Power Probe III w Case Accessories - PP319FTC Car Automotive Diagnostic Test Tool Digital Volt Meter AC DC

As a car audio/security technician I can't praise this product enough. I bought this tool thinking it would be a cool "toy" to have in the tool box, but the PP3 has proven itself to be an invaluable tool that I cannot live without. It makes diagnosing electrical problems and testing for alarm wires so much faster and more efficient. While i wouldn't go as far to say that it totally replaces a multimeter for my industry, I can honestly say that I will reach for the Power Probe 9/10 times. Here is what I like about the power probe vs a multimeter which is what most people are probably wondering about before buying one... - I no longer have to find a good ground before I can start testing wires. The PP just hooks up straight to battery + and -, or a cigarette lighter which is both fast and reassuring knowing that my + and - don't have to be a variable in the testing process. Nothing is more annoying than when you are already having a problem with a car, whip out the multimeter only to discover that the stupid car is plastic EVERYWHERE and you have to spend precious time trying to find a suitable metal surface to ground your MM on. - Audible and Visual signals for + or - readings. There are times where i need to test a circuit by manually triggering it myself (for an alarm : parking lights, door triggers, IGN etc..) and being able to read these tests without actually having to look at the screen while i turn a key or press a button on the car makes it easier and less of a circus act. - Along those same lines, having the ability to record "highs" and "lows". Basically if the wire i'm testing (for example a trunk release) is in the driver kick panel, and i have to test it by manually opening the latch at the trunk itself, I can probe the suspect wire, walk away, open the trunk, and when I return to the PP it will read the highest recorded voltage. This means I don't have to yell for the help of another already busy tech to help me open a door for me while i watch the multimeter. - Being able to power components from the probe. It's what makes this device unique and AWESOME. It's also what makes this somewhat scary to a lot of people as there IS potential to do irreparable damage to a car's electronics if you're not careful. I would say this tool is for a trained and disciplined professional, and not an amateur for this very reason. You just have to respect the power probe, as lame as it sounds, and you'll be fine. - oh yeah it also acts as a flashlight that never runs out of battery... AWESOME Here's what I don't like... - The attached auxiliary ground. This is used to power a component that is neither resting at - or + . I like the feature, and I think it's great and useful when needed, but I don't think it's needed enough for most of us to justify it being there ALL the time. I feel like it would have been better if the aux ground lead was detachable with the standard 4mm adapter used on multimeters so if it somehow gets damaged it is easily replaced and not in the way when in use. This is just a very minor gripe though. - Along those lines I wish the main power cable going into the power probe was detachable too. This would make storing and organizing it in my tool box a lot nicer and neater, but more importantly, if the chord ever got damaged beyond repair i would just need to get a new cable, not a new probe. It's actually one of my worst fears accidentally closing the door on the cable while the probe is in the car; or more likely someone else doing it unknowingly. To try to prevent this I am making it a habit to try and route the probe through an open car window so if this does happen the cable should stay safe. Having a detachable cable though would also allow the cigarette lighter adapter to just be a shorter cable which would be nice. Overall the Power Probe is amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone working in the 12volt industry. It has become as sacred to me as my li-ion power drill, and if you're a tool guy then you know that means something. Read more

Great product! Have had this one for years without any problems. I bought this one as a gift. You can't go wrong with Power probe brand. Read more

While I am no professional electrician, this tool has helped me out a lot. Functions really easy, accurate in the sense of a wire being grounded or not having current going through when it should. I love the fact that you can add current with the flip of a switch, making it easy to vaifry if a light is working or not, for example. I let someone borrow the previous one, and the a "whole" never returned it. Moral of the story, don't let just anyone borrow your tools! I learned the hard way :( Read more

This is my third probe so far… and I love this design. This is better than any other versions of you do 12v aftermarket wiring or run basic diagnostics. I have other equipment for more complex diagnostics but so far this is the best thing in the market for the simple +/- stuff. There is no delay on it like other Power Probe versions, and it does not have a swappable fuse (hard to get) that blows when you short it with the ground lead like the newer version does. This one has a protection circuit breaker that is easy to reset without sacrificing time or money and can be done on the spot. I’m in love with this and it’s on the supplies list for all of my trainees! Read more

Never have had any issues. Great product. Great quality. Would not hesitate to buy from this seller again. Read more

Although a little on the pricier side This product has saved me countless hours working on electrical in my car. It's versatility and length ensures that you will be able to test most wires in you vehicle without needing to unclip the connectors. It's very easy to use and allows me to rarely pick up any other electrical testing device for automotive repair. Read more

First off I want to say I am once again very impressed with Amazon product support. The first one I received worked for about five minutes and then turned off and would not power back up. I contacted the power probe tech support, gave them the required information, and their response was "we can't help you, talk to Amazon" so not particularly impressed with Power Probe. However, Amazon took it back same day no questions asked, I just dropped it off at a ups store, and I had a new one in hand 18 hours later. The probe is pretty good, it has forty feet of cable included and the ability to tap into both the battery and a cigarette lighter. It's simplicity is it's strength, it will beep and show green for a ground, and beep and show red for power. The display will show voltage to the tenth of a volt. With the long cable it makes probing very easy. The unit can supply either power or ground with the press of a button, this is basically the defining feature that separates the power probe from a computer safe test light. Also very handy feature. It does have a grounded alligator clamp allowing bench testing of removed components, which is a very quick and easy troubleshooting tool. It has some other modes that essentially capture voltage transients, which can be useful for troubleshooting. I chose the 3 because for me it has all the features that power probe does better than a standard multimeter or test light. The 4 does have one feature that I wish the 3 had which is a banana plug Jack for the attached ground alligator clip allowing use of additional probes. This certainly isn't something that I need very often or can't work around. The other features on the 4 I felt I would opt to use my fluke for. Overall, I think the power probe is a very good addition to my electrical troubleshooting arsenal. Read more

This kit is great 2nd one and 1st one still works great after 20 years Read more