Avid Armor USV1 is on its last legs ...

[MBMorgan]

Sadly, my trusty USV1 isn't working as well as it once did. It's only a little over 2 years old but it's intermittently failing to seal properly and/or simply shuts off mid-cycle. It was a real bargain at about $160 when it was first introduced ... but after nearly 1000 bags sealed, it's time to go. (I just read that the USV1 is only rated for "occasional" light use ... I wish I'd seen that before buying it).

The new chamber sealer arrived late yesterday:



The significantly larger USV20 (which shares internal components with the even larger USV32) is rated for "professional" use ... and I'm looking forward to more than just a couple of years of service. So far, so good ...

[Michael_in_TX]

Analog pressure gauges are just cool.

[fzxdoc]

You got a good deal back then. I would be frustrated if my chamber sealer only lasted 2 years though. Have you called Avid Armor?

FWIW, my USV 32 Pro will be 6 years old in a few months and still going strong, with frequent use.I haven't had to replace anything in it so far, even though it came with an extra heating bar.

When I bought it, I went through Amazon and got a 4-year extended warranty on it for $85, so now it's out of manufacturer's warranty and the extended warranty coverage. Hope it keeps doing it's thing for a long time to come.

I bought through Amazon just to get the additional warranty coverage. I was not very confident in the longevity of vacuum sealers, since I had so much trouble with the later models of Food Saver, and because my Vacmaster went belly up as well in just over a year--the Amazon plan paid the full price of the Vacmaster plus shipping when I sent it back for them to look at. I used my Vacmaster full refund credit to put toward the Avid Armor USV 32 Pro purchase.

I'm usually not much of one for extended warranties, but I came out well with it for the Vacmaster and so far have wasted my money on one for the Avid Armor.

Kathryn

[cruiseplanner1]

I purchased a USV 32 last year and love it. Hope it gets more than two years. I got tired of the Food Saver game too. Even when they seal my fish good some bags have air hence frost in them. Nothing so far with my Avid bags. Hoping it gets good use again this year when the boat gets back in.

[Mosca]

That’s only $60 more than replacing it with another of the same. Not bad. I’d go with a chamber sealer, but I got nowhere to put it, and I’ve been fine with suction sealers for years anyhow.

[Uncle Bob]

Chamber vacs are life changing...

[MBMorgan]

Maybe a bad gasket or some other replaceable part? There are a few wearable parts that can easily be replaced, according to Avid Armor. Top and bottom sealer bar and big gasket.

I wish it were one of those replaceable parts. Unfortunately, it’s either the electronics or perhaps one or more sensors. One of these days I might just dig into it.

[gcdmd]

From a fellow collector (My wife calls me a packrat):
It's good that you saved it.