Review on 🔌 PP3CSRED Power Probe III Clamshell - Red: Automotive Diagnostic Test Tool with Digital Volt Meter, AC/DC Current Resistance, and Circuit Tester by Eddy Borghesi

I'm glad I bought this tool but I wasted quite a lot of time due to poor documentation and videos. Probably more than I will ever use this tool. When I first used it, I was able to find a problem in the headlight switch that I didn't even know existed. I was able to figure out which of the terminals on the headlight was power and which was ground and test the light by applying power without removing the bulb, so that was cool. If I were a professional mechanic, I would understand that this would save you a lot of time. As a DIYer it's nice to have, but unless you use it all the time I'm not sure it's worth it. I bought a dipstick because I wanted to learn more about auto electrics. I once lost all power in my truck on a busy highway in Sokal, which was very scary. Since then I have wanted to learn more about electronics. It's a good tool, but terrible documentation if you don't already know the subject and examples. Videos stink too. Every time I see this guy demonstrate how to switch from one mode to another, I want to bang my head against the wall. God, does that really have to be said over and over, sister? If you don't know how to change the mode, then you shouldn't use this tool. And then some important parts of the instrument are hushed up or not explained at all. For example, they don't explain the relationship between mode 5 and mode 1 very well. I think their customers were so confused by this that they had to make a video called "Factory Reset" which isn't a factory reset at all. On page 13 they mention that you can use this to hear the ignition on the spark plug wires. No, not even close. I've tried this several times and always thought I must be missing something when in reality it's just nonsense. To hear anything about the sound of the engine you have to be so close to the probe and cable that it's ridiculous. I don't understand how or why anyone could use it this way. Use a spark tester. Then in the Negative Tip YouTube video, the guy goes through a starter test by holding down the "Power" button to power the tip and doesn't explain why at all. And the reason for this is that the manual and the two videos I could find don't explain at all how to use the negative spike mode. The reason for the power supply is that the sensor reads and displays the voltage of the power supply, e.g. B. 12:1. Holding the switch instead of placing the probe tip on the positive battery post means the highest voltage is being measured. There's no chance of it dropping to 0 if you accidentally tell it to move the probe tip, open the circuit, or whatever. You see, you can't tell for sure if 0.0 on the display means the start of a mode check or 0, voltage, or if you've moved the probe tip or broken the circuit. For example, let's say you tipped a battery and then accidentally and without realizing it, removed the tip and it became 0.0. Putting the tip back on the battery does not change the reading; shows the minimum voltage. To reset the settings and start over, you need to place the probe tip on the battery again, hold it there and press the mode button. If you remove the tip and it goes back to 0.0, you must put the probe back on and press the mode button again to reset it. The probe has to be in the circuit when you reset it, and then you have to hold it there while doing the test you're doing. I updated this review again and then downgraded my rating to one star, but I would give 0 stars if it were possible. Again, I have no issues with this tool, but as I said, I've spent more time on the documentation and videos than I'll ever save with this probe. Now after trying to contact their support team I give up. When it comes to customer service, most companies don't want to spend money on something they don't think will make them money. When I say company, I mean the owner, Joe Schmo, who knows who owns this company. It is in order. I understand. It's their business, their money, they can do whatever they want, but if a company invites you to contact them with comments or questions, they should respond well. So I send them a question and a guy sends me a reply about "resetting" the probe. Hm? I didn't ask him about the reset. I haven't asked them about anything related to the probe reset, so I've emailed them 3 times in the past few weeks and am still waiting for a response. So, for any Power Probe reading this, here's what I think of your company, III - read between the lines.