What brand of Cat5e/Cat6 keystone jacks does everyone like the best?
- Thread starter CORT
- Start date
tmbrown97
Senior Member
in a business environment, I use other brands... I actually prefer Siemon because they can have indicators snapped in that tell you what it's for - but can be changed without even opening the plate.
That said - in residential, I like Leviton the best because it's so readily available and they have soooooo many options for different connectors that can go into the same wallplates... and you have the option of using just a wallplate with the snap-in holes, or single-gang plates with up to 6 connectors, allowing unlimited number of gangs - and any standard decora wall-plate to cover (behind my TV I have 4 4-gang plates housing alarm, phone, internet, coax, and RCA)... although, in one case I did use OnQ because there was a really cool flat/recessed cover option that I could put up against furniture and have the cables route out with only about 1/4" clearance.
And while there's cheaper places to get leviton, in a pinch, you can get the same matching connectors at Home Depot or Fry's... it's great when you're in the middle of something and don't feel like waiting for an order to come in.
That said - in residential, I like Leviton the best because it's so readily available and they have soooooo many options for different connectors that can go into the same wallplates... and you have the option of using just a wallplate with the snap-in holes, or single-gang plates with up to 6 connectors, allowing unlimited number of gangs - and any standard decora wall-plate to cover (behind my TV I have 4 4-gang plates housing alarm, phone, internet, coax, and RCA)... although, in one case I did use OnQ because there was a really cool flat/recessed cover option that I could put up against furniture and have the cables route out with only about 1/4" clearance.
And while there's cheaper places to get leviton, in a pinch, you can get the same matching connectors at Home Depot or Fry's... it's great when you're in the middle of something and don't feel like waiting for an order to come in.
I personally choose Leviton, but that was more based on the fact that their colors matched my existing electrical switch/outlet plates better than the other brands that I had access to (which shouldn't be a big surprise because I bet they are Leviton too). But I limited myself to what my local supplier carried - ie I didn't order any Mono price jacks to compare color.
Sacedog
Active Member
I use Leviton too. They have pretty good prices on them at www.tselectronic.com. Also, I have found this place that has some amazing deals on Leviton products, but it is limited to what he has in stock. I think he is more of a liquidator, which would explain his sometimes random stock; but he is worth a look. Also, I have made close to 10 purchases with him over the past 1.5 years, without any issues.
website: http://www.fruitridgetools.com/storefrontp....aspx?Quickport Jacks&sfid=136763&c=11450
eBay store: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Fruit-Ridge-To...C__W0QQ_armrsZ1
website: http://www.fruitridgetools.com/storefrontp....aspx?Quickport Jacks&sfid=136763&c=11450
eBay store: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Fruit-Ridge-To...C__W0QQ_armrsZ1
beelzerob
Senior Member
I can wholeheartedly and vehemently recommend against the "tool-less" keystones from monoprice. Use-less is much more like it. Unfortunately, I've got a lot of them now, so I'm going to use them...but toolless is a joke. Monoprice is awesome for MOST things, but I hate these.
beelzerob
Senior Member
These were the kind I got. The directions are on that page...you basically use the keystone to punch the wires in.
Is that the kind you got, signal? So you bypass the intermediate step and just punch them down directly? If so, doesn't that cause issues with the wires getting pinched when you snap the 2 parts together?
Let me give some cavaets and say that they DO work for me, and like I said, I WILL use them. But I find them more than just a little frustrating to use.
AceCannon
Active Member
I got the other kind. These are called "punch-down keystone jacks" , the description includes the language "110 type IDC punch down connectors." I got these mostly because I had heard people whine about the tool-less, and I had already gotten this amazing impact tool from Fluke (highly rec to me by a friend who maintains networks for a living) to use on a Monoprice patch panel.
At any rate, the punch-down keystones seem to work well. I have used them throughout the house to avoid making a single RJ45 crimp. For example, all my Nuvo GC keypads have a keystone in the wall punched down to the structured wiring, then a 0.5ft Monoprice patch cable to the keypad. Of course the head end is punched down to the patch panel, then there is a 1ft patch cable to the Nuvonet concentrator. Knock on wood, but I have yet to have a single wiring termination fail. I definitely feel more confident about the keystone jacks and pre-made patch cables than my novice abilities to make good rj45 crimps.
Ranger Digital
Active Member
While its for dealers only, you cant go wrong with Snap AV's line of keystones, inserts, faceplates, etc. Great company, great pricing, great support. I know not good info for DIY'r's but a great partner for dealers/installers.
TXFlatLander
Active Member
Totally agree with beelzerob. Tool-less turned into using my punchdown and still hated it. Thankfully only bought two -- I won't do that again. Everything else from monoprice.com has been top notch.
As far as keystones, I really like Panduit Mini-Com keystones as far as connection with the conductors, plus you can use them in their snap-in style patch panels. They are a little bit of a pain to snap together and require their special tool to make it easier -- but once they are snapped you don't have to worry about the conductors coming out. The conductor will have to break before they come loose.
I have mostly used ICC keystones because that is what the electrical supply houses stock around here. Panduit requires online or Greybar order -- unfortunately it isn't sold locally.
AceCannon
Active Member
Just wanted to point out that Monoprice has "non-tool-less" keystones. Designed for 110 punch-down tools, in other words. This is what I purchased and they have worked just fine.
Similar threads
