The Foxwell ST201 vs ST203 comparison is one I knew I had to make immediately after I got the ST203. If you’ve been following me on TikTok, you’ll recall that I have both smoke machines and having had the 201 for some time, was impressed with how the 203 performed.T
But, if you’re contemplating buying either of the two (and not both), you’re likely to be confused and wonder how these closely related smoke machines compare.
How do they compete? What makes the ST203 different (or better) from the ST201? Is buying the ST203 worth the extra money the manufacturer, Foxwell, charges?
Or, does it make practical sense to opt for the ST201 and call it a day?
Here are the differences, worthy of note.
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Differences Between the Foxwell ST201 & 203
The Foxwell ST201 and the ST203 look very similar in appearance. However, some subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences distinguish the two units.
These differences also remain what will make you (as a mechanic or DIY-inclined car owner) prefer one over the other.
They are:
1. Smoke/Air Options
Traditionally, the Foxwell ST201 produces smoke from its internal pump. Properly powered with smoke oil (or baby oil – that’s what I use) and hooked to a 12-volt starter battery, the unit pumps out smoke, fully, in about two minutes.
The Foxwell ST203 takes this basic action to the next level: with its internal pump, it doesn’t just pump smoke, it also pumps air – on demand, via a switch, should you need it.
Effectively, with the ST203, you can pump out air – or smoke, according to your unique needs. All you need to do is depress a switch.
When in operation, the green indicator indicates that air is being pumped while the red indicator means smoke is being expelled. It’s as simple as that.
2. Leak Size Detector
The ST201 is an excellent leak detector. It can pinpoint exactly where a leak exists straightforwardly and has very few natural competitors.
However, beyond pointing out where (the) leak(s) exist(s), it does little else, especially concerning the size of such (a) leak(s).
What this means is simple: while you know there’s a leak somewhere, you have little idea what the size of such a leak is and at best, can only guess.
Enter the ST203.
The ST203 takes the game of detecting leaks to the next level via the built-in leakage indicator. A small leak shows; a large leak is obvious and if a leak is medium size-wise, it will also be obvious on the meter.
An example of when this feature comes in handy is when you’re interested in figuring out why smoke is coming out around your intake manifold area: a large leak on the meter indicates a bad/broken manifold while a small one simply means the gasket needs to be replaced.
A seemingly small function, an array of practical, real-time uses.
3. Air/Smoke Adjustment
The option to choose between air or smoke is a nice thing to have on any smoke machine. However, it’s pointless if these metrics can’t be adjusted…it’s like having power but without the will (or self-discipline) to channel that power to where it will exert the maximum influence.
The ST 201, being a unit that supplies only smoke, has no express need for such adjustments.
The ST203, however, being a unit that can seamlessly switch between air and smoke, also has a dial that can be adjusted either in the negative or positive to decrease/increase the output of the unit at the material time.
Need more smoke? Dial up. Need more air? Dial up. Need less air or smoke? Simply dial down. It doesn’t get better than this.
4. Presence of a Pressure Guage
A standard pressure gauge, calibrated in Bars and PSIs is also standard on the ST203 – a feature the ST201 lacks.
On surface value, this appears to be an attribute that doesn’t mean much – except that it does.
When dialing up smoke or dialing down air, it makes sense to know exactly how much air it is that you’re pumping into a system.
Some units may require a particular threshold while for some applications, just any amount will be fine.
This is where the output, as determined by the pressure gauge, matters.
The best part? You have the liberty to deploy either Bars or PSIs, whichever you prefer, without bothering with lengthy conversions.
5. Start & Stop Button Positioning
The smaller ST201 smoke machine from Foxwell has a dedicated switch to power it on and another, to power it off. Being designed with fewer features, Foxwell could easily achieve this feat with it.
The relatively larger and feature-packed ST 203, however, has both switches in the same place. Once off, you need to depress the same button to power the unit on again: it’s as simple as that.
This means little in the grand scheme of things as far as the Foxwell ST201 vs. ST203 debate goes. However, if you’re considering both units, it’s something that you should be aware of, prior to buying.
6. Physical Size & Weight
It’s also worth noting that if you’re on the Foxwell ST201 vs. ST203 debate, it’s important to understand that the devices, though very similar, do not have the same physical size nor do they weigh the same.
The ST 203 has the following physical dimensions 4.72 x 4.72 x 7.95 inches and a weight of 4.09 pounds while the ST201 weighs 4.13 x 4.13 x 6.77 inches and 3.7 pounds.
These differences won’t constitute any deal breakers since they’re very close to each other; however, it’s important to understand them in order not to be disappointed when you finally place and receive your order.
7. Maximum Output Pressure
Finally, the maximum output pressure is also something worthy of note. The ST201 is capable of outputting 1 Bar (14.5 PSI) while the ST203 is capable of a little more output, at 1.2 Bar (17.4 PSI).
Clearly, if you’re looking to get the most smoke (or air), you now clearly know which unit you’ll be ordering for your garage (or DIY Saturdays).
Foxwell ST201 vs ST203 Smoke Machines: Which Should You Buy?
The Foxwell ST203 is a clear improvement and advancement over the ST201:
- It’s bigger and more powerful than the ST201.
- It has more functions than the ST201.
- It offers more controls than the ST201.
- And, of course, it costs more than the ST201!
Personally, I see no reason why you should bother with the ST201 – if you can afford the ST203.
However, all that extra power comes at a premium, a premium your budget may not allow at the time of consideration.
If you’re on a budget, the ST201 will do just fine. However, if you can afford it, the ST203 is a better choice – even if you believe that most of its functions aren’t for you…as a dedicated DIY mechanic, I’ll tell you something for free…
…you’ll need all those functions/features, someday. And usually, it will be sooner than later.
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Throttle Lan
DIY Mechanic and Freelance Auto Writer