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- Verified Buyer
I purchased this pressure washer to detail our vehicles (foam and rinse each vehicle’s paint, engine and undercarriage), power wash mats, etc. I am a weekend warrior … not a professional detailer. I only detail about 1-2 cars per week (on average) … so, I don’t need an expensive pressure washer. Given my needs, my research pointed me to this unit as my best value … being able to provide low enough water pressure to avoid damaging a vehicle’s paint while being both affordable and of reasonable build quality for weekend warriors use. In addition to good function and good value, I also wanted ease of access to (and storage of) the unit. So, I installed my unit on a wall shelf and added an MTM Hydro 50-foot hose reel below the wall shelf (see photo).Pros: The K1700 cube comes with fittings that are commonly used by higher quality pressure washers (M22 threads and 1/4” fittings). I bought and installed MTM Hydro 1/4" stainless steel quick connects to easily connect / disconnect the unit from my home’s water source, its hoses, etc. that were readily available and didn’t require special adaptor fittings to work on the K1700. This was important to me because I live in a climate with freezing temperatures in the winter, don’t have a heated garage and therefore store my setup in my basement for the winter. The K1700 cube is relatively light and compact … facilitating my shelf install. The K1700 cube has an easy to use and convenient foot pedal to turn the machine on and off. Because my setup is on a wall shelf, I simply press the pedal with my hand. The K1700 cube has a water intake on the left side and its water outlet on the front. These locations work very well for connecting hoses for the summer (and disconnecting the machine and the hoses for winter storage) … especially when you have a wall shelf installation. The K1700 cube’s water pressure and water output (that I have reduced by using a 40-degree 3.0 orifice MTM Hydro quick connect nozzle and an MJJC Foam Cannon with 1/4 Inch Quick Connector) is sufficient for my applications. This machine comes with a 25-foot power cord with built-in GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection designed to shut off the machines electric power in the event of a ground-fault (such as contact with water.). This hose length should be more than adequate for most every installation. The K1700 cube has a built-in storage container. I use mine for storing extra nozzles (I bought a set of MTM Hydro 3.0 quick connect nozzles), etc. Finally, the K1700 cube comes with a 3-year warranty (the cube unit … I don’t believe the warranty covers all the accessories). This is a very good warranty for a more “budget” pressure washer. I should point out that more “budget” units like the K1700 (although well made) are not designed to last forever. So, for Karcher to warranty this unit suggests their confidence in the product. Certainly, based on my experience so far, the K1700 cube appears well-made and has not given me any problems.Cons: The K1700 is not designed for cleaning decks, driveways, etc. If you are seeking a pressure washer to perform these tasks easily, look for a higher PSI machine. This is not a problem for me. I use my K1700 cube strictly for car detailing. I have a much more powerful pressure washer for handling tasks that require higher PSI ratings. This machine comes with “budget” accessories … a 20 foot pressure washer hose, a pressure washer gun and wand and some nozzles. The problem is that all lower cost pressure washers come with what I would describe as “budget” accessories (hoses that are too short in length, inflexible and tangle and break easily, pressure washer guns and wands that are made out of lesser quality parts), etc. I left the attachments that came with my K1700 cube in the box and bought higher quality attachments … a hose 50 foot MTM Hydro Kobrajet hose, a Mosmatic NEO pressure washer gun with swivel (again that can be quickly and easily connected / disconnected using my quick connects) … am very happy that I did. It has greatly enhanced my pressure washing experience … eliminating fighting with lesser quality components as well as making my pressure washer very convenient to use and to put away / store after use. The K1700 cube comes with a build-in soap dispenser. For me, this is a con because I use a foam cannon (or other foamers and sprayers) to apply cleaning products (like car shampoo, wheel and tire cleaners, engine degreasers, etc.). I never use built-in “features” like soap dispensers … which I should point out only function as a sprayer (not a foamer).Recommendation: I highly recommend the Karcher K1700 Cube. In my humble opinion, I am of the view that this unit was by far the best value for money to meet my needs (for all the reasons that I set out above). Notwithstanding, I suggest that if you are considering buying this unit (or any other unit that includes accessories with the unit) for car detailing (or other applications), that you replace the accessories (pressure washer hose, spray gun and nozzles) that ship with the unit with higher quality accessories. You also may want to consider buying quick connectors to make attaching / detaching pressure washer guns, foam cannons, etc. faster and more convenient. I made these modifications right at setup. But, these upgrades can be done at any time. It has certainly improved my car detaining experience.
