The Keysight N2785A is a dual-arm probe positioner that enables hands-free oscilloscope probe placement on PCBs and electronic assemblies. It delivers stable, precision positioning through a high-mass base and weight-stabilized probe holder that maintains constant contact pressure regardless of board vibration. The lift-and-drop X-Y positioning mechanism allows rapid probe repositioning without manual adjustment, freeing technicians to focus on measurement acquisition and analysis rather than probe management.
Technical Specifications
Mechanical Design
• Two-arm configuration with 320 mm arm length
• Arm height: 158 mm
• High-mass base for vibration isolation
• Weight stabilization technique in probe holder
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 50°C
• Storage temperature: -20°C to 60°C
• Unit weight: 1.25 kg
Positioning System
• Lift-and-drop motion for X-Y plane positioning
• Constant-pressure probe contact design
• Vibration-resistant architecture
– Key Features
• Hands-free probing eliminates manual probe handling fatigue
• Repeatable positioning enables consistent measurement geometry
• Dual-arm design accommodates differential measurements or simultaneous single-ended probes
• Weight-stabilized contact pressure prevents signal dropout from mechanical movement
• Includes three magnifying glasses for precise target identification
• Arm strap and cable tie included for cable management
• Integrated probe rest protects probe tips when not in use
– Typical Applications
• Multi-point PCB characterization and troubleshooting
• High-frequency signal integrity measurements requiring probe stability
• Hands-free monitoring during automated test sequences
• Vibration-sensitive measurement environments
• Differential and single-ended simultaneous probing
– Compatibility & Integration
The N2785A accepts Keysight InfiniiMax single-ended and differential probes, passive probes (N2870A-76A, 10073C, 10074C, N2862A, N2863A, 1165A), active probes (1144A, 1130A/1131A/1132A/1134A, 1168A/1169A, 1156A/1157A/1158A, 1141A/1153A, N2782A/N2783A), and most third-party oscilloscope probes with standard connectors.
