Network Testers

[Dirk_D 0]

My trusty Fluke Lan650 took a 6' fall last Thursday while testing a crimped on connector.... I even sprung the catch and set it down easy and wham! Plastic pieces falling off, and now it goes straight into a programming mode. I might be able to rig it somehow but I'm not counting on that.

 

A couple months ago I picked up a used fluke Etherscope (one touch or link runner are more modern options).

 

I bought the Lan650 from a friend nearly 14 years ago and it's served me well, although it had it's 10 mbit limitation, it'd give me a quick pass/fail, pinout, and length, all very quickly.

 

So now I'm halfway wondering about the Fluke Microscanner2 @ $475, or their CableIQ @ $1160.....

 

I had a Fluke 683 delivered from ebay today ($200), but it's big and slow for cable measurements.

 

Are there better options than these two? Seems the cableIQ is the way to go but before I blow some more $$$$ I thought I'd ask.

[Dirk_D 0]

sure would be nice to find a retailer who would let me play with these.

[Dirk_D 0]

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Luckily it defaults to Autotest when the selector switch is completely removed. It only took a few minutes after poking around to see the familiar screens.

 

I think the Fluke CableIQ is what I'd have got if this didn't work, the LRAT seems to be a simplified version of my etherscope, the microscanner2 just doesn't seem to fit my particular needs (I'd like to be able to stress test & store result).

 

 

 

 

[Dirk_D 0]

....found a used CIQ-Kit for >30% off at ebay.... I just didn't like seeing mine bounce I guess, I think this will give me more confidence in my wiring... plus it does other types of communication cables (speaker wire) that might be helpful (not for speakers). It qualifies cables, doesn't certify them.