Need handheld voltage probe with data entry (similar to bar code scanner)

[MKBNIS]

Hello all, first post here and newish user of LabView.  I am creating a VI to measure legacy equipment that has test points unaccessible with a connector or bed of nails.  Does anyone know of a handheld voltmeter probe that can be used to probe a test point, then have a pushbutton on the probe to enter the value measured as text?  I have not been able to find such a gadget.  The idea came from handheld bar code scanners that have a button to make the scan, and will then enter the scanned value as text into a spreadsheet.  Thanks for all responses.

[RTSLVU]

I haven't seen anything like that.

But there are multimeters available with communication ports that can be used to get measurements from the instrument. Then you can attach a probe clip to a test point and press a button on the screen to retrieve that measurement.

[BertMcMahan · Accepted solution]

I unfortunately don't know of a turn-key solution, but like RTSLVU said lots of voltmeters have communication options with cables. I have a Fluke one with Bluetooth as well, though I've never tried to interface it with anything except the official phone app.

You could set up a foot switch to take the reading, or just hit the spacebar to capture a measurement. Or a combo of a voltmeter with communications and a wireless slideshow clicker.

If you're handy with a 3D printer, I think I'd try making a housing that holds a slideshow clicker thing and a voltmeter probe, or perhaps a small Arduino clone that reads a handful of buttons in a custom housing that holds the meter probe and sends that to the computer to say "take a reading".

[crossrulz]

In these situations, I typically just trust the technician to take the measurement manually and input it into my software.

[MKBNIS]

Thanks for the replies everyone, after talking to our manufacturing engineer he said that it would be better to use a footswitch, as manipulating a switch on the probe itself might cause slipping off a pin and causing a short.  There are quite a few suggestions on how to implement a footswitch, so I'll go in that direction.  Thanks!