100Base-TX Cable Tester

[reicherb]

Can anybody recommend a 100Base-TX cable tester.

 

[spidey07]

microtest or fluke

www.microtest.com

www.fluke.com

 

[reicherb]

Great testers but a little out of my price range. I'm looking to spend about $100.

Thanks.

 

[reicherb]

What do you think of this one?

Thanks.

 

[reicherb]

or maybe this one?

Please help.

 

[spidey07]

These testers verify continuity and pinout and maybe basic NEXT testing. Does NOT category five cable installations. You asked for a 100 Base-T tester. The ones you presented will not test all attributes required for 100 Base-T operation.

If you want to see if your cable plant is up to snuff or to verify that physical layer is not causing the problem then you must go with the fluke or microtest. DUDE, it is only 5000 or so.

 

[TBP]

or maybe this one?

check out the address: http://store.yahoo.com/akidacomputer/testerpro.html, a kid & a computer?

 

[Bloodstainedboots]

Or he could go with an OMNI scanner II.
That's what we have at work, it too is 5k give or take.

 

[reicherb]

This is basically for personal use and small installations. Is it even worth spending the money on the cheaper ones?

Thanks.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Fluke is by far one of the best I have used, but the ones I have used are pretty expensive ($500 - $1200). I am sure they make ones cheaper then that though.

 

[Russ]

reicherb,

The LANtest Pro will be just fine for your needs.

Russ, NCNE

 

[reicherb]

Thanks Russ.

Any other opinions?

 

[todays]

I just bought the LAN test Pro. Came in today. I will run it through some tests and see how it works. I too needed a piece of equipment for checking cables quickly. I install small networks on the side and it's nice to rule out bad wiring. Yes, and I know it won't cert cable for CAT5, but you would be surprised how many offices I walk into that have no lables on any of their network wire running into a closet. And how many have had bad ends put on and such.

 

[todays]

OK, here's the scoop. The tester works great. It comes with a shielded patch cable. You can detach the bottom half for those long cable runs. It checks all pairs and shield. Most cables don't have shield though. It also checks for shorts, reversed, miswire, split pairs. And cross talk, but only at 3.5 Mhz, so if it fails that last one, you know it is pretty sucky cable. lol It's compact and tests everything in less than a second or two. Pretty fast unit. At this point I would buy it again. Oh, and the black carrying case that came with it has BK Precision embossed on the outside of it.

And someone is trying to hack my router right now. Doesn't that make you mad. lol again.

 

[reicherb]

Thanks for the input todays.

 

[todays]

And I found another company that carries it for a couple of bucks more, and it has one more light than the tester I got. It says "with tone" - Tester

 

[reicherb]

Thanks, I'll check it out.