My old EC vacuum pump has packed up so I am looking for a replacement. I am using a old CPS pump I had prior to the EC unit. It had packed up but since the EC unit bit the dust I had another look at it and the problem was that it had ingested resin! Cleaned it out and it now works fine but would like to have a spare.

The updated EC unit looks good but seems expensive at £276 when compared to offerings on ebay. Looking at one for £64, less than a 1/4 of the cost! It has a CFM of 4 whereas the EC pump is only 2.84.  Power is 0.19kw cheap v 0.15kw EC. The only advantage the EC offering has, as far as I can see, is an absolute vacuum of 99.98% compared to 99.95% for the cheap pump. Is this 0.03% significant for home use? Are there other advantages worth paying over £210 extra for?

Update. Just found one for £45! 2.5CFM and 5Pa vacuum.

The ec pump is a closed oil cycle pump. This is a much more complicated design. The main difference is, that this type does not produce oil vapour. I switched to the big dvp pump from ec, and I am very happy with it. First off all because the chamber it is placed in is still perfectly tidy. The second benefit is of course the impressive volume flow of the big version.

No. As long as you can produce a void free infusion, the vacuum is sufficient. With prepreg it's all about the force the vacuum applies. In this case it would only be 0.03% higher.

Oh, i forgot the second most handy feature. The dvp pumps got a one way valve. The usefulness of this is almost beyond comparison. I run my pump connected to a wireless switch (the pump switch is always on). In combination with the valve this give the option to very comfortably stop the vacuum at the perfect point to work tge bag inti the details of the mould. And no pipe oiling! But I agree that the price makes this pumps no option for most hobbyist.