Fluke Networks26000900 Pro3000 Tone Generator and Probe Kit with SmartTone Technology

I worked as a cable man for about a year and in that time I used three different Tone & Probe kits. They ranged from the cheap $30 T&P's to the Fluke Filtered T&P featured on this Amazon page.Here is my 2 cents, if your a DIY home repairman and will only use this tool once or twice a year then get the cheaper T&P's on the market. If this is your job and you're day to day, week to week, or even month to month requires you to tone lines out...Get a Fluke. Your reputation depends on a tool that won't make you look stupid in front of the customer.I've worked on active networks with PoE, to running phone lines, and Coax. The Fluke just works (if you know what you're doing). On active networks this becomes difficult, since your networking equipment is designed to filter out unwanted signal (including your tone generator). The trick is to use a banjo and only connect one of the alligator clips (Not Both) to keep your signal from getting grounded out on Active networks.I no longer work for the ISP as a Cable Man, I now work for myself. The first thing I did was buy the filtered T&P from Fluke. The toner is light enough to hang off existing runs without fear and is loud enough that you won't 2nd guess yourself. Even in bundled networks with 100's of runs I can quickly find the exact cable I need to complete the job. The ability to change tone by touching the wires together verifies (even with signal bleeding into other wires) that you have the correct cable. The headphone jack is a life saver when working in loud server environments.It's a handy tool that has plenty of applications. As always though, your work requirements might be different. As I said earlier, if your a DIY person who won't be using this tool often, save your money and get something cheaper. They'll work. If your reputation is on the line and you'll be using this tool often, get the Fluke. It's a verified certified product with all the documentation you'll ever need. You will not be 2nd guessing your work if you know what you're doing.As a fallow up, I don't use this tool to probe electrical wiring as I'm not installing electrical outlets. There are better tools suited for that job, but this can work in a pinch. On that note, I've had to repair so many runs that were done by electricians that didn't know what they were doing that it's not even a joke. Not trying to talk down electricians, just emphasizing the fact that you should really know what you're doing before writing a bad review about this product.

I had to trace a number of curcuits behind drywall in a home renovation project, this tool made it possible.The tone is strong enough to easily find wires behind drywall, but this is also the source of my one and only complaint: If you have a box with several electrical lines going into it, even if you separate all the lines inside the box and at their "far" ends so that there is zeero continuity between separate lines, the signal still tends to "splash" onto all the other lines. In a box with three lines I got signal on all three even though the tone generator was only attached to one. This is more pronounced where the lines are closest together (at the box, of course). This led to some confusion when I was in a small closet and no matter where I put the probe I got signal! Imagine my surprise to see that the line I was tracing lead not only UP from the box to the ceiling, but DOWN to the floor as well.... and off to the side too! Whoops! That ain't right! However with a little patience and understanding of what was happening I was able to eventually sort out the individual runs. Further from the box the signal drops off on the non-connected lines faster than on the connected line. So I had to take a few educated guesses as to where the line I was tracing might be, and then move far away from the box and look for it. With a few tries I found each line and traced them to their ends. Bottom line: this thing works, and it works thorugh drywall, but it still requires you to use some brains.Check out the videos on You Tube that show how to best use these tools. On 100% open lines you connect the tone generator to TWO conductors and trace the line. When you think you have found the far end you short the two conductors together there and the tone changes. If the tone doesn't change you have the wrong pair. Because of the signal splash-over this is important to know. This is essential in tracing lines in bundles as the splash factor would otherwise drive you crazy.I found the quality of the the tool to be very good. Not flimsy at all. I expect years of service given normal care in handling. The tone generator has a nice lanyard to hang it by when you are attaching it to various wall boxes etc, so that you don't wind up hanging it by its leads, a nice touch that should add to longevity. I like that it comes with a case to keep everything together since this is the sort of tool I will only use occasionally and if it is knocking about in my kit without a case I'd be sure to misplace one part or another.

Excellent sound quality, total value for money, perfect accuracy, very good battery life, works really well

works well. helped to track down some hard to trace cables. price was fair for a good product

I needed to find a speaker wire that was unterminated inside the wall (behind sheetrock). I tried several of the cheep brands without luck. The Fluke was not perfect, but did give me tone in about a 2 inch radius of the wire end, and I was able to extract the wire with minimal wall damage. The unit was more solid and well built than the cheep brands... at 3x the cost. The volume/sensitivity adjustment is convenient. I' hate that it uses 9v battery rather than the more common AA/AAA. A solid product.