Briot VS Weco

**listenclose23** · 03-23-2011, 11:03 AM

I'm buying a new system for our in house jobs - got it narrowed down to the WECO 580 with a Cad 5 blocking system and trace 3 tracer OR a BRIOT Alta edger,blocker,tracer..... Any experiences had with either of these machines would be appreciated

**AngeHamm** · 03-23-2011, 11:12 AM

I'd skip them both for nearly anything by Santinelli. And I'd run from the Briot like the plague.

**WFruit** · 03-23-2011, 11:21 AM

Search for both in the forums and you'll find plenty on both. We run Santinelli, National Optronics, and AIT here in our lab.

**listenclose23** · 03-23-2011, 01:08 PM

We have a LE-9000SX edger now but are looking to upgrade so I can do drilled rimless jobs...I hate the customer service we have had with Santinelli.

**listenclose23** · 03-23-2011, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by AngeHamm

I'd skip them both for nearly anything by Santinelli. And I'd run from the Briot like the plague.

Why run from Briot? Is it equipment quality? Customer Service?

**DragonLensmanWV** · 03-23-2011, 01:21 PM

It's sort of like comparing a rotten apple to a moldy orange.

Even though they're now from the big E, check into an Optronics 7E.

**clumsy lab guy** · 03-23-2011, 02:32 PM

With over 20Yr. Expr. i'll say this, If bevel , shape , size & axis mean nothing to you buy a Brio

**listenclose23** · 03-23-2011, 03:18 PM

Wow, yall are not making me feel warm and fuzzy about the two edgers we have narrowed it down to......and the Optronics 7E is not an option..Doc considers the big E to be the Devil

**DragonLensmanWV** · 03-23-2011, 05:26 PM

Can't say I blame him for that, but it is a good machine. Have him look at this one:
http://www.santinelli.com/products/me_1200.aspx

That's on my drool list.

**Thumbs** · 03-25-2011, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by listenclose23

We have a LE-9000SX edger now but are looking to upgrade so I can do drilled rimless jobs...I hate the customer service we have had with Santinelli.

Give Essilor a shot, they have the best service and drilling systems on the market. IMHO!

**Craig** · 03-25-2011, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by listenclose23

I'm buying a new system for our in house jobs - got it narrowed down to the WECO 580 with a Cad 5 blocking system and trace 3 tracer OR a BRIOT Alta edger,blocker,tracer..... Any experiences had with either of these machines would be appreciated

I cannot imagine how the Alta compares to the 580? Please expalin how you got to these 2 machines. I am interested in a 580, but have not seen one yet.

**Mario Pagé** · 03-25-2011, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Craig

I cannot imagine how the Alta compares to the 580? Please expalin how you got to these 2 machines. I am interested in a 580, but have not seen one yet.

Same s.... different smell. There is no more WECO. The inside mecanics is all Briot. Only the software is german !! You would be much better off with Santinelli's ME 1200.

**AMIGODIANA** · 03-28-2011, 08:16 AM

honest to say.. i more like Briot :)

**rimlessglasses** · 04-01-2011, 10:18 AM

I'm in the UK and wouldn't touch Briot, they are unreliable and customer service is poor. Santinelli or Nidek as we have them here are very good edgers but again the aftersales over here is poor. I use and love WECO, much of the WECO stuff now is rebadged Briot so be careful, but the true WECO edgers go on for ever, have great shape and size reproduction and excellent after sales service, if not a bit expensive.

**Thumbs** · 04-01-2011, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by rimlessglasses

I'm in the UK and wouldn't touch Briot, they are unreliable and customer service is poor. Santinelli or Nidek as we have them here are very good edgers but again the aftersales over here is poor. I use and love WECO, much of the WECO stuff now is rebadged Briot so be careful, but the true WECO edgers go on for ever, have great shape and size reproduction and excellent after sales service, if not a bit expensive.

I agree that WECO edgers are workhorses and worth the price. Unfortunately, here in the states, WECO is all but non-existent. They can't keep a distributor for more than a year or two, currently AIT is distributing after GerberCoburn, Satisloh and Briot gave a shot at it with no success.

**SolGoode** · 04-10-2014, 05:48 PM

I am not very happy with our new Briot Weco, we just added it to our lab and I have been unimpressed by it. We have the Alta XLD tracer and the Alta NX edger and it has been a huge headache. Pd's and seg heights are consistently off, lenses twist quite often as well. It doesn't seem to matter how much you calibrate the machine either, you will be fine for a few jobs and then you end up with a **** job.

We have a ME 1000 edger and a ICE 9000 blocker and they have been the best machines I have ever worked with in my 10 years. I don't think I have ever seen a machine be so consistent. Even though it is over 7 years old now I would still recommend it for any doctor office that does their own lab work.