[vin lashon]

I've been using a SRL8 for a while now. In the last few years, there have been leaks that I just haven't been able to locate (plus the fact that Leak Lock & Nu-Calgon Flour. leak detector set off false alarms...). I put in a new sensor a few months ago. It's sensitive to small test leaks. Last week, I got called out to a job with a 5 ton system that I put 5 lbs of r22 in last may and it was 8 lbs low. 8 lbs in 9 months...that shouldn't be a problem to pick up. The condenser's on the roof and most of the 60 ft or so of the line isn't accessible, so maybe it's somewhere in the walls, but frankly, I've had some other 22 systems where it wouldn't find a leak. I don't seem to have that issue with r410, but we have a lot of r22 systems in this city.

At any rate, I'm going to pick up a 2nd leak detector and go back. Any suggestions for a decent detector that will balance out the SRL8 (particularly for R-22)?

Thanks!

 

[buford]

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

 

[Gunslinger]

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.

 

[lytning]

Both good although the H10 is AWSOME.

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

 

[buttwheat]

H10 works awesome

 

[toocoolforschool]

I have four to choose from and they all suck.

 

[m singer]

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

 

[vin lashon]

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.

 

[VTP99]

D-Tek select

 

[buford]

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

 

[vin lashon]

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.

 

[lytning]

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.

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.

 

[itsiceman]

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

 

[itsiceman]

Sold my SRL8 a few years ago

 

[Gunslinger]

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.

 

[vin lashon]

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?

 

[jtrammel]

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.

 

[ga-hvac-tech]

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!

 

[BALloyd]

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

 

[vin lashon]

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!