Not sure but it looks like the test-um LanRoamer kit is discontinued. I can only find it for sale on ebay.

[Link: ebay.com]

The Validator NT905 is $1300 and it might also be discontinued.

[Link: aaatesters.com]

What other products are there on the market for $350 or less? It just needs to have numbered "remotes" and it must have the ability to test continuity for all 8 pins. The cheap mappers don't test pairs. The cheap testers don't map.

Thanks.

I know this is considerably more than the $350 you mentioned, but we use this:

[Link: testequipmentdepot.com]

every day to test data cabling. Ours went down (bad battery door) for 2 days last week and I realized how often we use and trust it for all of our data testing.

The testum stuff was a favourite of mine, but after jdsu bought them things changed. Klein has some decent pieces, maps, split pair check etc [Link: kleintools.com]

[Link: homedepot.com]

$80 does all that you are asking for. Tests all 8 pins and maps locations. I have one and it works great.

I also have the Fluke [Link: flukenetworks.com]. it can store the test results and then print them out for the client. it may be a little overkill.

This kit is nice. We have cable certification covered. What i am looking for is something that will speed things up but inexpensive enough to put into every tool bag. Instead of sending 2 guys i want to be able to have 1 guy quickly test from patch panel to wall plate to make sure everything is punched down correctly.




This is perfect and well under budget.

Does anyone have experience with the additional remote kit? [Link: homedepot.com] Claims it works with the VDV501-809.

The VDV501-809 is sold in stores but the additional remotes are only sold online. If they work i will pick the tester locally and order the additional remotes online. If they don't work i will just get the "VDV Scout Pro LT" kit. It comes with 19 RJ45 and 19 coax remotes plus it works with the Klein tone tool. Not sure if i will ever use that feature (because i already have a fluke toner)but @ $179 its only a few dollars more than the other kit plus the add on remotes. [Link: homedepot.com]

I ordered the VDV501-809 with the extra remote kit from Amazon. Will be here Tuesday.

I am sitting here looking at specs/features and the next thing you know i am selling myself on their $580 model. [Link: kleintools.com] I had to remind myself that i wanted something cheap. I ordered it from Amazon to put an end to scope/feature creep :).

Sorry to be late to the reply

But the Seimon STM-8 is a great unit
[Link: siemon.com]

Or get the Fluke Cable IQ kit
Once you know how to use it, it will be indispensable!
We make a living with our tools, it's an investment that's worth it.

Dave

I have the Klein scout pro. Just fyi the rj45 remotes are just IDs, they don't test all 8 wires. Only the one remote that snaps into the bottom test all of them

Well that sucks. I just cancelled my Amazon order. Without the ability to test continuity via the 19 remotes it doesn't save me much time. I might have to settle for an ebay purchase of a testum kit.

Website says "quickly test and identify up to four different cable runs".

Does this mean that the 4 remotes allow you to test continuity and identify at once? Or do you identify first then use a different device to test continuity (like the KLEIN tool mentioned above)?

Ok. So I have a question. When you ID a lot of cable runs at once, is this because you failed to label the wires at rough-in/trim? Or are you double checking? Furthermore, I can see a bit of time saved by not having to walk as much, but you still have to walk to each location, and then have some method of knowing what ID# is what room, right? I mean if you plug 24 ID things around the house, do you use a piece of paper, your brain, a floor plan, or something else to know which ID thing is in which room so you know what to label it?

I am not trying to dog the tools. I am sure they are a valuable time saver. I am just curious. Most of our jobs are not large enough to really save enough time to worry about it. But I can see the benefit on larger jobs. Of course I also trust my own labeling and always label everything at least twice. :)

They're for testing. Making sure your cables are fine and that you punched them down properly. The higher end tools will also test for data throughput.

If you're using it to identify your cable runs, you need to find a different line of work.

The Klein commander says it can test and map up to 8 locations. I was going to order one but I can't figure out were to buy extra test-n-map remotes from. It only comes with one.

Platinum tools has a kit called the prowler that basically the exact same as the Klein commander but the prowler does have a kit that comes with 8 remotes.

[Link: techtoolsupply.com]
Klein commander

[Link: techtoolsupply.com]
Platinum tools prowler

Yes

It will identify and TEST four lines at a time
I did fail to include the necessary add on pack
[Link: anixter.com]

And yes, I know someone will flame me for this

We often just run lines, ala 3 drops at kitchen cabinet, 2 drops at exercise
Then we come back and terminate the ports
Use fluke cable iq, test and identify
Then land in leviton quick-port panels and plates per our spreadsheet
During prewire, I only worry about quantity at the location, not the labeling
We do that at trim with label maker
Leaves all the "guess what I wrote here" means!