Questions about specific tools of the trade

[Digitone]

Hello everyone,

First let me start by commenting on the quality of this website and the people on this forum that helped me in more ways that I could possibly imagine. I owe ya one beer, make it two...ahh what the hell beer for everyone! [:-party]

Now... Well it's time for me to invest in some tools and I read several threads in this forum and while they are helpful to guide you in the right direction, now I'm looking for more specific answers.

If my fellow HI's would help me define the type of tools that I need that would be greatly appreciated.

First things first, The Electrical Circuit Tester:

This one at $289.95

http://www.professionalequipment.com/id ... t-testers/

or this one at $189.95

http://www.professionalequipment.com/id ... t-testers/

Obviously the first one has more features, but do I really need them for my first inspections?

Is the $100 difference justified?

Are they missing a critical feature for the inspection of the electrical system in the structure?

If so, which one?

And last but not least, is there an even cheaper option?

Alright, now onto our second buddy, The Moisture meter:

The infamous Surveymaster at $439

http://www.professionalequipment.com/pr ... re-meters/

Or this one at $365

http://www.professionalequipment.com/pr ... ent-meter/

And what about this one at $179

http://www.professionalequipment.com/pr ... ent-meter/

I know it's doesn't have the dual function (invasive, non-invasive) but the price difference is huge and I was wondering if poking a few tiny holes in the house was such a big deal?

And as with the electric circuit tester, do you have a better and/or cheaper option?

And finally let's talk gases (haha) I mean gas detectors:

here is a cool one but $379!

http://www.professionalequipment.com/tp ... detectors/

Now comes the big question, do I really care about CO detection for a basic 4 point inspection?

What about the good ole TIF 8800 at $191.95?

http://www.professionalequipment.com/ti ... detectors/

Will I be set for all of my regular gas detection needs with it?

Or what about this one that looks slicker and cooler than the TIF, less expensive too at $159.95?

http://www.professionalequipment.com/ue ... detectors/

And to finish let's talk about the Bacharach at $279.95

http://www.professionalequipment.com/ba ... detectors/

It seems that the last one underlines an issue that I didn't thought about it, the maintenance of the gas detector, but my question is:

Is that really an issue?

Are you HIs replacing or changing your gas detectors battery that often that I should consider in choosing the right gas detector?

And of course the usual, last question:

Is there a better (more complete) and/or cheaper option?

Please keep in mind that this is for a new HI Service, so my budget is really really tight, and $100 - $200 difference, while not a BIG BIG deal it's still a substantial extra expense that I cannot overlook, since as you can imagine I have many other expenses to consider as well, and it all starting to add up.

Thank you for reading this far...

[Les]

Tony Jo,

Call Jeff at Tool Experts and talk to him. He is an old time inspector and very familiar with what you will need for Florida inspections. Besides that he is a nice guy.

Google up tool experts for phone number.

[Digitone]

Thanks Les, I'll do that!

I'll see if I can get him to read this msg or send him an e-mail, don't wanna hold up someone on the phone with so many questions about so many differents tools.. and I want specific answers, not sure how I can achieve that with a phone conversation..

Plus I'd like to keep a written record to refer to it when I'll be buying my tools.

[Bill Kibbel]

You can talk to the Tool Experts guy, but when it comes time to purchase, use the link on the home-page here for Hi-essentials.

You won't find better prices.

[Les]

Bill, is absolutely right, again! Jeff may be a good resource for you because of his background in Florida. He is a straight shooter with inspectors.

[Digitone]

Heh didn't mean to start a vendor war!

Thank for the advise Les, I'll definitly get in touch with Jeff!

As for purchasing the tools, I'm considering several sources and Hi-essential is definitly one of them.

[Les]

Don't worry about the war, I can run faster than Bill!