I'm getting into the business and was trying to decide between the Orbot and Cimex. I'm going to be doing mostly residential but hopefully some commercial and I'm not sure which one would be better. I like that the Orbot is made in the USA and folds down as I'll be using a small SUV as my vehicle. But, the Cimex does have three heads instead of one, so I'm torn. Any help you guys could give me would be appreciated.

I have both. If I were to start over and in your shoes I would go for the Orbot. Here are the following reasons:

Easier (to me) to use in tight spots around furniture.

It's lighter and handles can fold.

You have more options in using bonnets such as: tuway, cotton, microfiber. Of course like the Cimex you can use the beige or gray pads. I love using the bonnets after certain jobs in a residential setting. Good for using after HWE if you ever get a portable or truckmount (for the rat-nasty rent houses if you decide to clean those. I like em!)




The Cimex seems to cover more area when it comes to commercial carpet and is a better scrubber in my opinion. Even so, unless you are going to do more commercial the Orbot is just easier to use in homes.

The Cimex is heavier, but that helps it scrub better too.





Now sometimes I will actually use both. The Cimex to prescrub and the Orbot to bonnet over after.

But most of the time the Orbot is in the van and the Cimex is in the garage waiting for the harder stuff. And when I am doing residential, I am glad that Orbot is in the back waiting to be used if I need it.


Ask Mr. amazing CC. Thats all he does. And a number of others on here.

By the way, he has a really simple but cool website

I have both and feel exactly the same as Tony.

Thanks for the complement.
I have the cimex and a reg. Op machine. Sometimes I use just the OP. The other times I go first Cimex than OP. The combo works wonders. I would say get both too.
If cost is a concern, you can get an OP machine for under $1000. They just take some getting used too.

Mr. Amazing
www.amazingcc.com

OP residential

Cimex commercial

I like the Orbot in your situation becareful all OP machine are not the same. I waited till the Orbot came out to purchase one, other wise I would still be using my 320 speed rotary all the time.

David

Thanks to everyone for all their input, I'll probably go with just the Orbot for now. When I was first thinking about the business, I was gonna buy a VonSchrader machine. But after doing some research I think encap is definitely the way to go. I'm also gonna get a commercial vapor cleaner/wet vac combo for tile and grout and upholstery. I think it may possibly have some use for getting stains out of carpet too.