[james roffey]

Who has experience of the Scorpion machine, and how does it compare to your previous one. what are the pros and cons.

[Andrew Briscoe]

Hi James, i have a Recoil, which is the earlier version pf the Scorpion.
It has been upgraded, apart from the pump, mine has the 350 psi version, but find it ample.
Previously had a CFR 500 Perfect heat, which did a reasonable job, but found the reliabillity to be some what lacking.
I kept the CFR handtools.

With the Recoil, i find drying is as good or even better than the CFR, have upgraded my hose and wand to 2" bore,
the vacuum is awesome for a portable, compared to all previous machines owned, Alltech, etc

With 2" hose can run at 100' without any loss, read some of Ken Wainwright posts regarding this.

I fill machine with hot water, but happy also to use cold for rinsing, also have an inline heater when req.

So for me there are only pro's and no cons.

I think the cost is reasonable compared to other 2 vac machines, and the newer model Scorpion will be on my next purchase list.

Andrew

[james roffey]

cheers Andrew, i like the spec on the Scorpion cant help being a little concerned about no heat, but my bigger concern is the distance i would have to travel if it broke and i could not fix it, but i dont want to let this make me buy an inferior machine.

[Jim_77]

James don't get hung up on the distance between you and your machine's supplier!

The parts are like a big mechano kit, if one goes pop you just unhitch it and stick a new one in.  As long as you or a mate are reasonably proficient with a spanner and screwdriver, you shouldn't have any problem keeping it running.

Heat is an issue to me too, but nothing a heat exchanger couldn't fix.  The bonus of that is that you get your heat on-demand closer to where you're working, and obviously the cons are it's an extra expense and another piece of kit to set up.

[clinton]

James

You can get a machine sorted at most c cleaning janatorials or your nearest supplier ie spare vac motor or pump and these can normally be done within the hour while you wait

[Andrew Briscoe]

Like i said i have an inline heater, but is mostly seen in my garage, and only used on the rare occasion.

As for distance, your a lot nearer than me, all parts are with you next day on the odd time you will need a part.

The pump seems great to me, and if i had a vac motor go down, well you will manage perfectly running on 2 vacs till part comes next day.

Un-do a couple of bolts and a few male/female connectors and your away again.

Go for it, you WILL NOT regret it.

Andrew

[Joe H]

James
I went from a CFR 500 Perfect Heat, and it did produce a lot of heat, to the Scorpion, with a external heater, and I can say that the Scorpion is the tops (althought the CFR was very good).

With the right cleaning solution there are many carpet cleaners who use cold water to rinse or hot water from the customers tap.
but lik someone saud, if you want heat you have a external heater and it can be placed nearer to the wand to get the best heat, rather then in a tank some 50' of more away.

Air flow with the 2" hose is excellant.

Like the others have said, even those not using a Scorpion, dont be worried about repairs. The vac motors are available anywhere and can be fitted by anyone with a reasonable knowledge.

The service from Solutions UK is very good. Next day delivery for goods ordered, and loads of telephone help.

Go for it.

[clinton]

Joe

How muchtra is it for the heater booster

Thanks clinton

[clinton]

Sorry it was meant to say extra

[richie]

Hi James,

I have used the Scorpion a few times.  It is a pretty good piece of kit & you can get more vac power when using the mighty one spotting machine as a booster.  The Scorpion is certainly not the best looking porty in the world but the looks of a machine do not make it perform any better or worse.   I would much rather see a on-board heater on it though.  I used a in-line heater from Solutions sometime ago but it was useless although its a different 1 that they now supply.  The Scorpion is quite load probably due to the amount of vacs it has fitted therefore id rather run it from outside customers houses,  the water pump is the loudest ive heard on any portable.  The Mighty One spotting machine is a handy piece of kit when using as a vac booster however,  i dont rate iot very highly as a spotting machine.  I cannot belive how loud it is,  also i dont like the water pump on it.  It pulses the water out rather than giving a constant flow.

Richie.

[Mike Osbourne]

All these ad ons to get a proper job, surely a Prowler is a far better option for not much more if you are considering spending scorpian money?

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Jim

I would seriously look at the Alltec Advance, in my view the heater will more than make up for the one less vac and heat is vital in everyday carpet cleaning.

Alltec is only 100 mins from you and the service is good, it's o.k saying the machines are easy to repair but this does depend on your enginering skills and just as importantly what parts you need.

I used machines from Gateshead(Extracta) for years and allthough the service was very good most of the time there were occaisions when parts didn't arrive next day and caused 3-4days down time.To be able to drive up the M11 early and be back working by 12 noon has been an absolute godsend for me.

The Alltec machine I had was very reliable, good solid build and I now have one of their truckmounts which illustrates the benefit of heat perfectly, the performance is awesome.You will have to spend a day with me and I'll show you.

Cheers

Doug

[Shaun_Ashmore]

SolutionsUK are excellent at customer service but the repair bit does depend on how good you are as I have always put motors and pumps in my own portis albeit years ago.

Shaun

[clinton]

Were looing at around 4 grand for the set up and the extra heater and spotter

[Shaun_Ashmore]

The machine is that light why have a spotter?

Shaun

PS Credit crunch discount! everyone is wanting your money ask for a discount, can always say no.

[Andrew Briscoe]

I would say at £2450 it is a reasonable price, compared to other twin vac machines on market,

i think James could be a new starter ,so would need hosesand wand

Andrew

[Jim_77]

I wouldn't say the little machine is necessary tbh.  I've never used one in all the years I've run a portable, the only thing I've done is to parallel up the vac lines of two ninjas into one wand, for big jobs and long hose runs.

[Nigel_W]

Jim,

Have you got a 3 vac Ninja? I have one that I have modified to produce significantly better vacuum levels, similiar to the Scorpion. With the modified Ninja I am running 2 inch hose up to 100 foot with no problems at all. It is quieter than the Scorpion and has tremendous heat from the inline heat exchanger. If you are interested I will take some pics of the mod. It would help to avoid the need to hook up 2 ninjas together I think. By the way I have 2 Scorpions as well so I know exactly what that machine can and can't do.

Nigel

[Joe H]

Were looing at around 4 grand for the set up and the extra heater and spotter

Base machine is about £2450, plus hoses and wand.
The external heater is about £475 and the one I have has twin chambers seraratley switched. Very good heat.

The booster has a "4th" vac motor and is only neccesary if working long distances say over 150' and is fitted nearer the wand. Gives an extra 100cfm.
A spotter is a spotter and is a solo machine or can have the booster facility built in for not a lot extra.

Prowler is a very good machine IMO but is over 50% more then the Scorpion.
If pocket is deep enough its nice to have a choice.

[clinton]

Also think if you are running a prowler you will still need a good portie for the jobs you caint get too