Cable Box Tool

Review by Sumeet Raina "Sumeet" : Great tool to have

I wired the lower level of my house with Ethernet cables. This tool made connecting the heads a breeze.

Review by cfkman "cfkman" : Has already helped diagnose a problem

I had previously bought a crimp/strip tool and some RJ45 connectors wanting to fix some broken cables. I wasn't successful fixing even one, and I was frustrated because I didn't know if the problem was the cable, the connectors, the tool, or my technique. So I got one of these Cable testers. Within about 2 minutes of opening the box, it already helped me figure out the problem I was having with my first crimp work (two wires switched, but NOT a crossover cable). Now the tester is helping me confirm the health of my patch cables, figure out which ones actually are crossover cables, and check my work on my crimps. A great tool to have; I recommend it.

Review by TeeDub : Got a home network? If so, YOU NEED THIS.

My home network has grown into two wireless routers, two switches, three DVRs, an Xbox, four computers... Geez, it didn't seem complex until I thought about it. I've been having occasional issues with the network, causing me to reset routers and switches, maybe try unplugging and replugging and rebooting devices... Just enough to be annoying, as it worked most of the time. I spent an hour with this simple device and loved it. It doesn't get easier; the source lights up lights 1-8 in order, and if all is well, 1-8 on the box (if a patch cable is plugged into both holes) or dongle (if checking an installed cable) will light up in sequence as well. I discovered 4 of 11 wires and jacks had issues, including a commercial cable I never would have suspected. Let's just say I now have tremendous respect for the magic boxes' ability to work even with messed up cabling; having had this network for years, I now don't know how it ever worked. Now, all is well with my network world, thanks to this device. If you're going to buy a crimper and RJ-45 blanks, your next step should be to buy this. Now, I won't even use a commercial cable without testing it with this device. It gives both great results, a tested network, and peace of mind for a reasonable price.

Review by David Cook : Great Network Tester.

The DataShark RJ45 Network Tester (70025) is an incredibly simple but essential tool. You can quickly and easily test everything from short patch cables to long through-the-wall data runs. This tester continuously pulses each of the 8 wires in succession and successively illuminates each of the 8 LEDs one at a time on both the sender end and the remote units. If there is a bad connection, the LED will not illuminate on the remote unit identifying the bad wire. If there is a cross wiring problem, the LEDs on the remote unit will illuminate out of succession so you can tell which wires are crossed. This makes it very easy to identify and fix any wiring problems.

Review by C. Osborne "PCTechUnique" : RJ45 Network Cable Tester

DataShark 70025 RJ45 Network Cable Tester Kit This RJ45 Network Cable Tester kit is essential if you need to make your own patch cables for connecting a home or business network. It is a must to the technicians networking tookkit. The Tester was used to determine if all conncetions were made correctly and or just how many of the wire connections you had right. If all the wires are not corrected in the same order on each end ot the patch cable, you will not have a successful connection. A good product and at a good price. Thanks DataShark for a tester that is practical, useful, and enconomical.

Review by M. Fred : Useful but limited tool, cheaper at local box store

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.

Review by Brandon H : Nice and cheap

For the nice low price, this does the job quickly and effectively. Drop your cable in and it will quickly rotate through, checking connectivity on each pin. As I would imagine is the case with all cheaper cable testers, this isn't *entirely* idiot proof, but it's close enough.

Review by Carlo Matos : So far so good

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.