Thanks for the input - I was a little leery due to the price. However, when I got home, I popped my manifold gauges apart (which still had traces of refrigerant in them) and sniffed them, and it appeard to work just fine.

Can you provide a basis for your "junk" assessment?

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

I'd also like to hear more of an explanation... I bought an electronic leak detector around 5 years ago. I've used it to find/fix leaks in A/C systems (mobile and stationary units) at least 10 times. The one I have is incredibly sensitive and, to date, it has never failed to find the leakage point in a system I've been troubleshooting. I consider it one of the most effective tools in my tool chest.

I also have 2 leak detectors. They work great. However that one from Harbor Freight is junk. I compared it side by side with quality instruments two times. The first instrument was so bad we thought it was defective. We exchanged it for another one. Same results. They are junk. Sure it will detect the large leaks like a manifold hose with freon in it. Good GOD it should. But where it really counts is when the leak is small. Like a fraction of a pound of freon per year size leak. Try that with the HF special. It won't see it. I was able to get the HF unit to register a leak by simply breathing on it. Now maybe that says something about my breath. But I think it says something more about the detector itself. Try the "breath test" and see if it responds.

Bottom line is if you are happy with it - thats cool.

Tinfreeh - I am not saying all electronic detectors are junk just the HF ones IMHO.

Just relating my experiences with it just like you asked.

__________________
I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k