#network #networking #homelab I ultimately purchased the Klein VDV501-853 tester kit from HomeDepot (2025-04-10). ## Recommended Devices via Reddit ### Cable Testers - [Buy Optical Power Meter & LAN Cable Tracer NF-8508 \[Smart Choice 2024\] – NOYAFA (HK) TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED](https://store.noyafa.com/products/noyafa-nf-8508-optical-wire-meter-tracer) - ~$120 - Ethernet RJ45 and Fiber Optic Tester - Finds faults, mis-wires, fiber light measuring, cable testing, PoE identification, port flashing, and more - Comparable feature set to multi-thousand dollar flukes, but is not TIA certified for certification reports (if that's important to you) - Reviews: - [TESTING ETHERNET CABLES IN 2025 - HOW TO \| NOFAYA NF-8508 WIRE TESTER - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M_ksbFZg-Q) - [How To Test Your Fiber Optic Cables With Cheap Tester - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMcNmCeBwLc) - [Scout ® Pro 3 Tester with Locator Remote Kit - VDV501-852 \| Klein Tools](https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/cable-length-measurement/scout-pro-3-tester-locator-remote-kit) - ~$99 to $300 depending on source and package version (-851, -852, -853) - -851 ($99) includes 5 locator-only remotes for ID'ing; NO POE TESTING! - -852 ($199) includes 18 locator-only remotes for ID'ing + Carrying Case + POE Testing - -853 ($299) includes 5 "test and map" remotes + Carrying Case + POE Testing - $279 + free shipping: [Klein Tools VDV501-853 Scout® Pro 3 Tester with Test + Map Remote Kit – Haus of Tools](https://hausoftools.com/products/klein-tools-vdv501-853-scout%C2%AE-pro-3-tester-with-test-map%E2%84%A2-remote-kit?cstrackid=52857991-74a0-42d6-a079-ce602da1534b&utm_source=KleinTools&utm_medium=channelsight&utm_campaign=button&utm_content=52857991-74a0-42d6-a079-ce602da1534b) - $255 @ HomeDepot (as of 2025-04-10) - Detect wiring, mis-wires, fails, shield testing - Test COAX! - Detects PoE type and voltage, trace cables (need analog probe to trace conductors). - Platinum Tools VDV MapMaster 3.0 - $220 - Cable Tester Kit - [Platinum Tools VDV MapMaster 3.0 Cable Tester Kit T130K1 B&H](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1417413-REG/platinum_tools_t130k1_vdv_mapmaster_3_0_cable.html) - $482 - Deluxe Pro Kit - [Platinum Tools VDV MapMaster 3.0 Cable Tester Deluxe Pro T130K3](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1417415-REG/platinum_tools_t130k3_vdv_mapmaster_3_0_cable.html) - $357 - Pro Kit - [Platinum Tools VDV MapMaster 3.0 Cable Tester Pro Kit T130K2 B&H](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1417414-REG/platinum_tools_t130k2_vdv_mapmaster_3_0_cable.html) - - PocketEthernet 2 - [Pockethernet](https://pockethernet.com/) - (Finally) new 2.0 version - Cable Tester - Network Tool - IP Analyzer - PoE Testing - VLAN, Link Speed Testing, etc - ~$280 USD shipped - They were MIA for a few years during COVID due to chip shortage apparently. ### Network Stack ONLY Testers (no cable testing) - [netool.io – Network engineering tool in your pocket.](https://netool.io/) - Really cool network discovery and testing tool - Discovery Protocol, DHCP detection, VLAN ID, Internet Detection, Flash Port, pCAP Capture to USB, and way more - Lite = $219 - Pro2 = $299