So I picked up a Fluke Intellitone 200 Pro kit a couple of years ago, and it's been fairly useful. Being able to tone live network cables is pretty useful when you need to find a specific port on a patch panel in a fully wired and hot building. It's also nice since it checks each pin individually for continuity instead of just the pair.
Unfortunately, it failed internally last week, when testing cables it shows pin 1 as always open. It's been very lightly used as I prefer the fluke pro3000 analog toner over the digital one unless I am working on a live network. I figured the reason I shelled out the premium for a Fluke tool was the warranty and support, so I contacted fluke.
Their response was:
"Thank you for your quote request. Your unit is not supported by repair. The price below is to replace your unit with the current comparable model.
The RBR or Repair By Replacement program can take more than 3 weeks and your unit must arrive at our facility before we can place the order for your new unit. Calibration is not included and may not be available on every item. Let us know if you require calibration quoted on your new unit. Accessories are not necessary when returning the defective item."
Then they offered to replace my toner and probe for $125 each, $50 more than street price for the kit.
At this point I'm really frustrated, and don't know why I bothered to buy Fluke/American at all. If the stuff they make is unrepairable and disposable, I may as well have bought imported tools. If I'd bought the import version, I could have had three spares sitting on the shelf for the same price and not be without a tester right now.
I'm in the market for a network qualifier/certifier, and as far as I'm concerned Fluke has removed themselves from the options. No way am I shelling out thousands of bucks for a DSX when the support is this useless.
So if anyone has suggestions for a digital toner and a qualifier or certifier that has good company support behind it, I'd love to hear about it.
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