Neither have I but the one D-Tools is using looks much better and we may give them a try in the future.


We purchased both and I prefer the Brady. The Rhino's are a nice machine for the momney though. I think in the long run the Brady actually *MIGHT* be cheaper if you consider the cost of labels though.

BTW, the advantage of using D-Tools in coordination with the Brother (or sheets of 8x11 printer labels) is that you can print every label automatically right out of the software (D-Tools generates wire numbers automatically when you do a wiring blueprint/schematic). The you just attach them to the wire in the field.

That's an excellent plan. But, instead of using one or the other, it's best to have both. Changes always happen, the CAD guy who printed them or the PM screwed up, the intstaller used them on the wrong wire...

It's best to have both. I'm on the Brady IDExpert platform this election season. Plus, the IDExpert comes with panel labeling ribbons now too, for labeling rack components and such.

We use IDPals. We have one in every vehicle and one at the store. They are worth every penny... and it is worth the extra time to do it right THE FIRST TIME.

Absolutely!

I'm not sure what you mean by "comes with panel labeling ribbons". Are you referring to the Brady's huge selection of labels?

Maybe I was off topic. We hand write labels for prewires only. When terminating the label is cut off and a printed label is applied where needed.

Yes. The IDPro didn't have a good selection. Now with the IDExpert, you have more choices with label cartridges. No more loading of ribbons or labels.

gotta go sharpie at prewire, but def go with a real labeler after that, nice neat wiring job goes hand in hand with nice neat labels in a rack or panel. keep it clean.

for prewire, recommend using 3M number dispensers...

(marked against a prewire schedule, allows for accuracy, plus sort of helps keep others from coming in and snaking a job out from under you w/o doing at least a significant amount of toning tracing, as straight up numbers are less descriptive if you don't have the master schedule)

mark a few inches from the end of the wire, a few feet, and again several feet up... that way you can trim wires back and still have your reference. found this method worked best for very large jobs, where you had cabling umbilicals reaching in the thousands or at least several hundreds.

at trim, brady labels, marked heat shrink, etc... make it look nice, but keeping the number scheme is just as professional, if not more so.

Does anyone have an opinion on why the Brady IDEXPERT is bettter than the Rhino 3000 or 5000?

I have never use either but an considering one of them and would like to hear more.

Curious how others do it. when you guys are labeling at the home run, (be it 3m or Rhino Pro, etc) do you stick with just #'s and a master schedule as described above, or use verbage describing what the wire is? If verbage, do you keep it generic (L speaker, SE bedroom) or specific/personal to that house/family (L speaker, Bobby' room)?

Doesn't matter to us... we just wirenut em all together anyway!!!

I have seen this done and not been able to read the labels because the tape was tight but then started to loosen to where the writing was no longer in line, especially in summer. I personally use wire numbers (if its a big job) with a wire list, If its a smaller job I write on the wire with a black sharpie. My hand writing is better on wire than on paper!

another really neat high end solution, usually reserved for smaller hi-performance systems is simply buying transparent heat shrink.

on these jobs we usually solder our own cabling, and need to shrink the termination anyways. using nice paper or transparency stock, you can set your printer up to preprint all the label inserts, i include a color band for left / right, or video type (yellow, red, green, blue) or communications type.

I think that Kimber and some other companies offered a heat shrink printer, but i remember it being a pretty heft price.

time consuming and rarer today for me, anyways, as more jobs seem to be approaching the larger dimensions and although some hi-fi mixed in, distributed and in-wall/ceiling speakers are the norm.

I just bought a Rhino Pro 5000 about a month ago. Works very nice. Had a Brother P-Touch for years until numbnuts dropped it off the ladder.