Initial Review- UDM!!

budman3 · 06-06-07, 02:45

First off I want to give huge thanks to everyone at Autogeek for giving me this opportunity to test out the new Ultimate Detailing Machine. The UPS guy delivered me a huge box from AG today. Inside were 6 or 7 pads, XMT pad conditioner and cleaner, a couple of German applicators, 5" backing plate, a buffer bag, and best of all the UDM. Sorry I do not have any pictures of the machine.

Of course it didn't take me long to unwrap everything and try it out. I was expecting this machine to be very similar to the Porter Cable 7424, but it is not. It sounds different and very smooth. I tested it out on the hood of my Jeep with a 5.5" light cut pad and it was very nice. Smooth, quiet, and powerful. I then tested it side by side with the PC with a 7.5" LC white polishing pad. I used the UDM with a 5" BP and the PC had a 6". Both machines worked the same... the results were very similar but I will need to do more testing before reaching any conclusions. I don't find the vibration on the PC to be overwhelming and the same is true with the UDM.

I know that it isn't good for the machine to run it without touching the surface, but I did. I had the PC in my right hand and UDM in my left, no pads on either one. The UDM has less vibration than the PC under this condition.

Here is a little list that I put together while I was looking over the UDM:

-It is about 1/2" longer and wider than the PC
-The cord is 6' 1/2" long ... 3' 1/2" shorter than the PC
-The weight compared to the PC seems the same
-The dial is backwards from the PC, confusing for a PC user
-The head of the UDM where the counterweight is located is significantly larger than the PC
-The UDM has a very different counterweight- quite unique.
-The plastic housing does not rattle like the PC does, with or without the handle
-The front lip is longer which makes gripping the head easier (without the handle)
-The backing plate stops spinning, without any friction, about half as fast as the PC would... you know when you are polishing and lift your pad and turn it off, the pad continues spinning? The UDM reduces that spinning by 1/2.

Here is a video, well sound, of the UDM. Since I am not allowed to post photos of the machine, you'll have to look at a few of my detailing products. Make sure your speakers are on. These videos are again holding the machines in the air with no pads. I spent about 5 seconds on each speed setting, starting at 1 and working my way up to 6.

UDM:
Speeds 3, 4, and 5 are all very similar in speed.

And the PC for comparison:
Speeds 1, 2, 3, and 4 are very similar in speed.

In the above videos you can tell where the machine speeds are the same. There is a significant tone difference between the two machines. I haven't tested the machine enought to give you any field test information... thus making this an initial review . Hope this helps give some information about this new polisher. Any questions???

mr.ikon · 06-06-07, 02:56

hmmm. interesting. UDM seems a lot smoother, quieter, everything you just said. cool.

MobileJay · 06-06-07, 03:55

You said the head of the UDM is larger, does that mean even more restriction on places you can get too? Like the pc you can only go so far on the door before you hit the side mirror housing, is it worse with the UDM?

awahl63 · 06-06-07, 04:02

Sounds great...can't wait to get my hands on one

paul34 · 06-06-07, 04:11

thanks for the review. I thought this product had already been released (beginning of June?) ... so may I ask why you couldn't post pictures?

thanks.

Sludge · 06-06-07, 04:50

budman3,

Thanks for the review and particularly the sound clips. Very nice effort on your part to present a useful review.

ZoranC · 06-06-07, 05:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul34

I thought this product had already been released (beginning of June?) ... so may I ask why you couldn't post pictures?

Here is the official picture:

klnyc · 06-06-07, 05:29

OMFG

sound like my GTR-34 turbo spooling up

Nice, I like it.

budman3 · 06-06-07, 06:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MobileJay

You said the head of the UDM is larger, does that mean even more restriction on places you can get too? Like the pc you can only go so far on the door before you hit the side mirror housing, is it worse with the UDM?

I haven't had much "seat time" with the UDM yet but I mostly use 7.5" pads and don't have this problem. The UDM's head is 3 1/2" and the PC is 3 inches. So using a 4 inch pad may be tricky in tight spots. I also think that the orbital action on the UDM may be a little tighter than the PC... not positive yet though.

As for the pictures, Autogeek said that I couldn't post pictures of the machine because I got a version without the warning labels on it. Some type of liability issue I believe.

I'm glad you liked the sound clips, it sounds like one mean machine in person when you crank it up to speed 6! When I was working on the hood I applied a little pressure and the machine sounded mean but when I just let the weight of the machine on the surface ... wow.

Alan W · 06-07-07, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman3

The UDM's head is 3 1/2" and the PC is 3 inches. So using a 4 inch pad may be tricky in tight spots.

That's very strange because the counterweight guard on the UDM in my possession just now has a diameter of 100mm, or fractionally under 4".

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman3

I also think that the orbital action on the UDM may be a little tighter than the PC... not positive yet though.

The offset of the UDM is greater than the PC and measures 24mm according to DavidB.

Greg Nichols · 06-07-07, 11:50

I hope someone can put together a really good side by side comparison on the abilities of this machine to polish and compound paint. It really needs to be better to shell out more money for another PC style. I have been using my rotary more and more, it sure gets the job done faster in many cases.

ZoranC · 06-07-07, 01:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Nichols

I hope someone can put together a really good side by side comparison on the abilities of this machine to polish and compound paint. It really needs to be better to shell out more money for another PC style. I have been using my rotary more and more, it sure gets the job done faster in many cases.

That is exactly why I pre-ordered it yesterday. However, I will bit be comparing it against rotary as it is not meant to be replacement for rotary, it is meant to be replacement for PC, better PC than a PC.