HISTORY:
Our purchasing officer bought this portable cable tester for the workshop techs but it wasn't quite what they needed because they wanted to test many "other" specialised cables for the audio world, not just the run-o-the-mill Jacks/RCA/XLR etc, so this gear has just been sitting in the workshop backroom until today!
For "general" audio cable testing, this box of tricks does the job fine - connectors/leads such as Speakon, XLR, Jack/TRS, Cinch/RCA and Midi/DIN are all fine plus it has a dicky little feature, a continuity tester, thrown in for good measure!
Not only will it clearly (and quickly) show that continuity is ok on each conductor but immediately shows if two conductors are connected together (and which ones), such as is often found with an XLR balanced to unbalanced lead.
OEM PRODUCT
Meaning it does not have any branding but this is PALMER AUDIO product for sure, look HERE at the AHMCT8
O.E.M - Cable Tester
Portable (runs off a standard 9V Alkaline battery)
LED indicators for each wire being tested plus indicators for Ground and Battery condition
Internal buzzer for the continuity testing function (the buzzer only functions with the Continuity Tester)
Checks continuity of these connectors/leads
Speakon (4 way)
XLR
1/4" Jack
1/4" TRS
Cinch (RCA)
Midi/5 pin DIN
The gender of all connectors on either side of the tester is female EXCEPT the XLR 3 pin which is female one side and male the other.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
AS NEW, our techies only used this once and then discovered it did not suit them (we worked with a lot of strange connectors which this little box cannot handle)
NEVER been into the outside world i.e live gigs!
CLEAN
Unscratched
THE OUTER BOX (ORIGINAL)
I have kept the tester in the original box, it is a bit sad looking now but still useful as it has some useage instructions on the rear.
There is no instruction booklet
The tester is wrapped in protective bubblewrap inside this box
TESTING:
I know this tester works fine but just to be sure, I powered it up once again. It uses one of the commonly available 9V Alkaline batteries (NOT SUPPLIED due to issues with Australia Post and batteries)
Very easy to fit the battery.
Checked a number of XLR leads I had lying around here, MIDI interconnect leads, RCA leads (Cinch male at each end) and special XLR to Jack leads - everything is fine. Nice clear indicators, the LEFT side connection is indicated by a Green LED and the RIGHT side connection is indicated by an Orange LED. If the continuity is OK, both LED's will indicate.
The Continuity tester is also fine, silly little buzzing sound and an Orange LED lights up.
NO test probes supplied for the Continuity tester - quite frankly, couldn't really see a big use for this part of the tester and the leads have long since disappeared. They are nothing special, with banana style sockets for each lead.
OBSERVATIONS:
I do love the build of this unit, a nice tough diecast casing and good quality/tough connectors on each side.
On the downside, a bit heavy at 600g but then it won't be easily damaged if "stepped on" while in use at a live venue.
4x little rubber feet are fine although I know those feet can "slide" around when they get hot (the adhesive melts slightly) - no movement at the moment though.
Battery compartment is easy to access (no screwdriver required)
Even the knob on the front is a nice tough little bugger, it will not break or fall off easily!
Front and side panel labelling is clear and easy to understand - none of this "what the hell does that mean?" and the LED's clearly indicate what sort of connections there are in the lead under test.
The only big limitation (for us) was the lack of more extensive sockets for multi-way connectors and "specials" such as the LEMO range used in the broadcast industry but for "general" audio continuity testing, it's a little ripper!
