DataShark PA70025 Network Cable Tester | Cable Mapper, Check Continuity | LAN (RJ45) & Telephone (RJ11 RJ12 RJ14) | Test Patch Cords or Installed Cable Runs

I have a long ethernet run (50+ feet of cable) that lets me run 1 gig download in a workplace for many devices with a simple splitter. It worked well for a long time and the a year ago it stopped working. So I ran a large part of the cable again but it still didn't work reliably. Then I put the datashark on the cable to see if the cable had electronic integrity on all 8 component wires. The lights showed all 8 sub wires were working. I probably shouldn't have done it but at one stage I even had the DataShark feeding the 8 bit pattern directly to my Comcast router. And after that the 1 gig download hard wired ethernet download started working again. So from what I can see my DataShark woke up my comcast router and made it work again. Does anyone think that's possible?

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.

This device is well made and has worked reliably for me. Before buying it I read reviews of some other devices available and saw a lot of complaints about cheap construction and unreliable operation. I haven't run into any such problems with this Paladin unit. It appears to be pretty robust and not likely to break or fall apart.I particularly like the fact that you can use this on a long run with the remote receiver unit. It's a very simple test -- just watch the lights and make sure they are going in forward order (1 through 8) and not jumping around. It's much better than having to plug the Ethernet cable into a live data circuit and see whether it works.

Pro's... 1. Works as advertised. It's not a sophisticated device with many features, but as a relatively low cost device it does serve its limited purpose well and reliably for small jobs. For example, it identified a short on a self-made jumper cable (I had pulled the twists too close to the point where the RJ45 connector housing clamps down on the wires, resulting in two wires being smashed together.) I rated this product 4-stars, not 5, because I feel it's a tad overpriced. 2. Takes a 9-volt battery. (I'm so tired of AAA batteries.)Cons... 1. The storage case has neither room or separate compartment for the two short testing cables. 2. The 9v battery connector is the kind that clamps on (they're a pain to deal with when you prefer to store devices with batteries removed) rather than spring tensioned contact plates. 3. The silicone port covers don't attach to the device in any way so they'll all be lost in short order.Note: 4-stars for the product but 2-stars for my particular purchase...I purchased this from Amazon as a used item (at reduced price, of course.) It arrived in original packaging and in excellent condition, however, the two short cables were missing (so I made my own), the 9v battery was already installed, and one of the port covers was missing.

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 don't know when I might use it next I took the batttery out of it before I stored it away.

Nice item and fast shipment!

Exactly what I needed as per description

Good for network testing

It worked to identify where my issues were.