Recommended Touch Probes and Edge Finders

Note on Chinese Touch Probes

The most important touch probe parameter is repeatability. Even though a kinematic triggering touch probe is a very simple device, to achieve good repeatability it must have very precisely spaced contact points and spring rate matched to the stylus length and rigidity.

There are many touch probes on eBay and AliExpress in the $50-$100 price range. This is a very appealing price, but based on our testing and feedback from our customers, these low-cost probes are very inconsistent from unit-to-unit, and overall quality control appears to be non-existent. Some had excellent repeatability, and others (some times from the same batch) were completely unusable.

Recommended Touch Probes

	Models	Rating	Price Range	Notes
Renishaw	Wired mechanical probes		$$$$	Renishaw probes are the gold standard. New, they are prohibitively expensive, but mechanical CMM-class probes (TP2, TP6, TP20) can be found on the secondary market for $400-$900. Recommended CMM/digitizing setups; overkill for machine shop use.
Acu-Rite Heidenhain	Edge Finder - KT3D		$$$$	KT3D is a high-end conductive edge finder. New, it's very expensive, but can be found on the used market for $300-$500.
Drewtronics	s5000LED		$190	Drewtronics is a USA-based small business; probes are made in the USA. Offer excellent performance at a very affordable price. Build quality is very good, and after-sales support is excellent. The probe has repeatability of ± one encoder count, and generous overtravel protection Our top pick for USA/North American customers.
Slavtec	Waterproof 3D Probe		$280	Slavtec is based in Poland (EU); the probes are made in Poland. Slavtec touch probes offer excellent repeatability of ± one encoder count. The probes use standard 2mm threaded styli. The company has very good support via email. Our top pick for EU customers.

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