OWON scope probes

That's a clone of a Tektronix P6100 scope probe.

They're slide on:

I don't know.

Thanks. The photos match very closely the illustrations in the OWON leaflet with these probes.

Yes, the hook attachment slides over the pointed probe. In the illustrations I don't see a detent to hold the attachment in place. What prevents it from falling off?

Thx, ... P.

There is no detent. Pull off (remove) the plastic probe cover and tip. Look inside the plastic probe cover. You should see a cross cut metal receptacle where the probe handle tip fits. The cross cut receptacle is slightly undersized so that inserting the tip into the cross cut will hold it in place by compression.

This might help:

Yes, with much more force than I expected, it came off.

Interesting, thanks, ... P.

Some of my former co-workers had the irritating habit of using scope probes to stir their favorite beverages. If it contained sugar, the tip would be effectively glued in place. If it was lemon tear and sugar, the lemon would etch the metal surfaces which provided better adhesion for the glue. I believe that "energy drinks" were the worst because the pH was rather acidic. Besides wrecking scope probe tips, energy drinks are rot your teeth:

At the time (1972 - 1983), consumer ultrasonic cleaners were not commonly available. I used an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to un-stick scope probe tips. I don't recall having much difficulty removing scope probe tips after they were cleaned to remove the sugar.

Hint: If you haven't broken and then repaired it, you probably don't understand how it works.

I can think of a perfect countermeasure to this crime:

Dip each new probe into some 3M FT-32 bitter solution and allow the residue to dry - it's not sticky. It is basically concentrated bitrex. They will only do it one more time after that.

Interesting idea, but rather expensive. I'm also not thrilled with the possibility of being accused of poisoning someone elses coffee and permanently contaminating their coffee cup. I've had some limited experience with Bitrex (don't ask). It transfers easily to the fingers and then to the mouth. It can be neutralized with hydrogen peroxide, but not completely. The typical dilution ratio is something like 1:30,000. Painting the scope probe with Bitrex is likely to render the scope probe and coffee cup unusable. The scope probe vendor is unlikely to replace it under warranty.

Perhaps something a bit less noxious, such as a strong spice, could be used. Food dye would make the coffee look unpalatable without causing any harm.

I used to work in a biological research establishments and the practical jokes there would have got you sacked in any ordinary lab; you learned to be very wary of 'delicacies' handed around at coffee time.

Except for being much tighter, it's the same as the old Tek probe. Other than microscopic frictional wear, nothing broke.

Friction--I get it.

When the tip has been pulled off enough times, it won't always stay when it should; regardless of how tight the factory made it.

Thanks for the input, ... P.

It is always worth while to read manufacturer's product reports.

Molex, for example, only warranties their connectors meeting a certain minimum resistance for something like 25 insertions...

Capacitor shelf life...

Our toys age out quicker than we do!

John :-#)#