Very Disappointed with Testo

[ChristopherNJ]

Ive had my 523 for 3 years now. Its been a trusted piece of equipment that I rely on day in and day out. Being able to check SH and SC on the fly is vital to me. Ive got analogs on the truck that I haven't touched in years now b/c I am so spoiled with this thing! However, within the first 3 months the temp sensor broke, and they replaced it, no problem. What made my really happy with Testo is they have an office very close to where I live (North Jersey area)


Just today I go to use it and once again the temp sensor is broken, and the unit is not zeroing out. I take a ride up to Sparta, which is where their headquarters and repair center is. I speak to a tech and he tells me that since its out of warranty there is nothing that can be done with either of these problems. He informs me that the 550 is more serviceable, and that my best bet is to just pick up a new 550. I even inform him that I also own a 327 with printer, and he offers no help in any way. He didnt take it in the back to really even look at it. Came out to the reception area, looked at it and handed it back. It would have been nice if he could have maybe somehow arranged some sort of discount for the new one, since this one took a dump after 3 short years.


I get the unit home and mess around with it some more, and it finally zeros out. So, I guess it shows how much he knows.


Its so disappointing to have spent $500 on a meter that I've taken very good care of. As a matter of fact, the unit was always kept inside the cab of my truck.


I really had higher hopes for Testo's customer service. Very disappointing b/c Ive paid more for Testos over other brands thinking they had a superior product.

[chuckcrj]

He wouldn't give you a price to fix it??

I would think it would be fixable? Maybe not for free but if he gave you a price you could at least decide whether you wanted to fix or replace.


That would be sad if a 3 year old unit couldn't be fixed.

[ChristopherNJ]

He told me the zeroing problem could not be calibrated or serviced. However, as of now, the the unit is zeroed out. Which leaves me with a busted temp prob, and he offered no help.


Im reading some threads here and it looks like the didgicool are the way to go. Can anyone recommend a good manifold for them?

[chuckcrj]

My Testo 550 has been great but I know a lot of others have had problems with them.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Digicool. They are coming out (hopefully) with a new manifold called Paradigm which looks like an awesome manifold. Until then, I would recommend an Imperial manifold. I have had good luck with them.

[ChristopherNJ]

I recall a thread a while back, that had this beautiful looking manifold, it looked like it was solid billet machined. It is overkill but im a junkie and I have to find it.

[Pascone10]

I recall a thread a while back, that had this beautiful looking manifold, it looked like it was solid billet machined. It is overkill but im a junkie and I have to find it.

thermal engineering. (Sherman Stalker) There were a lot of problems with them. I would also vote imperials. Or use the set you have until Doug's manifold is produced..

What digicool are you purchasing? Im sure you will be happy. Nice to have one guy ( the owner) that will take care of you. Not some guy collecting a pay check that could care less.

[coolwhip]

Ah hah!....ya pikies, this is the reason I will stick to my analogs for now. 700 bones for a digital PIA.:whistle:

[Pascone10]

Ah hah!....ya pikies, this is the reason I will stick to my analogs for now. 700 bones for a digital PIA.:whistle:
$700 digicools will give them POS analogs a run for their money lol

JK

[chuckcrj]

Ah hah!....ya pikies, this is the reason I will stick to my analogs for now. 700 bones for a digital PIA.:whistle:

You can get a decent digital set for half that.

[Drunkgoat]

i got a combustion analyzer 330-1LL and i do use it alot around 3 times a day. but within 3 months the o2 sensor went on it. bought new one replaced it 2 months after that the thermocouple is gone on it. very dissapointed with the testo gear.

[jpsmith1cm]

Digi-cool 1250 will do anything you want them to do.

I have mine mounted on YJ 41 manifolds.

I don't carry analogs anymore.

For $700, you could almost buy 3 sets of DC1600s.

The sensors are a weak point.

[dunkman]

Love the 1250, hate the sensors, I don't even use them.

[dawgtchrr]

i got a combustion analyzer 330-1LL and i do use it alot around 3 times a day. but within 3 months the o2 sensor went on it. bought new one replaced it 2 months after that the thermocouple is gone on it. very dissapointed with the testo gear.

I second that. We have three different Testo combustion analyzers and use none of them now for various issues and problems. Currently the Bach newest model is only one working for the students. To me the Testo is high priced over engineered and designed to break down.

I have two of the manifolds and very rarely use them.

[ACFIXR]

I hate my Testo

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb359/Chuck_Phelan/HVAC/BrokenHook.jpg

and have gone back to my MFM300.

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/picture.php?albumid=322&pictureid=2642

Anything with hoses sucks!

[ChristopherNJ]

itching to get my one of these...
http://www.refco.ch/en/products/manifolds.php

to mount whichever didgicool I get.

Ive never owned any refco stuff. Looks pretty nice.

[keviekev70]

He told me the zeroing problem could not be calibrated or serviced. However, as of now, the the unit is zeroed out. Which leaves me with a busted temp prob, and he offered no help.


Im reading some threads here and it looks like the didgicool are the way to go. Can anyone recommend a good manifold for them?

Check these out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLAZKHAGxfM

[spark]

Originally Posted by Drunkgoat
i got a combustion analyzer 330-1LL and i do use it alot around 3 times a day. but within 3 months the o2 sensor went on it. bought new one replaced it 2 months after that the thermocouple is gone on it. very dissapointed with the testo gear.


I second that. We have three different Testo combustion analyzers and use none of them now for various issues and problems. Currently the Bach newest model is only one working for the students. To me the Testo is high priced over engineered and designed to break down.

I have a 327 analyzer that was bought not even six months ago and only used a handful of times and now It does not want to read CO. I had to pull the CO sensor and put it back in. It worked for a couple times after that then no more CO reading. Anyone else have any ideas before I send it in?

Thanks,
-Mark

[jim bergmann]

The hook issue was addressed a long time ago. Contact Testo for a replacement.
New hook at left.

[lynn comstock]

I hate my Testo and have gone back to my MFM300. Anything with hoses sucks!

How long have you had this? I like the idea of no hoses for maintenance and diagnostic calls...minimum refrigerant loss. Is there a downside? Learning curve? Can captured results be downloaded to a thumb drive? How about temperature probe response time to get a good reading?

[trouble time]

I think I would go up the ladder at the Testo service center. Ask to speak with the manager. You spent good hard earned money. Let them know that you can post your disappointment on the internet. Send them e-mails, That will get there attention. (Do not swear, be rude or bad, just state your disappointment and let them know there are plenty of other brands to buy)
If they wont zero, try cleaning the sensor with rubbing alcohol ( I believe the instructions for this came with them)
:putergreet:

[itsiceman]

I generally have no love for testo service but I can't see you wanting to repair a 523 unless you absolutely need the printer function.
Just the temperature sensor alone is over two hundred bucks and a 550 can be had for under 300. Maybe they should have taken more time with you and offered options but bottom line getting it repaired at any cost is silly talk. Consider yourself lucky it lasted this long.
You must have really babied that thing.

[flange]

Second tier product at best, you got exactly what you paid for.

[ChristopherNJ]

Second tier product at best, you got exactly what you paid for.

Damn, I thought the 5 hundred something I paid for them 3 years ago was quite a bit.

[pacnw]

I got similar treatment and great treatment from them, almost like dealing with a schizophrenic individual.
My 523 probe failed within a few weeks of the warranty period and they sent me a new one. That one failed within a week and they were not going to do anything about it, like they said to you.
Finally did get complete satisfaction, but it took some understanding on Testo's part of the poor press that the facts in an open forum could bring.
I did not threaten to do anything, just informed them of the power of the internet.

I think in our case, a credit or "free" item or service should be given if you were to upgrade to another of their products, 550 or 557.

The power of the customer is king, good or bad.

[ChristopherNJ]

Ordered a 1250 last night. I am so excited to see this thing in person. Im going 100% on the recommendation of this board.

[Txvman]

The hook issue was addressed a long time ago. Contact Testo for a replacement.
New hook at left.
Interesting, I just picked up the 550 Friday and it has the hook on the right. The Certificate of Conformity is dated 02/15/2011. I'll have to call Testo and find out about getting the upgraded hook.

[Txvman]

See below post.

[Txvman]

The hook issue was addressed a long time ago. Contact Testo for a replacement.
New hook at left.
This is what I was just told.

The unit on the left is a 557 and the unit on the right is a 550. They have different backings and use different hooks. The hook on the 557 will not fit into the backing of a 550.

Mary (Sheila) Riso

[ACFIXR]

How long have you had this? I like the idea of no hoses for maintenance and diagnostic calls...minimum refrigerant loss. Is there a downside? Learning curve? Can captured results be downloaded to a thumb drive? How about temperature probe response time to get a good reading?

Sorry for the late response Lynn, I just saw your post.

Using it 5 years now. The downside to the MFM is the pressure transducers are so freakin expensive. I am rough on everything that I own and try my best to treat these things with the utmost care. But I still get only a year out of them. No learning curve. Capture results can be downloaded to a proprietary program, but it is not very user friendly and there is no support.:gah: I only need 1(one) hose to do anything; vac,charge.:grin2:

As you well know hoses and their associated fittings, manifolds,couplers,o-rings,porosity,oil damage,galled threads,bent necks, depressors and etc. is the main reason most times you can't get a good pulldown.:gah: Wheres that leak? Is it my stuff or the system?:gah::gah::gah::gah:

Hoses suck.

[Txvman]

Well I guess there is no upgraded hook...


The 550 is being changed in production. It is not backward compatible as there are changes to the actual housing and the battery door as well.
Hope that answers your question
Thanks


Doug Goodwin