Review on MASTERCOOL 69000 Refrigerant Recovery System by Kyle Mack

So it's a rarity to find US made devices these days. Given the low quality of most imported units, I buy American when given a choice, which makes it a plus for me that this Mastercool 69000 was made in the States. The 69000 Recovery Appliance belongs to the entry-level category for users. I tend to prefer Mastercool branded equipment for car maintenance so this was my first choice when deciding to get into car refrigerant recovery and I would say it compares well to the Robinair RG6. I chose this model based on brand preference/experience as well as the low pressure shut off feature. You must be trained and certified under Section 609 of the EPA Clean Air Act to use this machine (or any refrigerant recovery machine) for automotive use. Pros: The 69000 not only has a high pressure switch for safety, it also has a low pressure switch so you don't have to hang around to watch it. Mastercool has a range of accessories and is a large, well-known American company that you can buy equipment from. You have a one year warranty on this model. On duty he pulled 3 pounds of R134a in less than 15 minutes. It's also on the quiet side. Simple and clear instructions for the semi-professional or professional. Cons: it's expensive. There isn't much packing material in the box, so you best hope that the carrier will take care of the shipping. No filter/dryer included. And there is no oil separator either. However, you can add both by purchasing the Mastercool 69500 Accessory Kit separately. Build quality wasn't the same as other Mastercool units. The two front bezel sheet metal screws literally fell out on first use due to vibration (I recommend bypassing all Philips heads and tightening them with Loctite before use as some of mine were loose). This experience of factory defects got me thinking about the Made in the USA quality, but the unit has been working flawlessly ever since - at the time of writing this review it has been used on three vehicles without further incident. I have no regrets about the purchase, but I still deduct a star for the workmanship.