Probe options...
I can see several situations where I would like to use my pokit, but where the probes restrict me. I almost always need longer probe leads. Adding extensions to them is problematic and they tend to fall off.
While the auto-wind feature is ‘cool’, I think it was over emphasized during the design phase. I would much prefer a jack on the side with external probes. Why? -
1) I will always carry mine in the case:
a) it’s too frail for a pocket or keychain or tool kit. The probes tend to pop out and once that happens, it’s all over.
b) I will always need a spare battery and fuse (case pocket?)
c) I need a place to carry spare/different leads.
2) In any design, the mechanical moving parts usually have the highest failure rate. I believe the retracting mechanism is begging for failure from accidental entanglements, over extensions, etc.
3) I need a variety of probe tips and lead lengths. To do this today requires connections to both probe tips, and they are small enough attachments won’t stay on reliably. This doesn’t mean I NEED a bigger case for probes, rather it enables me to use the Pokit invastly more situations than I can today.
4) the existing probes are just too small, and the cables too short, to be practical.
5) I really want to emphasize this - the current probes limit you to a restricted number of practical use cases. Changing to removable probes vastly expands the applications, especially given the bluetooth coupling to the display. I could provide several examples, if needed, but I would guess it wouls expand your market by 3x, easily.
6) I love the idea, but it feels like a novelty. The ability to use real probes changes this. In fact, it becomes a truely disruptive product (ie changes how people think and do things). Would this replace my fluke dmm and DSO on service calls today? No. With the ability to switch probes, or make my own? YES. Actually, OH, HELL, YES!
This doesn’t really apply to todays model, but if you make a version 2.0, please consider it. I think you’re on the edge of something really great here.
-russg
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I suspect there is a conflict of use cases here. For me, Pokit isn't a replacement for my DMM, rather, it's an ultra-compact alternative which I can carry at times when I wouldn't normally have a toolkit or even a DMM. Maybe not a keychain tool, but definitely pokitable (see what I did there?) For me, having to carry non-retractable probes would kill that advantage. Might as well take my DMM.
However, a useful accessory might be some sort of adapter with 4mm banana sockets allowing users to plug in whatever probes or leads they wish. It would need to attach securely to the existing probes (some sort of mechanical clip to the existing probe plastic body?) and be compact enough to carry. Could maybe even have 250vac capability built-in?
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I guess I had assumed that the probes would work well with female .1 header wires like you would use on a breadboard. But I see that would be sort of fragile now that i look at the meter as a package..
Any data on what the current probe 'post' size is ? does it match any common connector female pin you know of we could use to extend / adapt for normal breadboard use?? Can you give an example of mouser/digikey link for some sort of female connector pin that we can use to make pokit 'end' of adapter cables to adapt .1 male/female pins on the other end? or inter-work with something like this https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/e-z-hook/XKMRED/461-1010-ND/528231
If I figure something out I'll post it but was hoping you had to make up a jig for mfg test and had to work with the probes somehow and have some part that worked well for you.
I sort of like dall the extra space in the case as I assume I'll put some sort of adapter cables in the case also to allow me to hook into a temporary but not hand held setup for much of my use
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I think Alick (above) is right. A small socket AND leads makes better sense. Integrated leads are critical to the ‘ad-hoc measurements’ aspect of the product. That use case is very different from a situation where you are connecting specialty leads. However, including the external leads opens the potential for many additional use cases.. I think that would expand the targeted markets (and revenue) by several multiples.
Following Alick’s suggestions, a small connector (maybe even a usb-c micro connector, given it’s commonality) might be added without changing the overall physical design. It would not significantly impacting the measurement characteristics, and there would be no additional power use. The great part is that it would NOT change the software, firmware, performance, circuit design, cost, etc.
So, you can achieve a 3x-4x increase in revenue for a couple of cents inparts and minor design change. It seems like it’s worth considering.
That is, obviously, a highly opinionated thought ;) Remember, itks driven by an unusual love of a new product. Even though mine was received broken and repairs are in support limbo. I mean, I really, REALLY like the PokitMeter.
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