Reddit reviews Klein Tools VDV501-823 Cable Tester, VDV Scout Pro 2 Traces and Tests Coax Cable, Network Data Cable, and Telephone Cable with Remotes
We found 6 Reddit comments about Klein Tools VDV501-823 Cable Tester, VDV Scout Pro 2 Traces and Tests Coax Cable, Network Data Cable, and Telephone Cable with Remotes. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Kit includes: 1 Scout Pro 2 Tester, 1 self-storing remote, 5 LanMap RJ45 Location Remotes, 5 CoaxMap F-connector Location Remotes, 1 coax barrel F adapter, manual and 9V batteryIncludes voltage warning, shield detection, auto power off, low battery indicator and a self-storing remoteTests voice (RJ11/12), data (RJ45) and video (F-connector) coax connectionsUtilize the 5 LanMap and 5 CoaxMap Location Remotes to identify cable runsTest for open, short, miswire or split-pair faults
I use a decent ($100) one of these every day for work.
Before, I used a cheap-ass ($20) one every now and again for work.
I have NEVER seen a cable tester/tone generator fry a network appliance. I've had network appliances fry a cable tester (those cheap ones really dislike passive PoE).
Your patch panel is fucky, but that's easy to fix. Get a punchdown tool and re-terminate. There should be color coding on the back of the panel to tell you what wires should go where. If not, Google is your friend. It seems like this panel likely used to run cables for telephony, or something else aside from networking. No biggie to fix, just takes a little time and diligence.
Your router, and anything else on the other end of these runs, should be totally fine.
Edited to add links.
The blue cables terminate into what is called a 66 block. They are most commonly intended and most appropriate for voice connections. You would be better off to cut those out and re-terminate them into a normal punch down patch panel if you wanted to use them for Ethernet.
The white cables are likely data cables, but you will need to verify.
Start by toning/testing continuity on the white cables if they are not properly documented anywhere. You can grab a cheap continuity tester to verify which cables go where.
You could also unscrew one of the data ports on the wall and check what color the cable is. Looks like there are 5 blues and 3 whites. But you still need to know which cable is which.
https://www.amazon.com/Telephone-Remotes-Klein-Tools-VDV501-823/dp/B00M2DDO0Q
If the white cables are the data lines like i suspect then ignore the blues. Terminate the whites into a new punch down patch panel. Then place the home router wherever you want . All you need to do at that point is patch in the lines you want to use to the home router. Any home router will do and should come with atleast 4 lan ports by default.
Or you could even skip the patch panel and terminate the whites with new RJ45s and call it a day. The patch panel only helps you keep things tidy and is ideal if there is going to be a lot of cable changes. You can also avoid buying a RJ45 crimper and testing your own cables if you go with a punch down patch panel. New patch cables are dirty cheap on amazon or monoprice. Its not really worth it to build your own for short runs. A punch down tool should be pretty cheap and is really straight forward to use. Crimping ethernet cables takes some practice and if you dont plan to do any more cabling, might be a waste of your time.
If you need to validate speed,
This is the cheapest.
Triplett/Byte Brothers RWC1000K2(CS) CAT5 CAT5e CAT6 Cable Verifier with Printable Reports https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J157WQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oiWdBbFAZQDKM
If you just need a reliable tester,
This is what I’d recommend.
Cable Tester, VDV Scout Pro 2 Traces and Tests Coax, Data, Telephone Cable with Remotes Klein Tools VDV501-823 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2DDO0Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_amWdBbNKNT83F
Looks like the scout pro 2 is on sale.
I would get a decent tester. Every tech should have one in their bag. I stumbled across this and it should be decent for the price. The only thing is you would need a toner wand to pick up the tone signals. If you are capable of doing it yourself, do it. Schedule down time, put a patch panel in, do it right. If you are not comfortable, get a contractor in and have them do it. Check their references and hope for the best!
Quality punch, crimper, jack heads, label maker, heavy duty scissors for misc (incl stripping cables)
Variety of screwdrivers, metal cheap nail file (i was sans tools and actually works better for reseating wires in keystone jacks)
https://www.amazon.com/Telephone-Remotes-Klein-Tools-VDV501-823/dp/B00M2DDO0Q
Ive worked for 20yrs without needing one, but there were a few instances having one would be nice and they have dropped in price. However like most things you never need it until the one time you dont bring it ;)
And i have a cheap toner - which after close to 20yrs never having one ive got quick and easy methods to do what i need to do without one, but after lots of hostile takeovers at body shops having one did come in handy once or twice. Battery is always dead in the toner when you need it and never a 9v handy at 3am. Lol!!
You can get a "pinout" tester, that will just tell you if all 4 pairs are in the right order, and are able to send a signal all the way down the cable (https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-RJ-11-Modular-Tester-108138/dp/B009GUNIX6)
or you can get something a little more serious, that measures....well...everything (https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-LRAT-2000-LinkRunner-Ethernet/dp/B007B60FGU)
https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-VDV501-823-Scout-Tester/dp/B00M2DDO0Q