Customer Reviews

Platinum Tools 100010C EZ-RJ45 Cat 6+ Connectors, Clamshell, 50-Pieces

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The word here is "ergonomics." These are easier to use for the rest of us than standard closed-end RJ45 connectors.

The improved ergonomics derive from the ability to strip the cable to a decent (2 inch or so) length, untwist and identify wires, insert them one at a time _through_ the connector, and they stay where they are put. When everything's where it belongs - and you can actually see the wires right out in the open air to verify that - then and only then do you pull the cable jacket inside the connector shell and crimp the thing. This more than makes up for the price delta, especially for those of us who wear bifocals because we _need_ them. :)

CAT6 UTP wires tend to have fatter insulation (especially stranded CAT6) than CAT5e, and these are sized to fit. Have never dealt with bonded untwisted pairs. The wire guides do not seem to be completely discrete, so it's possible that bonded untwisted pairs would insert together if _not_ split first.

These are designed to be used _only_ with the EZRJ45 tool. It is necessary to insure that the connector is seated and _held_ absolutely firmly against the back of the EZRJ45 tool socket while crimping, or the wire cutoff blade will leave an ungodly mess where there should have been just cleanly cut wire ends. Don't ask me how I know this.

Also, if using the strain reliefs, they must be inserted fully before crimping. Note that the strain reliefs protect the wire, but do _not_ protect the locking tab at all.

And _who_ named these things "clamshells?" They do _not_ open or shut. They are solid blocks of plastic like 100% of all the other RJ45s you've ever seen. Don't let that howler put you off. Used correctly with the EZRJ45 Pro tool, these are the CAT6 RJ45s for the rest of us.

These ends are awesome! Used with the EZ-RJ45 crimpers, these save a lot of time making ends because you don't have to trim the individual cables before terminating. As a bonus, the open-ended design allows you shove the shielding right into the end so you end up with stronger connectors, and no need for the guesswork of trimming wires to make sure you have enough to terminate but not so much that the retainer misses the shield! Seriously, this will save you a ton of time AND improve the quality of your patch cables without costing a fortune. I'll be writing the review for the Platinum Tools EZ-RJ45 crimper separately, but that'll be a 5-star review as well. It's a solid crimper with adjustable blades, ratcheting hinge and precision all around. I'd recommend that crimper even if you aren't using the EZ-RJ45 ends, so the additional trimming blade makes it even better! Check it out when you're done here!

I rated the product for concept but I really feel upset at the manufacturer. In the literature on this page the wording is that the 100004 EZ-RJ45 Crimp Tool is "recommended" but in fact these connectors are designed to work with and only with the EZ-RJ45 Crimp Tool which is a $75 tool.

The EZ-RJ45 Crimp Tool is designed to clip the excess wires that protrude from the end of the connector in the same motion when you crimp the connector. (You can see a youtube video of this if you search EZ-RJ45 Crimp Tool.) My intention was to use the standard crimp tool I already own which I was lead to believe would be alright by the EZ-RJ45 Crimp Tool being only a recommendation and not a requirement. I figured I could manually shave the excess wire with wire clippers, but no matter how hard you try to shave it off enough remains to interfere with the connector fully seating in a jack.

The only way I can get this to work is to pull the wires through, clip the wires flush and then partially pull them back into the connector and manually align the wire ends flush while crimping. Although this works this is no where near the simplicity advertised and the extra wire used when pulling wire back into the connector for flush ends defeats the advantages advertised by the design.

I rated 4 stars for engineering but marketing should get 0 stars.

FYI - feeding the wires through the end is not as easy as a traditional rj45 connector. The longer wire needed to feed through the connector tends to get cross feed, there are no preliminary guides for the wire its empty space then a whole the same size as each wire. You have to feed the wire across about 1/2" of empty space before they line up with the holes. As small as these wires are you know the potential for them to cross feed is high. After a few tries I do get it but its not as easy as a traditional connector with preliminary feed rows IMO. If I had $75 to buy the special tool this would be a great design.

Great concept but not enough information about the "requirement" of a $75 dollar tool to make it work.

I am about to retire in the next 5 years and with older hands, I have almost given up making cables for customers. If I need a 17' cable, they can buy a 25' cable from me instead of a custom cable, then we wire tie the excess under their desk. I stumbled onto Platinum Tools EZ-RJ PRO HD Tool, and bought it, along with a bag of Cat 6 connectors, without thinking twice. The tool arrived with the connectors and I started into learning how to best use it. In less than 5 minutes I had made my first of many, properly crimped without any problems, connections. Since then I have used the tool and connectors weekly to make custom lengths.
My biggest problem will be getting rid of all the premade patch cables I have in stock.
Biggest plus is having a tool that will make all of my ends correct. I also love having the T568A / T568B chart on the tool, so there is never a question how the pairs should be, even if my tired old brain refuses to remember. Love the tool, love the connectors. Now to buy some RJ11/12 connectors.

Have terminated many a cat5 and 6 cable and this is by far the best terminator I have ever used. Wish the ends were a bit cheaper though, but if you want solid well terminated connections you cannot go wrong with this product and the ends. Which might just justify the cost a bit. Can even tell you how many old connections I have had to re-terminate with this product because the connections were off just a bit or loose.

Takes the frustration out of making cables and saves time. It's rare that I make a cable that doesn't work the first time.

Compared to the 2-piece boot and plug CAT 6 connectors I received with a kit, these are amazing! I've made three cables (using the round CAT 6 cable, the type with the plastic core in the middle) the first day they arrived and three the next. It was such a wonderful feeling each time the cable tested successfully and worked just as desired. The 2-piece connectors I had had too much "play" in the ends so I would have to go through roughly 20 connectors before I got lucky and had a working patch cable. And even then, the cable was very finicky about how it was positioned in order for it to work.

By the way, as noted by another reviewer, the connectors crimp just fine with a standard rj45 crimper. Although, Platinum Tools crimper would make the job easier and cleaner, I didn't see justifying the extra cost when my inexpensive pair worked just fine. On a side note, for the extra wires hanging out, get a good "side" cutter or small wire snips. I picked a pair up for $4 at the local electronic store. Because of the way the end is, I found I was able to get the most professional cut but snipping each of the six wires individually close to where the wires exit through the plastic holes.

Also, connectors work great with Platinum Tools PL-100036 RJ45 CAT 6 clear plastic strain reliefs. I couldn't find them on Amazon, so I got them from cableorganizer and they shipped very very fast. It's an extra cost for the reliefs, but the final result is very professional.

Great product. It is always accurate because you can see the strands that come out the end of the boot, and because you cut off the strands when you crimp them, the ends are always even and make a great connection.

I was not aware a special tool was made for these ends, that has a cutting device when crimping - cut the extended wires off at one time, I push the wire through then cut off access wires then must pull back the wire back a little into the RJ45, then CRIMP.

EZ-RJ45 connectors are great! The results are very professional and they are very EASY to use! A bit more expensive than regular RJ-45 connectors but I think it's worth the extra cost.