Be careful with the UDM Ultimate Detailing Machine

[HeavyB]

It is nice to know a fix is in the works. But what about now? At where I work, we would never let anyone use the UDM. If someone got something in their eye and had to go to the doctor, it is a reportable OSHA offense. We have beat this thread to death but everyone is saying so what. God in the mean time please don't let anyone get hurt.



Regards ZOOM-ZOOM...........................

Actually, the OSHA offense would've been that the user wasn't wearing safety glasses in a situation that dictated they wear them. Please, send the UDM back and be done with it, sheesh.



HeavyB

 

[a.k.a. Patrick]

I wasnt even aware that the models now being released that this problem. The one I received before there were available (Pre release unit) had the switch issue, but I thought that was alleviated when they were released for sale/distribution.

 

[DM101]

Hey man,

There is more than me complaining about the UDM. Look at the post above. He is very respect on Autopia. Also will safety glasses keep you from breaking a finger? I take it you don't have a UDM. Will you pay the $15.00 it takes to send it back for me? If you read through the thread many people are complaining. So sheesh back to ya!

Actually, the OSHA offense would've been that the user wasn't wearing safety glasses in a situation that dictated they wear them. Please, send the UDM back and be done with it, sheesh.



HeavyB

 

[TortoiseAWD]

Are current owners being notified in the meantime?

I believe they will be as everything gets finalized.



I still don't understand why there's such a tizzy about this. It's not as though months have passed since the announcement of planned upgrades . . . it's been less than a week! DavidB already mentioned that any of the changes that deal with the electrical bits (cord, switch) have to be recertified. Give the man some time to deal with the red tape and logistics before hauling out the cross and nails.



Tort

 

[DM101]

This is what gets my goat. They have everyone's address, a lot of email addresses, phone numbers, its not like they can't get in touch with buyers. BUT NOTHING has be done to notify anyone! Why can't they notify the owners now before someone get hurt. I am not in a "tizzy". They act like nothing is wrong with the UDM. If you are not reading post off of internet sites, you would think no one has brought it to their attention. AND they have known about these poblems way before now. FACT .... You don't do business like this to build credability. UNDERSTAND JMHO ZZ

I believe they will be as everything gets finalized.



I still don't understand why there's such a tizzy about this. It's not as though months have passed since the announcement of planned upgrades . . . it's been less than a week! DavidB already mentioned that any of the changes that deal with the electrical bits (cord, switch) have to be recertified. Give the man some time to deal with the red tape and logistics before hauling out the cross and nails.



Tort

 

[Jngrbrdman]

I just barely had this issue with the UDM today. I've only polished two cars with it, but on this second car I managed to spray down a car I wasn't even working on with polish. The thing that makes the switch dangerous is that it could startle you and cause you to drop it. There are actually a number of things that could happen if this machine were to actually turn on, but the point is that the power switch to any tool should be properly covered. It isn't something we should 'just be careful with'. It shouldn't even be an issue. How would you feel if every tool in your garage was so sensitive that just tugging on it the wrong way would activate it? I'm not a fan of a tool that requires I unplug it before I put it down or apply product. I'm fine with taking the risks of wearing or not wearing safety glasses, but I'm not fine with spraying down a car that I'm not even detailing with polish simply becaue I wanted to put some product on a pad. Not acceptable and not something I just need to work around.

I recently pitted the UDM against the PC on a very difficult project. Using the same pad and the same polish on the same panel I got equal or better results with the PC. Both machines were on the same setting and I really didn't notice a difference in performance at all. This was the extreme case of paint damage too, so I felt it was a good project for the comparison. The driver side was the PC and the passenger side was UDM.

I'm still testing and comparing the two tools, but based on performance I can't really say the UDM is a clear front runner. It is a less vibrating machine and it doesn't get as hot as the PC does, so in those ways I like it more. It seems to move across the paint better than the PC for some reason too. The switch and the power cord are my big complaints right now. Spraying myself down with product wasn't the most professional thing to do. When the owner came out and saw his car covered in polish I had to explain what happened. That didn't exactly build credibility with a new customer. I wound up detailing the car anyway, so it wasn't a huge issue, but it would have been if that car had already been detailed or wasn't scheduled to be detailed.



Right now my opinion is that if you have a PC then keep it. Wait for the upgrades and bugs to be worked out of the UDM. I think we all knew going in that the UDM was likely to have bugs just like any new product. Give them a year to work out all the bugs and then trade in the PC for a UDM. If you are contemplating getting one or the other, then I would suggest the UDM. Despite the current shortcomings, it is still more innovative than the PC and you have a fellow enthusiast who is listening to the feedback and making change happen. For that I would stick with it. :bigups

 

[ZoranC]

It's not as though months have passed since the announcement of planned upgrades . . . it's been less than a week!

You don't have to understand point behind. However, lack of understanding doesn't mean point is not solid.



Manufacturer has been aware of the issue longer than that. That is what prompted the need for fix after all. Further more, IMHO (correct, I am not a legal expert nor I play one) liability to inform consumers starts very same moment you become aware of the issue. It is my understanding (again, I am not ...) there is no grace period for that. At least e-mails should have been sent out very same moment manufacturer accepted this is an issue. It takes very little in this modern age to shoot mass e-mail out.



Personally I will not raise issue over whack I received due to it even though it P-d me off (nobody likes being hit very strong with narrow side of the wrench on the finger). However, if that was not me that got hit, if it was my gf's son "helping" me like he sometimes does, he would have suffered injury (not everyone's fingers are equally strong) and if I was not aware of the issue and found out later manufacturer was but we did not get notified I would be over the case worse than pitbull would be.



Few of us have said what we thought should be said in the best interest of protecting people (which should be also interest of manufacturer and is also in manufacturer's best interest). However, it seems not everything is being done to prevent injuries in the meantime by units already in use and I deeply hope nobody does get injured by what can be perceived as neglect to promptly inform consumers.



As far as I am concerned I have nothing more to say.

 

[Ben Kenobi]

I think all you gentlemen have put your points across very well and illustrated there are problems with the unit. What I'm mystified at (I'm sure you are too) is that didn't these problems crop up during beta testing? You can't tell me that not one person that tested a UDM didn't have a problem with the power switch.



The short power cord issue is one that shouldn't have even happened. There have been comments for years that the PC had too short of a power cord. A longer one should have been standard from the beginning with the design of the UDM. Some owners tell of vibrations that are equal to or greater than the PC. This surely must have cropped up so why wasn't it fixed before production?



As someone who has been involved in production, ECO's and technical support this seems like a tool that was released before it was ready. Maybe I'm wrong but I know I wouldn't rush out and buy one at the moment. Let's hope this all gets addressed quickly before someone is seriously injured.

 

[Jngrbrdman]

I've got my theories on why nothing was brought up before. Right now you are dealing with the opinions of folks who ponied up the bucks for the machine. It is very difficult to be objective about a product when you didn't pay for it. I don't know how the beta testers received their tools, but if they got them free then that could very easily explain why some of these things weren't brought up. As objective as they may be, the thought that they might seem ungrateful for being included as a tester is difficult to overcome.



Now, with that said I don't want to get flamed for accusing the beta testers of just kissing butt so they could continue getting free stuff. Not at all. I know some of the beta testers to be guys of integrity and they wouldn't sell out like that. I'm just saying that it is very difficult to be objective and point out flaws when you are just happy to be included in the study. My UDM was free too, so obviously not all reviews based on free machines are lacking critical feedback, but even I find myself trying to be careful how I word things so not to offend or appear too critical. I said it before and I'll say it again, the UDM is still a great tool despite the current shortcomings. I have no doubt that within a year it will be the new standard for detailers.



Again, no offense intended to the beta testers. I just find it odd as well that nobody brought up the short cord or sensitive power switch during beta tests. It takes something a little extra to look a gift horse in the mouth and complaining about those two ticky tacky things might have seemed ungrateful to some, so I understand why the feedback may not have been given. When you feel that the 'flaw' is something that can be worked around and may just be a perception issue, then that too is understandable.



Actually Anthony the power switch issue was brought up during beta testing. I believe its just now that David is attempting to come up with a remedy for it.

 

[Ben Kenobi]

Very well put Jngr. I agree with you completely, I just found it odd that none of the problems were reported. I don't want to start any flame wars either. None of us want to see anyone get hurt and these problems need to be rectified sooner than later.

 

[Jngrbrdman]

I agree. The power button is an issue large enough that I'm choosing to use the PC until a fix is in place. It just isn't worth it to spray down the whole garage with polish due to a sensitive switch. I don't really want to unplug it every time I change pads or apply polish or set it down. I know I probably should unplug it when I change pads, but the other things would just be plain annoying. The PC is perfectly functional and non-annoying, so I really hope the UDM gets fixed soon so I can enjoy a smoother machine that is safe. :bigups

 

[DM101]

Amen.......And it is sad only a few UDM owners are standing up and speaking out!......Thanks to the guys who have stood up!!!......There is a liability issue here for someones safety.



I just think to myself what if I had manufactured a item, knew it had a defect, did not tell anyone, and the next thing I know is someone has sent me a letter saying they had lost sight in a eye because of a abrasive polish got in it. For me it would be devisating sp.



Like Zoran C said "As far as I am concerned I have nothing more to say"

You don't have to understand point behind. However, lack of understanding doesn't mean point is not solid.



Manufacturer has been aware of the issue longer than that. That is what prompted the need for fix after all. Further more, IMHO (correct, I am not a legal expert nor I play one) liability to inform consumers starts very same moment you become aware of the issue. It is my understanding (again, I am not ...) there is no grace period for that. At least e-mails should have been sent out very same moment manufacturer accepted this is an issue. It takes very little in this modern age to shoot mass e-mail out.



Personally I will not raise issue over whack I received due to it even though it P-d me off (nobody likes being hit very strong with narrow side of the wrench on the finger). However, if that was not me that got hit, if it was my gf's son "helping" me like he sometimes does, he would have suffered injury (not everyone's fingers are equally strong) and if I was not aware of the issue and found out later manufacturer was but we did not get notified I would be over the case worse than pitbull would be.



Few of us have said what we thought should be said in the best interest of protecting people (which should be also interest of manufacturer and is also in manufacturer's best interest). However, it seems not everything is being done to prevent injuries in the meantime by units already in use and I deeply hope nobody does get injured by what can be perceived as neglect to promptly inform consumers.



As far as I am concerned I have nothing more to say.

 

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

As much as I would like to support a fellow autopian I opted to buy a PC 7424 last week ($99).



I will admit I was dissapointed because I had originally intented on and worked myself up to purchase the UDM...

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Is there an ignore list option on these boards or can we lock this thread?

 

[DM101]

And your post "The switch is a PITA but its not a reason not to buy it. There are two members here that are going out of their way to be d!cks about it." really shows your character. So you have little concern about the safety of the UDM? If you own one maybe you'll be the next person to be hurt. Even with your statement I hope your not.

Is there an ignore list option on these boards or can we lock this thread?

 

[ZoranC]

As promised, I will not make any comments on this issue. However, as I am reading new posts I am coming to realize one more thing which I feel a need to point out and can do it because even though it is related directly to the subject it is not beating of the same horse.



What I have come to realize is that I do not see reports from anybody that was in one way or the other hurt of receiving what would be one courteous "We are sorry, we apologize". I know I did not receive any. Those of you that did please raise your hands. Anybody? Or dead silence?

 

[ZoranC]

Is there an ignore list option on these boards or can we lock this thread?

Give one solid reason why first. Last time I checked we are still told we live in democracy.

 

[mixxmstrmike]

Is there an ignore list option on these boards or can we lock this thread?

Yes... there is an "ignore" option... It's called the power button on your monitor or computer. I find it extremely ironic that you would type *another* response regarding ignoring this thread.



Whether people like it or not, there is pertinent information on this thread. Everyone is stating their opinions in a very controlled manner and no one's acting a fool. What concerns me then is when do these opinions become fact? Of have they?



-Mike

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

And your post "The switch is a PITA but its not a reason not to buy it. There are two members here that are going out of their way to be d!cks about it." really shows your character. So you have little concern about the safety of the UDM? If you own one maybe you'll be the next person to be hurt. Even with your statement I hope your not.

10 character limit

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Give one solid reason why first. Last time I checked we are still told we live in democracy.

This is why