Review on Enhanced Precision with Supco VG64 Digital Connection by Chad Judex

Did I believe the bad reviews when I bought this sensor ? Not really. I usually attribute bad reviews to a combination of user error, unrealistic expectations, a poor quality product, or all of the above. Do I believe these bad reviews now? Oh yeah. I can't say for sure if the device I received was returned, but the film covering the display looked like it had been taken off and put back on, otherwise the sensor looked like new. To test it out before installing it in an HVAC system, I hooked it up to my new 5 cfm vacuum pump that was filled with new oil and a new rated Yellow Jacket Plus II 29836 heavy-duty vacuum/charge hose of 75 microns used. I turned on the pump and saw the sensor readings drop quickly to 250 microns. I let it run for a few minutes to stabilize, turned off the ball valve to isolate the pressure gauge and hose, and watched the numbers climb up and down and to atmospheric pressure. Of course I must have done something wrong, so I checked the connections again, made sure everything was tight and tried again. No, same result. Maybe there is moisture in the hose. I ran the pump for 20 minutes, increased the vacuum to 95 microns, shut off the valve and pump, and the gauge started to rise - more slowly this time to annoy me, but eventually rose to 3,000 microns. Okay, maybe it's a hose, so I hooked up a pump and hose to my manifold, turned it on, and quickly brought the vacuum down to -29.85 inches. Turned the valve off, turned off the pump, had a beer, came back an hour later and the manifold still showed -29.85 inches. At this point I was very frustrated and decided to try Supco's recommendations for cleaning the vacuum sensor. In their guide, they emphasize that "90% of all warranty returns are due to contaminated sensors." Good. I poured some rubbing alcohol into the brass T, sealed the caps, shook it, and popped some more alcohol on myself so I wouldn't get frustrated and throw that caliber into left field with my Louisville batters. After 15 minutes I removed the alcohol, dried the sensor, tried again and was rewarded with the same result. I put a pressure gauge directly on the pump to rule out the possibility of a hose leak, but to no avail. I can only conclude that previous reviewers are right - this gauge leaks only slightly less than my spaghetti strainer and that Supco must have a nefarious drive to keep those just trying to get the job done running in circles until they fall and wave the white flag of defeat. This turkey will be returned tomorrow.