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  1. #1
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    digital manifold



    hi all

    anybody got any feed back on what the digital manifolds ( mastercool 99103 ) are like ??Do you think their worth the money?? thinking of getting a set . Any feedback would be great thanks

    alan




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    Re: digital manifold

    Hi Wilks

    Not had anything to do with mastercool but I have just invested in a Refco Digimon 3 manifold and I must say money well spent £180.00.
    Mastercool is entry level stuff.



    Regards

    PP

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    Re: digital manifold

    MasterCool® digitals are primarily focused and directed at the MAC market so I don't have any first hand experience that I can offer you on them. One point I would like to make to both the OP and the replying member. You have to remember this technology is not cheap - it isn't inexpensive for the OEM and it isn't inexpensive for the technician that transitions from analog to digital. You take the Refco® as an example p_p, unfortunately my friend if ever there were an "entry level" digital gauge the Digimon® is it. Here is just a portion of one of the field based evaluations on the performance of this instrument: http://digitalzeus.wordpress.com/200...er-evaluation/ Try to look at this objectively - the cost of the Digimon® in the United States varies typically however, they can be found around $200.00. And, I'll give credit where credit is due, Refco® was straight forward in their disclosure that the Digimon® had a designed in 3 second refresh rate - from a residential technicians aspect that will not likely present any great issues from a commercial technicians viewpoint a 3 second update rate makes the instrument essentially useless. But those points aside.

    Look at the number of features that the Digimon® boasts: 50 onboard refrigerant profiles, independent display of SH/SC values, micron level vacuum value display, LCD screen protector, backlit display, auto calibration, auto off, power cell level indicator, refrigerant updates are made available and something I know that's important to you guys, a plastic case to transport the set in. Does $200.00 not seem even a bit unrealistic considering the number of features? Look a quality micron level vacuum gauge [a good Inficon® Pilot™ or Yellow Jacket® Super Evac™ digital], is going to cost more alone than they are charging for this entire set.

    So how do you suppose they can do it? Look at the link I posted above - the way they do it is obvious. Unfortunately the technicians that recognize the fact that the digital manifold gauge is far superior to the analog - in performance, accuracy, reliability, repeatability, digitals eliminate the "human error" factor - error in conversion of pressure to saturated temperatures, interpolation errors - digital gauges make their analog counterparts obsolete. And the technicians that recognize that fact and transition to digitals with sub-standard quality sets are going to be disappointed.

    Today is a whole new ball game, because of the miracle of the internet we are no longer forced to rely solely on the OEM's claims of what their product is capable of. When you are considering an investment in this instrument do your research - the data is available from a seemingly endless variety of sources. Research the type of transducers and thermistors incorporated into the instrument, research the type of protection each OEM designs into the product to protect these components, research the microprocessors utilized in the instruments - there are alot of considerations that should be reviewed and researched prior to making this investment. I am in a unique position in that I have alot of first hand data on many of these DMG's - and I can assure you they are not all created and designed equally, far from it. The cliche that "you get what you pay for", is a cliche for a reason. Don't be enticed by low ball, gutter pricing on the digital manifold gauge because if you do the experience will leave a bad taste in your mouth for the technology for a very long time.
    Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.

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    Re: digital manifold

    thanks for the feedback ,

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    Re: digital manifold

    I had a look at the Mastercool website, i wouldn't say they were entry level?


    Mastercool is a family owned and operated company that has been supplying professional air conditioning, service tools and equipment for over 25 years.
    As one of the fastest growing companies in this market, Mastercool’s name is synonymous with “World Class Quality” and uniquely innovative product design. With our never-ending focus on new technology, Mastercool has been awarded many patents worldwide.
    In addition to Mastercool’s headquarters located in the United States, our Belgium office also features a full inventory and staff. This has enabled us to set up distribution to over 60 countries demonstrating that we are truly a
    multi-national company.

  6. #6
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    Re: digital manifold

    Are you joking? The simple fact that you quoted - and apparently take at face value the companies own opinion of themselves is reason enough alone to preclude responding to such a naive supposition.

    Do you really expect any OEM of any description, be it automobiles, clothing, lawnmowers or televisions to reflect themselves - particularly on their own website in anyway other than pristine and without flaw? Surely you jest.

    If you base all of your purchases on this same criteria my friend you have along and expensive road ahead of yourself.
    Last edited by HVACGod; 01-06-2008 at 02:52 PM.
    Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.

  7. #7
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    Re: digital manifold

    Quote Originally Posted by Prince Vaillant View Post
    I had a look at the Mastercool website, i wouldn't say they were entry level?


    Mastercool is a family owned and operated company that has been supplying professional air conditioning, service tools and equipment for over 25 years.
    As one of the fastest growing companies in this market, Mastercool’s name is synonymous with “World Class Quality” and uniquely innovative product design. With our never-ending focus on new technology, Mastercool has been awarded many patents worldwide.
    In addition to Mastercool’s headquarters located in the United States, our Belgium office also features a full inventory and staff. This has enabled us to set up distribution to over 60 countries demonstrating that we are truly a
    multi-national company.
    I don't see how quoting a manufacturers website enables you to contradict the "entry level" statement.

    I could say that I have been doing this job for 30 years but that doesn't prove that I'm any good at it.

    Facts are what is required, not sales pitches.
    Brian - Newton Abbot, Devon, UK
    Retired March 2015

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    Re: digital manifold

    Are you aware the Digimon has a 3 second display update and the low side display does not indicate a negative value except when you choose the vacuum mode.
    You could hook up to a critical charge system and not be aware it is running on a vacuum as the display bottoms out at zero.
    Seems to me this product was designed by laboratory engineers with no experience of the real world.
    Its pretty obvious the Digimon was never Field tested before release, as its only application would be air conditioning. It's a pity the company was not more honest with the description.

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    Re: digital manifold

    Couldn't agree with you more Kiwi. I think there was an unfortunate decision made by someone at Refco that should never have been approved relative to the Digimon. I don't like to see anyone from any field - in any capacity within that field impune their integrity based on what at least externally appears to be a financially motivated decision. We've witnessed it in the United States with Tif and then Robinair and it was with the digital manifold gauge as well. They're credibility has suffered as a result of their decision to market an instrument that was not capable of withstanding field application demands - at least from my perspective.

    Again from my perspective the same can be said of Refco. In the United States Refco enjoyed a reputation of being a high quality precision instrument builder and developer - that reputation has been injured by their decision to market this "tool". This type of injury, at least as far as Tif ad Robinair are concerned still resonantes even today many years after the fact. In my opinion this will prove to be an expensive lesson that Refco will hopefully have the corporate faculties to learn from.

    There are without doubt a tremendous urge or need - perhaps even an inane desire inherent to the corporate mechanism to attempt to capitalize on market trends, no one has to limit themselves to this industry alone to see that observation in practice. This specific trend - that towards the long past due transition of the manifold gauge from analog to digital accuracy is not really a trend at all, it can be more accurately charaterized as an evolution. And it is my opinion the instrument OEM's that treat it as a trend and not the natural technological evolution that it is are ultimately, the OEM's that are orchestrating their own demise. Engineered failure.

    This technology was not something that was conceived of, built and marketed in a years time - the viable versions of this technology the Digi-Cool DRSA Series the Testo RSA Series and the J/B DM Series represent years of development - years of failure - and years of refinement to achieve the embodiment of what we see today. This is an informal interview that I did about 2 years ago with Doug Lockhart, the developer/designer of the Digi-Cool DRSA - a supportive document illustrating the supposition that an evolution is also a journey strife with self doubt, failure, struggle and most importantly courage. The interview can be read in it's entirety here: http://tinyurl.com/49m9rt (mods if this is not permitted, please edit).

    When this evolution is viewed as and responded to as a trend - in the end a debt for that miscalcualtion will be assessed - unfortunately, that debt is first extracted at the expense of our fellow technicians - we essentially become the paying field evaluation mechanism for the offending OEM - ultimately in the end though it is the OEM that will be pay the ultimate debt in the form of lost loyalty. I would think from my little insignificant outlook on the world, greater thought would be invested by the OEM to determine the true benefit, or lack thereof of shortsighted capitization on what they define as emerging trends.
    Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.

  10. #10
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    Re: digital manifold

    I had a set of the digimon Gauges but be aware do not get them out in the rain as they do not like it and blow up.

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    Re: digital manifold

    i know of a couple of engineers who "invested" in the digimon or mastercool manifold sets and found both of them to be very flimsy especially where the valve knobs are concerned. the support from the supplier or manufacturer to replace said broken items was less than satisfactory. 6 months to get replacement handles is not very good product support on either side of the pond. the opinions of these engineers were that the manifolds were of little use to anybody apart from domestic refrigeration engineers. i have not invested in any myself yet, but the reputation of testo and yellow jacket and the after sales service of both these companies goes before them, i would look at their products before i bought anything else. testo will let you try before you buy; i don't know about yellow jacket. the price of both is high relative to the others on the market.
    a word of warning though, don't buy any digital manifold if you are just going for the "look". if you don't want to understand what they are capable of showing you, you will be wasting your money.
    hvac god, is your first name doug?

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    Re: digital manifold

    If your budget permits I can reccommend the Testo gauges, I find them very helpful, especially the data logging feature.

    Cheers
    Tutto il Mondo e un Paese

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    Re: digital manifold

    I bought a pair and love them, get the vacuum sensor with it, they are affordable as well. Digitals are kinda new so they probably won't be my last pair but they are nice to have

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    Re: digital manifold

    I own a refrigeration business and have no problem with them

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    Re: digital manifold

    Hi Bought 4 sets approx 2 years ago, the main area that gives problems is the sensor plug for the vacuum attachment, it becomes loose after a while and gives false readings. Like anything electronic it does not like the damp weather, so needs protection from the rain at all times. Getting repairs done takes 8 - 10 weeks minimum.

  16. #16
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    Re: digital manifold

    Suggest anyone thinking of going digital should consider the new Testo 550, or the soon to be released Digi-cool AK900.
    Excellent value for money.

  17. #17
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    Re: digital manifold

    Hi Guys,
    Am thinking of getting the testo 550 does anybody have a working knowledge of them and would you recommend? cheers

  18. #18
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    Re: digital manifold

    Hi, I've had my Testo 550 for around 2 months now and can't fault them I would highly recommend them very handy but if you can then go for the more expensive version as they have wireless pipe temperature sensor's which is very helpful!

  19. #19
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    Re: digital manifold

    ive had 2 sets of JB's digital guages and both lost the high side transducer within a year of use. Invested in yellow jackets digital and they are awesome. All temps and pressures displayed at the same time is pretty nice

  20. #20
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    Re: digital manifold

    I bought a testo 560-1 kit, and been returned to service in Germany twice in three months, same problem to the low pressure transducer. Unlucky sample?
    Even german technology is no longer what it used to be.

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    Re: digital manifold

    Quote Originally Posted by steve baucom View Post
    ive had 2 sets of JB's digital guages and both lost the high side transducer within a year of use. Invested in yellow jackets digital and they are awesome. All temps and pressures displayed at the same time is pretty nice
    Just for my curiosity, did you bought Yellow Jacket DSRA made by DigiCool (with monochrome display) or one which is now made by Yellow Jacket (with color display)?

    From what I found on internet, last one is bad copy of first.

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