Memorex Optifix Motorized CD/DVD Cleaner and Scratch Repair Kit Reviews

• Find another way !

  
  By A2LCD5PF7GV96Z on 2003-06-25
  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.
  
  

• Cleaning Mode Does Damage!

  
  By A1EARN5PUVIF1S on 2004-01-30
  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...
  
  

• Not as bad as folks are saying...

  
  By A1DQOJ8PLXVPCO on 2005-03-18
  I bought one of these at a local retailer. It's not as bad as folks are saying. It is very conservative... it removes very little of the disk surface on each pass, so if your disks are badly scratched, fixing them with this unit can take a long time and a lot of repair gunk.
  
  You will get the haze on a CD if the 'dry' wheel isn't very dry... if you've been using the cleaner for awhile, the later disks tend to accumulate some haze. All you have to do, in my experience, is wash it off with water and a cloth. It requires no soap and almost no effort. This unit never damaged any of the 20+ CDs I ran through it. I don't understand why the other folks are claiming damage... I just flat don't see any way that could happen, unless perhaps they have CD-Rs with an unusual chemical formation....??
  
  That said, this unit is probably a bit too conservative in its cleaning approach. If you have badly scratched CDs, this unit would take FOREVER to fix them. You would want the Alera, linked above.
  
  If you take good care of your CDs and have only minor scratches on them, this is a good, low-effort cleaning and repair system. If, like me, you have been accumulating CDs for a long time, and you haven't always been that careful with them, the Alera is better.
  
  

• Not worth the money, but honest review, please read

  
  By A12VM2HHWDK2WA on 2005-08-08
  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.
  
  

• Ineffective repair

  
  By AN92S28RV1FQ4 on 2004-12-20
  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?
  
  
• Don't try it or buy it
  By A3IPQUXC5TO81E on 2005-08-16
  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.
  
  
• Worst CD doctor product I've used yet
  By A2VUWEXBMN6HR0 on 2006-03-06
  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.
  
  
• It's a scratch kit
  By A3D0XF0ZF1591L on 2006-10-10
  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.
  
  
• Fixing the hazy film
  By on 2004-02-12
  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.
  
  
• Does not repair scratches!
  By AD7IBJCYSJ9EE on 2004-09-10
  Did nothing to repair my nonworking disc! No less scratches, no nothing! In fact, it seemed to made it worse...
  
  
• THE SCRATCH MAKER
  By on 2004-03-28
  This device is supposed to repair CDs and DVDs, but what it does is the opposite. In repair mode the unit did nothing to repair the scratches which caused skipping on one of my DVDs. In cleaning mode the unit ruined two of my DVDs: the discs developed numerous scratches from the abrasive action of the rotating cleaning pads and were covered by a greasy film caused by the cleaning solution. The circular scratches could not be removed. I was able to remove some of the sticky grease by using dishwashing liquid, warm water, a soft cloth, and plenty of elbow grease, but what developed thereafter were permanent white spots all over the disc.
  
  In the end, I was left with two damaged discs and a lot of wasted time. I returned the item for a refund, but what I spent to replace the discs cost me more, far more.
  
  THIS PRODUCT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
  
  
  
• Works BUT...
  By A33IKV6TXHAJRY on 2004-04-22
  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.
  
  

• OptiFix Pro ... Big Bang for a little $$
  By A3M95H7F4EK6NN on 2006-02-08
  I have been through a dozen handcrank disc cleaners over the years. All of them ineffective and tiring to use. I happened on this little marvel from Memorex about a year ago.
  The first few discs I put through were dollar store cheapies until I learned how to use it. The more product I used, the more haze and damage I got. Now I spray the air with the cleaner and wave the disc through to get a fine mist. The repair solution must be shaken well and used sparingly in Pinhead-sized dots on the scratches to be repaired. The maxim "Less in More!" will get you maximum results.
  I have saved CD's, DVD's and computer progam CD's. If I need to repair something I clean it, repair it, let it dry, clean it and try it in the proper machine. Everything but one DVD has been recovered and that DVD played on the computer, but not the DVD player ... so even it was 50% recovered.
  My only disappointment is that I have not been able to find replacement discs yet. *** Joy in Mudville!! Wal Mart now carries the repalcement discs and chemicals.
  Overall, I highly recommend this product. Just remember that more is not better when it comes to chemicals!!!!!
  
  
• The Scratch maker
  By A39W3263A9HCMN on 2005-03-14
  I bought this today to see what i thought. But it did NOTHING to repair my nonworking disc! It added scratches and hazes. In fact, id even worse harm to it...
  
  
• Worked great for me!
  By A2CLD5FSSXMYBT on 2006-07-03
  I had a DVD that was scratched during shipping. One repair kit did nothing to help it. I considered using the Skip Dr., but I never cared for what it did to the disks. My church's Media Center uses the Optifix system, so I decided to try it, too. The scratch was gone, and the DVD plays with no problem whatsoever. I'll admit that not all scratches can be repaired this way; some scratches cannot be repaired at all. I just know that it worked great for me.
  
  
• dont buy not worth a cent
  By A2YDFQIXWDQ6L8 on 2006-08-13
  got it at walmart can't even remove a scuff. i give it -100 good thing i could return it.
  
  
• fixes broken dreams
  By A2R84E37P6SRD8 on 2005-09-19
  i have a lot of cds, a lot of old cds too, and when they get scratched and damaged i used to rebuy the cds. But now the really old cds i have cost way to much. This cd repair saves me tons of money and fixes all kinds of CDs and DVDs. i really recommed it
  
  
• Cleans Great; DVD Repairs Need more
  By ACXHNOC6L8LUO on 2006-08-25
  I have this unit and it works great to clean dirty DVDs, like those bought used from Blockbuster or Hollywood Video often are. However, it is often far below what is usually needed to repair disks. [I did get one (of two) 'unplayable' DVDs to work after using the repair function of this unit.] I'd suggest taking damaged discs to a large DVD rental store to see if they can repair it. If they cant, with their $600+ machine, it is probably a throw-away.
  
  My main complaint is that I can't find where to buy the cleaning pads without buying the repair pads and much more cleaning and repair fluid. I hate to have to pay $7-$8 for stuff I don't need.
  
  [My collection is now at over 1800 different DVDs, so I have some experience with cleaning them.]
  
  
• it worked!
  By AEMZRE6QYVQBS on 2006-12-27
  
  Though other reviewers appear to have had less impressive results, I have just now used this project successfully to repair a CD that used to stop in the middle of track four and cause my computer to seize up while iTunes tried to deal with the issue.
  
  This is a very basic product. The working parts are plastic and the entire thing is very lightweight. It doesn't look very promising out of the packaging.
  
  But, hey, I'm now listening to track five.
  
  It worked for me.
  
  
• Destroyed my CD--I wanna give this product minus 5 stars
  By A16MJQLJDFO4M6 on 2006-06-06
  Before the repair process there was one bad track on my CD. After the "repair" process the entire disk was unplayable. Took it back for a refund. With billions of CDs in the world, is this the best that the 21st century has to offer?
  
  
  
  
• You people underestimate this stuff
  By on 2006-08-04
  I guarantee you there is no cd fixer out there that will make your disc look brand new just bought. Everything out there especially ones that have circular motions will leave slight damage. I know it makes the CD look awful, but I think it's worth it because those scratches won't ruin how it plays... but in turn it helps get rid of other ones.
  
  If you really want one so perfect, I'm sorry but your not going to find it for under 50$ and even the expensive ones aren't all that they're cracked up to be. They're are homemade ways to fix cds that work even better than some of them.
  
  All In all this product does help, it fixed some of my cds that wouldn't work.
  
  
• Great Product
  By A7VP6SKG7NOTJ on 2006-09-16
  I had two unworking disks (One a PS2 game and the other a PSX game) so I picked this up and both work fine now! The only thing is you'll have to run it through a couple times. If you run it through once you'll see little difference... But for the price and since it does work... eventually, I still give it a 5 out of 5.
  
  
• Use Optifix along with Digital Innovations
  By A1QQ02KHUBU120 on 2006-11-12
  First , I put the disk through the Digital Innovations repair tool, then put it through the Optifix. The DI resurfaced the disk but left scuff marks of it's own (no ill effect to the disk) so I put it through the Optifix and buffed it up real nice.......the disks look and work as good as ever. I also make my own fluid with 50/50 steril water and 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. Extends the time of use on any disk. It doesn't do a good enough job on it's own to rate anything higher than a 3, and that's only cause it does do a decent buff job.
  
  
• Not so Bad
  By AU4GOQ66F76RD on 2006-01-22
  I bought this unit about a year ago, maybe longer. I bought it to repair my old cds and dvds. I soon found out it did not do a repair job all that well. But I didnt really expect it too, seeing that it only cost 20 bucks. However, recently I have been converting my cd collection to mp3's on the computer and alot of my discs were really dirty. I put about 80 discs though it to be cleaned, and i can say it does that pretty well. So even though it didnt do what i really needed done, a year later i got good use out of my $20. And what other people have been saying about damaging their discs even more, I have not noticed this. I might just be lucky though.
  
  
• Not Worth It
  By A2KF3PJW24FBDQ on 2006-07-03
  I bought mine at Wal-Mart for $20, followed the instructions with two scratched DVD's from the library (one badly scratched, the other still playable) - and saw almost no change in the scratches or playability. It's going back in the morning.
  
  This model relies on an aluminum oxide paste (superfine liquid sandpaper) to sand off the scratches. I think I'll see better performance from one of the products that actually fills in the scratches rather than sanding down the rest of the disc.
  
  For cleaning, just get one of the inexpensive manual cleaners with the little bottle of denatured alcohol - they work just fine.
  
  
• It's good
  By AQXCRFWH3IWQR on 2004-01-02
  It has saved 4 cd's so far in the repair mode. Did a beautiful job cleaning. So far the only down side is getting replacement supplies repair or cleaning (such as repair goo or pads). I personnaly am very pleased.
  
  
• Works for me
  By A34XJFNJATSECL on 2006-05-17
  I'd had quite a few previously viwed DVDs that had scratches. As a result, my DVD player would freeze. This product fixed a couple of DVDs for me. As far as the haze, you can use a lint free cloth to wipe the haze or a bottle of Optrix afterwards. I stopped buying DVDs new unless I can get them via gift card or in a bargain bin.
  
  
• I WILL BE RETURNING THIS TO WALMART
  By A23BNDW12O12HZ on 2007-06-18
  We Bought This Yesterday to repair a gamecube disk, that keeps stopping in the middle of the game with a disc error read, there are alot of scratches but we thought this would help-Wrong. I ran it through the repair process about 6 times, testing the game after each try, also tried the cleaning process. Well the end result is that is does not work. I wish I would have read the reviews before purchasing this item,( I actually went to purchase another brand, but this was all the store had),We were desperate, so we tried. We will be returing this item today-I will try another brand,hopefully I get the game fixed ,it is cheaper than buying a new game, Now if I can only find the right repair kit.
  
  
• Worthless
  By ANWYDA4RSVOI5 on 2007-06-28
  This thing does nothing. It does not repair well nor clean well. Complete rip off of a product.
  
  UPDATE: I've found that pressing down the the lid while it is operating improves the results. Of course it will probably end up wrecking the motor and/or the CD. I still wouldn't recommend buying this thing, but if you're already stuck with one... you can give this a try if you're feeling brave.
  
  
• Lame
  By A2A6FIM3SNDK7C on 2007-10-10
  I got this as a gift. I already had a hand-cranked scratch remover that works great! Except you have to turn it forever, and I was happy to get a motorized one.
  
  I put a minorly scratched CD in the machine. It's noisy. And after a while of noise that annoyed everyone around me, I took the disc out....and it was exactly like how I put it in there. It didn't do anything.
  
  The repair wheels and the cleaning wheels seem to be made of the same fabric, which is barely abrasive. They're just different colors is all.
  
  For cleaning, it might do a different job, but why get a machine to do it when you can use a t-shirt like everyone else does?
  
  

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