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Not trying to change your mind, but new sman 380/480 are a far cry from the old smans. For that matter so is the YJ P51-870 and others. If you had trouble, I'm sure FP would have replaced them

I had the SMAN 3. Nothing but trouble. Back to analog for me. Old School!

wow- great idea. I just bought a 3 pack of tee's, but the flare is in the middle- so wont work for that application. I know robinair has some like those---

I've been using the latest SMAN 380 since they came out and it is the best digital manifold I've ever used, everything is on the screen and the cordless temp and air probes work with it for real time measurements. If you want digital, with wireless there is never a problem with connection to the 380. If you like probes, I have the Job Link probes and love them too. They do have some funny connection issues, not horrible, and maybe phone related, but they work and I've never had to give up on them and go to something else. I keep hoping FP will fix some of the issues, but keep thinking it's probably not all their fault. MQ works somewhat better with the probes, but it is a fairly unwieldy app if you're doing a lot of normal stuff that doesn't really require a total system diagnosis. I mean I have some jobs where I'm quite familiar with the problems and really don't need to take all the time to set up MQ just to get a couple readings. In that vein, the FP app is great.

Originally Posted by Achso017

For what it’s worth, with two tee adapters you can use your existing analog gauges with stubby wireless gauges instead of investing in 550’s or sman380. This way you can enjoy the use of hoseless gauges on most units until you’ve got to add refrigerant.


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I removed the gauges from a manifold and replaced them with male flare fittings. After two years of using probs it’s sometimes nice to have a manifold.

I removed the gauges on a manifold and installed male flares in their place for this. After using probes for the last two years sometimes it is just nice to have a manifold.

Originally Posted by mgenius33

I have the Testo 550's made in Germany still going strong, but get very little use since I bought the FP smart probe kit. I also have the iConnect kit, but....... ehhhhhhh, yeah, nuff said. The FP kit is just too easy to use; it comes with a very durable case so no issues with losing probes. No hoses to deal with is a huge benefit IMO.

Been looking at the iconnect for a while. What is the issue with them? I ask because I would hate to drop the money on it and have issues.

My sman 360 was a workhorse for 4 years and only had to replace my suction side temp clamp once, no other issues. Which is handy because I'm not very gentle with my tools. I only gave them to a new guy when I got the wireless probes from FP. I find it much easier to process what's happening inside the system with the info laid out on one screen like the sman and now the probes do.

I gave up on electronic gauges because my testos were problematic. I went back to analog without any issues. Analog works great as long as you don't drop it

Your making a terrible mistake lol


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I didn't realize this but a co worker of mine actually has the 550s. He let me try then today. Im a fan. Light, small, easy to use. Think I'm going to pick one up.

The big selling point....i was working on a roof of a mall. Really narrow stairwell/hatch. With my bag slung over one shoulder and my gauges over the other, the handles would always catch the railing and hang me up. Annoying. Ther 550 was nice and slim, no catching.

Thanks for the input guys, it's very much appreciated

For what it’s worth, with two tee adapters you can use your existing analog gauges with stubby wireless gauges instead of investing in 550’s or sman380. This way you can enjoy the use of hoseless gauges on most units until you’ve got to add refrigerant.


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I have the Testo 550 set up, 2 of them actually. I hang them the same way I hang my analogs.

I mainly went with Testo for the small form factor, everything else on the market for a manifold set up is too big for my taste.

I hate 4 port manifolds, even on analogs.

I have had them a few years now with no real issues. Had one of the valves start leaking, but they sell replacements for cheap, so I bought a few extras.

I even bought a few sets for my apprentices, they all like them also.

For the price, you cant go wrong, and they have a decent warranty also.


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i have the Testo i like them a lot
i prefer test because not too big, FP a bulky and heavy
only problem with theist is the temperature probe connector keep coming out
quite annoying sometimes

On a tiny bit of a tangent . . .

My last job was mostly refrigeration, and you'd have to gauge up on at least two out of three calls.

Now I'm doing mostly light commercial A/C, a couple of tons up to whatever the largest Intellipaks are. And I wouldn't be surprised if a whole month goes by when I don't need to gauge up. Other times, of course, I might be gauging up a couple of times a week.

Funny how things are; the difference between A/C and refrigeration.

Oh yeah, the newer analog gauges seem to not require much if any calibration at all. Not sure what they're doing different.

Originally Posted by Chill_Guy

Hey guys, Been awhile since iv stopped by here. Been thinking about leaving the stone age gauge wise recently but just can't make a decision. Through my research and needs, I'm thinking about the testo 550s.

Some background. I do refrigeration as well as A/C. I have no issues with analog gauges except that they seem to have to be recalibrated often after a few months. No big deal. But then the clear plastic covers break or constantly fall off.... then the pins get bent... then i buy new ones. I can measure SH/SC just fine with analogs and a clamp on meter. Im just at the point where i really need a new set of refrigeration and 410 gauges/manifolds. For the price of two yellow jacket analogs im getting close to the price of a testo that could do it all.

Long story short, im hesitant to drop that kind of cash on somthing that may or may not have issues. The FP smart probes are intriguing as well but i think id have connection issues that would make them not worth it.

Thoughts? Experiences? All input is appreciated

I have the Testo 550's made in Germany still going strong, but get very little use since I bought the FP smart probe kit. I also have the iConnect kit, but....... ehhhhhhh, yeah, nuff said. The FP kit is just too easy to use; it comes with a very durable case so no issues with losing probes. No hoses to deal with is a huge benefit IMO.

So far in an industrial setting, with lots of metal and concrete, the Fieldpiece wireless have performed very well. Two cinder block walls, metal roofs and in an electrical control room and I could still connect to my probes 2 rooms over! I was very surprised.

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Originally Posted by Chill_Guy

The wireless probes do look very neat to me. If money wasn't a issue, I'd buy them. Iv watched quite a few videos on YouTube of guys having connection issues though. I do alot of refrigeration. W/I in the basement, condenser on the roof. I feel like id run into issues making out not worth it.

Thanks for the input guys. Pretty overwhelmed with the options.

I just saw a Testo 550 priced at $211...didn't realize they could be got for that price. I have one of those in the truck for back-up. The 550 has been a reliable tool for me...the wired temp sensor reliability was so-so. The "wire" loses conductivity somewhere.

The wireless probes do look very neat to me. If money wasn't a issue, I'd buy them. Iv watched quite a few videos on YouTube of guys having connection issues though. I do alot of refrigeration. W/I in the basement, condenser on the roof. I feel like id run into issues making out not worth it.

And im not going to lie. Laugh at me all you want. But i havnt even looked at the smans because of the look. Just look bulky to me. Also think they look like a child's play thing. Seems alot of people like them though. Probably should get over it and give them a look.

Thanks for the input guys. Pretty overwhelmed with the options.

Originally Posted by Saturatedpsi

You considered wireless? No hoses! ..and probably less money than a digital manifold.

Testo Wireless

Attachment 814112

A bunch of the chiller guys I know went to these.
Don't need super long hoses and easy to carry.

ALso with stubby hoses attached they fit/clip on my tool bag.