Cable Testers (2025 version) - what have you got?

[pete]

Our Testum Validator has, after ~15 years or so, given up the ghost and I'm after a similar replacement device.  This is for ad-hoc diagnosis and repair and tracing cable runs.

 

I need:

• Cable testing (physical and basic networking - ping and DHCP)
• Tone + probing
• Ideally under £500 all-in.  Definitely not a Fluke/NetAlly budget.

Would be nice:

• PoE testing

 

I'm looking at the Klein Tools Scout Pro series at the moment, but what are you using?  (And if anyone's got a Testum Validator they're willing to sell, I'm also interested).

[r0cketbev]

I've got one of these does what I need it to do.

 

Cable tester

[Chris_Cook]

We've got one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Compact-Tester-Digital-Tracer-Screen/dp/B0BJ2P9DMB/

 

Ours didn't come with a toner (and couldn't generate the tone despite looking identical), but we use a Fluke intelitoner set instead. I tend to use it more for analog CCTV. I think this is a slightly more up to date version, but might be out of your budget: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PBNRQD1

 

I tend to use a laptop with wireshark for tracing cables if its live. You can use the 'lldp' filter to list just LLDP packets.

[pete]

^ Yeah, I've got a Netool* for live ports but this is for testing potentially damaged ports and unpatched ports with the label peeled off (or the labelling scheme relies on knowing which office 3rd Bob had in 1993).

 

@r0cketbev How is that Kostol tester for battery life?  Does the PoE test function make it big and obvious (on-screen) which port to use to avoid burning out the main one?

 

*decent for the price.  Initial startup could be a bit quicker, but no other complaints.

[r0cketbev]

It’s on the side of the main unit and labeled. On the main unit it has a PoE test setting. I’ve never tried it so ymmv. I’ve charged it about 4 times since getting it a few years ago.

Edited March 24, 2025 by r0cketbev
Charging

[Aprice]

I bought a Pockethernet a few years back, which was OK. Then ended up getting a Netally LRAT 1000 from ebay for £200 which was an absolute steal. 

 

Seem to remember Pockethernet stopped shipping to the UK and development seemed to become a bit stagnant. I’d probably go for a Nettool if I was buying again.