Kree epilators have not been produced for maybe 20 years or so. My understanding is that they are "sparky" uncontrolable epilators. They started out a long, long time ago being galvanic epilators -VERY SLOW, but then somewhere in the 70's, were produced as thermolysis only units. I don't think it would be wise to treat an upper lip on a Kree for more than a few minutes. I think you can do better with a backup epilater if you could find an older Clareblend, Fischer or Gentronics brand or at best, another Silhouet-Tone. I love my Sil-tone VMC, by the way.

This Dr. Myron Heimlich, who James has shared his name with us many times, might have something for you or could give you more information about the Kree, that he services and knows very well. Have the model # ready. You can call him at 1-800-626-6025.

Dee

thanks dee. i appreciate it, and i'll give him a call. maybe he's got something else i can use. i got priced out of the sb8 when it was up a couple of weeks ago. damn. mine is also close to 20 but, i guess because it is so simple, it just keeps ticking.

naomi

Which machine are you using?

One of the "problems" with electrolysis equipment is that it doesn't break. So no one ever sees a need to buy a new machine the way they replace their home electronics.

James;
I only have the Apilus Cleo 256. But for what I want to do, it does very well. I do not necessarily just use the default setting and I can make changes to many of the parameters. There are some settings that I do wish that I had more control over however. I used several of the more expensive Apilus machines at school, and I found that most of the modalities they offer, can be duplicated on my machine, if I only go in and manually set it up.
I have worked in electronics for over 30 years, and I just wish I had a little more control of some things.

Yes, I agree that most of what the upper level machines can do is duplicatable in the lower end units, but the things that the upper level machines can do that the lower units can't are a big difference in flexibility, and ease of set up... at least for the person who bothers to learn how to use the manual set up features.

I was able to use most of the different models of Apilus Epilators at school, and I did find that the more expensive models had more programed presets available for use without having to go into manual settings. But I come from an extensive electronics background, and prefer to set my machines up manually anyway. I bought my machine to give me some practice before going to California for school, with the agreement from the company that they would give me full credit for an upgrade if I choose another machine.
Well, I did try the other machines, and even recorded the settings the machines set up when using the pre-programmed modes. But I did not find anything that really moved me to upgrade to a more expensive machine. I even considered the platnum machine, but did not feel it was worth that much more money. In addition, the platnum does not have the slower modalities anymore, so if you have a client that needs to use the slower modes of electrolysis, you need to use a different machine. So anyway, after all was completed, I found that the machine I had, really did meet my needs after all.
Now, I am adding an older Clareblend Ultrablend machine to my office. I just received my manual for it today. The machine is due to arrive on Tuesday I believe. I know what my settings with my apilus are using, and will quickly figure out how to pretty much duplicate the same with the Ultrablend. Except that the ultrablend has some waveshaping that the apilus does not. So that will have to be taken into consideration as well, at least if I decide to use it for Flash Modality.
I do like that it has the capability of independant switching of RF and Galvanic Currents. With the Apilus, it is either galvanic or RF first, duration of currents and amount of galvanic current that is adjustable. The RF is set to just one level at least on my machine. But granted, if you turn the RF much higher, you really are performing Thermolysis and not blend because it becomes the heat that kills the hair and not the chemical lye. So, I can to some extent see their reasoning for setting it up the way they did.
I see the Ultrablend has a expansion port in the back of the machine, but the manual does not say anything at all about it. It is just shown in the pictures. Can this unit be hooked up to a computer or something? What is the purpose of the port if anyone happens to know? I would be interested in finding out.

Marthajoy, what does the port look like? Serial, parallel, 1/8", Coax, XLR/pedal type? My guess, without seeing it, is; if it's a simple hookup, then it could be for a remote light/beep indicator. If it's a more complex hookup (multi-pin) then it could be for a printer, or factory diagnostics testing QA/QC testing and troubleshooting on repairs. But these are just guesses, it could be for a multi-needle attachment all the same.


...Dee, speaking of upgrades, I always wonder in your upgrade to the ST VMC is there anything you miss about the Sequentium 328. The Sequentium is such a wonderful heavy duty machine. I love it's sturdiness, straight forward organized keypad, and easy to read displays. And it just takes the standard handpieces to boot. I'm fully confident this machine will outlast all of the newer plastic cased machines. I think when ST went with the VMC casing, it was a reaction to what Apilus was doing, but I feel it was a step in the wrong direction. They should have stuck with the heavy steel casing. I know they wanted to bring in the whole visual aspect of setting up and monitoring the currents because it makes understand the whole sequential thing easier to understand and follow, and they needed to place the bigger newer LCD screen somewhere, but it's too bad they just didn't modify the Sequentium chassis a little. For as many of these machines that are out there, it's one of the rarest machines to be listed on ebay. They're never that available. I would like to think it's because they are so solid and trustworthy, and people are happy with them. Forgive me everyone if I just happen to feel the Silhouet Tone Sequentiums were the apex of machine quality, design, and functionality.

Mantaray

The port looks like it is probably a db25 connector which has 25 pins, 13 on top and 12 below. Similar to what a computer uses for a parallel port but which some devices use for a serial port. It has enough connections that it could function for a lot of things. Maybe to tie multiple units together, or to be able to add external equipment in order to add more versatility? It could be as you say to print out, but what would it print out if that were the case.
It does not seem to have a hair counter or even have a sense circuit, so I am not certain what a printer would print out. It would be interesting to figure out what type of signals might be present on this connector. But the manual says nothing about it except to show it on drawings of the Ultrablend epilator.

It turns out that the area marked expansion port, is just a coverplate. So no real connector is present. But one could be installed if desired I guess. Oh well, at least the item arrived and seems to be in one piece, even though it was so poorly packaged, that the Fedex Driver wanted me to check it out before signing for the package.
It does seem to have just about everything. I put a $0.60 cent RCA connector on one of my own footswitches, and now have two footswitches to use with the machine. So that independant control can be used. The probe for the use of air, has a date on it, which may mean that it is older than presented. The date is 12/96 which would be just over 10 years old. I am about to take it to my shop and put it through some tests with my electronic test equipment, to see how well it works, and how well regulated it is. But from the front panel, it does seem to be working ok.
Luckily, it is built strongly with a metal chassis.

Update:
Found noise inside was a loose RF Board. On the underside of the board is the RF Power Transister that had all four leads broken off of. Took a meter and checked out the transister and it seemed to be ok, just no longer connect to the circuit card. So I took wires and made new leads to the Power Transister. Now the unit works. It could have been broken in shipment, or it could have been broken prior to selling, but at least it is now working.