Flex XC 3401 VRG Review

[blkyukon]

Hey all,



I just put up a review of the Flex XC 3401 VRG on my website. Flex XC 3401 VRG Review



I`m also finishing up a video comparing the Flex to the PC, I should have it up in the next few days.





Brief summary:



The Flex is a great machine and IMO narrows the gap between the PC and a rotary. It has great cutting abilities and will cut polishing time down substantially if moving up from a PC...The video I`m working on will show that.



Update - the video is now online, the link is at the bottom of the review



Enjoy and I`ll update this post when the video is on line.

[kkjv1]

Thanks! I can`t wait for the video. Which products / combo are you going to use to demonstrate the Flex (Menz SIP/ Menz 106ff perhaps?)



Also, i believe the new batch of Flex with the fixed backing plate comes in 5.5" size ( at least mine did).

[frostydog]

Very nice review, the pics are a great addition. :goodjob



I`m sure many will benefit...



One thing you noted that I`ve been amazed by myself. It`s very hard to micro-mar or haze the paint with the 3401. And I truely believe I can get a better/sharper finish with the Flex vs my PC. I never felt like I was getting a poor finish with my PC, and perhaps if I had more patients I could have got it to the level of the Flex. But time and time again I`m amazed at the sharpness of the finish I can achieve with the Flex.



Again...Great Review!!

[blkyukon]

Thanks! I can`t wait for the video. Which products / combo are you going to use to demonstrate the Flex (Menz SIP/ Menz 106ff perhaps?)



Also, i believe the new batch of Flex with the fixed backing plate comes in 5.5" size ( at least mine did).

I`m going to do a couple of videos, but the first one will show the different cutting/finishing/time between the PC & Flex using 106FF and a polishing pad. The ones to follow will show the Flex with more aggressive polishes/combos.





You are right, I started the review before I received the replacement backing plate...I`ve updated the page, I had a revision and forgot to update it on line. Thanks for the heads up !:2thumbs:

Very nice review, the pics are a great addition.



I`m sure many will benefit...



One thing you noted that I`ve been amazed by myself. It`s very hard to micro-mar or haze the paint with the 3401. And I truely believe I can get a better/sharper finish with the Flex vs my PC. I never felt like I was getting a poor finish with my PC, and perhaps if I had more patients I could have got it to the level of the Flex. But time and time again I`m amazed at the sharpness of the finish I can achieve with the Flex.



Again...Great Review!!

Thanks...Yes it does tend to finish more like a rotary, then a PC, but I`ve been able to achieve the same results with a PC.... It just takes longer.



It can cause hazing (if you don`t break down the polish completely or are using an aggressive pad/polish combo) but the hazing doesn`t have the "hook type" hazing that a PC produces. The hazing looks more like a rotary haze because of the forced rotation.





Thanks again guys!

[imported_artronnie]

Great review. One question...Is it right that during one rotation, the flex orbits 20 times?

[imported_Detailing Technology]

Good write up on your site.

Do you feel the Flex 3401 is a good tool for an existing rotary user that wants to occasionally be lazy?

[blkyukon]

Great review. One question...Is it right that during one rotation, the flex orbits 20 times?

Thanks and Yes...10x left & 10x right (or back & forth) orbits for one rotation.

Good write up on your site.

Do you feel the Flex 3401 is a good tool for an existing rotary user that wants to occasionally be lazy?

Yeah, I`d say that. It`s won`t replace a rotary, as far as speed of correction or extreme restoration, but in most cases it would be great substitute. It`s similar (but better) to the PC in that you sacrifice your time for lower risk of damaging the paint.

[blkyukon]

The video comparing the cutting power of the Flex to the PC is up:



Flex XC 3401 VRG Review



(Link is at the bottom of the page)

[detaildoc]

Do you have a comparison of the RPM`s/OPM`s at each speed between the Flex and the UDM?

[blkyukon]

Do you have a comparison of the RPM`s/OPM`s at each speed between the Flex and the PC/UDM?

No I don`t, sorry... what comparison are you looking for? I don`t think you`ll see much difference in a video between the various speeds other than the sound.





I do plan on doing another video, solely with the Flex, showing removal of deeper imperfections, using different speeds, etc. that might show what you are looking for.

[detaildoc]

I was wondering approximately which speed on the flex equates to a 6 on a UDM. My guess is that a 3.5 on the Flex is probably a 6 on the UDM.

[blkyukon]

I was wondering approximately which speed on the flex equates to a 6 on a UDM. My guess is that a 3.5 on the Flex is probably a 6 on the UDM.

I think you are right...There is a chart that shows the speed comparison...I`ll can`t seem to find it right now. If I find it I`ll update this post and my review with the comparison.

[BigAl3]

thanks for the review & video... :2thumbs:

[imported_artronnie]

Do you have a comparison of the RPM`s/OPM`s at each speed between the Flex and the PC/UDM?

This is my comparison (note that for the Flex, for each rotation, it orbits 20 times)







I slightly doubt the opm of UDM (I think it should be 2500 - 6000 opm).

CMIIW!

[detaildoc]

This is my comparison (note that for the Flex, for each rotation, it orbits 20 times)



I slightly doubt the opm of UDM (I think it should be 2500 - 6000 opm).

CMIIW!

Great, thanks! That seems about right.