Network Cable Testers

[andygee]

I'm looking for a better cable tester than some of the lower end testers. I'm currently looking at some of the Fluke Networks testers such as the linkrunner pro/duo units. I'd like a tester that will show distance, that can either blink the port on the switch or can identify which port it's in, and one that can detect POE. The flukes are rather expensive but I don't seem to see any other competitors. Does anyone have any suggestions on what is best or if there are any others that would deserve a look.

Thanks,

Andy

 

[tmbrown97]

Are you really prepared to spend that kind of money? I have the LinkRunner Pro and the CableIQ from Fluke - Both are awesome for what I use them for, but they were about $1,500/each.

Oddly - the LinkRunner will show IP, but not Gateway (from DHCP) - I ended up switching to a BlackBox unit for some testing.

The LinkRunner is cool, especially for IP testing, but the CableIQ is what I use 99% of the time - it does better cable testing and certification. You can test a whole building then download the results to a PC and print them - good for client satisfaction.

There are a million cable testers out there for $100 or so - they basically test continuity - these more advanced testers cost way more than most people can spend, but they do help considerably with real-world testing. I've seen plenty of situations where a cheap tester passed (the lines were connected) but there was too much noise. I love being able to graphically see where the line break is, or the line tap, or the noise source. When I'm on an out-of-state job, it saves me a lot of time.

As an added bonus, the CableIQ has optional adapters for testing speakers; plus it'll do coax out of the box; the remotes on the LinkRunner didn't do Coax. Also, having 8 remotes saves time tracing a building - quite handy.

That all said - professional cabling companies spend about $15K for their testers - they certify more wiring types and have modular connections for testing fiber and other options; it just depends on what your intended use is - can you elaborate?

 

[fabriziojoe]

I'm looking for a better cable tester than some of the lower end testers. I'm currently looking at some of the Fluke Networks testers such as the linkrunner pro/duo units. I'd like a tester that will show distance, that can either blink the port on the switch or can identify which port it's in, and one that can detect POE. The flukes are rather expensive but I don't seem to see any other competitors. Does anyone have any suggestions on what is best or if there are any others that would deserve a look.

Thanks,

Andy

I have been eyeing up a unit from Test-Um. It is not a Fluke, but it looks like it will get the job done.

http://www.milestek.com/p-15989-test-um-va...-certifier.aspx

 

[andygee]

Are you really prepared to spend that kind of money? I have the LinkRunner Pro and the CableIQ from Fluke - Both are awesome for what I use them for, but they were about $1,500/each.

Oddly - the LinkRunner will show IP, but not Gateway (from DHCP) - I ended up switching to a BlackBox unit for some testing.

The LinkRunner is cool, especially for IP testing, but the CableIQ is what I use 99% of the time - it does better cable testing and certification. You can test a whole building then download the results to a PC and print them - good for client satisfaction.

There are a million cable testers out there for $100 or so - they basically test continuity - these more advanced testers cost way more than most people can spend, but they do help considerably with real-world testing. I've seen plenty of situations where a cheap tester passed (the lines were connected) but there was too much noise. I love being able to graphically see where the line break is, or the line tap, or the noise source. When I'm on an out-of-state job, it saves me a lot of time.

As an added bonus, the CableIQ has optional adapters for testing speakers; plus it'll do coax out of the box; the remotes on the LinkRunner didn't do Coax. Also, having 8 remotes saves time tracing a building - quite handy.

That all said - professional cabling companies spend about $15K for their testers - they certify more wiring types and have modular connections for testing fiber and other options; it just depends on what your intended use is - can you elaborate?

I have no intention of spending 15k for a tester, but I am willing to spend up to about 2k for one. Most of the environments I'm in I spend time troubleshooting, i.e. the cable installer prior to me didn't label anything. So when there are problems I'm trying to determine exactly where the unit is plugged into without unplugging a bunch of cables. That's one of the features that interested me in the beginning to the linkrunner, supposedly it will blink a port so I can find it faster than trying to tone it. With the cableIQ unit are you able to determine where a particular line is without having to unplug from the switches? 99% of my work is ip or cat cabling, rarely do I do anything with Coax.

I'm like the rest, I'd rather now spend a bunch if I don't have to but it's time to upgrade from the continuity testers/cheap toners that I have to something that is good.

Andy