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Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
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Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
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Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
It is amazing with plenty of power as well.Getting one next week.
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Super Member
Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
Wanting to order both versions of this tool, I simply could wait no longer. I ordered the short neck Saturday. Am psyched about getting some 1 1/4" pads. Got my own narrow panels to tackle.
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Super Member
Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
Ok Mike I'm going to put you on the spot. Rupes Nano vs. Flex pe-8. $400 difference?
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Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
While I am not Mike, I thought I'd give my opinion anyway. I've had the PE-8 for a while, and got the Bigfoot iBrid Nano a few weeks ago. Having used both side by side, I would say that if you didn't have the PE-8, the Nano would be ok since it will do both rotary and DA in one tool. There are caveats to this, particularly the amount of time it takes to switch out the rotary bit for the counterweighted DA bit. If you have a PE-8, I'd say you'll find the iBrid to be an incremental upgrade, at best, and it may not even be worth using the DA part on small surfaces when the PE-8 is a lightweight, easy to use machine, with slightly better ergonomics (in my opinion). I was probably too excited when I bought my iBrid, and have since felt it was a bit overhyped. There isn't much you can't do with the PE-8, and you can get the entire kit with pads for a fraction of the cost of the nano kit. Also, you can use an extension post with the PE-8 to make it way easier to get into weird nooks and crannies.
The iBrid is a nice tool to have, but if you already have a mini, and a PE-8, the Bigfoot iBrid Nano MAY not be worth it. Since I don't detail professionally, I likely would have purchased it anyway just to have it and try out a new toy, but if you're looking to buy it to save you time by making it easier to get to small areas, or to improve your workflow, consider the PE-8 as a lower-cost alternative. If you must have the latest, and likely not the greatest, the Bigfoot is an expensive tool, and you'll use it as often as you make yourself use it.
Notes: The Nano is a well built tool, has decent(ish) ergonomics, the kit comes with a lot of stuff and the whole thing is packaged nicely. Once the system price drops by ~$150 bucks, I think it will be a great buy. The ability to polish without a cord is nice but, honestly, swapping batteries every 20 to 30 minutes can be annoying, and the cord isn't particularly obtrusive, so I use it corded most of the time. I like the Nano, but it's just not the ultimate detailing tool. Things I would do for a future revision:
Ability to lock the tool "on"
Longer battery run time, even at the expense of more weight
Lower price point
Full selection of pads with system, not just the blue and yellow
Modular cord kit that would work with other Rupes polishers. In other words, have one cord for all your Rupes polishers, and be able to simply plug it into whichever device you're using. Easier to store, less cords running everyone, easier to switch machines.
Future battery system that would be interchangeable with all Rupes polishers, a la Dewalt, Ryobi, etc.
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Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm going to see if I can mod all of my polishers with something like a neutrik locking connector so I can use one cord for all of my polishers, regardless of brand.
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Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
Good summary post from someone with both tools...
Excellent suggestions....
Originally Posted by 991 TTS
Ability to lock the tool "on"
Longer battery run time, even at the expense of more weight
Lower price point
Full selection of pads with system, not just the blue and yellow
Modular cord kit that would work with other Rupes polishers. In other words, have one cord for all your Rupes polishers, and be able to simply plug it into whichever device you're using. Easier to store, less cords running everyone, easier to switch machines.
Future battery system that would be interchangeable with all Rupes polishers, a la Dewalt, Ryobi, etc.
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Re: The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!
Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000
Ok Mike I'm going to put you on the spot.
Rupes Nano vs. Flex pe-8. $400 difference?
I think they both have their strengths and their weaknesses as they are such different tools.
The oscillating action and small buffing pads make the iBrid perfect for the perfectionist detailer. I remember that before we had the iBrid most of the times you could knock out thin panels and hard to reach areas by hand.
One of the things I teach at my 3-day classes uses these three words, anyone that's attended my 3-day class knows what I'm talking about,
Big Picture Detailing
The Flex PE8 on the other hand is a hard working compact rotary buffer. Completely different than the dainty iBrid.
Both tools are what I would call want to have tools, not must have tools. For anyone starting out I'd suggest starting with the basics of a good dual action polisher. Get great at big picture detailing and then hone your skills and become great at surgical precision detailing.
Good question...
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