JOE.G
Well-known member
Hi, Is there a difference worth the higher price between these two? Are there others you recommend? This is for home use and a shop setting.
Thanks
Thanks
Power Probe, is there much of a difference between these 2 ?
- Thread starter JOE.G
- Start date
rust in the eye
Well-known member
No experience with the cheapie but love my real one.
With such a HUGE difference in price I'd not expect much from that knock off.
With such a HUGE difference in price I'd not expect much from that knock off.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
If you watch the YouTube video of the (IMHO) 2 best vehicle electronic diagnosticians (South Main Auto and Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics) you will notice that NEITHER EVER USE A POWER PROBE !
Actually, I've seen Eric use them in several videos. Not sure about Ivan, I haven't watching any of videos in a while.
That being said, I sold mine. I just never used it.
I have a real one at work, and a cheap knock off at home. I use the one at work fairly often and its handy for troubleshooting. I havent used the one at home as much, but it has come in handy the few times I used it. The one weird thing about the knock offs is that you have to touch the ground lead to the tip to turn the light on verses it being constantly on with the power probe.
finn
Well-known member
I have the original in Mi, and bought a knock off for Az. It’s not the $22 knock off shown, though. From memory it was something like $80 at the time, and made by Autel.
That said, although both work, there’s definitely a difference in tactile feel, which translates to subjective quality. Furthermore, I wouldn’t expect much from something costing a quarter of what the Autel cost. Usually the buttons and switches feel really flimsy on the no name imports.
On the other hand, you’re not out much at $22 if it’s for one time use.
That said, although both work, there’s definitely a difference in tactile feel, which translates to subjective quality. Furthermore, I wouldn’t expect much from something costing a quarter of what the Autel cost. Usually the buttons and switches feel really flimsy on the no name imports.
On the other hand, you’re not out much at $22 if it’s for one time use.
I don’t got a power probe but I was diaging a blower motor recently and wish I had one to be able to test power it. I could have just put some wires on clamps to the car batter but I didn’t have any and was doing the work at a family members house and a power probe I think lets you push power from the battery to whatever you touch.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
When used PROPERLY Power Probes are great. However, they are the most dangerous tools in automotive if you're not good with electrical and start supplying power where it shouldn't be applied. Nothing on earth can kill a PCM quicker.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I van use the 12V "extension cord". Handy, because you have a "know good" ground and 12V source right where you are working.
The *real* hidden Value in a Power Probe is the Education it forces upon the user. When you learn how (and why) to use a Power Probe, you're gaining an education in Circuitry.
And, yes, I do believe the Power Probe is worth the price. I bought the PP4 instead of the III because the 4 can do more. More functions = More Learning = More Knowledge.
And, yes, I do believe the Power Probe is worth the price. I bought the PP4 instead of the III because the 4 can do more. More functions = More Learning = More Knowledge.
HalfTonTom
Well-known member
I had a colonoscopy yesterday. I wonder if they used a power probe. Sure felt like it when I woke up.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I use my PP3 a lot, though less now that I'm not working on trailer lights like I use to, the ability to have a good power and ground available when testing components and wiring is the selling point.
ajchien
Well-known member
Man, the inflation in tools is unbelievable. I think I got my PP3 for like $80ish many years ago (might have been on sale?)
richfinn
Well-known member
Do yourself a favour and buy the Power Probe 3 EZ version if you buy one, the screen is bigger and it flips so you don't have to read it upside down and its more water resistant.
PP3EZ I POWER PROBE 3EZ
The Power Probe 3EZ is a Digital Voltmeter that provides diagnostic power with the flip of a switch. This tool simplifies the testing of fuse boxes, and verifies the correct operation of motors, lights, relays, and wires. This tool has a navigation menu and we’ve added two new menu options: EZ...
www.powerprobe.com
I've owned nearly every model of PP (and subsequently slowly destroyed each version) since it came out in the 1990s!!!, (I still think PP2 was my favorite as I don't really need the voltmeter for my purposes but the beeper is useful).
The only accessory worth a damn is the extension lead to use with your own incandescent test light
I mostly use mine for bench testing parts and breaking into deadlocked vehicles, generally I use the Fluke DMM/Uni-T current clamp and an OTC test light for basic circuit testing, the big downfall of basic power probes/logic probes is no current measurements.
We used to use multimeters as a fused jumper cable (on the amps setting) in the old days, the power probe does save on expensive meter fuses
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garfunkle24
Well-known member
I love my PP3 but it's not hard for someone to make cheaper and decent i'm sure. It's pretty much some long jumper cables and a switch with convenient voltmeter.
I use my powerprobe all the time and it's especially useful on big equipment. I run my powerprobe from batteries to work area and have a dedicated ground for my multimeter and can put power or ground where I need to.
I actually just used mine today in exactly the way it works best. Quiet backup alarm on a truck 20ft from the batteries. Run PP3. Give it good positive voltage, still quiet. Give it a good ground, gets loud. Diagnosed. 1 minute. Yes I could check available voltage at the alarm, voltage drop across it, voltage drop on wiring etc or just done it with long jumpers but the Powerprobe is quick and handy for such jobs.
I use my powerprobe all the time and it's especially useful on big equipment. I run my powerprobe from batteries to work area and have a dedicated ground for my multimeter and can put power or ground where I need to.
I actually just used mine today in exactly the way it works best. Quiet backup alarm on a truck 20ft from the batteries. Run PP3. Give it good positive voltage, still quiet. Give it a good ground, gets loud. Diagnosed. 1 minute. Yes I could check available voltage at the alarm, voltage drop across it, voltage drop on wiring etc or just done it with long jumpers but the Powerprobe is quick and handy for such jobs.
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No. They used a borescope that they also use to look into cylinders and pistons.....
finn
Well-known member
At least it’s a flexible bores ope now, with fiber opti, not the Ridgid stainless steel sheathe ones we used in the seventies and eighties.