Gardner Bender Sperry Instruments CT6101 Heavy Duty Continuity Tester, 2 Range, 36 inch lead, Yellow

I agree with some of the reviews that mentioned a little difficulty pulling out the cardboard tab inside the battery compartment, or having to search for the proper battery orientation (it's on the side of the tester itself), or that the bulb fell out when the battery cap was unscrewed. All true. And yet I'm giving this device five stars because 1) it cost less than $6.00 and 2) it did the job! After a bulb blew in a table lamp, I noticed the socket was discolored. Given the lamp is 20+ years old I decided to just replace the socket. Thanks to youtube for the easy instructions but there's always the thought that you reversed the polarity or that there might be a short. Not being familiar with using a multimeter, I just wanted a simple continuity tester and this one fit the bill. Once I had the batteries installed properly. I was able to check that the batteries were good, verify that the polarity was correct, and that there was no short. For a very small investment I was able to confirm that the job was done properly, and to start using my lamp again. For those unhappy with the quality of the tester, there are more expensive options (including a range of multimeters) that they'd probably be happier with. But for a simple, inexpensive device that easily checks continuity only, getting this tester is a no-brainer.

Very nice Tester it feels like it's made well.

Very nice item, does what it's supposed to. I have two comments about it. First, regarding the tip, which in the product description is described as "a sharp and durable heavy duty tip". Yes, it's heavy duty chrome plated steel, but it's blunt, not sharp. The tip has a flat spot the same size as the cross-section of a #18 solid wire. Filing the tip is not a good option because then it would rust. It comes down to how you plan to use it. I think for some applications it would work best the way it is right now. But for other applications you need a sharp tip. My second comment is about the battery compartment. The strain relief that holds the wire has to be gripped and turned, and it is a little bit difficult. Once I got that out, the light bulb fell out, so yes you can replace the light bulb. Then I put the bulb back in along with two batteries, and it worked as it's supposed to.

I have owned a continuity tester for decades, but I have never needed it. This week I needed it, and when I assembled it and put in the batteries the test light turned on and stayed on like it was a flashlight without an off switch. Not good for a continuity tester. I went to my local big box hardware and building materials store, and all they had available was electric multitesters for four times the price of this instrument and it would take time to learn how to use it. So I ordered this one. I read a lot of reviews that were critical of this instrument, and I appreciate the fact that they told me what to do if it had been wrongly assembled. But when my instrument came today, a full day sooner than it was promised, it was easy to load up and use. It is a terrific value at this price. I knew how to use it as soon as I got the batteries loaded. It was beautifully packaged in clear stiff plastic, but you could slice your hand open if you opened this packaging in a way that permitted it to cut you. I used heavy duty metal snips and worked slowly. Even this difficult packaging is an advantage. I bought my non-working continuity tester at a going out of business sale at an old fashioned hardware store. It was packaged in a soft see through plastic sleeve with a zip lock opener. I think someone was missing a part from their tester and took a part that I needed to make mine work. I don't like the modern packaging in hard plastic, but that makes it impossible for someone to remove a vital part without showing a lot of evidence on the packaging. My thanks to Amazon for very quick service, and for also publishing critical reviews so that I would have known what to do if my instrument had been wrongly assembled.

Great tool

I was looking for a simple, quick continuity tester. I would have paid more, but this was supposed to be just a simple, single function instrument. Nothing more, no great expectations -except it work properly. Well, I looked at the instructions for inserting batteries, and the orientation is on the case, so that's a no braver. So, I inserted the batteries and as I screwed in the battery compartment, it pushed the bulb portion off the instrument - bulb and spring fell out. So, I got out the super glue, glued the tips piece back on permanently, and reassembled the unit. Put the batteries in, screwed in the base as designed, and did a couple of tests. Shook it a little, beat on it a little, and it still seems to be working. So, while I had to "fix" their mistake, I suppose you get what you pay for. For God's sake in 2021 can't you make a simple instrument that is or assembles correctly. Also, please use an LED light, so it will last a lifetime and be more able to take a beating (no filament to break). I have a perfectly great multimeter, so I can easily do continuity with it. Please make a decent product! Peace.

This is a must have for working on electronics. I purchased it to identify and determine continuity for the abs system on my vehicle. Within minutes I had identified two broken circuits (and was able to fix the problem). I'm sure many of you reading this will have a multimeter that gives an audible continuity check, but I found it difficult to use in certain situations. This tool does one thing, but does it really well. There's no audible indication of a complete d circuit, but I find the light to work great and is not annoying like the beep on the multimeter, especially if you're using it for multiple circuits. The design is perfect. An all-in-line design makes testing hard to reach wires quick and easy to test. The price can't be beat and it arrived within two days of order. I'm upset with myself that I hadn't purchased one sooner. I can think of many situations where it would have made the job much easier. If you're looking at it, you probably need it. Buy it, you won't regret it. Very sturdy design, superb quality build and materials. The only thing I would modify would be the light itself, it's a soft white. I prefer the cooler (bluer) color temperature of LEDs, but that a personal preference.

Device comes with the required batteries for testing continuity through uncharged electrical wires, fuses, etc. and the 2.2 Volt 0.25 Amp Mini Screw Base Light Bulb with E10 Screw Base can easily be replaced if or when the bulb burns out. These bulbs sell for around a dollar each. I will likely replace the provided black wire with a more flexible silicon coated stranded 18 AWG wire just to make the alligator clip a bit easier to maneuver around, but if one needs a basic repairable continuity tester the housing provided with this Sperry unit meets the need well.

Great little device that actually works. Many require power to be on the circuit; some are quite simplistic; other just fall apart. This one is solid; works well; needs no power on the circuit to test continuity; is reasonably priced; and works like a charm. If I had a complaint, it might be that the alligator clip and the other end from the probe tends to be a little tight or awkward to use because it has a rubberized shroud. However, all in all, a great little tester. Thanx.

Excellent. Make sure you have a spare bulb, though. Pricey.

Simplicity for testing continuity !

Worked fine and no issues

with a hearing problem i cant hear a multi meter with sperry continuity tester it lights up and im not blind yet so it works perfect