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.

This Continuity Tester works well, fairly priced, takes two AAA batteries, has a 36" test lead and sharp tip probe, about 7.5" long, bright white light to indicate continuity, and a bright yellow handle (with black grip) making it easy to find in your tool bag or on the floor or wherever you set it down or lose it. There is a short clear plastic tube that fits over the probe but if you toss the tester in a tool box or bag contact with the alligator clip could happen. Fix: find a longer plastic tube, wrap a little plastic electrician's tape on all but the last 1/2" of the metal probe, or take the batteries out when not in use. The light is replaceable (standard flashlight). Like most other products it is made in China but quality seems quite good. To get to the battery compartment unscrew the round rubber strain relief on the back end of the handle near the pocket clip. I recommend this, I might get a second to keep in my vehicle. Also when buying a tester get one that takes AAA or AA batteries--much more convenient.

The Gardner-Bender CT6101 continuity test is a well constructed heavy-duty tester. Every other tester I've owned were flimsily constructed and poorly designed -- the batteries were loaded by removing the top portion of the tester which simply pushed on to the bottom portion, and because they were non-threaded or not twist-locking and simply pushed on, it would constantly come apart during use ... this also caused those testers not to light up and be very unreliable. I constantly would need to keep checking the tester by touching the alligator clip to the probe to confirm if the tester was operating properly, or if it was the item or circuit being tested that was defective when the tester did not light -- what a hassle and a nuisance that was!The GB CT6101 is one molded piece so it cannot separate during use -- and the batteries are loaded by twisting a locking cap which does not open during use, and it performs flawlessly and accurately every time!If I had one minus comment to make I would say that that alligator clip is a bit difficult to squeeze open. But, for the money I would recommend this tester to anyone looking for a good continuity tester

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.

My original review: This is a good tester but did not work right out of the blister pack. I found that the negative battery contact that is soldered to the end of the wire was corroded and prevented contact. After I sanded it with fine sandpaper the tester worked fine.11/10/2021 Revision: I've had this tester now about 2-3 months. I went to use it today and it absolutely does not work; not a flicker. I opened it up and checked all the contacts and all looked good. I changed batteries, still no joy. Too late to return it.At best, this is poor manufacture; at worst it is just a sloppy design designed to fail.Too bad, I really liked it. If you buy it, I hope you have better luck than I have had.

Great tool

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.

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