruments MSO19 probe.</small>
File:Tpi mc1 probe.jpg|<small>TPI MC1 probe.</small>
File:Tpi mc1 probe.jpg|<small>TPI MC1 probe.</small>
File:Probe Rigol front.jpg<small>Rigol probe (front)</small>
File:Probe Rigol front.jpg|<small>Rigol probe (front)</small>
File:Probe Rigol back.jpg<small>Rigol probe (back)</small>
File:Probe Rigol back.jpg|<small>Rigol probe (back)</small>
</gallery>
</gallery>


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File:Pomona grabber1.jpg|<small>Pomona Grabber, side 1</small>
File:Pomona grabber1.jpg|<small>Pomona Grabber, side 1</small>
File:Pomona grabber2.jpg|<small>Pomona Grabber, side 2</small>
File:Pomona grabber2.jpg|<small>Pomona Grabber, side 2</small>
</gallery>
==== Universal-Chip Clip TSOP/MSOP/SSOP/TSSOP/SOIC/SOP ====
These are noname probes with gripper hooks that are available from AliExpress, e.g. [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Universal-chip-clip-TSOP-MSOP-SSOP-TSSOP-SOIC-SOP-Car-Remote-Control-key-IC-Pin-clip/32615203653.html here], [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Universal-small-chip-clip-chip-PIN-clamping-test-clamping-General-IC-Logic-Analyzer-foot-burn-clips/32777804481.html here], or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Universal-chip-clip-TSOP-MSOP-SSOP-TSSOP-SOIC-SOP-car-remote-control-key-IC-pin-clip/32537624614.html here].
They're slightly better than the ultra-cheap [[Probe_comparison#Low-end_probes|low-end probes]] and can probe smaller-pitch devices. Opening the hook requires quite a bit of force and gets tedious after a while. They're larger and bulkier than e.g. the [[Probe_comparison#E-Z-Hook_X2015|EZ-Hook X2015]] and cannot probe small-pitch devices as easily as X2015 can (see also photos).
<gallery>
File:Universal chip clip package top.jpg|<small>Package, top</small>
File:Universal chip clip package bottom.jpg|<small>Package, bottom</small>
File:Universal chip clip connector.jpg|<small>Connector</small>
File:Universal chip clip gripper hook.jpg|<small>Gripper hook</small>
File:Universal chip clip gripper hook2.jpg|<small>Gripper hook, open</small>
File:Universal chip clip example normal.jpg|<small>Example</small>
File:Universal chip clip example zoomed.jpg|<small>Example, zoomed</small>
File:Universal chip clip comparison ezhook x2015 normal.jpg|<small>Comparison to X2015</small>
File:Universal chip clip comparison ezhook x2015 zoomed.jpg|<small>Comparison to X2015, zoomed</small>
</gallery>
</gallery>


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File:Ezhook x2015 red2.jpg|<small>X2015, red 2</small>
File:Ezhook x2015 red2.jpg|<small>X2015, red 2</small>
File:Ezhook x2015 gripper.jpg|<small>Gripper</small>
File:Ezhook x2015 gripper.jpg|<small>Gripper</small>
File:Ezhook_x2015_lqfp_0_5mm.jpg|<small>LQFP 0.5mm pitch example</small>
</gallery>
</gallery>


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|}
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==== Mechano Japan FP-5 (FP-2B) ====
The [http://www.mechano.co.jp/products-img/pmc-cl.html Mechano Japan FP-5] (a.k.a FP-2B) micro test clips (microgrippers) are suitable for ICs with a pitch of 1.00mm&mdash;0.30mm. They're available from various vendors under different names.
<gallery>
File:Mechano FP-5.jpg|<small>FP-5</small>
File:Mechano FP-2S and FP-5.jpg|<small>FP-2S and FP-5, front</small>
File:Mechano FP-2S and FP-5 back.jpg|<small>FP-2S and FP-5, back</small>
File:Mechano FP-2S and FP-5 grabbers.jpg|<small>FP-2S and FP-5, grabbers</small>
</gallery>
=== Needles ===
==== Hirschmann Mikro-Pruef MPS-2 ====
The [http://www.newark.com/hirschmann-testmeasurement/973995100/probe-test-micro-black-mln/dp/67C8522 Hirschmann Mikro-Pruef MPS-2] spring-loaded needles can be used to easily probe PCB vias.
They're useful for usage with logic analyzers as well as multimeters via [http://www.newark.com/hirschmann-testmeasurement/932959001/test-lead-kit/dp/92K8202 certain test leads].
<gallery>
File:Hirschmann mps-2 needles.jpg|<small>Spring-loaded needles</small>
File:Hirschmann mps-2 via.jpg|<small>Via</small>
File:Hirschmann mps-2 vias.jpg|<small>Vias</small>
File:Hirschmann mps-2 test leads.jpg|<small>Test leads</small>
File:Hirschmann mps-2 logic analyzer.jpg|<small>LA + needles</small>
File:Hirschmann mps-2 dmm.jpg|<small>DMM + needles</small>
</gallery>
=== Probe comparison ===
<gallery perrow="3">
File:Probe comparison cheap2 1.jpg|<small>Cheap #2</small>
File:Probe comparison cheap2 2.jpg|<small>Cheap #2</small>
File:Probe comparison cheap2 3.jpg|<small>Cheap #2</small>
File:Probe comparison ezhook xkm 1.jpg|<small>E-Z-Hook XKM</small>
File:Probe comparison ezhook xkm 2.jpg|<small>E-Z-Hook XKM</small>
File:Probe comparison ezhook xkm 3.jpg|<small>E-Z-Hook XKM</small>
File:Probe comparison electropjp 6800 1.jpg|<small>ElectroPJP 6800</small>
File:Probe comparison electropjp 6800 2.jpg|<small>ElectroPJP 6800</small>
File:Probe comparison electropjp 6800 3.jpg|<small>ElectroPJP 6800</small>
File:Probe comparison ezhook x2015 1.jpg|<small>E-Z-Hook X2015</small>
File:Probe comparison ezhook x2015 2.jpg|<small>E-Z-Hook X2015</small>
File:Probe comparison ezhook x2015 3.jpg|<small>E-Z-Hook X2015</small>
</gallery>
== Logic analyzer adapters ==
Attaching "normal" logic analyzer probes directly to the system you want to analyze is not always the easiest method. For specific use-cases there are also special "sniffer" or "breakout" boards that can be used.
=== Micro SD sniffer ===
<gallery>
File:Sparkfun microsd sniffer top.jpg
File:Sparkfun microsd sniffer bottom.jpg
</gallery>
=== SD sniffer ===
<gallery>
File:Sparkfun sd sniffer top.jpg
File:Sparkfun sd sniffer bottom.jpg
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Zeroplus sd sniffer package.jpg
File:Zeroplus sd sniffer manual.jpg
File:Zeroplus sd sniffer top.jpg
File:Zeroplus sd sniffer bottom.jpg
</gallery>
=== USB sniffer ===
<gallery>
File:Zeroplus usb sniffer package.jpg
File:Zeroplus usb sniffer manual.jpg
File:Zeroplus usb sniffer top.jpg
File:Zeroplus usb sniffer bottom.jpg
</gallery>
=== PCI sniffer ===
<gallery>
File:Zeroplus pci sniffer top.jpg
File:Zeroplus pci sniffer side.jpg
</gallery>
=== Nintendo Wii Nunchuk sniffer ===
<gallery>
File:Solarbotics nunchuk adapter top.jpg
File:Solarbotics nunchuk adapter bottom.jpg
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Flamingoeda wiichuck adapter top.jpg
File:Flamingoeda wiichuck adapter bottom.jpg
</gallery>


== Oscilloscope probes ==
== Oscilloscope probes ==
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TODO: Photos
TODO: Photos
[[Category:Device comparison]]

Revision as of 23:01, 5 April 2017

Probe collection.

Logic analyzer probes

There are many logic analyzer probes of varying quality and price on the market (see photo for a small subset).

Low-end probes

There are various simple and cheap logic analyzer probes available from various sources. Some logic analyzers are also shipped with this kind of probes out of the box.

They're generally not recommended, if you can avoid them. They're usually of low quality, break/bend/fail relatively quickly, and cannot be easily used to probe finer-pitch devices/pins. Probes 1 and 2 (see photos) also have the additional disadvantage that they're hardwired/soldered directly to a custom logic analyzer cable, which means they cannot be easily replaced, swapped, or removed and used for other purposes (which is possible with the other probes). See below for better alternatives.

Sometimes you can also replace the probes shipped with your device by a better-quality cable/probe set, e.g. in the case of the RockyLogic Ant8 probe cable (see photos).

Quality probes

The better-quality (and minimum recommended, in our opinion) probe type is the EZ-Hook. This type of probe is of sufficient quality, doesn't break too easily, and the grabber is small enough to probe most fine-pitch devices one usually encounters in day-to-day probing.

The Agilent probes (shipped with some Agilent oscilloscopes with integrated logic analyzer) seem to be exactly the same as the EZ-Hooks. They're probably merely rebranded for Agilent (just a guess).

The Tektronix probes are different, but of similarly good quality as the EZ-Hooks.

The ZEROPLUS probes seem to be custom-made by/for ZEROPLUS and are of similarly good quality, too (only one pin where you can attach, though; most other probe types usually have two).

Saleae used to deliver EZ-Hooks with the Saleae Logic; currently at least the Saleae Logic16 comes with a cheaper copy. The Link Instruments MSO-19 comes with the same probes (in different colors).

Pomona Grabber

The Pomona Grabber probes seem of similarly good quality (and also have only one pin where you can attach).

Universal-Chip Clip TSOP/MSOP/SSOP/TSSOP/SOIC/SOP

These are noname probes with gripper hooks that are available from AliExpress, e.g. here, here, or here.

They're slightly better than the ultra-cheap low-end probes and can probe smaller-pitch devices. Opening the hook requires quite a bit of force and gets tedious after a while. They're larger and bulkier than e.g. the EZ-Hook X2015 and cannot probe small-pitch devices as easily as X2015 can (see also photos).

High-end probes

There are of course also various higher-end, special-purpose probes which are much more expensive. They allow for probing much smaller pitch devices, for example.

TPI NC1 series

The Test Products International (TPI) NC1 is a series of micro test clips.

Where to buy:

Vendor Device Comments Price
Digikey TPI NC1B Black €7.30
Digikey TPI NC1BLUE Blue €8.59
Digikey TPI NC1Y Yellow €8.59
Digikey TPI NC1GY Gray €8.59
Digikey TPI NC1R Red €8.59
Digikey TPI NC1G Green €8.59

ElectroPJP 6800 / Pomona 72902

Products:

Where to buy:

Vendor Device Comments Price
Reichelt Electro-PJP CLIP 6800 RT "Challenger-clip" One probe, red €6.55
Reichelt Electro-PJP MS 6800-6 Set of 6 probes, 3 holding rods, 6 cables €48.95
Reichelt Electro-PJP MS 6800-8 Set of 8 probes, 4 holding rods, 8 cables €63.85
Reichelt Electro-PJP MS 6800-12 Set of 12 probes, 6 holding rods, 12 cables €86.45
Digikey Pomona 72902-0 One probe, black €11.69
Digikey Pomona 72902-2 One probe, red €11.69
Digikey Pomona 72902 Kit €179.97

E-Z-Hook X2015

The E-Z-Hook X2015 micro double-hook.

Mechano Japan FP-2S

The Mechano Japan FP-2S micro test clips (microgrippers) are suitable for ICs with a pitch of 0.50mm—0.20mm. They're available from various vendors under different names.

Vendor Device Comments Price
ChipQuik ChipQuik Microgripper FP-2S-2 2 micro-grippers, 2 wires. $79.00
Digikey ChipQuik SMDFP-2S-2 2 micro-grippers, 2 wires. Datasheet. €80.56
Distrelec PMK FP-2S-2 2 micro-grippers, 2 wires. Datasheet. €90.28
Emulation Technology Emulation Technology MicroGripper FP-2S-2 2 micro-grippers, 2 wires. Datasheet. $74.72
PEWA PMK FP-2S-2 QFP IC-Clip 2 micro-grippers, 2 wires. Datasheet. €73.00
PMK PMK SMDFP-2S-2 2 micro-grippers, 2 wires €80.56

Mechano Japan FP-5 (FP-2B)

The Mechano Japan FP-5 (a.k.a FP-2B) micro test clips (microgrippers) are suitable for ICs with a pitch of 1.00mm—0.30mm. They're available from various vendors under different names.

Needles

Hirschmann Mikro-Pruef MPS-2

The Hirschmann Mikro-Pruef MPS-2 spring-loaded needles can be used to easily probe PCB vias.

They're useful for usage with logic analyzers as well as multimeters via certain test leads.

Probe comparison

Logic analyzer adapters

Attaching "normal" logic analyzer probes directly to the system you want to analyze is not always the easiest method. For specific use-cases there are also special "sniffer" or "breakout" boards that can be used.

Micro SD sniffer

SD sniffer

USB sniffer

PCI sniffer

Nintendo Wii Nunchuk sniffer

Oscilloscope probes

Low-end probes

There are various cheap oscilloscope probes which are shipped with many PC/USB oscilloscopes and also some standalone bench scopes.

The two major manufacturers seem to be:

TODO: Photos