In my review of the Klein ET300 Digital Circuit Breaker Finder I posted a few weeks ago, Ray commented that the Klein product looked very similar to one sold by Harbor Freight. After looking at the photo of the Harbor Freight Circuit Detective, I was pretty convinced that they had a common origin, but the only way to find out for sure was to buy one and take both tools apart.
I went to the nearest Harbor Freight to pick up the HTP-6 Circuit Detective. They have it listed for $40, but seems like it is perpetually on sale for $19. After using a 20% off coupon I only paid $16.27 after tax.
Advertisement
Once I got the Harbor Freight device in my hands, I could see right away that the devices were identical on the outside except for the color of the plastic. The Circuit Detective sold by Harbor Freight is actually made by Hi-Tech, an Illinois company that says right on their website that they manufacture “private label” products for other customers.
Given that the two Circuit Breaker Finders look identical, that’s a pretty good clue that the Klein ET300 is actually made by Hi-Tech, but let’s take a closer look.
I pushed the button on the HTP-6 Circuit Detective and it chirped exactly like the Klein ET300. Then I plugged the transmitter of the Circuit Detective into a nearby outlet and went to my breaker panel. I turned it on, swept it across the breakers once, then twice, and it found the correct breaker, just like the Klein ET300.
Satisfied that the HF Circuit Detective actually worked, I took both the Klein and the HF transmitters apart. Both circuit boards appeared to be identical, will all of the part numbers seeming to match up.
There really isn’t much to the transmitter. At first I thought it was an RC oscillator, but after reading the patent number given by the Circuit Detective label, I found out that the “transmitter” actually produces current spikes by charging a capacitor.
Advertisement
The circuit is designed so that the frequency of the current spikes is less than the line frequency. This makes detection easier since most other electrical devices draw current at the line frequency. The receiver simply detects the magnetic pulses induced by the current spikes.
Since the transmitters turned out to be identical, I didn’t have much doubt that the receivers would be the same. In the interest of being thorough, I removed the five screws holding the backs on and again found identical circuit boards.
I flipped the boards over to get a look at the front side… yep, still identical. Being an electrical engineer that works with micro-controllers, I noticed right away they are using a Microchip PIC 12C508A, a low cost 8-bit micro-controller that would have plenty of power for this application.
Analysis
If you looked at the above pictures closely, you’ll notice all four circuit boards say “HI-TECH,” a dead give-away as to who is manufacturing the products.
It is very common for a company to source components, circuit boards, or even entire tools from an OEM, rather than developing their own at substantial cost and time investment.
We’re guessing that, similar to other tool brands, Klein has sourced the breaker finder from an OEM in order to broaden their product offerings.
Even though the circuit boards are all the same, Klein does a few things to differentiate their breaker finder from the other.
First, the Circuit Detective didn’t come with a 9V battery pre-installed like the Klein ET300. It’s a small thing, but it was nice to have the Klein working right out of the box. I didn’t have to go out and buy a 9V battery, or search around for a #0 Phillips bit to install the battery.
The next thing is that Klein sells their Digital Circuit Breaker Finder with a removable rubber boot to protect the receiver. In my review, I found that the boot was more trouble than it was worth, but if you are carrying the receiver in your pouch day in and day out, it might save it from damage.
Lastly, Klein is a name brand that electricians trust, and they will fully support their product. If you told or showed your clients or colleagues that you used your tools from Harbor Freight, you might not get the respect you deserve. It sounds shallow, but appearances matter to some.
What do you think, would you buy the $40 Klein ET300 Digital Circuit Breaker Finder or would you buy the less expensive Hi-Tech HTP-6 Digital Circuit Detective?
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now (via Home Depot)
Buy Now (HTP-6 via Harbor Freight)
Buy Now (HTP-6 via Hi-Tech*)
*Note: Hi-Tech also sells a 280V version of the Digital Circuit Detective on their website.
Roger Caplan
This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, I really wish brand names meant something about the product rather than being just a marketing facade.
What I find much more objectionable though is instances where a brand makes 2 different products but sells them under the identical model number, e.g. various deadbold/lock manufacturers who make lower-quality “builds” for home depot.
Jimmie
My take: this isn’t a case of a cheap clone versus a name-brand product. In this situation, both products are made by the same company and appear to be identical internally. The only differences are cosmetic and price. So it seems silly to not buy whichever version is cheaper at the time.
Roger Caplan
It’s conceivable that the difference is in quality control – maybe the Klein goes through QC but the Hi-Tech does not.
Jon
Or they are all checked for QC and the ones that work but have some type of shortcoming (specs-related, something that may never affect the end user) are “binned” accordingly and sold for less.
This is quite common in manufacturing of all types of items from electronics to clothing. Just simply discovering that the same factory makes X and Y brand doesn’t mean you are for sure getting a better value by buying the cheaper one!
Tom
Great write up. Very interesting!
Steve
Wow, great deal I would love one of these in my toolbox I might get one. lol
Mike
To be honest, not surprising at all. Klein’s entire line of test equipment is outsourced. This is why, with a couple of very specific exceptions, I will never purchase Klein multimeters or other test equipment. You can get the same devices under different brand names for far less money, or for the same money you can get much better equipment. Klein simply puts their name on things and charges twice as much or more. Even when the Klein name meant more than it does now it wasn’t worth it.
As for QC being better, no, I cannot believe it is. Read the reviews on this specific device and you’ll see they are all over the place. Some people have great luck and others do not. That’s been my experience as well. Some units have great sensitivity and work well while others are deaf and dumb. Buy 10 different units and you’ll get 10 different results, there’s just no consistency. Same with the HF unit.
Jim D
I have an email out to the product manager for Klein and to my factory rep. I will keep you posted with the official Klein answer.
Mike
Seeing these photos and reading the paragraph about appearances brings to mind a question I’ve always had. Why do the low end tools always have the loudest, flashiest, gaudiest color and decal schemes you could possibly think of? I understand that they can’t use the appearance of other tool lines, since apparently you can now trademark a color or shape. But do they really need to stand out and scream, “HEY! Hey, look here! Look at this cheap bastard! See what he is using? Heeeeeeyyy!”
John
I have yet another identical clone, the one from Amprobe.
Its the Amprobe BT-120:
http://amzn.com/B005G7SC0M
I believe this one too is exactly the same. I paid $30 for mine about a year ago. They aren’t fool proof, and it takes a while to understand and practice how to use it correctly. When I first started using it I was getting pretty frustrated thinking either it was broken or just a fad tool. That was until I learned how to properly do an initial full pass scan and then the right distance and speed for the final one. Since then its been amazingly accurate and helpful and I can hit it dead on every time. I used it last weekend to source the power supply breaker for my door bell which I would never have found easily.
John
Oh, by the way, if you’re picking one of these up, be sure to get also an accessory kit like:
Klein Tools 69411 Circuit Breaker Finder Accessory Kit
(which is compatible with my Amprobe and the Klein clones and obviously the Klein model itself)
This helps out figuring out bare wire traces or non standard “plug” types as well as the included light bulb adapter which helps for figuring whats powering a light fixture.
Joren
I’ve purchased the BT-250 for work, and find it works great on 120V lines as well – and includes the accessories listed, and a clean carrying case that holds all the bits together. Very convenient to loan out to the new guy and say here, use this, map out the facility, and bring me back the box with all the pieces. Well worth the money in my eyes.
John
Oh interesting, I didn’t even know Amprobe had a BT-250 which includes all that in one package (BT-150 + carrying case (BT-250 only), connection cable (BT-250 only), light fixture adapter (BT-250 only))
Jon
I wish there was a simple 220/240v accessory, at least for four wire (alternate phase) combined circuits. I have the Harbor Freight unit, and it has never failed me. I should just make some little leads like that accessory pack has, to insert in one leg of the mystery circuits in my house. For that matter, does anyone even make a higher voltage version of these?
Robert
I saw the finder from Harbor Freight some time ago and assumed the two were the same. I left some benefit of the doubt to the internal workings, but figured that they were the same.
I can’t imagine that Klein would be naïve enough to assume that someone wouldn’t put 2 and 2 together. Then again, I’m not sure that they necessarily care or even investigate those things. I’ve been paying attention in recent days to the products from suppliers like Harbor Freight. I’m amazed that some people continue to be surprised. I see rebranding of tools all the time from the same sources that are sold under names that would astound them.
In spite of any evidence to the contrary, many would still pass them off as striking similarities. Some people who say that they’d buy a Chrysler Town And Country, but wouldn’t be caught dead with a Dodge Caravan. No amount of evidence that it’s the same vehicle holds any water. Those are the types that companies are making big bucks on.
As I’ve said many times, I take all tools these days on their own merit. The investigative work to trace a tool to it’s company of origin can virtually require a private detective. This stuff is so widespread, I don’t take any brand name at face value anymore.
Toolfreak
There’s definitely a few items at HF that are the same exact thing as sold by quality brand names.
Harbor Fright’s $5.99 (or FREE with purchase) multimeter is also the same as Actron’s $20 CP7672 multimeter, just in red instead of black.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-multimeter-98025.html
http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP7672-Digital-Multitester/dp/B0006V2BLE
max
I’ve gotten a few of the free ones form HF. I like to keep one in the car. I’ve given a few away.
I even keep one by my battery pile. When I swap out batteries I keep the “dead” ones to test later when a kid’s toy needs new ones. It is surprising how many will not work a remote control but can still play stupid songs.
Toolfreak
I used to stop by HF all the time to pick a few up with coupons when they were free without buying anything, so I have plenty. Excellent product to leave in a vehicle for troubleshooting, or keeping in certain places so you don’t have to go grab one. Shame that the party is over with the free coupons, but you can still get them super cheap just buying the cheapest item in the store for a purchase and getting the meter for free with the coupon.
JG
Guys, you’re missing one thing.
Often there is one difference between tools/devices in cases like this – the quality control.
I would guess that Klein decided that it is a good enough design, but to make it more Kleinish it needs proper QC on every unit which obviously costs money. Cheap versions usually have nonexistent QC – some units may work flawlessly, other might be dead on arrival and other can go FUBAR in a short time (in this case it could be bad soldering for example).
I would hope that Klein did it the proper way (I have never seen any tools of that brand in Europe) but I know many stories from other industries when seemingly identical products have a cheap sticker and an expensive one to choose from.
Kerry Berland
Typically matching products like these are all made at the same factory. The brand labeler has nothing to do with the manufacturing; they do not have their own independent end-of-the-line test capabilities. All the different versions leave the same factory, tested using the same procedures, marked with whatever brand name, blister-packed ready to hang on the retail shelf, then bulk-packed, ready to drop-ship to the warehouse or directly to the store. The differences in price are based on sales channel considerations. A lot of people will buy on impulse at the big-box stores without bothering to shop for the lowest price. A company like Klein has its own overhead and they figure their brand name is worth a higher price. Seems to work.
mnoswad
i’d like to see someone do this with ridgid, and milwaukee tools.
teicher
I noticed the same thing several years ago, when I was looking at the manual for the HF version of a power tool and realized that the parts diagrams, BOM, and operating tips were EXACTLY the same as the Craftsman version. Complete 100% exactly copies of each other! The tools looked and felt exactly same, too. That was the day I “woke up” and stopped assuming that buying a brand name would always be better. It’s not, you have to look at each tool and see/test if it’s better than the other products out there. I don’t see the big brands providing any tangible proof that they are using better manufacturing methods and/or more extensive QA on the products from those overseas factories, they just say they are.
Grady
Once again, we pay for the brand and pass by the same no name product for half the price.
Bruce
As I’ve already bought the Klein tool, it’s kind of a moot point for me. I’ve been pleased with it’s performance. Grinding through 23 panels in my 1960s building has really put it to the test. The only panel that it consistently fails on has a mini halogen lighting controller on it. That breaker consistently gets detected on every sweep. I can usually find the transmitter but sometimes that lighting controller completely masks the signal.
The tool has been worth more than than the $40 I paid for it (I might have even paid more, I tend to favor the local store owners). I certainly don’t feel like the price was unreasonable for the utility.
One thing I did get that I wouldn’t get from Harbor Freight, if that tool had gone bad, or I’d dropped it. There is no doubt that my local store that I have a long term relationship with would have replaced it for free. They know I bought it there and that’s all they need to know to stand behind the product. Sometimes that personal relationship is worth more than the lowest price.
Robert
Bruce,
There is no doubt that there’s an advantage to the backing you get from some stores for the product.
The thing you get into with this however, is the fact that you could purchase two from Harbor freight for the cost of one with the Klein label. Sometimes no amount of support supersedes that. Thr fact that you can buy another and still spend no more than you’d spend on the “namebrand” is a strong argument.
Jim Felt
Stuart.
I love your inquisitive mind. I’m not so sure I “love” Klein not ruggedizing or somehow upgrading their version. But what do I know? I have a Greenlee that’s 20 years and still works just dandy.
I do, however, love the fact that they’re “Made in the USA”!
Jonathan
HF re-brands/or subs out several products, Normally HF is hard to beat on price, BUT sometimes like in the case of OBDII readers your better off buying the OEM model, because the price is lower and the warranty is much longer. HF’s OBDII readers are manufactured by AUTEL.
pete
for using identifying circuits i just use a GFCI tester to trip the breaker then walk back to the breaker box and im 100% sure i have the right breaker. I use a non contact volatage tester to see what is on the same circuit.
Ben
GFCI testers dont trip regular breakers. They are simply are set of LED’s and diodes that allow a small amount of current to flow and trip the GFCI, but no where near enough to trip a normal circuit breaker.
Hub
You could always make yourself a more capable “breaker finder” with a plug and a short loop of 14 gauge wire- 😉
My circuit detective just purchased from HF came with the transmitter LED indicator wired backwards so it didn’t light up when plugged in, although it worked fine otherwise. Funny that the hi tech web site touts 100% AOI inspection and iso2002.
I wonder if the web site is actually a sham site for marketing though.
The contact us page has no email address though it says to contact them by email or calling. The phone number is to Peru, Illinois, and appears to be just an automated pickup service.
And their web page says, “Out products are patented” (sic)
Jim Benson
Well done.
I was very surprised to see this. I would have assumed the Hi Tech is a Klein knockoff, but finding a Hi Tech board in the Klein pretty much proves the Klein is a rebranded Hi Tech and you’re just paying double for the (until recently, excellent) Klein name.
Based on this, I won’t be trying any of the Klein test tools. I’ll either save the money and get the cheapie, or pay the premium for the top quality tool.
Mikhail
Long time follower first time poster. Thanks for saving me $25. Went to harbor freight and picked this guy up and it works like a charm!
Jonathan
Just a follow-up to my Autel comment, I meant to include some positive feedback on the Hi Tech product, I bought mine from Harbor freight in either 07′ or 08′ it has worked problem free, I do store it with the 9volt battery removed. Dealing with Electricity and it inherent risks it used to be a time when you paying extra gave you peace of mind. I come to expect at fail rate of 10% on any product coming out of R.O.C. even brand name products, the exception is with high end electronics i.e. Cellphones and tablets, where as I think a 1-3% failure or flaw is the norm.
@Pete, I agree that using a GFCI tester is an inexpensive way to locate which breaker a circuit is on, I’m not a huge fan of resetting clocks, or the surge/power loss on motors and other components plugged into a circuit.
Hub
That’s the big advantage of having a tool like this, not having to actually remove power to the circuit. If you really needed to map out every single outlet in the house, it’s probably faster to just flip the breakers off one by one and then going around the house with a NCV tester and writing down what’s out. One time testing and it’s done. The only difficulty is finding the breaker serving outdoor motion detection lights up high and inaccessible in the daytime, but the circuit detective doesn’t help at all the either. Just have to wait for nightfall to test that, if you don’t relish climbing up on ladders to get close enough to the lights.
Jayytod
I’m using the Circuit Detective and never had an issue with it until recently, when, with the transmitter plugged into an outlet whose breaker I was trying to locate, a GFCI outlet with nothing plugged into it, and on a different circuit would trip some 5 to 10 seconds after plugging in the transmitter. I’d reset the GFCI and after several seconds it would trip again. When I unplugged the transmitter the GFCI behaved, ceased to trip after being reset. The tripping of GFCI outlet also stopped when I opened the circuit breaker for the outlet that the transmitter was plugged into. It seems the current spikes that the transmitter generates are strong enough to “fool” a GFCI’s current imbalance detection circuitry for a GFCI on a different breaker but close to the load center. The one that tripped happens to be the one closest to the load center out of seven or so GFCIs in the house I’m working on.
Hub
That’s interesting- wonder if that GFCI unit is overly sensitive and prone to nuisance trips.
Tom D
I’d be suspicious of your wiring, the Circuit Defective can introduce stuff but it’d be on the SUPPLY side of the other GFCI – or should be. It’s possible a ground or something is crossed.
Andrew
thx for the review. 21st century consumerism at its finest.