For the vast majority here (myself included) UOAs are more of a "hobby" versus any real utilization of data to develop a maintenance plan and so (at least from my perspective) Dyson should not even be a consideration simply due to cost. If the UOA data were truly being used, we would have more long OCI UOAs being posted here than we could read.
With that said, with how the vast majority use UOA data, ALS/WIX is more than sufficient and contains nearly every attribute needed for gasoline engines, but diesels lack soot readings. When you consider that WIX kits are typically less than $10 each at Rock Auto, it is hard to dispute using them and even I waffle at times, but I have a trend going with Polaris for my Jeep, so I will stay with them for it, but my C300 and Explorer use ALS/WIX.
I use UOAs for a few things:
- Jeep - (engine); viscosity, TBN, silicon
- Jeep - (axles); FE, viscosity, TAN
- C300 - records of OC (lease car), viscosity, TBN
- Explorer - coolant; 3.5L Ford engines have water pumps inside the engine. I want to know if it starts leaking.
Below is a screenshot taken from my ALS account which shows what they test.
Yeah, it would have been more useful if I had built a spreadsheet or table showing what each lab offers. So, your “table” would be right up against one from Blackstone, and right up against Dyson's, etc, aligned so people could easily compare. Maybe when I get around to it....
I agree, Dyson pricing makes it hard for the hobbyist/casual user, but maybe the point is moot now, since he is retiring. That said, if someone has a fuel dilution problem, or some wear metal is seriously out of whack, it can become more than a hobby. If you have significant fuel dilution, and it appears that is becoming more common as DI engines become more common, then it becomes more compelling that your UOa’s include that test.
I too was leaning toward Polaris, because of this, but with round trip shipping, and tax, they are over $47 now (for me in TX). So, WIX becomes more palpable for the hobbyist. Interesting that an older WIX VOA I saw included 40c viscosity, but a recent UOA I saw did not. Similarly, someone thought they included fuel, but I haven’t seen one with that (not saying that they didn’t used to).
Full disclosure, here were the prices I “estimated” for my next UOA...correct me if I am misleading, but assuming $9 for shipping...and shipping is 2x round trip for Amsoil, and 8.25% tax, where applicable:
Dyson: $160. Dyson Tuner (gas chroma only: oxidation/nitration/sulfation: no wear metals, no contaminants, no viscosity) $70 (
estimate). He will also “interpret” someone else’s lab report for $100. Possibly all past tense...though I just ordered a complete test...it’s possible he is willing to accept orders from me out of pity.
Amsoil/Polaris: $47 for one, ($84 for 2, $111 for 3) incl tax.
Blackstone
estimate: $39 (assuming $9 to ship sample to them. That would be ~$49 if you wanted a TBN. Fuel Dilution they provide is an estimate, inferred from the flashpoint...which they DO measure.
WIX
estimate: $23-$25 from NAPA (including shipping at est $9). No fuel, no oxidation/nitration/sulfation, but does include TBN.