XFE-7-12-80 vs LHR75E...is there really a significant difference?

J

JCDetails

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I'm looking at my 3" machine as the next upgrade once I get a few more jobs under my belt, as I can see the GG3 being a handicap as I start going after some more high level cars.

So, it comes down to the flex 3" and the rupes mini. Not looking at iBRID right now, too pricey and not something I see myself needing right now.

The main thing I see is the size of the tool's body, the FLEX looks a little bigger and clunkier compared to the LHR75. I like the small size of my GG3 and the rupes seems to be closer in profile than the FLEX does.

With that said, is there a difference in correcting power between these two? The gg3 is obviously super easy to stall, are either of these that easy to stall or do they possess more 'oomph'?


Both the flex and the rupes retail for about $50-100 more than what I paid for my G15 recently, so it's a significant investment that I want to make sure I get my money's worth out of.
 
I only know of one person who has both, and according to him the Rupes has a slight edge in being smoother,quieter and more powerful. I asked more powerful how and he said stalls less and corrects abit quicker. I prefer going by own experience hence I should have both in a matter of weeks side by side but personally don’t think there might be much in it. You prefer red or black?
 
Have you tried your GG3" with thin pads?
 
Sandro of Car Craft auto detailing in Melbourn, Australia just posted a video on youtube this morning review the new Flex XFE-7-12-80.

He believes they are very close performance wise, but he thinks the flex is slightly better than the mini in case you don't want to watch his video.

It's personally my favorite youtube channel that is detailing related and his videos are really geared toward the professional detailer.
https://youtu.be/kvZmXMPaUKg
 
Ronin47 said:
I only know of one person who has both, and according to him the Rupes has a slight edge in being smoother,quieter and more powerful. I asked more powerful how and he said stalls less and corrects abit quicker. I prefer going by own experience hence I should have both in a matter of weeks side by side but personally don’t think there might be much in it. You prefer red or black?
Click to expand...

Was he using 3" pads on the Flex?? The size of the machines is almost identical. The Flex is a little heavier and feels more solid. The Flex also can start at a lower speed which can be helpful. The Ruoes may have a little more power, but how much power do you need with a 3" machine. Believe me the Flex has plenty. I have both and I'm selling the Rupes. I'm not loyal to any brand. I have Rupes machines, Flex machines, and Griot's.
One more thing to consider, with an all inclusive 15% off sale you can get the 15% off the Flex.
 
DaveT435 said:
Was he using 3" pads on the Flex?? The size of the machines is almost identical. The Flex is a little heavier and feels more solid. The Flex also can start at a lower speed which can be helpful. The Ruoes may have a little more power, but how much power do you need with a 3" machine. Believe me the Flex has plenty. I have both and I'm selling the Rupes. I'm not loyal to any brand. I have Rupes machines, Flex machines, and Griot's.
One more thing to consider, with an all inclusive 15% off sale you can get the 15% off the Flex.
Click to expand...

I don’t know the specifics on pads and products but the guys a pro not loyal to any brand and only cares about results. Never needed a slower speed than Rupes speed 1 and 2 as it doesn’t sling when spreading and doesn’t seem like its spinning that fast anyways. Personally I look forward to adding both to my collection and putting both to good use.
 
DaveT435 said:
Was he using 3" pads on the Flex?? The size of the machines is almost identical. The Flex is a little heavier and feels more solid. The Flex also can start at a lower speed which can be helpful. The Ruoes may have a little more power, but how much power do you need with a 3" machine. Believe me the Flex has plenty. I have both and I'm selling the Rupes. I'm not loyal to any brand. I have Rupes machines, Flex machines, and Griot's.
One more thing to consider, with an all inclusive 15% off sale you can get the 15% off the Flex.
Click to expand...

Basically I want my 3" machine to be able to correct the smaller areas at least as well as or close to what I can get to with my g15 on the larger panels. I've mostly been taking on production type work, but want to start taking more correction and higher end work over the winter and I don't think the gg3 is up to that task.

It's great for all in one work, but even the slightest pressure on anything but speed 6 stalls it, even with thinpros. I haven't tried any mf on it yet, but can only imagine it'd bog worse.

I bought it originally to complement my mt300 but now I've upgraded to the g15 and I'd really rather not use the bulkier mt300 with a 3" plate, so I'm looking to the flex or rupes minis as the next logical step. Had I known what I do now and had the extra money to burn, i probably just would have bought one of the rupes combo packs from Ag up front. Would have cost about the same.


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
I you're using the Rupes, polishes, pads, etc. I would go ahead and get the Ruoes. If you're not using it as a system I would lean toward the Flex. Both are great machines and you can't go wrong either way.
 
Is the size really that similar? The flex looks significantly bigger than the rupes, though that may be a form factor thing with the different designs.


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
 
Ronin47 said:
I don’t know the specifics on pads and products but the guys a pro not loyal to any brand and only cares about results.

Listen to 24 sec. on the video which he states he's a Flex fan boy.
Click to expand...
 
IMO:
Flex manufacturers the most ideal
auxiliaries for larger-sized buffers.


Bob
 
JCDetails said:
Can you clarify this a bit?
Click to expand...


Flex XFE 7-12 80
5186FDDB-B2BB-4D54-95B1-315775D36CBD.jpeg


________________________________________________


RUPES LHR75E
791381DF-C677-46F5-93CA-D0D819D0A611.jpeg

​


Bob
 
Still not 100% sure on what you mean by 'most ideal'...sort of a vague statement.


I'm assuming you're saying that the Flex mini is better than the Rupes mini in this case? In what way?



Based upon dimensions I can find, the rupes is a full inch shorter than the flex. Other than that they're essentially the same minus the flex being half a pound lighter and $50 more expensive.
 
JCDetails said:
Still not 100% sure on what you mean by
'most ideal'...sort of a vague statement.


I'm assuming you're saying that the
Flex mini is better than the Rupes mini
in this case? In what way?
Click to expand...
•More is used when comparing two items.
•Most is used when comparing three, or
more, items.

My use of ’most’ was predicated by
the inclusion of your OP’s: ”GG3 being
a handicap” complaint.


JCDetails said:
I'm assuming you're saying that the
Flex mini is better than the Rupes mini
in this case? In what way?

Based upon dimensions I can find, the
rupes is a full inch shorter than the flex.

Other than that they're essentially the
same minus the flex being half a pound
lighter and $50 more expensive.
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t be so quick to disregard the
Flex’s higher wattage output, along with
its wider range of orbital speeds.


Bob
 
Makes a little more sense, thank you.

The thing about your second section is that many people, on here and elsewhere, can be quoted as saying that wattage output isn't necessarily indicative of a machine's 'power' or capability.

Additionally, for both the mini and the 15mm DA, Flex's OPM numbers have been proven to be drastically inflated, by two times apparently. Something about the way in which they measure it, though I haven't been able to find documentation of this. Just anecdotal in videos and such. The end result is that its range is actually 1800-5400 which is slightly wider (on the low end) than the Rupes machine.
 
JCDetails said:
Makes a little more sense, thank you.

The thing about your second section is that many people, on here and elsewhere, can be quoted as saying that wattage output isn't necessarily indicative of a machine's 'power' or capability.

Additionally, for both the mini and the 15mm DA, Flex's OPM numbers have been proven to be drastically inflated, by two times apparently. Something about the way in which they measure it, though I haven't been able to find documentation of this. Just anecdotal in videos and such. The end result is that its range is actually 1800-5400 which is slightly wider (on the low end) than the Rupes machine.
Click to expand...

Power output of the Rupes is 400W, output on the Flex is 380W according to the documentation shipped in the box. Flex advertises input not output, also their opm’s have always been inflated eg. 3401 claimed 9600 opm, opm in reality is 4800.
 
JCDetails said:
The thing about your second section is
that many people, on here and elsewhere,
can be quoted as saying that wattage
output isn't necessarily indicative of a
machine's 'power' or capability.

Additionally, for both the mini and the
15mm DA, Flex's OPM numbers have
been proven to be drastically inflated,
by two times apparently.

Something about the way in which they
measure it, though I haven't been able
to find documentation of this.
Just anecdotal in videos and such.

The end result is that its range is actually
1800-5400 which is slightly wider (on the
low end) than the Rupes machine.
Click to expand...
OK; then:
I’ll just ‘never mind’. :)


Bob
 
JC,
I really think you are going to be happy with either machine. Both Rupes and Flex make great machines. I currently use Rupes Machines and I am extremely happy with them. I personally have never tried a flex machine but there are a ton of people who have and have provided great reviews on them. There will always be little features and benefits about one machine over another to me I always look at systems. I like to keep loyal to a system. So I have chosen to go with Rupes at this time so far I have the 21 and the 75 E, next will be the 15 and ibrid. In the end either machine will be a large improvement over the gg machine which is a great little machine.
 
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