UDM vs PC comparison w/pics

Jngrbrdman

Jngrbrdman

New member
My new UDM arrived today. :yay I haven't seen too many side by side reviews, so I figured I'd throw in my $.02. :)

It's a nice looking device. Very similar looking to the PC. It seems to be heavier, but that could just be my imagination. It feels different, that's for sure, but it could just be ballanced differently. I'm sure the weight specifications are somewhere, but it is the perception of more weight that is of note.

Side by side they look really similar. There is one big difference though. The UDM's speed dial juts out a bit. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet, but it will be nice if the treads ever get filled with polish like my PC sometimes gets.

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Something else to note is that the power cord on the UDM is about 40 inches shorter than the PC by my measurments. I don't think that is really an issue since there probably isn't anybody using the PC without an extention cord anyway.

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The tool was very similar to the PC as well. In fact, the PC tool can be used with the UDM if you wanted.

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Other things to note are the vibrations. The UDM seems to vibrate less when there isn't a pad on it, but one I put the Edge 2000 white pad on and put a coat of wax on my Reflex I noticed that it does vibrate quite a bit more. It is quieter than the PC though, so that is a decent trade. I'll get better forearm muscles, less damage to my ears, and a bit of a massage while I'm using it I guess. :) I can't say it is any better or worse than the PC yet, and I may never be able to tell the real difference unless I try removing damage by alternating machines, but for now I can say it is a nice looking machine that is very similar to the PC. If it has more power then that makes it worth it. It seems to operate and work just like the PC, so if you are familiar with that tool then this will be an easy transition. I would be comfortable recomending this tool to beginners just like the PC is good for beginners.
 
Here is a little video if that is helpful. It isn't the greatest production quality, but I'm not the greatest cinematographer in the world, so be happy with what you get. lol :) The muffled part at the end is my fault too. The mic is at a really dumb point on the top of my camera. I always forget that it is there. Anyway, hopefully it helps answer some questions.

 
Great job! I for one think it would be interesting to compare these machines from the inside out. I would love to disassemble and reassemble these two machines side by side. Maybe we can get a donor machine to make this comparison.
 
Thanks for the nice write-up.

I was wondering something. I don't know if it's an optical illusion, but the UDM looks as though it is larger in diameter than the PC... is it?
The only reason I ask is because I don't use the handle, I only hold it by the body & head, and only by the body when I work on the roof.

"j"
 
jaybs02 said:
Thanks for the nice write-up.

I was wondering something. I don't know if it's an optical illusion, but the UDM looks as though it is larger in diameter than the PC... is it?
The only reason I ask is because I don't use the handle, I only hold it by the body & head, and only by the body when I work on the roof.

"j"
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I thought the same thing. It's hard to tell when comparing the cast aluminum housing to the plastic housing. I was wondering if the armature was larger in the UDM, more windings, hence more powerful. Another good reason to see these machines compared from a mechanical stand point. I volunteer to perform the procedure. Jngrbrdman, send me your UDM and I'll use one of my PC's and we'll make the comparison. I promise it will run perfectly upon its return. ;);)

Bet this isn't happening. :D
 
Hey, I'm all for it. It is the persuit of science and understanding, so let's do it. I already asked David questions over on the 'topia about durability and how it stacks up to the PC. He said it was basically the same inside other than the UDM motor being bigger. That is probably why it has a larger look to it. He said it dropped it from a height of 6 feet. On the second drop the handle broke off and on the third the casing around the head cracked. I'd like to see how the PC holds up to that kind of a test. To be honest, the material the body of the UDM is made out of seems, not "cheaper', but definitely less than the PC. That is just an impression though. It could be the exact same material for all I know.

Gearhead, if you want to tear it apart and put it back together again to see how it works, then it is all yours. Just tell me where and when you want to pick it up and I'll make it happen.

The only thing I have polished so far is from putting a coat of Liquid Souveran on my Reflex. It didn't take long and apparantly this counterweight isn't optimal for the Edge 2000 system without modification, so I'll be doing some more testing on Saturday using the recomended pads and backing plate. So I guess I should correct myself and tell Gearhead that you can take it anytime after Saturday. ;)
 
Get your real world testing done. I'm going to be in the SLC area within the next couple of weeks. I'll make arrangements once I know when. Mind you I'm not planning on seeing how well either of these machines bounce. They'll both be working properly once we're done.
 
Looks like I will be getting my hands on a UDM very soon. Looking forward to testing it out myself.

Nice write-up Anthony.:bigups
 
GearHead_1 said:
Get your real world testing done. I'm going to be in the SLC area within the next couple of weeks. I'll make arrangements once I know when. Mind you I'm not planning on seeing how well either of these machines bounce. They'll both be working properly once we're done.
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I trust ya. :bigups I haven't seen your garage, but I've heard about it. I work at American Express just right off the side of I-215 and about 4700 south. I can just throw it in my trunk and I'll have it with me anytime you are around. Just give me a call if you are in the neighborhood. I do quite a bit of work up in the Highland/Lehi area too, so if you are on the south end of the valley then I could probably just drop it off. I'm as curious as you are to what the guts of this thing look like.:drool:
 
One other thing that David suggested is that I can change out the whole counterweight assembly and put that on the UDM. If Gearhead is going to take this apart anyway, I might just ask if he can switch those out for me in the process. I want to use the UDM, but honestly if I can't use my Edge 2000 pads, then it isn't much use to me. I love those pads and can't really see myself using anything else. I suppose I could use the old fashioned hook and loop pads, but that is like going from a lighter to a match in my opinion. I can only use the match till it wears out and they break a lot more easily than a lighter.
 
Assuming they are interchangeable, no problem. You'll have to send me with your PC also however. You can swap with one of mine during the experimental process so that you have something to use in the meantime. If this is all it takes to make UDM EDGE compatible it would make me consider one even more. I like you don't want to use one without EDGE's pads.
 
I had to use the UDM today without edge pads, I I gotta tell ya... never again. I forgot how much the flapping of velcro pads gets annoying. It's Edge 2000 all the way from here on out. Either I retrofit the UDM to use the Edge, or I don't use the UDM. David suggested that I bore a hole in the counterweight and he can give me the weight of the nut and bolt I need to use to ballance it out properly, but I'm not doing that. If I can change the fittings like David says I can, then I'll just do that and wait for an Edge compatible counterweight for the UDM to come out later. It's not like I'll need the PC for anything other than a backup plan anyway. I discovered a couple things about the UDM today in using it that really make it annoying anyway. I'll post those thoughts later though. It's been a long day....
 
Here ya go... Take a look at this.



I think that pretty much expresses my concern. Something is going to have to be fixed with that part. So far it is a pretty cool machine but it

A) doesn't work and play well with my Edge pads without modification,

B) has a shorter cord that is proving to be a pain. It gets caught in all the wrong places.

C) I can't turn it off as easily as I'd like to.

D) The thing turns on if you set it down wrong.

My biggest issues are C and D since those would appear to be safety concerns. How safe is a machine that can't be shut off quickly when necessary and also turns on when you don't expect it to?? I'm sure that has to be some sort of a safety thing. Personally I'm expecting a recall and a redesign of the handle once more people get their hands on this machine. It seems the safety guard is backwards and keeps you from shutting off the machine instead of keeping it from suddenly turning on.
 
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