I bought a couple of the Harris red tone generators, they seem to be pretty good, though I tend to not get them shut off all the time. The old standard toner (progressive,ideal, etc) didn't seem to run down too quickly if you forgot and threw it back in the tool bag in the tone or continuity position. Also, I'm not thrilled with the slide switch for continuity, but it works. The first modification I made (and I always do this) is to cut off the cheesy alligator clips and put on two JS Popper bed of nail clips. I also cut the two wires slightly different lengths with the Tip wire being longer. This does two things, when you have the device on a 66 block, you use the longer tip wire on the tip pin, and the shorter one on the ring pin, and the weight of the toner is easily distributed between the two clips resulting in less chance of the two clips shorting. Secondly, when using the modular jack option, the wires are different lengths dangling down the wall and less likely for the two clips to be touching. The second modification usually involves cutting the case and recessing in a modular jack. It's pretty easy, I just epoxy or hot glue the jack in place, making it pretty water tight, solder the wires on and now I can just plug a line cord in there to get tone or test.
I have the progressive toners, the basic ones, the 6 conductor one, the 8 conductor one, and the high power one. They are all very good equipment and any of those would serve you well.
I also have the ideal one which is as durable and functional as the progressive from what I can tell.
Not to be left out of the picture is the nice Harris TDR. Not only does it measure the length of the wire and tell you if it is open or shorted, but by shorting the clips momentarily you can select between at least 4 different tone sounds. Real handy if you are working with others on the same cable.
What I miss was a short lived product sold by Leviton, I cant remember what it was called, but it looked similar to the Harris red toner but it was blue and slightly longer. Very similar case and button design. That thing was great. It toned, it checked the pairs, it checked loop resistance, it had an audible indicator of on hook/off hook, basically it had audible indication of everything. Mine was stolen, they quit making them, I'd love to buy one if anyone has one.
It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com
