DataShark Network Cable Tester - Cable Mapper, Check Continuity - Test Patch Cords or Installed Cable Runs

Tool is as described (continuity checker only, no performance testing), and quickly confirmed some good cables in a new installation, as well as one bad one which had been wired as 568A on one end and 568B on the other. The cable worked fine, though, since the switch was autosensing. Was a little disappointed to see the same unit at Home Depot for less money, even taking tax into account, but its still a lot easier to walk to the mailbox than it is to drive to HD.

Horrible product do not buy

Love it. I use it every time I make up a cable and it has definitely paid off, for both new cables and troubleshooting.

I had a problem with my printer intermitantly disappearing off my home network. Having exhausted the possible software causes I began to suspect a hardware problem, and bought this tester, based largely on other buyers reviews of it and of similar products. I chose this particular one because the price was reasonable and the other reviews did not critisize it for being overly cheap. Since my problem was intermitant, it took me a couple of tries to catch the fault in the act. I started by putting the main unit on the end of the patch cord that plugs into the printer and the satellite unit on the end of the other patch cord that plugs into the switch. The first time I tried it tested OK, but when I took it out and reconnected the printer, it was working again. The next time the printer disappeared I tried again, and found an open connection on pin one. I have a relatiley complicated system, with inline surge supressors on both ends of the run through the walls, so I tested each individual patch cord and component working back from the switch to the printer one connection at a time, and eventually found the guilty party. It was a commercially obtained patch cord that worked intermitantly when you wiggled one end around. Being commercially made it is probably about the last thing I would have suspected without the tester. Had I known they were this inexpensive I would have bought one years ago. Since I dont know when I might use it next I took the batttery out of it before I stored it away.

This device is well made and has worked reliably for me. Before buying it I read reviews of some other devices available and saw a lot of complaints about cheap construction and unreliable operation. I havent run into any such problems with this Paladin unit. It appears to be pretty robust and not likely to break or fall apart. I particularly like the fact that you can use this on a long run with the remote receiver unit. Its a very simple test -- just watch the lights and make sure they are going in forward order (1 through 8) and not jumping around. Its much better than having to plug the Ethernet cable into a live data circuit and see whether it works.

If you need to check a network run between a server room and a network jack youll need two people or leg work to do so.

Needed to trace some preinstalled LAN cables to set up my home network. Worked like a champ and determined the cables were good to boot. Also comes with a case for storage, battery and two patch cords. Just what the doctor ordered and at a decent price.

I had previously bought a crimp/strip tool and some RJ45 connectors wanting to fix some broken cables. I wasnt successful fixing even one, and I was frustrated because I didnt know if the problem was the cable, the connectors, the tool, or my technique. So I got one of these Cable testers. Within about 2 minutes of opening the box, it already helped me figure out the problem I was having with my first crimp work (two wires switched, but NOT a crossover cable). Now the tester is helping me confirm the health of my patch cables, figure out which ones actually are crossover cables, and check my work on my crimps. A great tool to have; I recommend it.

My apartment is wired for multi-room internet access, but it just wouldnt work. I suspected either I had a bad cable in the mix, or the wiring of the jacks was hosed. So I picked up this tool to find out what the problem was. More on that in a minute. The device comes with a transmitter/receiver (one unit), a smaller receiver, two patch cords and a 9v battery. If you just want to do a quick cable check you can just use the main unit, plug one end into the output, the other into the input and turn it on. It will cycle through all 8 wires, and then repeat until you turn it off. This is very important if you want to put the transmitter in one area and use the small receiver in another. It has a slow speed and a fast speed. You can also test a cable by plugging one end into the output of the main unit and plugging the other end into the small receiver. Same principle - lights are sequentially lit in order from 1 to 8, and you very that the receiver lights come on in the same order. The patch coords are used if you want to check out a network jack. You plug the cord in the transmitter and then into the jack. You can use the other patch coord the same way on the other end of your jack. Easy peasy. So back to my problem. Using this device I found that the wiring in my jack had 2 wires crossed and one wire disconnected. I opened up the outlet, switched the wires and seated the other, and all was good! I now have direct internet access throughout the apartment without having to use wireless. This is important for my DVR video streaming, and works perfectly. Very glad I ordered this unit. In 10 minutes I had my problem solved. Definitely an essential tool to have in the kit.

This RJ45 Network Cable Tester kit is essential if you need to make your own patch cables for connecting a home or business network. It is a must to the technicians networking tookkit. The Tester was used to determine if all conncetions were made correctly and or just how many of the wire connections you had right. If all the wires are not corrected in the same order on each end ot the patch cable, you will not have a successful connection. A good product and at a good price. Thanks DataShark for a tester that is practical, useful, and enconomical.