Hi, All

Thank you for providing a forum for me to ask some questions .

I am a commercial builder usually involved with tenant improvements/renovations. I have secured a contract to build a 3 story office building and wish to make an informed decision on what elevator to recommend to the customer. This project is in British Columbia Canada.

Keys are reliability, durability and of course, overall operation. I would be very grateful for any information which could help me in this quest.

Im a bit biased on this one. I love the Otis LVM hydro-its probably one of the most reliable elevators out there. The Thyssen Tac 20 is also a very solid unit.

What E said

Im biased also but I agree the Otis hydro is the best on the market. for a small increase in price you can now get a G2L (budget gen 2 traction with regen drive) the speed and energy savings will be worth it in the long run and it's also very reliable.

otis 211 hydro , best on the market right now

Having installed/adjusted and troubleshoot both traditional/elevonic hydros and traction, the 211 is the best money spent. And parts are easy to get through Uni-Tec. Bulletproof.

I work for a major co. and agree the 211 is solid but stay away from proprietary equipment. I don't know if B.C.'s companies are run like California; where most of us on this site are located, but if it is, you will be unhappy real quick with majors or the owners will be. Don't get me wrong I like the company I'm with, but to make it easy on the customer and other companies that will come along which they will unless hell freezes over keep it simple. Boards, tool's, and prints aren't cheap from big companies. If you go with motion control, Virginia controls or any independent control elevator manufacturer you can actually talk to someone that day. If you need parts you can receive them usually overnight, not to mention elevators now are like tin cans from all the big guys. I can go on forever about this, the majors will basically give the elevators to you if you use their products. This might sound good at the negotiating table, but they do this so you will stay with them. They know a lot of companies will not take on their equipment because of cost relating to them. You get pigeoned holed and stuck with them. Basically if you don't like them and no one wants to take on their equipment what do you do then? This is just my opinion take it how you will, but I work for a big company and have unlimited resources, and we turn down big jobs all the time due to the equipment installed. There is just too much hassle. However, major companies are great for new installs because of the engineering departments that they have. Just educate yourself with the pros and cons.

Hey, folks

Thanks for the replies and the great advice!! Seems like the Otis system is the best bet.

fateinc2005. Would it be OK if I consult with my partners regarding your post, and ask a few more questions?

Cheers!

Sure no problem

Hope it's not to late to pipe up. I hate proprietary equipment. Use MCE. Built very well, easy to use, easy to fix on the very rare occasion they brake down. Proprietary sucks.

MCE is 10+ year old tech that may be good enough for a hydro but their traction units are still lacking in control and adaptability. "You get what you pay for"

I'd go with GAL Controls before MCE, if I was going "non proprietary"

Closer to 20 now! God I am sounding old! Although the 211 is "proprietary" (by some's definition), anything can be reprogrammed, reset or diagnosed with the on board display. Cumbersome, but can be done. Fixtures are serial link and versatility are a big plus. Of all the OEM packages, best one out there. Far more cost effective than an independent using MEI, Canton, EV etc. Otis will be here tomorrow and the next day too.