Quick Answer
Buy the VDV MapMaster 3.0 if you need to see which wire is at fault, measure length, or identify which run goes to which jack. One remote comes with the tester; numbered ID remotes for more runs are bought separately.
Neither one certifies a link, tests link speed or measures PoE.
Side by side
| VDV MapMaster 3.0 | LanSeeker | |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Wiremap on a 2.75 in backlit monochrome LCD | Pass or fail on lights, in about 2 seconds |
| Faults | Opens, shorts, miswires, reversals, split pairs (T568A or T568B) | Four fault lights |
| Single-ended test | Shorts and split pairs from one end | Not listed by Platinum |
| Length | 0 to 1,000 ft (305 m), plus or minus 3% plus 1 ft, capacitance-based | Not listed by Platinum |
| Run identification | ID remotes, up to 20 runs. One remote comes with the tester; numbered ID remotes for more runs are bought separately. | Not listed by Platinum |
| Tone | 4 selectable tone cadences | Built-in tone |
| Cable | Shielded or unshielded, Cat3 to Cat7, and coax | Twisted pair, with a shield light |
| Weight | 10.8 oz with battery and remote | Not listed by Platinum |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | Not listed by Platinum |
| Certifies, tests speed or PoE | No | No |
| Price | $168.14 | $80.08 |
What both do
Both check that each wire in a twisted-pair cable lands where it should, and both can put tone on a run so you can follow it with a probe. Both are Platinum Tools testers, and we sell both.
What the MapMaster adds
It shows you the fault. The LanSeeker shows pass or fail by pair on lights. The VDV MapMaster 3.0 names the fault on its display: an open, a short, a miswire, a reversal or a split pair, so you know what to re-terminate.
It finds split pairs from one end. Both testers report split pairs. A split pair passes a simple continuity check because every pin connects end to end, but the pairs are wrong. Only the MapMaster can find them without the remote on the far end. Our split pair guide explains why they matter.
It measures length. From 0 to 1,000 ft (305 m), accurate to plus or minus 3% plus 1 ft. It measures by capacitance, not TDR (time domain reflectometry).
It identifies runs. Its ID remotes identify up to 20 runs, so you can match each run to its jack. One remote comes with the tester; numbered ID remotes for more runs are bought separately.
It tests from one end. It can find shorts and split pairs without the remote on the far end.
When the LanSeeker is enough
The LanSeeker is for the job where you only need to know the cable is good: patch cables you just made, a quick check before you hand a run over, a second tester for the truck. Four pair lights, a shield light, four fault lights and a tone light give you the answer in about 2 seconds. There is no display to read.
If a cable fails and you need to know why, use the MapMaster.
Which one for your job
- Making patch cables: the LanSeeker. You need to know each cable is good before it goes into service.
- A new install with jacks to label: the MapMaster. Its ID remotes match each run to its jack, and it gives you a length for every run. One remote comes with the tester; numbered ID remotes for more runs are bought separately.
- Troubleshooting a run that fails: the MapMaster. It shows which fault you are dealing with.
- A second tester for a crew: the LanSeeker. A fast pass or fail check without taking the main tester off another job.
- Finding one cable in a bundle: either one puts tone on the run. If tracing is a big part of the work, the Digital Tone & Probe Kit is the tool we sell for that, and our wire tracer vs tone and probe guide explains the options.
What neither one does
Neither tester certifies a link to TIA limits, tests link speed or measures PoE. For certification you need a certifier; ours are quote-only, so request a quote. Our cable tester vs certifier guide explains when a project needs one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the LanSeeker measure cable length?
Platinum does not list a length reading for the LanSeeker. If you need length, use the VDV MapMaster 3.0, which measures 0 to 1,000 ft.
Is the VDV MapMaster 3.0 a TDR?
No. It measures length by capacitance, accurate to plus or minus 3% plus 1 ft.
Can either tester check PoE?
No. Neither one measures PoE. The Digital Tone & Probe Kit detects which pairs carry PoE, but does not measure voltage or class.
Which one finds split pairs?
Both. The LanSeeker and the VDV MapMaster 3.0 report split pairs. The MapMaster can also find them from one end, without the remote.
Do I need both?
Only if you run a crew. Then the MapMaster works as the main tester and the LanSeeker as a quick second check. If you buy one, buy the one that answers your question: "is it good" (LanSeeker) or "what is wrong with it" (MapMaster).
Both testers in one place
Both are in Cable Testers.
