Klein VDV500-820 vs Tempo 200EP-G: Which Wire Tracer Belongs in Your Kit?

When you're staring at a bundle of fifty unmarked cables in a telecom closet, a reliable tone and probe kit is the only thing standing between you and an afternoon of frustration. We compared two popular mid-range options—the Klein VDV500-820 complete kit and the Tempo 200EP-G probe—to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Klein VDV500-820 Kit	Tempo 200EP-G Probe
Price	$88.99 (complete kit)	$52.00 (probe only)
Type	Complete toner + probe kit	Probe/amplifier only
Tone Cadences	5 distinct patterns	N/A (requires toner)
Transmit Range	1,000+ feet	Depends on paired toner
Continuity Test	Yes (with LED indicators)	No (amplifier only)
Polarity Test	Yes	No
Headphone Jack	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack (shock protected)
Built-in Flashlight	No	Yes
LED Signal Indicator	Yes	Yes
Gain Control	Volume control	Rotary gain control
Tip Type	Replaceable conductive tip	Metal + conductive plastic tips included
Our Rating	4.3/5	4.2/5

The Quick Verdict

Best complete solution: Klein VDV500-820 — everything you need in one kit
Best upgrade probe: Tempo 200EP-G — the industry-standard probe to pair with existing toners
Best for beginners: Klein — 5 tone cadences and LED feedback make learning easier

Klein VDV500-820 Overview

The Klein VDV500-820 is a complete tone and probe kit that includes everything a technician needs to start tracing cables: the Toner-Pro tone generator, Probe-Pro tracing probe, ABN clips, and a carrying pouch. It's designed as a turnkey solution for contractors who want one box to handle their tracing needs.

After months of use across commercial and residential low voltage work, the five distinct tone cadences prove more useful than expected. When tracing a bundle of cables that run parallel through walls, being able to switch cadences helps confirm you're following the right cable—the pattern change when you short the pair at the far end is unmistakable confirmation. The 1,000+ foot range handles all but the longest commercial runs.

The angled Bed of Nails (ABN) clips deserve specific mention. They grip wire jackets without slipping, which matters when you're one-handing the toner while reaching into a punch-down block. The RJ11/RJ45 jack makes connecting to terminated cables effortless—no clip fumbling needed.

Best for: Technicians who need a complete kit with no additional purchases, and those who value integrated continuity/polarity testing.

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Tempo 200EP-G Overview

The Tempo 200EP-G is an inductive amplifier probe—not a complete kit. It's designed to pair with any Tempo (formerly Progressive/Greenlee) tone generator, and it's widely recognized as an industry-standard probe among telecommunications and low voltage professionals.

What sets the 200EP-G apart becomes clear in challenging environments. The rotary gain control offers finer adjustment than most volume knobs, which matters when you're trying to isolate a single pair in a congested 66 block. The LED signal strength indicator lights progressively brighter as you approach the target cable—a visual confirmation that supplements the audio tone. The built-in LED flashlight seems minor until you're reaching behind a server rack in a dim data closet.

The dual tip system—metal tip for direct contact plus conductive plastic tip for non-contact tracing—provides flexibility. The plastic tip allows identification without disturbing other services on punch blocks, while the metal tip delivers stronger signal pickup when you need maximum sensitivity.

Best for: Experienced technicians upgrading their probe, or those who already own a compatible Tempo/Greenlee tone generator.

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Head-to-Head: Out-of-Box Readiness

The Klein VDV500-820 wins this category decisively. Open the box, insert the included batteries, and you're tracing cables. The kit includes everything: toner, probe, clips, cables, and carrying pouch. For a technician just starting out or someone who wants a self-contained solution, there's nothing else to buy.

The Tempo 200EP-G is a probe only—you'll need to purchase a compatible tone generator separately. The popular pairing is the Tempo 77HP-G or 77GX, which adds another $50-80 to your investment. If you already own a Tempo/Greenlee toner, the 200EP-G is a compelling upgrade probe. If you're starting from scratch, factor in the total system cost.

Head-to-Head: Tracing Performance

Both tools trace cables effectively, but they approach the task differently.

The Klein VDV500-820's five tone cadences offer advantages when tracing cables that run parallel to others. The distinctive patterns make it easier to identify "your" cable by ear, and the pattern change when shorting confirms you've found the right one. The LED overload indicator warns when you're getting misreads—a helpful teaching feature for newer techs.

The Tempo 200EP-G's rotary gain control provides more precise signal management than the Klein's volume adjustment. In dense wiring environments—think multi-tenant telecom rooms or equipment racks with hundreds of cables—the ability to dial down gain eliminates bleed-over from adjacent cables. The 30dB nominal gain with 100 MΩ input impedance delivers professional-grade sensitivity.

Head-to-Head: Build Quality & Features

The Tempo 200EP-G shows its professional heritage. The powerful 2" water-resistant speaker cuts through HVAC noise in mechanical rooms. The headphone jack is audio-shock protected—a safety feature that prevents painful surprises if you accidentally trace into a live line. The double-acting push button (light press for probe, hard press for flashlight) feels intentional and refined.

The Klein VDV500-820 builds on Klein's reputation for durable hand tools. The Probe-Pro features a replaceable conductive tip (part VDV999-068), meaning a worn tip doesn't require replacing the whole probe. The Toner-Pro's continuity and polarity LEDs add functionality that the Tempo probe lacks—though these are toner features, not probe features.

Head-to-Head: Testing Features

This comparison is somewhat unfair since the Klein is a complete kit while the Tempo is a probe only.

The Klein VDV500-820's Toner-Pro includes continuity and polarity testing with clearly labeled LED indicators. You can verify a cable path and check for basic faults without switching tools. This integrated approach saves time during installation verification.

The Tempo 200EP-G is purely an inductive amplifier—it has no testing capabilities beyond tracing. Any testing functionality depends entirely on which tone generator you pair it with. The Tempo 77HP-G toner does offer polarity and continuity features similar to the Klein.

What We Like (Pros)

Klein VDV500-820

• ✓ Complete kit includes everything needed—no additional purchases required
• ✓ Five distinct tone cadences help differentiate cables running in parallel
• ✓ Integrated continuity and polarity testing saves tool swapping
• ✓ 1,000+ foot transmit range handles most commercial installations
• ✓ Angled Bed of Nails clips grip wires securely in awkward positions
• ✓ Replaceable probe tip extends tool life cost-effectively

Tempo 200EP-G

• ✓ Industry-standard probe trusted by telecom professionals for decades
• ✓ Rotary gain control offers precise signal management in dense wiring
• ✓ Water-resistant 2" speaker cuts through noisy mechanical rooms
• ✓ Built-in LED flashlight illuminates work in dim data closets and racks
• ✓ Audio-shock protected headphone jack for safe quiet operation
• ✓ Dual tip system (metal + plastic) provides tracing flexibility

What Could Be Better (Cons)

Klein VDV500-820

• ✗ AAA batteries drain faster than 9V alternatives in heavy use
• ✗ Some users report difficulty tracing through drywall at longer distances
• ✗ No built-in flashlight on the probe
• ✗ Volume control less precise than rotary gain adjustment

Tempo 200EP-G

• ✗ Probe only—requires separate tone generator purchase ($50-80 additional)
• ✗ No continuity or polarity testing built into the probe
• ✗ Higher total system cost when toner is included
• ✗ Requires experience to get full value from gain control precision

Price vs Value Analysis

At $88.99 for a complete kit, the Klein VDV500-820 offers compelling value. You get toner, probe, accessories, batteries, and a carrying pouch—everything needed to start tracing cables immediately. For technicians building out their first tool kit or those who want a dedicated backup set in the van, the all-in-one approach makes budgeting simple.

At $52.00, the Tempo 200EP-G seems like a bargain until you factor in the tone generator. Paired with a Tempo 77HP-G (~$79) or the full 701K-G kit (~$119), your total investment ranges from $131 to $171. The question becomes: is the Tempo's professional-grade probe worth the premium over the Klein complete kit?

For experienced technicians who trace cables daily in challenging environments, the Tempo system's superior gain control and build quality justify the cost. For occasional tracing or entry-level work, the Klein delivers solid performance at a lower total price.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Klein VDV500-820 if:

• You need a complete kit with no additional purchases
• You're building your first professional tool set
• You value integrated continuity/polarity testing
• Budget matters and you want the best complete solution under $100

Buy the Tempo 200EP-G if:

• You already own a Tempo/Greenlee/Progressive tone generator
• You work in dense telecom environments requiring precise gain control
• You need a waterproof speaker for mechanical room work
• You want the industry-standard probe that veteran techs trust

Find Projects That Need These Tools

Looking for commercial jobs where quality tracing equipment pays for itself quickly?

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