UDOS 51E vs Bigfoot 21+mini

[Ben4]

Hi folks,

Does anyone have any experience with the new UDOS?

I’m a noob setting my stuff up so starting from scratch. Cost-wise there’s not much between buying 2 Rupes or 1 UDOS but the main question is which would be the best choice (for a beginner but wanting tools that won’t have to be replaced down the line)?

Thanks!

[dgage]

I’d also ask if you’ve done much polishing dragging a cord because I bought a Griots GG9/GG3 to replace my G6 but after working with them a few times, I decided to buy the cordless Flex forced rotation units. So depends on what you’re looking to do. Also realize the 21mm rotation units are best for large flat panels.

[Mike Hoekstra]

I had the opportunity to use the new Udos during Mike's detailing boot camp. I was excited, and love the idea of a transforming tool. 5 tools in one, for the price of a single high-end polisher can't be bad. Overall, the Udos is quite stout and well built. That transfers in to weight. It is not a light weight polisher. The rotary function has plenty of power, the sanding function works and stalls out pretty easily so there's likely no chance to do serious damage being careful. The other 8-15-21mm mods work, but I found the unit to stall too easily for my preference.

All that said, the Rupes is a great polisher, and has been the top name in the industry for years. Honestly for the money, I would buy the Griots G9 all day long over both units and it's got a lifetime warranty they stand behind

Griot's Garage G9 Random Orbital Polisher

I had my hands on this polisher and it outperformed both the Udos and the Rupes Bigfoot 15 I was using. Plenty of power and I could barely make it stall. I forcibly tried to stall it and there is plenty of power there to go.

Another way to look at it, is you could buy two Griots and have almost enough money to purchase a cordless Flex Beast.

[Ben4]

I’d also ask if you’ve done much polishing dragging a cord because I bought a Griots GG9/GG3 to replace my G6 but after working with them a few times, I decided to buy the cordless Flex forced rotation units. So depends on what you’re looking to do. Also realize the 21mm rotation units are best for large flat panels.

That’s interesting, thanks dgage- I hadn’t looked at cordless but I’m in the process of switching my power tools for cordless and loving the freedom of cordless angle grinders and circular saws. I didn’t know polishers had advanced as much in cordless tech but I’ll take a look.

[Ben4]

I had the opportunity to use the new Udos during Mike's detailing boot camp. I was excited, and love the idea of a transforming tool. 5 tools in one, for the price of a single high-end polisher can't be bad. Overall, the Udos is quite stout and well built. That transfers in to weight. It is not a light weight polisher. The rotary function has plenty of power, the sanding function works and stalls out pretty easily so there's likely no chance to do serious damage being careful. The other 8-15-21mm mods work, but I found the unit to stall too easily for my preference.

All that said, the Rupes is a great polisher, and has been the top name in the industry for years. Honestly for the money, I would buy the Griots G9 all day long over both units and it's got a lifetime warranty they stand behind

Griot's Garage G9 Random Orbital Polisher

I had my hands on this polisher and it outperformed both the Udos and the Rupes Bigfoot 15 I was using. Plenty of power and I could barely make it stall. I forcibly tried to stall it and there is plenty of power there to go.

Another way to look at it, is you could buy two Griots and have almost enough money to purchase a cordless Flex Beast.

Thanks Mike, that’s very helpful indeed - it’s awesome to get input from experienced people that have used kit before you buy! I’ll look at those options... having some cordless tool would be really good :-) is the flex OK for a novice - if it’s gear driven like the other flex’s, just worried a could really f*** thigs up :-)

[dgage]

That’s interesting, thanks dgage- I hadn’t looked at cordless but I’m in the process of switching my power tools for cordless and loving the freedom of cordless angle grinders and circular saws. I didn’t know polishers had advanced as much in cordless tech but I’ll take a look.

I have the CBeast, which is a cordless copy of the venerable Flex 3401 (Beast), which is supposed to be replaced by the SupaBeast. These are all 8mm forced rotation units so they won't stall like the Rupes or Griots when not used correctly. Actually, one of the reasons I went to the CBeast is because my GG9 would stall on a decent curve on my 2012 Acura TL and so it was hard to correct the curve. Take the difficulty there, the hassle of a cord, and the fact that I'm a professional tool collector and it was a pretty easy decision to purchase the CBeast. I also added the smaller cordless PiXiE. Flex does have 15mm free rotation units, a corded and cordless version, that is referred to as the Finisher. The Mike goes over the three most popular Flex polishers below.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ght=Supa-Beast

[The Guz]

Lake Country has a rental program where one can try out the UDOS.

[Rsurfer]

For a noob, price and warranty, you can't go wrong with the Griot line of polishers.

[noorth]

I have the Griots G8, excellent power. Speed 5 or 6.

If i was going to spend that kind of money i would get 2 cordless machines, one 3 inch mini and 5 inch long throw from some overseas brands. But bottomline 2 different sized machines would be a much better buy then the UDOS, IMHO.

But i agree with Rsurfer.

[Rsurfer]

I have the Griots G3, excellent power.

If i was going to spend that kind of money i would get 2 cordless machines, one 3 inch mini and 5 inch long throw from some overseas brands. But bottomline 2 different sized machines would be a much better buy then the UDOS, IMHO.

But i agree with Rsurfer.

Are you saying that the G3 has excellent power or do you mean the newer G8?