Question Cable testing devices wanted

[ingeborgdot]

I'm not looking to break the bank. I don't do this as a career but as a hobby and I'm learning something new every day. I have about 3/4 mile of cat5e and cat6 in my house for my whole house audio, networking, and cameras. I also work at my friend's house doing his networking, out at his shop with cameras and networking, and at his bin site networking and cameras. I also just got done doing another friend's cameras and networking, along with the same at my brother-in-law's place. All in all, I'm sure there are 5 miles or more of different cat5e and cat6 cable runs. Plus at these places, there is cable internet.
I'm looking for something that will test all the cables periodically as mice in some of those areas can cause damage, plus age, etc.
What do you use to test cables? I would like to keep it under $150 and under $100 would be the best for no more than I would use it. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks.

 

[In2Photos]

I just use a real cheapo device like this: https://www.amazon.com/iMBAPrice-Network-Cable-Tester-Phone/dp/B01M63EMBQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=28V6974IRD82B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.60WrHTy1vOPQEFetKGGSr5s34Z3rHr8L4Q7LY3wB1-ZdisqTYBttE3uJkccJZZZN3TB8bwPwwYNI8Td5JFy5Yt3Gxks3jH40RyBTCLjeZItapzUgE1mGcVakh-VfRnWUnzK5KOsuDZU7EO15d7nFwhlI6A1dpVgBB2UnK787_S4rHdolJg4yTDX89-T94MRrSR3qS3e0yZXnOAEcX9rr7_f4Oq48tgmfw6Eqk-5KaMs.fGslWytoGHIOGdFZjRLMfMtnK0pEq-Z0xFzw7ToTyOE&dib_tag=se&keywords=ethernet+cable+tester&qid=1713283403&sprefix=ethernet+cable+tester,aps,115&sr=8-3

Does the trick for the few times I've needed it.

 

[dlerious]

Klein tools

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Connections-Klein-Tools-VDV526-200/dp/B0925826M2/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZGlw_BJPJ9cSoNXgv7Xn1sBFIVNZ1FeMnUiOPhY_rE3Ieql53F4Zih3gKFLjXoaUbCia2_qqfvTxkKU_LC2EAJg2C_ysB4wnvLduTnEXDJw2PC3H9ma2cn8o4726bV_R0uUr-839I299Xlg2HnCFOyTuOFs8-F3Cl0cC-GIfj68IUeRe6fykFThbAd-FHn-O0hbJc0Xv18OytffRBaIgWffOQOEMc3vwtWyyMiSywzw.AbI4MKKxF0VFVr0I9pDEHwr7dCrqKY5h3DGJUsXdeQ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=klein%2Btools%2Bnetwork%2Btester&qid=1713326210&sr=8-3&th=1

Quick review

 

[Fallen Kell]

Yeah, I have one of those Klein testers. It works pretty well. That said, I have used some really nice stuff as well, like a fluke network analyzer. I do have to say that if you are trying to trace down a chewed cable, the fluke is what you want since it will tell you roughly how far down the cable the break is located based on the inductance, capacitance, and signal reflection waveform analysis values it reads from the cable. Then all you need to do is know roughly where that would be on the run and check around that location. Not sure if it worth spending $4000 for a new one, but older models do pop up used/refurbished from time to time. A Fluke DSP-100 can probably be found for $200 or so used/refurb. But really, if you get that more advanced Klein that is in the video, you should be fine for what you are doing (the fluke is really for if you need to certify things).