If you're looking at EXFO's test platforms—specifically the FTB-200 and the Maxtester 720C—you've probably noticed they're both workhorses, but they serve different purposes. There's no single "best" platform. It depends entirely on what your team does day-to-day: are you a generalist field technician who needs one box for everything, or a specialist running focused fiber or Ethernet tests?
This is based on my experience managing procurement for a mid-size telecom services company. We run about 150 technicians across three regions, and we've deployed both platforms. I've made the mistake of buying the wrong tool for the wrong crew—and it cost us in productivity and re-training. Here's what I've learned.
The Short Version: A Two-Platform Strategy
Think of it this way:
- The Maxtester 720C is a purpose-built, rugged field tester for technicians who do one thing all day (e.g., certify fiber links or troubleshoot Ethernet). It's fast, simple, and tough.
- The FTB-200 is a modular platform. You can swap modules (OTDR, spectrum analyzer, Ethernet tester) as your needs change. It's for versatile teams or technicians who handle multiple test types.
Some teams should have both. But most need just one. Here's how to decide.
Scenario A: The Dedicated Field Technician — Choose the Maxtester 720C
If your technician's entire shift is running one type of test—say, certifying a new fiber backbone or troubleshooting a single Ethernet circuit—the Maxtester 720C is the better choice.
Why? It's built for speed and simplicity. The interface is task-focused. You turn it on, select your test, and go. There's no module swapping, no menu hunting. It's also rugged—IP54 rated, drop-tested, and designed to survive a truck bed. Our field crews in the Pacific Northwest (wet, cold, muddy) have put these through hell and they keep working.
Best for:
• Fiber certification technicians who test the same type of link 40 times a day.
• Ethernet installers who need a quick pass/fail on a circuit.
• Teams operating in harsh environments (construction sites, rural outdoor work).
One caveat: if your technician's job changes month to month (fiber this month, Ethernet next), the Maxtester might become a limitation. In that case, read on.
Scenario B: The Versatile Crew — Choose the FTB-200
If your technicians juggle different jobs—testing fiber one week, troubleshooting a DWDM link the next, then doing Ethernet service activation—the FTB-200 is the smarter investment.
The FTB-200 is a modular platform. You buy the base unit (the ruggedized tablet/controller), then attach the test modules you need. EXFO offers a huge range of modules: OTDRs, spectrum analyzers, Ethernet testers, even PON power meters. One base unit can serve multiple roles over its lifetime.
For our team that supports both fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) builds and enterprise Ethernet installs, the FTB-200 was a game-changer. Instead of buying two separate testers, we bought one base and two modules. When the project mix shifts, we just swap the module. It's not as fast as a dedicated tester (swapping modules takes 30 seconds), but it's far more flexible.
Best for:
• Small-to-mid-size teams where each technician wears multiple hats.
• Companies that do both fiber and Ethernet work.
• Technicians who need to run advanced tests (e.g., OTDR trace analysis with an integrated spectrum analyzer).
Scenario C: The Specialist Department — Consider Both
In larger organizations, you might have separate departments for fiber and Ethernet. In that case, it makes sense to equip each with the right tool: Maxtester 720C for the fiber certification crew, and FTB-200 with Ethernet modules for the IP service team.
We did this for our enterprise accounts division. The fiber crew uses 720Cs for fast pass/fail certification on new builds. The Ethernet team uses FTB-200s with 10G modules for service activation and troubleshooting. It's not the cheapest approach (you're buying two sets of hardware), but it maximizes productivity for each team. The fiber crew doesn't fumble with module swaps, and the Ethernet team has the flexibility to run complex QoS checks.
How to Decide: A Practical Checklist
Here's the decision tree I use when evaluating a new team or project:
- What tests does the team run 80% of the time?
If it's one test type (fiber OR Ethernet) → Maxtester 720C.
If it's two or more → FTB-200. - How many technicians share the equipment?
One technician, one job → Maxtester 720C.
Pooled equipment (multiple techs share testers) → FTB-200 (fewer total boxes to buy). - What's the physical environment?
Harsh (rain, dust, drops) → Maxtester 720C (more rugged).
Controlled (indoor data centers, central offices) → FTB-200 is fine. - Is your test needs likely to change in 2 years?
No, stable workload → Maxtester 720C.
Yes, moving to new technologies (e.g., adding 400G Ethernet) → FTB-200 (swap modules instead of replacing the whole tester).
If you're still unsure, I'd lean toward the FTB-200 if you're buying for a team that does mixed work. The flexibility pays for itself over 3–4 years as your test needs evolve. But if you need a single-purpose, bulletproof tool for a dedicated technician, the Maxtester 720C is hard to beat.
One last thought: I've seen teams buy an FTB-200 and never use the modularity—they just leave one module in. That's a waste of money. If you know you'll only test fiber for the next 3 years, buy the Maxtester. The money you save on the base unit can go toward more testers for the team.
As of early 2025, these platforms remain the workhorses for field testing. Prices fluctuate, so check current EXFO pricing for your specific module configuration.
