If you are on the fence of which used machine to purchase, here is all you need to do. Call each company and ask for tech support. Tell them you bought a machine that is 5 years old and ask them if they can help you run the machine. Colex will not, MultiCam will not, but, KONGSBERG will. Even though MultiCam is owned by KONGSBERG, they are still working on retraining their entire company.
I know this because I purchased a 5 year old MultiCam. I could not get service or help in any way. In fact, they spent loads of time convincing me not to buy a used machine because I wouldn't know the condition of the machine. They were terrible. A friend has a Colex and told me he can never get them on the phone and its a nightmare trying to get support even through email.
I purchased a 5 year old KONGSBERG from DEB equipment brokers. When I got the machine, there were loads of issues. The company I paid to install the machine did not do it correctly so I decided to call KONGSBERG directly.
LET ME JUST SAY, they are and have been so amazing to deal with. I have spent a few hours on the phone with them and they have solved my issues. I asked the techs why they help people who did not buy from them. they all have responded with the same answer. "doesn't matter, you bought our machine."
Most companies do not care about servicing their machines. They only want to sell machines.
Think about this. If you were to purchase a brand new machine for $150K. How valuable is that machine in 5 years? The answer is, will the manufacturer support the next owner? Most do not.
The new owner deserves the same training as the previous owner. Should they pay? Maybe. But if they don't have to pay, that's the best deal on the planet.
So ONLY buy from a company who will help the next owner of the machine and not try to deter them from buying from you. I think manufacturers who sell against their own customers cost themselves so much. If they supported the new owner, the previous owner will probably buy another a machine from them. That's 2 machines working for future parts and service instead of a really aggravated customer who will never buy from them again.
It makes your investment so much more valuable.
One last note. When I did not buy from KONGSBERG direct because it wasn't in my budget, my sales person Frank called me to thank me for my time and told me if I needed any help with my used machine, just call the 800 number and put in a request. If they didn't call back, to let him know and he would be happy to help any way he could.
Before he closed, he said thank you for buying a KONGSBERG, you wont be sorry.
That is the company you invest with.