h-10 or the tifzr1 i believe is what i carry.

 

Both good although the H10 is AWSOME.

 

SLR8 is not sensitive to R22. It works much better with R410. If you can not afford the H10, I use a tek-mate on R22.

 

I'll second that. My Tek-mate works very well on r-22, but it is useless on r-410a

 

H10 works awesome

 

I have four to choose from and they all suck.

 

Thanks for the responses.

I assume that the H-10 recommendations refer to the H-10 Pro ($500 'on sale' at trutech)?

I normally go to the high-end extreme with tools, but have blown my budget for the past few months. A bit more than I'd hoped to pay right now.

The tif zr1 doesn't come up in a search...a couple of close cousins, though (zx1, etc.). is the zr1 discontinued?

The Tek-Mate sounds interesting...is this the model referred to?


Bottom line is that I'd like to get as much quality as possible without spending a bundle, but I also don't want to go too low (cheap, trash) end. I guess I'd go between $200-$300, but would love it if I could stay under $200. I lke hearing that the Tek-Mate is (very?) R-22 sensitive...is it considered durable and reliable? Any other suggestions in my price range?

Again, thanks for the input. It's nice to have experience-borne opinions.

 

D-Tek select

 

ZX-1 i think:grin2::.02:

 

Thanks, VTP99 (and Buford, for the clarification).

Is this Leak Detector Sensitivity report accurate? The SLR8 looks pretty good with 410a, but not so much with R22. The Tif zx seems to be well regarded by several members, and, according to the chart, is very sensitive to r22 (only the Testo shows as more sensitive).

If I have to, I'll put out the cash for the H-10 Pro, but I don't care much for the case and tethered probe. And the expense is an issue. Is the zx (the newer model of the zx1) reliable and durable?

It would also be nice to pick up the leak without having to be right next to it and then turn down the sensitivity to pinpoint.

 

I was happy with the ZX untill it up and died. Bought a cheap one for impressing customers and then bought the H10 pro. Very happy with it.

 

Like my ZX
I keep in in the tool bag full time

 

Sold my SRL8 a few years ago

 

Tek-mates are good IMHO. The new sensor (comes in Blue packaging) makes it more sensitive to R410 and R22. The report you're referring to is a good example. You can purchase a Tek-mate new for about $150.00. One thing on the Tek-mate i do not like is the ability to turn off the auto resetting. When the Tek-mate alarms, it will reset the sensitivity. I like the SLR8 for R410 and turn off the auto reset. When it alarms, I can reduce sensitivity and narrow down the area. It is really getting used to your tools.

 

Thanks for all the comments. I've been doing a lot of reading on the various suggestions here. The H-10 seems to be a top choice for many, but so does the Tiff ZX. The ZX1 seems to be very highly regarded, but of course, those are discontinued (although I found a used one). The Tek-Mate is an appealing choice with a good price. The fact that the zx is almost half the price of the H-10 is a big plus also. I'm really leaning toward the zx. I think between the zx for r22 and the SLR8 for 410a, I'll be set, unless someone jumps up to tell me I should buy the used zx1 .

Some of the threads I read were several years old (and included posts by lytning & itsiceman ), but mentioned battery issues. Are these issues still around? Any reason not to pull the trigger on the zx? Is sensor life good?

 

I think the case build/design was better on the ZX1.
It feels like there should be an extra screw holding the ZX together but mine has lasted. As far as the battery sucking it does. I carry the charger with me in the tool bag too

 

I use the srl8 for r410a and the zx-1 for r22. You can get new batteries for the zx/zx-1 from Robinaire. I also have an h10pm but I haven't had to drag it out in a while, maybe once or twice a year to find a head scratcher.

 

H-10... for both...

And yeah... the one you mentioned at TT tools.

I have had 3 of them...
First one lasted a decade,
Second one lasted 2 years until I put the battery leads on backwards... let the magic smoke out... GRRRRRRR
Have a H-10 PRO now... it sniffs 22 and 410 just fine!
Also smells 134 and 407C just fine...
Those 4 are the only ones I use... so I am good!

 

I know you want to save money, but the H-10 saves time. Time = Money.

The backup for my H-10 is an H-10.

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

 

I just ordered the zx. It'll be here on Wed. Now I can get back to the job and find that leak. I really appreciate all of the comments and opinions here. I love it when I can buy with relative confidence. Again, thanks!

 

The ZX is the first and then the battery H-10 The ultra sonic also has a place for both refer leaks and pressure or vac leaks. I keep all 3 charged and ready to go.

 

Thanks for the extra info itsiceman and Buford. I'll likely pickup an extra battery at some point. How is the sensor life? I thought about getting the kit, but the soft case works better for me.

 

My zx arrived this aftn (I cancelled my original order and ordered the kit...2 batteries, 2 sensors, 12v charger, filters, charging base, hard shell case). All I can say is wow! It knocks my SRL8 right out of the running. I haven't had opportunity to use it on the job yet. I slightly cracked a drum of r22 at one end of my shop and walked in at the other end with the zx running. It went off right away. The zeroing feature allowed me to gt close and pinpoint. I have to say that I've never had a more sensitive detector. Not as sensitive for 410a, but still great. I believe I could get rid of my SRL8 if I wanted and not even miss it. As mentioned, the build quality could be better, but the functionality is excellent.

Thanks for all of the recommendations, gentlemen. Very much worthwhile. Another happy zx owner!

 

Try the same trick with a ultra sonic leak detector. Stand about 50 feet away from some one holding a gauge set that has charge left in the hoses, tell them to just crack one hose that only they can hear and see how sensitive the ultra sonic are.

 

I don't have a UV detector. If I find issues with leaks I can't locate, I'll pick one up. Nice to have the option for vacuum leaks.

 

I think I am ready to pull the trigger on a ZX, but am a bit apprehensive with all the others that I've tried that have turned out to detect soap bubbles and everything else. The only one that doesn't alert on bubbles that at least I've used is the H10PM. Does the ZX alert on soap bubbles(ie.. bigblue, pink stuff that I don't remember the name...so forth)

 

I loved my ZX, but after it died I bought the H10 pro. I wish I had done it way back. SO far I haven't met a leak I can't find.

 

I have an older H10PM it finds 410 leaks but only with the sensor jacked all the way and on manual small. It actually doesn't do half bad I have just gotten to where I like to have double confirmation on some of the leaks that I cant confirm with bubbles( 410 leaks, 22 leaks I am not concerned about)

The pro model has what, a better designed pump? The sensor is the same, no?

 

You guys seem to rate this H10 highly. Is this the H10Pro in the link below ? If not , what H10 is it ?
http://www.mybacharach.com/product-view/h-10-pro/

I'm going to get some local supply house quotes ?

 

That's mine.

 

I had a bad run with the D-Tek for some reason. Other guys at my shop also. Not sure why.

I got the H-10 Pro. Took some time to get used to using but was well worth the money and learning curve.