What Probe Master does

Probe Master Inc. is a privately held US manufacturer of precision test and measurement accessories, founded in 1980 and operating from a single facility at 215 Denny Way, El Cajon, California. The company designs and produces passive electronic test instrumentation accessories, including digital multimeter (DMM) test leads, oscilloscope probes (100–500 MHz), differential probes, spring-loaded probes, BNC cables and breakouts, patch cords, and modular accessories, with notable technical features such as gold-plated contacts, silicone-insulated leads, spring-loaded non-slip tips for SMD testing, and the proprietary "SOFTIE" flexible probe geometry. Its product portfolio is anchored by two core families: the 8000/9100 Series DMM test leads (including a modular 9100 system with 25–30 plug-in accessories such as sprung hooks, pincer hooks, and SMD needle probes) and the 4900/5900 Series oscilloscope probes compatible with major equipment brands including Tektronix, Agilent/Keysight, and Fluke.

The company generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer hardware sales via its BigCommerce-powered e-commerce website (probemaster.com), with unit pricing ranging from under $2 for small accessories to over $300 for specialized OEM probes and prices typically between $15 and $130 for standard products. Its go-to-market is horizontal, serving automotive service technicians, electronics manufacturing and service technicians, telecom technicians, SMD/high-density circuit testers, and aviation technicians, with supplementary OEM/custom-manufacturing work for named partners including Lockheed Martin (aerospace test probes) and Teradyne (semiconductor test equipment replacement probes). The company employs 1–10 people, emphasizes 100% domestic US manufacturing as a key differentiator against offshore commodity alternatives, and maintains no disclosed external funding, parent company, or institutional investors.

Name

Probe Master

Legal name

Probe Master Inc.

Website

https://probemaster.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Probe Master is a privately held El Cajon, California manufacturer of precision test and measurement accessories, including DMM test leads, oscilloscope probes (up to 500 MHz), and modular probe systems sold direct-to-consumer and to OEMs across electronics, automotive, telecom, and aerospace markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Test and Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Test and measurement equipment
• Oscilloscope probes
• Multimeter test leads
• Electronic test probes
• SMD test accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cajon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: One-time sale of physical test leads, oscilloscope probes, and accessories. Products range from individual components ($1.50-$30) to complete kits ($50-$300+). Revenue is generated through direct e-commerce transactions on the company website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Probe Master manufactures precision test and measurement probes and leads, including oscilloscope probes (100-500 MHz), digital multimeter (DMM) test leads, differential probes, and spring-loaded SMD probes. The company produces two core product families: the 8000/9100 Series DMM test leads and the 4900/5900/6100 Series oscilloscope probes, along with accessories, custom OEM probes, and bundled Master Kits. All products are manufactured at the company's El Cajon, California facility with features including gold-plated contacts, silicone-insulated leads, and modular accessory systems.

Product overview

Probe Master is a manufacturer of precision test and measurement probes and leads, primarily serving the electronics testing industry. The product portfolio consists of two core product families: (1) Multimeter/DMM Test Leads including the 8000 Series standard leads and 9100 Series modular system, plus specialized variants like extendable leads, safety extenders, automotive leads, bed-of-nails leads, and SMD probes; and (2) Oscilloscope Probes spanning the 4900 Series (150-300 MHz), 5900 Series (500 MHz), and 6100 Special Purpose probes. The portfolio also includes spring-loaded probes and tips, custom/OEM probes, BNC cables and breakouts, differential probes, patch cords, stacking leads, and storage accessories. The company offers both individual products and bundled Master Kits combining multiple accessories. All products are manufactured in the USA at the company's El Cajon, California facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 8000 Series Standard Test Leads Flexible SOFTIE digital multimeter test leads with 18GA silicone wires, 48 inches long, designed to reduce hand fatigue with soft probes that bend 90+ degrees. Compatible with major DMM brands. For electronics technicians and service professionals.
• 9100 Series Modular Test Leads Modular test lead system with up to 30 different plug-in accessories including sprung hooks, pincer hooks, wire piercing hooks, SMD needle probes, and spring tips. Allows customization for different testing applications. For electronics technicians requiring flexible, multi-application test lead systems.
• Extendable Test Leads Test leads with extendable tips for hard-to-reach areas, featuring fully insulated Kynar tips and gold-plated stainless steel probe tips. For technicians working in confined or difficult-to-access test points.
• Safety 12 Inch Extender Test Leads Test leads with 12-inch extender probes that maintain extra distance between operators and live circuits for safety, compatible with 8000 and 9000 series. For technicians working on high-voltage or live circuits.
• 30 Ft Test Leads & Storage Reel 30-foot test leads with retractable storage reels, suitable for aviation, automotive, and equipment testing at extended distances. For aviation technicians and maintenance professionals requiring long-distance testing.
• Bed Of Nails Test Leads Test leads featuring bed-of-nails alligator clips with needle tips for piercing through insulation, compatible with various testers and DMMs. For electronics service technicians requiring insulation-piercing connections.
• Automotive Test Leads Test leads designed for automotive and industrial testing, featuring soft silicone leads and gold-plated contacts. For automotive technicians and service professionals performing vehicle electrical diagnostics.
• SMD Probes & Grippers Spring-loaded SMD (Surface Mount Device) probe kits for high-density testing with non-slip sharp probe tips. For electronics engineers testing surface mount devices and high-density circuits.
• 4900 Series Oscilloscope Probes Passive oscilloscope probes (150-300 MHz) with gold-plated tips designed for Tektronix, Agilent, and other high-performance oscilloscopes, featuring interchangeable tips. For electronics engineers and technicians using major oscilloscope brands.
• 5900 Series Oscilloscope Probes High-performance 500 MHz passive oscilloscope probes with 13-piece kit including micro tip, BNC adapter, sprung hook, and storage case. For engineers and technicians requiring high-bandwidth oscilloscope measurements.
• 6100 Special Purpose Oscilloscope Probes Special purpose oscilloscope probes designed for specific OEM applications including Teradyne (e.g., PM6139 equivalent to 853-068-00) and Lockheed Martin requirements. For OEM customers and aerospace testing applications.
• Differential Probes Differential probes for measuring voltage differences in electronic circuits. For electronics engineers performing differential signal measurements.
• Spring Loaded Probes Spring-loaded micro-tip test leads for surface mount and high-density circuit testing with needle point and cluster point tips. For electronics engineers working with fine-pitch components.
• Custom Probes & Test Leads Custom-manufactured test leads and oscilloscope probes for unique OEM and laboratory requirements, including special lengths and configurations. For OEM customers including Lockheed Martin and Teradyne requiring custom aerospace and test equipment probes.
• BNC Cables & Breakouts 50 Ohm BNC cables, cable assemblies, and breakout adapters for oscilloscope and DMM connections. For electronics technicians requiring BNC connectivity solutions.
• Patch Cords Patch cords with various connector types including mini hooks, minigators, alligator clips, and pico hooks. For electronics technicians requiring flexible connection options.
• Stacking Test Leads Stacking 4mm banana plug test leads that allow multiple leads to be connected together. For electronics technicians requiring parallel test lead configurations.
• Probe & Test Lead Holders Storage solutions for probes and test leads including pouches, racks, and carrying cases. For technicians requiring organized storage and transport of test equipment.
• Master Kits Comprehensive test lead and probe kits with multiple accessories and storage boxes for complete testing solutions. Configurable via Design Your Own Master Kit feature. For professional technicians requiring complete testing solutions.
• BNC Terminations & Adapters BNC terminations and adapter connectors for various test equipment connections. For electronics technicians requiring signal termination and equipment interface solutions.
• 2mm Mini Banana Test Leads Miniature 2mm banana plug test leads for compact testing applications. For technicians working with dense electronics or compact test equipment.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Lockheed MartinminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerProbe Master designs and manufactures special purpose probes for Lockheed Martin, including custom probes designed for aerospace testing applications.
• TeradyneminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerProbe Master manufactures special purpose probes equivalent to Teradyne part numbers (e.g., PM6139 equivalent to 853-068-00), providing OEM replacement probes for Teradyne test equipment.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Fluke Corporation: Fluke is a leading multimeter and test-equipment manufacturer that also sells branded test leads and probes. Probe Master's DMM test leads are explicitly compatible with Fluke meters, making Fluke a foundational compatibility partner and a broad-line competitor in the test-lead category.
• Keysight Technologies: Keysight (formerly Agilent/HP) is a major test-and-measurement incumbent that sells oscilloscopes and a full line of branded probes compatible with its own and other equipment. Probe Master designs probes specifically compatible with Keysight/Agilent oscilloscopes, making Keysight both a compatibility anchor and a broad-portfolio competitor in the probe category.
• Tektronix: Tektronix is a leading oscilloscope manufacturer with a broad probe portfolio (passive, active, differential, current). Probe Master's 4900/5900/6100 oscilloscope probe families are explicitly designed for Tektronix scopes, positioning Tektronix as both the dominant incumbent Probe Master is compatible with and a competitor in branded probes.
• Teledyne LeCroy (probe/accessory division): Teledyne LeCroy is a major oscilloscope manufacturer that also sells branded passive and active probes compatible with its own scopes. While it competes primarily at the instrument level, its probe product line overlaps with Probe Master's oscilloscope probe portfolio, particularly for users standardizing on LeCroy equipment.

Emerging players

• Klein Tools: Klein Tools sells electrical test leads, multimeter accessories, and automotive test products through a strong distribution network. While primarily a hand-tool brand, its expanding test-lead line partially overlaps with Probe Master's automotive and general-purpose DMM lead offerings.

Direct peers

• E-Z-Hook: E-Z-Hook manufactures test leads, hooks, probes, and patch cords for electronic test and measurement. Its hook and probe accessories overlap heavily with Probe Master's 8000/9100 series accessories and patch cord SKUs, serving the same electronics-test customer base.
• Cal Test Electronics: Cal Test Electronics designs and manufactures test leads, probes, and accessories compatible with major oscilloscope and multimeter brands (Tektronix, Keysight, Fluke). Its product line and compatibility-led positioning mirror Probe Master's 4900/5900 oscilloscope probe family and brand-cross-reference strategy.
• Pomona Electronics: Pomona Electronics manufactures test leads, probes, cables, and connectors for electronic test and measurement — a direct product-line overlap with Probe Master's DMM test leads and oscilloscope accessories. Both serve electronics technicians with modular and standard test-lead kits.
• Mueller Electric: Mueller Electric manufactures test clips, leads, and probes (notably the classic 'buzzer' and alligator clip lines) used in electrical and electronic testing. Its product portfolio in clips and test leads directly competes with Probe Master's bed-of-nails, alligator, and standard DMM test lead offerings.
• Hirschmann Test & Measurement: Hirschmann (a Bel Fuse brand) specializes in test probes, measuring leads, and connecting leads for industrial and laboratory testing — directly comparable to Probe Master's oscilloscope probes and modular lead systems. Both sell into electronics manufacturing and service markets with similar BNC/banana-plug form factors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Probe Master