There are so many options when looking to purchase a refrigerant leak detector. At times it can be a little overwhelming especially if you are new to the trade or starting out as an apprentice. If you buy the wrong detector, or a cheap knock-off, you could end up spending hours trying to find the trace of a small leak. However, if you purchase the right detector, a premium detector, then you will find that everything gets easier. So, what detector should you get? What type should you get, Heated Diode or Infrared? How much should you spend? There are all of these questions and most likely more that come to mind.
Well folks, what I have done here is put together a small comparison table looking at the top three rated refrigerant leak detectors on the market today. Looking at the table below I am sure that you already recognize some of these names. INFICON, FieldPiece, Bascharach. All three of these companies are known for their quality. Chances are if you are working with an experienced technician they already have one of these detectors in their arsenal. The problem here though is that depending on the tech you may find a different detector that they swear by. This can get rather confusing as each person has their own preferences. The question is which one of these is the best?
I already have my best detector chosen out of these three but I wanted to provide the facts to you, the reader, to allow you to make the decision for yourself. By reviewing the comparison table below you can see the all the features that each detector has and how it compares to the competition. This allows you to make your decision based off of facts rather than hearsay.
| Name: | INFICON D-Tek | Fieldpiece SRL2 (K7) | Bascharach's H-10 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image: |  |  |  |
| Type: | Infrared | Infrared | Heated Diode |
| Refrigerant Detected: | CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and HFOs | CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and HFOs | CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and HFO's. |
| Sensitivity : | 0.100 Ounces Per Year | 0.100 Ounces Per Year | 0.006 Ounces Per Year |
| Settings: | High and Low | High, Medium, and Low | High, Medium, and Low |
| Sensor Life: | 1,000 Hour Sensor Life | Ten Years | Around One Year |
| Probe Length: | Fifteen Inches | Fifteen Inches | Fifty-Four Inches |
| Probe Extension: | No | Yes, Nine Inch Extension | No |
| Rechargeable Battery: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life: | Seven Hour Charge | Eight Hour Charge | Three Hour Charge |
| Warm-Up Time: | Sixty Seconds | Thirty Seconds | Two Minutes |
| Warranty: | Two Year Warranty | One Year Warranty | Three Year Warranty |
| Price Point: | Medium | Medium | High |
| Manufacturer's Website: | INFICON's Product Page | FieldPiece's Product Page | Bacharach"s Product Page |
| Buy Now! | Buy Now! | Buy Now! | |
| Product Review: | RefrigerantHQ's Product Review | RefrigerantHQ's Product Review | RefrigerantHQ's Product Review |
If you are interested in purchasing one of these detectors then please either click on the images or click on the ‘Buy Now’ buttons to be taken to either our Amazon or E-Bay partners. I do want you to note that the table below is for premium refrigerant leak detectors. With a premium product comes a premium price so just be aware that these are not the cheapest detectors out there.
Lastly, I have personally reviewed each of these products and have gone through their Pros and Cons ensuring that you know exactly what you are getting before you buy. If you are interested in reading through my reviews you will see a link at the bottom of this table for my official product review.
Thanks for reading and I hope that I was able to make your buying decision just a little bit easier.