Rant: Cheap fiber optic connectors cost me a whole Saturday last month in Kalamazoo

3 comments

3 Comments

Wait, you spent a whole Saturday messing with cheap fiber optic connectors? That sounds like a nightmare I wouldn't wish on anyone. I'd almost rather do my taxes twice than deal with that kind of hassle.

adams.uma1mo ago

oh come on @sagecooper, "rather do taxes twice"? that's a bit dramatic don't you think? i mean yeah cheap connectors can be annoying but it's not like it's torture or anything.

grant4781mo ago

Yeah, I've been there. @sagecooper is probably closer to the truth than they realize once you've actually had to re-terminate a whole patch panel twice cause the cheap connectors wouldn't grip right. I swear the ferrules on those budget ones are always just slightly off, either too much epoxy or none at all, and you get that nasty reflection back that kills your light levels. Had a run where every single connector from a bulk pack failed the visual fault locator test, like the polish was just done by someone in a hurry. It's not even the cost, it's the time wasted driving back to the supply house on a Saturday afternoon.