DataShark Network Cable Tester - Cable Mapper, Check Continuity - Test Patch Cords or Installed Cable Runs

I have a structured home/media center installed in one of my closets. I needed something to not only test but to also identify the various Cat5e cables from different rooms to said closet/media center. This little tester worked flawlessly. Even found a problem which was corrected. Not sure if this would be the tool for a pro but for the homeowner, it is all you will ever likely need.

Used item to locate network problem. Problem resolved. Thanks.

Just what I needed!

Very nice. Works just how I wanted and in the correct price point. I use it every once in a while but it helps to keep from asking a friend if I can use his. Great investment for cable making.

This wont be an extensive review. There isnt much to say about the product other then it does what it says it does. Ive 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.

Invaluable tool and at a great price. An absolute necessity if you make your own cables and for testing same elsewhere.

I had a problem with my printer intermitantly disappearing off my home network. Having exhausted the possible software causes I began to suspect a hardware problem, and bought this tester, based largely on other buyers reviews of it and of similar products. I chose this particular one because the price was reasonable and the other reviews did not critisize it for being overly cheap. Since my problem was intermitant, it took me a couple of tries to catch the fault in the act. I started by putting the main unit on the end of the patch cord that plugs into the printer and the satellite unit on the end of the other patch cord that plugs into the switch. The first time I tried it tested OK, but when I took it out and reconnected the printer, it was working again. The next time the printer disappeared I tried again, and found an open connection on pin one. I have a relatiley complicated system, with inline surge supressors on both ends of the run through the walls, so I tested each individual patch cord and component working back from the switch to the printer one connection at a time, and eventually found the guilty party. It was a commercially obtained patch cord that worked intermitantly when you wiggled one end around. Being commercially made it is probably about the last thing I would have suspected without the tester. Had I known they were this inexpensive I would have bought one years ago. Since I dont know when I might use it next I took the batttery out of it before I stored it away.

A great product for the money if what you want is to be able to identify your home network wire feeds. It is simple to use and does what it says.

I would like to have a test channel for the shield but it does the critical test on the 8 active wires just fine.

This is a reliable tester. It has never mis led me. It is tough, it gets dropped and banged around like most tools, yet it continues to work.