Paladin Tools 70025 RJ45 Network Cable Tester Kit
by Paladin Tools
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Paladin Tools 70025 RJ45 Network Cable Tester Kit
Customer Review: Could Be Just Enough
Summary: 4 Stars
This simple tool was just what I needed to slap my diagnostic process back on track when a router went belly-up and a portion of the home network seemed to remain dark after replacing it. All I needed was a reminder that when I last thought hard about the topic, I figured I wanted CROSSOVER cables connecting house to office and router to router. More than enough time had passed for me to forget all about the distinction. (That put me back on the trail of reconfiguring the Apple AirPort using the Windows version of the administrative software, and overcoming -4 and -6375 errors; but I digress. If that's part of what you're up against, know that it can be done.) When I plugged the tester in to a wall plug at one end, and the dongle in at the other, and saw the dongle's lights displaying in a scrambled sequence, it was a forehead-smacking reminder.
While I was at it, I double-checked every store-bought and homemade Ethernet cable within reach, just to reduce the risk of other nuisances and surprises in the near future. Holding the tool in my lap and tugging at a suspect homemade patch cable where it entered the RJ45 connector, I was able to see how different stresses caused intermittent connectivity failures.
A note for the unwary: When I first turned the tool on, I got nothing. It felt so light that at first my suspicion fell on whether or not the 9V battery had been included. The designer apparently worked in environments where lost and stolen 9V batteries are a real problem, because he elected to secure the battery compartment with a Phillips head screwdriver. After rummaging through my toolbox for that screwdriver, I was able to open the compartment and establish that the battery was in fact there. Was it so cheap it had already gone dead while the box sat on a shelf? No; it had been stuffed into the battery compartment still wrapped in cellophane. Probably a good idea, but an even better idea would have been to tell me what to expect. I had to debug the tool before I could debug my network.
The tool needs few instructions, but comes with none. You won't find any more on the manufacturer's website. The blurb on the box and these reviews are the most documentation you'll find.
It looks and feels cheap. I'd much rather have a tool with some heft and a dozen or so neatly labeled ports, buttons, and LCDs, along with the manual required to understand them; something with winking and blinking lights, to impress my friends and confound my enemies. For several times the price, I could get one. To use every five years or so? Once a year, if I tell everyone I know that I have such a thing? I couldn't convince myself that would be a good investment. This saved me more than what it cost, in heartburn and wasted time. I'm just lucky the electrician who helped me before retired, or I would have gotten him to come over and tell me what this tool told me, for several times as much. If the tool works the next time I need it, so much the better.
Customer Review: Useful but limited tool, cheaper at local box store
Summary: 4 Stars
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 it's still a lot easier to walk to the mailbox than it is to drive to HD.Customer Review: So far so good
Summary: 4 Stars
This wont be an extensive review.
There isnt much to say about the product other then it does what it says it does. I've used it in the field without any problems. If there is a non positive about the product then it is the design. I would of liked to see the two seperate parts lock/fit together. That way there is less of a chance of loosing any parts. Now i just have to make sure i keep everything in the carrying case which comes with the product.
Customer Review: Great Value
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great product for a casual user. A professional will not be happy with it.Customer Review: ok butu not sensitive
Summary: 3 Stars
I used it to test my cable connection. The tester shows that everything is fine, whilst in real life the connection is not strong enough to pass through data.