looking for a new refrigerant leak detector

[darkhunter]

So as the title says im looking to buy a new refrigerant leak detector, i prefer the newer infrared technology and so far it looks like i have two in mind, one being the Tracerline pro alert 2791, or the inficon D-Tek select.

From my research it lookis like the tracerline has higher sensitivity than the inficon, it advertises a sensitivity of 0.03 oz/year, which seems pretty good to me. They both have a rechargeable nihm battery with close battery life so theres no comparison there.

The inficon advertises a sensitivity of 0.10 oz/year, but it advertises as being the only detector with a serviceable sensor, but aren't these sensors supposed to last for a while like 10 years or something? The last thing which im not a hundred percent sure on but i heard the inficon has a manual zero out function, so if you have a general idea of where the leak is you can select that function and you dont have to use the sweeping method anymore with the manual zero out since it wont automatically zero out when exposed to refrigerant, is this true?

Any and all input is appreciated, thank you

 

[chris142]

I cant recomend any of them. I have had zero luck with any of the new style ones. I threw my $300 Mac one away! It was useless.

 

[Greatbear]

I have the Inficon. It's been a great detector, except the battery pack is shot. As handy as having a rechargeable unit can be, for something that gets such intermittent use it would be better off using common disposables or rechargeables rather than a proprietary NiCD pack. The sensor in mine is still good after many years, and I have a spare when the time eventually comes.

 

[Full Throttle]

I use the infecon as well a the Bacharach HP-10 series, I have the batt operated as well as corded version, I prefer the plug in.

I do Industrial HVAC and auto on the side I prefer the H-10's the best you can buy.

the new infa red BS is BS they ****, and this is from a professional who uses one daily.