[Robber]

I am looking to pick up digital gauges. You know getting lazy i.e. pt chart, adding, subtracting. The reason I asked about JBs directly is we service them, so I believe I can get a good price. I am also thinking sman or digicool, digicool would be online of me.
I am also debating what options - go basic or wireless - Micron gauge on sman??
So thoughts from you guys that have been using a couple of years? Oh yes - do lots of residential with mostly smaller commercial. No refrigeration anymore. I am looking at 5 to 7 more years, then maybe part time to keep busy for reference point.

There is only one truly right way to do something, but there are thousands of wrong ways to varying degrees to do it.
So the question is: If you don't do it right, then how wrong is it going to be???

 

[lytning]

I like the Sman 460's. As far as a micron gauge you need to go with the Blue Vac.

 

[itsiceman]

You service J/B's HVAC?

They might just give you the DMG if they had any left.

Those have been discontinued for a few years now.

 

[Robber]

Itsiceman The company has been for years. I started this fall been to the office once and his house twice. I posted a thread a while back why humidifiers should not be mounted above furnace - That was his furnace. There catalog show a DMG2, or is that an old one now too.

 

[itsiceman]

You are right
I see they have something new
Will look later but they might have put their name on something else

 

[itsiceman]

Looks like the rothenberger digital gauge from a few years ago....... The pipe cutter pipe wrench place I think they partner with.

 

[lytning]

Rigid?

Looks like the rothenberger digital gauge from a few years ago....... The pipe cutter pipe wrench place I think they partner with.

 

[Robber]

Yes they have some kind of relationship with Rothenberger.

 

[itsiceman]

Rigid?

No Rothenberger

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?1308981-Rocool-600

 

[itsiceman]

Was poking around and saw this under warranty and repairs at JB

"Do not hang digital manifold on the back of service vehicles. They are digital instruments and as such are more sensitive to damage. Damage from hanging from service vehicles is considered abuse and VOIDS the warranty. "

 

[itsiceman]

http://www.jbind.com/warranty-repair.aspx

 

[servicefitter]

I don't understand why anyone would want digital gauges. A tp chart digital thermometer, micron gauge that's all you need. You can purchase two of each for what a digital gauge cost. There is no worst feeling when its 100* out and your tool takes a crap and you don't have a back up.

 

[chrisjc]

I don't understand why anyone would want digital gauges. A tp chart digital thermometer, micron gauge that's all you need. You can purchase two of each for what a digital gauge cost. There is no worst feeling when its 100* out and your tool takes a crap and you don't have a back up.

I carry both if I'm second guessing my digitals I'll put my analogs on. But if it makes my tasks quicker and less things to put in my tool bag why not? I don't have them yet but I do want a set of wireless digital gauges gauges so I can get live wb td etc

 

[beenthere]

I don't understand why anyone would want digital gauges. A tp chart digital thermometer, micron gauge that's all you need. You can purchase two of each for what a digital gauge cost. There is no worst feeling when its 100* out and your tool takes a crap and you don't have a back up.

Thats why you don't chuck your analogs when you get a set of digitals. Keep the analogs as back up.

A good set of digitals just gives you all the readings quicker on 1 device.

 

[TMerk]

We want to buy a digital gauge set and would like some input on the best one for around $600

 

[heatingman]

I don't understand why anyone would want digital gauges. A tp chart digital thermometer, micron gauge that's all you need. You can purchase two of each for what a digital gauge cost. There is no worst feeling when its 100* out and your tool takes a crap and you don't have a back up.

This is exactly the camp I was in. Went digital this year, Im never going back. I still have all my analogs on the truck. I bought the the Testo 549 for 250.00 I have paid almost as much on an analog set. So not really a price issue anymore.

I liked the 549 so much I bought the 550 also, then bought extra temp clamps and a oversized pipe strap clamp for the testo, so basically I now have 2 - 550's for refrigeration use. Then I noticed that R-718 - water is a listed refrigerant for the manifold, so I bought a another 549 for use as a poor mans hydronic manometer for use in water balancing work. - works great by the way, and way less then an actual hydronic manometer - they usually run in the several Grand price range (obviously if I were a water balancer I would pony up for the real deal, but as a service guy- good enough)

Trust me, digital is the way to go. Analogs break all the time - so they need back ups to. I still have all mine on the truck on the off chance I need them, but the digitals make life easier.

The argument you can get along fine without is valid, but flawed. Did you say the same thing when cordless tools became all the rage? Sure, corded works, buts its more of a hassle.

I wonder how many old timers said "nah, I don't need that fan-dangled power drill for assembling that duct work. I've got my egg-beater drill and my slotted screws, thats been working fine"

I do believe having a dedicated micron gauge is still best though.





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[heatingman]

To the OP, I saw the manifold your asking about in a catalog. I thought the price point at ILLCO was a little steep, but I may give them a shot next year if they go on sale. I too am a believer of supporting JB as a purveyor of quality goods that is also a local company for us here in Chicago.


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[kra2y]

We want to buy a digital gauge set and would like some input on the best one for around $600

Imanifold

 

[lytning]

In his price range?

Imanifold

 

[catmanacman]

I like my digicools also when your all hooked up on a unit and the home owners looks at them they are impressed