Fluke Networks MicroScanner PoE Cable Verifier vs Klein Tools Scout Pro 3 Tester with Test + Map Remote Kit (VDV501-853)

The MicroScanner PoE draws a proportional graphical wiremap, reports split pairs, and reads the far end switch speed up to 10 Gbps along with PoE class, which turns a vague "the drop is dead" into a specific answer. The Klein Scout Pro 3 kit gives up some of that far end detail but adds coax and telephone testing plus five extra numbered remotes, which is the better shape for wiring a house.

Fluke Networks MicroScanner PoE Cable Verifier

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The verification tester that answers the most questions per press of the button, including the ones about the switch at the far end.

• Fluke lists detection of single wire faults, shorts, miswires and split pairs, and draws the wiremap with proportional length so a fault's rough position is visible on screen.
• Reports the advertised speed of the far end Ethernet port at 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps, so you can see what the switch is actually offering.
• Solicits and detects 802.3af, at and bt plus Cisco UPOE, reports PoE class 0 to 8, and is Ethernet Alliance certified to the IEEE 802.3 PoE standards.

• No coax support: Fluke lists coaxial testing for the MicroScanner2 only, so an F connector run needs the other model or a different tool.
• It is a verification tester, so it will not certify a link to a category limit and cannot back a cabling manufacturer warranty.
• The digital IntelliTone probe is a separate purchase, which pushes the real cost up if you also need to trace cable in walls.

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Klein Tools Scout Pro 3 Tester with Test + Map Remote Kit (VDV501-853)

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The best value if you are wiring a house, because it tests data, telephone and coax and comes with six remotes so you can map six drops in one trip to the panel.

• Klein lists wiremap testing for miswires, split pairs, short faults, open faults and shield, which is the fault set that matters and the one cheap testers leave out.
• Tests RJ11 and RJ12 voice, RJ45 data on shielded or unshielded CAT3 through CAT7, and RG59 and RG6/6Q coax, so one tool covers a whole structured wiring panel.
• Ships with a self storing remote plus remotes 2 to 6, coax barrel adapters, jumper cables, a case and a 9V battery, so nothing else is needed on day one.

• Length is specified to 2000 feet at plus or minus 5 percent, which is fine for finding a break but not a precise measurement.
• Tone generation needs the VDV500-123 probe, sold separately, so cable tracing is an extra purchase.
• PoE reporting covers PoE, PoE+, A and B wiring and voltage, but it does not go into the class detail a bt install may need.

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Side by side

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the Fluke Networks MicroScanner PoE Cable Verifier - The verification tester that answers the most questions per press of the button, including the ones about the switch at the far end. Choose the Klein Tools Scout Pro 3 Tester with Test + Map Remote Kit (VDV501-853) instead if homeowners and low voltage installers terminating a structured wiring panel who need voice, data and video on one instrument.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Network Cable Testers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).