Customer Reviews

Memorex Optifix Motorized CD/DVD Cleaner and Scratch Repair Kit

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(38)

 

 

Can only rate this as one star...
This unit leaves small semi circle scrathes on my dvd's and cd's.
I am trying to experiment with it cause there is not much out there. But looks like it will go back to where it came from.
I have owned a discwasher cdstealth cleaner for years. Nobody sells replacement pads for it, otherwise I would still be using it... Even though it was a pain to operate.
The Memorex unit would be the ultimate system. However there is no sense speaking of its ease of use if it damages your collection. SHAME on Memorex.

I must agree with the other shopper who found this unit damaging his discs. In cleaning mode, the Optifix Pro leaves a hazy film on the disc, with radial swirl patterns, that I have not been able to remove. An effective cleaner should leave a disc shiny and bright, free of haze. According to Memorex, this haze is caused by the pads and solution and can be wiped off -- but I wasn't able to wipe it off. I would have to call this product UNACCEPTABLE, and I am returning it for a refund. I guess I'll have to pick up one of the Maxell cleaners; they're poorly made of cheap plastic, but at least they clean a disc effectively and feature reusable pads...

I work at a Library that uses this cleaner and we discovered that the film left on the disc was caused by the cleaning solution not the cleaner itself. You can remove the film from the disc if you wipe it with rubbing alcohol. You do need to apply a bit of pressure when wiping. We have begun to clean our discs by spraying them first with rubbing alcohol and not using the solution that was included with the cleaner. I hope this helps.

The manual CD repair products do a far better job than this one. In fact, I couldn't see that it did anything at all. It does a fair job with mere cleaning, but who needs to spend this kind of money to clean discs when you can clean them for free with water and a soft cloth?

I have to admit the biggest complaint I have about this product it the misleading advertising. It claims it can resurface discs and polish them, this isn't entirely the case. If your CD has any significant scratches this device will not work effectively. However if your discs just need cleaning and very minor scratch repair it may be able to help you. What it actually does is apply Aluminum Oxide if a circular buffing motion to improve readability along with very minor removal of the surface if the disc (to even things out). So instead of truly removing the scratch, it fills it in. If you're looking at repairing scratched CDs, go with the Aleratec DVD/CD Disc Repair Plus. If you just need to polish and clean your CDs, then buy this.

Pros:

Decent price

Very simple to operate

Clear and simple instructions

Cons:

Doesn't repair most scratches

Replacement pads and solution are not the easiest thing to find

Additional comments:

It appears this unit has "damaged" some other users' CDs by making swirl patterns on the disc surface. This appearance is normal and is a result of the way the buffing pads rotate.

I've used this extensively to clean and fix library discs in horrible shape. It works fine IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS. Always use the cleaner with the abrasive. On really soiled discs, do a cleaning cycle first (otherwise you'll drag grit on the surface). Clean the pads about every five uses. I use Simple Green and running water (dry 'em too) -- you'll get better results, and the pads will last a lot longer.

I haven't noticed the film problem. Maybe they fixed that. Also (just a guess), it's possible that Memorex has quality control problems with the pad's spring tension, causing the swirling scratches mentioned by some reviewers. I have not had this problem except when I experimented with harsher abrasives.

When I paid somewhere between $20-$30 a couple of months ago for the OptiFix Pro Kit, I made the wrongful assumption that a high price tag would entail good craftsmanship in contrast with some of the cheaper radial cleaners I've owned before. The package's description made it seem promising enough and I've had mostly good experiences with Memorex in the past, so I just had put it to the test immediately after taking the product home. After reading the instruction guide carefully before use, I'm positive the product was being used properly, but unfortunately, the OptiFix Pro just couldn't deliver the goods. In fact, not only could it do nothing to restore any of the discs I inserted, it worsened the scratches it was supposed to repair! What's more frustrating - two of the discs it served to further damage are out of print and therefore irreplacable. I hope fellow CD collectors will sympathize and steer clear of this particular Memorex product.

Did nothing to repair my nonworking disc! No less scratches, no nothing! In fact, it seemed to made it worse...

Not only did the repair process not repair a DVD with very light scratches, but it cut in new little circles. I followed the directions and now I have to replace my DVD! I'm returning this if the store will take it back.

After getting tired of having to Hold the other CD Doctor type products out there, I decided to try this one as you can put the CD in and wait. Well I brought it home and opened the box, and low and behold the repair solution bottle was already open. Went back out and bought another bottle and tried this out. After it was done "repairing" the disc, I pulled it out and looked at it, and saw absolutely no difference in hwo the CD looked before I put it in. With the other skip doctor, you can see that it's made a difference. Figured thats how it worked and tried it out. It changed nothing in my CD. Same skips at the same places. Tried it a few more times with other scratched up CDs, and nothing. I felt scammed on this one, as it didn't do a thing to my cds. I will go back to the other CD doctors, as I never had an issue with them. I suggest you stay away from this one, unless you have money to blow and want to try something different.