Bought a MicroGard Select MSL51348 about 3 weeks ago, and bought another one today. Noticed the new one was made in Malaysia instead of Vietnam. Didn't look at other models, so don't know if Malaysia is going to be a major maker for MicroGard Selects. Photos below show the difference.
The cream color on the crimp seam is not glue ... it's some kind of optical illusion from the camera flash and cellophane cover - verified visually it's not glue. The Vietnam version has a "23" starting date code and the Malaysia version has a "25" starting date code. Was kind of surprised a "23" was on the shelf 3 weeks ago. The one made in Vietnam said "Made in Vietnam" on the box, not the label. The Malaysia version is printed "Made in Malaysia" on the can label.
Things that are different between the Vietnam and newer build Malaysia version - these differences are with respect to the Malaysia version: Vietnam on left, Malaysia on right.
1) Base plate holes are larger but fewer (6 vs 8).
2) Base gasket is slightly thinner arcoss but the same height above the crimp seam.
3) The center tube holes are slightly smaller but has a few more holes.
4) Number of threads is 3 vs 4.
5) Base plate thickness looks slightly more when viewing it through the holes. No separate cover over base plate.
6) Bypass valve design is the same, but uses a black colored disk instead of a cream colored disk.
7) Both feel about the same weight and the can stiffness seems the same - both feel beefy.
8) The number and size/shape of the flutes on the dome are different, so maybe sad news for end cap tool users.
Both should work fine, just slightly different manufactured configuration. Not sure if other models of newer MicroGard Selects are all switching over to Malaysia or if PGI is ramping up production and splitting factories in Vietnam and Malaysia.
The cream color on the crimp seam is not glue ... it's some kind of optical illusion from the camera flash and cellophane cover - verified visually it's not glue. The Vietnam version has a "23" starting date code and the Malaysia version has a "25" starting date code. Was kind of surprised a "23" was on the shelf 3 weeks ago. The one made in Vietnam said "Made in Vietnam" on the box, not the label. The Malaysia version is printed "Made in Malaysia" on the can label.
Things that are different between the Vietnam and newer build Malaysia version - these differences are with respect to the Malaysia version: Vietnam on left, Malaysia on right.
1) Base plate holes are larger but fewer (6 vs 8).
2) Base gasket is slightly thinner arcoss but the same height above the crimp seam.
3) The center tube holes are slightly smaller but has a few more holes.
4) Number of threads is 3 vs 4.
5) Base plate thickness looks slightly more when viewing it through the holes. No separate cover over base plate.
6) Bypass valve design is the same, but uses a black colored disk instead of a cream colored disk.
7) Both feel about the same weight and the can stiffness seems the same - both feel beefy.
8) The number and size/shape of the flutes on the dome are different, so maybe sad news for end cap tool users.
Both should work fine, just slightly different manufactured configuration. Not sure if other models of newer MicroGard Selects are all switching over to Malaysia or if PGI is ramping up production and splitting factories in Vietnam and Malaysia.
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