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19 head-to-heads, cost guides and buyer's guides. Every price links to its source.
Copper testing: certifiers, qualifiers and verifiers 11
LinkIQ vs DSX: qualifier or certifier?Need warranty certification? DSX. Troubleshooting and speed checks? LinkIQ.Head-to-headNew from $2,947 vs $13,443- DSX-5000 vs DSX2-5000 (Versiv 1 vs Versiv 2)Same 1 GHz Cat 6A certification. The DSX2 adds Wi-Fi and costs thousands more.Head-to-headUsed from $3,000 vs $7,900
- DSX-5000 vs DSX-8000: which Fluke certifier do you need?The 5000 covers Cat 6A. Pay for the 8000 only if you certify Cat 8 (2 GHz).Head-to-headUsed from $3,000 vs $11,000
- DSX-8000 vs DSX2-8000 (Versiv 1 vs Versiv 2)A refurbished DSX2-8000 costs only about $500 more than a used DSX-8000.Head-to-headUsed from $11,000 vs $11,995
- Cable certifier vs qualifier vs verifierVerifier checks wiring, qualifier checks speed, certifier proves the category for warranties.Head-to-headNew from $2,947 vs $13,443
- LinkIQ vs MicroScanner2 (and CableIQ)LinkIQ for data links and PoE. MicroScanner2 for wiremap, toning and coax at about a quarter of the price.Head-to-headNew from $2,947 vs $643.32
- Best cable certifier: copper certifiers comparedDSX2-5000 for Cat 6A warranty work. Softing or AEM for cheaper Cat 8.Buyer's guide5 modelsNew from $7,200
- Used DSX-5000 price guideUsed DSX-5000 kits run $3,000–$8,497. Check calibration, adapters and the remote.Cost guideUsed $3,000+
- Is a used DSX-5000 worth it?Rent for a few jobs a year. A used DSX-5000 pays off if you certify most months.Cost guideNew $13,443–$14,652Used $3,000+Rent $475/wk+
- Fluke DSX rental cost: DSX-5000 and DSX-8000 rates comparedDSX-5000 from about $475/week, DSX-8000 about $925/week (US).Cost guideNew $13,443–$16,563Used $3,000+Rent $475/wk+
- Fluke DSX calibration costThird-party DSX calibration: about $385–$955 a year.Cost guideNew $10,000+Used $3,000+Rent $925/wk+
OTDRs 3
Best OTDR: handheld OTDRs comparedEXFO 715D on a budget, 730D for PON and the T-BERD 2000 quad for enterprise.Buyer's guide5 modelsNew from $3,300- OTDR rental cost: rent or buy?Rent from $288/week. Buying a $5,236 OTDR equals about 18 weekly rentals.Cost guideNew $3,300–$15,683Used $2,199+Rent $288/wk+
- How much does an OTDR cost?Handheld OTDRs: about $3,800–$10,400 new. Rent from $288/week.Cost guideNew $3,300–$15,683Used $2,199+Rent $288/wk+
Fusion splicers 5
Fujikura vs INNO fusion splicersINNO's core-alignment View 7 costs about a third of a Fujikura 90S+ kit.Head-to-headNew from $15,900 vs $5,800- Fujikura 90S+ vs Sumitomo T-72C+Both are core-alignment workhorses. The 90S+ is easiest to buy used or rent in North America.Head-to-headUsed from $3,700 vs –
- Best fusion splicer: core and clad alignment comparedCore alignment for backbone and OSP, clad alignment for drops. Used is where the savings are.Buyer's guide5 modelsNew from $3,206
- How much does a fusion splicer cost?Clad alignment about $3,200–$4,900 new. Core alignment $5,800–$16,900.Cost guideNew $3,206–$16,900Used $1,250+Rent $150/wk+
Used fusion splicer buying checklistUsed core-alignment splicers: $2,399–$8,995. Check the arc count, service record and cleaver.Cost guideNew $3,206–$16,900Used $1,250+Rent $695/wk+
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