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Another Ultrasonic Question - Which to Buy

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LitigatorChick

LitigatorChick

Brilliant_Rock
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Dec 19, 2007
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My "old" ultrasonic has crapped out. So a new one is required. I have read most of the old threads on this, and the camps appear to be split between the Sharper Image model or for more dollars, the Crest 175HT model. The additional cost doesn''t bother me, I just want something good that will last longer than 6 months. Also, the noise my old model made annoyed me.

Any direction and experience you can provide on this topic will help.
 
Is Sharper Image closing or down-sizing the company? A Sharper Image opened in our mall about a year ago and is closing it''s doors...hmmm

But to answer your question, lots of people have the sharper image model and are very happy with it. I have a Brookstone model and I get better results running WATER on my jewelry....I''d steer clear of the brookstone model - just out of personal experience....
 
I have the Gemoro Sparkle Spa and love it.
 
VSLover, is it pretty quiet? Mine is relatively loud, and that annoys me.
 
Date: 4/18/2008 9:23:27 AM
Author:LitigatorChick
My ''old'' ultrasonic has crapped out. So a new one is required. I have read most of the old threads on this, and the camps appear to be split between the Sharper Image model or for more dollars, the Crest 175HT model. The additional cost doesn''t bother me, I just want something good that will last longer than 6 months. Also, the noise my old model made annoyed me.

Any direction and experience you can provide on this topic will help.
Click to expand...
In that case, get the Crest. I went through two "cheap" ones, which would have been almost half the Crest, that I bought last.
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Ellen - you like the Crest? Any complaints?
 
SHarper Image is indeed closing and going bankrupt. I would not buy from them.
 
Eeek! They are definately off the list. So any other experiences to chime in with?
 
I'm currently in the same boat, Litigator. I have my eye on the half gallon Crest. Does anybody have it? I'd like to know how long it takes for the water to heat up, how big it is, how noisy it is, etc.

I've spent hours going through old threads on this topic, but 80% of them are dedicated to the SI ultrasonic and I've ruled out that option because of their bankruptcy. I'm still considering Brookstone's model, however, if the census is that it does just as good of a job as the Crest (so long as I add hot water and Mr. Clean)...
 
Oooh, good timing for this thread, LC!

I just ordered an Ikohe Mini Ultrasonic to tide me over until I can do more research on the sturdier ones, but it has 43 KHz Frequency (this site has the best photo of it: http://www.lacywest.com/28ultras.htm , but mine was $99.00 CAD from Page & Wilson out of Vancouver).
The Elma ultrasonics are made in Germany and are what many of my local jewelers use: http://www.lacywest.com/tech/Elma_Series_H.pdf and http://www.lacywest.com/tech/Elma_Series_S.pdf. I'd love to know if anyone has any feedback on their cleaning capability.

This is the Ikohe...

ikohemini.JPG
 
I did a quick search on the web, and it seems to be the best out there. Prices very a LOT though!

Where is the best deal? LOL

Thanks!
 
Date: 4/18/2008 12:28:41 PM
Author: spike13
SHarper Image is indeed closing and going bankrupt. I would not buy from them.
Click to expand...
Yeah but I went in their store the other day and the US was marked down to $15!
 
Date: 4/18/2008 1:45:29 PM
Author: LegacyGirl

Date: 4/18/2008 12:28:41 PM
Author: spike13
SHarper Image is indeed closing and going bankrupt. I would not buy from them.
Click to expand...
Yeah but I went in their store the other day and the US was marked down to $15!
Click to expand...
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Fifteen bones! What the?!?! You go, LG!
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Since my consumer plasticy model has died, I am inclined to opt for something more high powered and professional grade. Any thoughts?
 
Date: 4/18/2008 2:42:04 PM
Author: LegacyGirl


Date: 4/18/2008 2:27:45 PM
Author: lisa1.01fvs1
Hey legacy I looked at the website and they're $99

http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__SI814BLU
Click to expand...
The stores that are going out of business have all of their mech marked down. The one by my house happens to be leaving soon and everything is SUPER CHEAP.
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You're lucky! I just called up my local SI store and its going for $69.99 and I think that store is closing or at least clearing out some stuff. The next closest SI store is selling it for $99.00.
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You really can't go wrong for $15!! I don't even have anything that needs cleaning but I like my gadgets, especially if I can get a deal!!
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ETA: I just remembered I've actually got silver stuff that needs a good clean, how's the Ultrasonic with that?
 
Does anyone have experience with the Crest or similar ultrasonic cleaning silver. There is a thread asking this in Shopping, and I was wondering what people have heard.

I am definately now learning toward the Crest.....
 
Date: 4/18/2008 12:08:43 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
Ellen - you like the Crest? Any complaints?
Click to expand...
Sorry, I missed this til now!

My only real complaint is that 1.) the basket is sold seperately, and at that price you'd think they could throw it in, and 2.) the holes in it are too big for my studs and they can fall through. Since the directions say not to let the jewelry touch the bottom (not sure why, I asked, lady didn't know what I was talking about) I had to improvise, and use an old sink drainer thing, which I put in the basket. It works, just a slight inconvenience.

It cleans really well, and is not as noisy as the SI, but definitely not super quiet. Again, no biggie to me.

It measures 9 1/2 inches high
6 1/4 wide
5 3/4 deep

HTH!

p.s. Haven't tried silver.
 
Ellen,
Can I ask you how big the bubbles are when the US kicks into gear? Can you see a sea of bubbles?

Tanks
28.gif

Pix
 
Date: 4/20/2008 2:15:03 PM
Author: pixley
Ellen,
Can I ask you how big the bubbles are when the US kicks into gear? Can you see a sea of bubbles?

Tanks
28.gif

Pix
Click to expand...
lol I don''t know why, but "sea of bubbles" cracked me up! Actually, there aren''t many bubbles, it''s not like a mini tidal wave going on in there. Just very subtle waves, so not much sudsing, but trust me, it does the job!
 
Thanks Ellen!
I was a little worried that I only saw the tidal wave and some miniscule bubbles. Sea o'' bubbles would be good times though.
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LC - Will you give us a full review when you get your Crest?
 
so is the cleaning power of an ultrasonic cleaner really worth the price? i mean are manual/self made cleaners really not up to par against these? would everyday people (such as myself, who is relatively new to diamonds) be able to tell a difference with a naked eye?
 
also, i heard they weren''t recommende to be used on pave diamonds? what should i do then with my white gold, pave diamond band?
 
DevineHalo, I can tell the difference between the US and just soaking my jewelry in jewelry cleaner. I don''t get my jewelry dirty either and I clean it every day. They do not recommend putting pave set jewelry in an Ultrasonic machine.
 
so then with pave settings do you have to just "settle" with soaking them?
 
Date: 4/18/2008 1:35:16 PM
Author: pixley

Oooh, good timing for this thread, LC!

I just ordered an Ikohe Mini Ultrasonic to tide me over until I can do more research on the sturdier ones, but it has 43 KHz Frequency (this site has the best photo of it: http://www.lacywest.com/28ultras.htm , but mine was $99.00 CAD from Page & Wilson out of Vancouver).

The Elma ultrasonics are made in Germany and are what many of my local jewelers use: http://www.lacywest.com/tech/Elma_Series_H.pdf and http://www.lacywest.com/tech/Elma_Series_S.pdf. I''d love to know if anyone has any feedback on their cleaning capability.

This is the Ikohe...
Click to expand...

I hope that''s just a generic, stock picture of some sorts? I thought you weren''t supposed to put pearls in a US, period. Are pearls really allowed with that model, or are they just trying to promote the idea of cleaner jewelry in general?
 
Can you clean sterling silver in an US?
 
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