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I know a lot of folks viewing this thread are keeping their eyes out for a good machine. And as ebay listings can be difficult to get information from, I wanted to point this out in case anyone was thinking of bidding on this machine.

This Boutry unit appeared earlier with better pictures here:

Boutry Unit - First listing

Went unsold, then reappeared here:

Boutry Unit - Second listing

Just note that the second listing doesn't really show the extensive damage to the machine's keypad, read-outs, and structure that's seen in the first listing, and it is the same machine. To get this type of heavy damage, this machine was used for I don't know what. But this kind of damage to the housing and control pad could lead to a machine not functioning accurately, and perhaps, causing unexpected voltage surges due to bad connections. Also, the pedal and all attachments are missing. This type of pedal hookup doesn't look familiar, and Boutry (www.boutry.com) may or may not still produce a replacement.

I kicked around the idea of buying it in the first listing, at even $57.00, I was wondering if it was worth it. Now, relisted at $185.00, this unit may be too damaged and incomplete to justify the price.

Mantaray

Finally some good machines on ebay:

A Silhouet Tone SB-8 (Servo-Blend Model #8) . An Excellent buy even at $700. It'll probably get a late bid in the $550 range.

An Apilus Junior starting at $1,000. Which a beginner would balk at, but shouldn't, because it is money wisely spent.

And an Instantron SS-99 that is a great unit.

There is also a digital Gentronics unit. But, starting at $1,800, not a realistic entry level machine for most.

To all you people asking about machines, watch these. They're all good, solid units. My order of preference? The Apilus, The Sil-tone, the Instantron, then the Gentronics.

Mantaray

It would be better for a beginner to have a gentronics unit than to have a thermolysis only Instantron machine like the "Tronco-4 SS-99", but if one were comparing an Instantron machine that did all modes, then the average person might find the Instantron easier to figure out how to use.

Hey James,

...with that comment actually, I was thinking only of the price. I was thinking at $1,800, a beginner may very likely not take to DIY electro, and it would be cash lost. ...my preference is only for the current prices. If all were the same price, it would be The Junior, the Gentronics, the SB-8, then the SS-99 (or 66-SS depending upon if the new operator knew which way to set it on the table).

Mantaray

Oh, yeah, the Tronco-4 SS-99 is often the least expensive machine available, and since its owners usually have no idea of the age of the unit (or even its purpose) they often sell it for cheap. Best off, one would never spend more than $100 to have it totally reconditioned. Usually, all one needs to do is replace the probe-holder, and maybe a footswitch.

This Berkowits 2300 unit has appeared, to someone that doesn't think $599 is a little steep for a thermolysis only (doesn't do DC galvanic electro or blend for that matter) it may be something to consider. It basically does the same thing as the Instantron SS-99 that is priced a lot lower. This machine will have a much longer learning curve to ever use effectively. It does have air for pain reduction. That's a big plus if you ask me. But people have said that the air functions go unused because of the excess noise they emit, especially on the lower tier units.

Mantaray

If you live around Southern California, this Clareblend Ultrablend has appeared for $310. These are good, basic units, an ideal beginner machine. After possibly upgrading to a better machine once the basics are learned, this machine will resell at what you paid for it. These Clareblends routinely go for $250 - $500, are easy to service, and take generic/universal attachment hookups.

I don't live in So Cal, but could a complete beginner with no electrolysis experience learn how to figure one of these out? Does it offer galvanic electrolysis. This looks very similar to a unit one of my current electrolysists use, in fact, it might be the exact same model. Sorry for all the newb questions

Yes, any machine that can do blend can do both galvanic alone, or thermolysis alone. In order to figure it out, you would do well to buy The Blend Method: Real World Electrology by Michael Bono, available for order over the phone at Texas Electrolysis Supply.