"I've seen a meter where you look it up to both ends on the reel and it will tell how much is left?? not sure how accurate. You were supposed to be able to use it find a break in a wire also."
That would be a
Time Domain Reflectometer . The very cheapest numerical model will also run you $500... However it requires at least 2 conductors in paralel for their length. Not totally acurrate, but serves its purpose in troubleshooting. I have this one,
http://www.psiber.com/cabletool.html I love it, use it too often. (Not much, but any is too often.) Recently found a screw in a cable. I usually get within 3'.... That one I got at 6"! The key is finding the right NVP for the cable.
Graphic models can show you every splice and connection or anolomoly in a run, but warning they are interpetive tools. Some can get even more pricey, like $10K....
Megger makes the Cadilac of these type item IMO. My old shop had one ('bout $2K) that I put to good use several times to justify its cost.... Boss got happier about that purchase over time...
There are also some that soley use resitance measurements to judge distance, but if using on a short you are dependant on the risistance of the short, and not very accurate. But will still run over $500...
