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I'm considering buying these. Are you saying they're floppy as in, the bendable part doesn't hold it's shape? or floppy as in, the magnet isn't strong enough an

I'm considering buying these. Are you saying they're floppy as in, the bendable part doesn't hold it's shape? or floppy as in, the magnet isn't strong enough and the whole thing falls down? I'm assuming there's a magnet. I hope these aren't just using weight to hold their position....

kedikedi 3y ago
One side has a magnet, and it firmly attaches the base board (steel). But the other side just has the pogo and is fixed there just by the weight of the thing. It works good if there's enough "bite" and the rest of the system applies force the right way. If not, we'll, it slides off. In my case for example, it is excellent for test points but somewhat challenging with soldered SMD component pads and very challenging if the density is high.
- adhesive_wombat 3y ago
  If you're able to solder on and the signal can stand the stub, a little dot of copper tape on top of the IC and a tiny wire down to the lead in question and soldered on can help give an easier "hitbox". You can add the ground pad as well next to it and use the spring for the probe.
  - anymouse123456 3y ago
    If I'm going to have to solder, I'll just keep using clamps on the end of the jumper wire...
- anymouse123456 3y ago
  Ah, that's really helpful. I assumed they were those bendable wire things like old style podium mic stands. Those tend to sort of stay where you put them, but not very precisely.
adhesive_wombat 3y ago
I find the magnet is usable but weaker then I'd like if the steel is under an ESD mat, which are usual 2mm thick. If anything they're a just little bit too long which means they can be slightly floppy in the cross-wise direction. Thinking about it I might try a piece of low-profile bike chain and a copper wire and see if I can do better.
YiraldyGuber 3y ago
The magnet is very strong, no issue there. I mean the 'bendable' part. The nearest consistency I can think of would be a bag of sand. They are weighty but not rigid. They are not designed to hold their shape. Unfortunately this means that it takes very little sideways force to make them "flop" over. Still, I can't recommend them highly enough. I use them all the time. Seriously, a PCBite plate with probes on-hand is now a permanent fixture on my main desk. If you do half as much fiddly electronics stuff as I do, they will pay for themselves. But you will also occasionally find them infuriating.

kedikedi 3y ago

One side has a magnet, and it firmly attaches the base board (steel). But the other side just has the pogo and is fixed there just by the weight of the thing. It works good if there's enough "bite" and the rest of the system applies force the right way. If not, we'll, it slides off. In my case for example, it is excellent for test points but somewhat challenging with soldered SMD component pads and very challenging if the density is high.

adhesive_wombat 3y ago
If you're able to solder on and the signal can stand the stub, a little dot of copper tape on top of the IC and a tiny wire down to the lead in question and soldered on can help give an easier "hitbox". You can add the ground pad as well next to it and use the spring for the probe.
- anymouse123456 3y ago
  If I'm going to have to solder, I'll just keep using clamps on the end of the jumper wire...
anymouse123456 3y ago
Ah, that's really helpful. I assumed they were those bendable wire things like old style podium mic stands. Those tend to sort of stay where you put them, but not very precisely.

adhesive_wombat 3y ago

I find the magnet is usable but weaker then I'd like if the steel is under an ESD mat, which are usual 2mm thick. If anything they're a just little bit too long which means they can be slightly floppy in the cross-wise direction. Thinking about it I might try a piece of low-profile bike chain and a copper wire and see if I can do better.

YiraldyGuber 3y ago

The magnet is very strong, no issue there. I mean the 'bendable' part. The nearest consistency I can think of would be a bag of sand. They are weighty but not rigid. They are not designed to hold their shape. Unfortunately this means that it takes very little sideways force to make them "flop" over. Still, I can't recommend them highly enough. I use them all the time. Seriously, a PCBite plate with probes on-hand is now a permanent fixture on my main desk. If you do half as much fiddly electronics stuff as I do, they will pay for themselves. But you will also occasionally find them infuriating.