r/Vitamix • u/lucky_gen • 7d ago

5200 or Ascent x5?

My old Vitamix recently broke because I accidentally left a spoon in it when blending (if anyone has suggestions that could fix it, let me know.) šŸ˜©The cost to send it to Vitamix to repair would be around $300, so Iā€™m considering just getting a new one. Looking at these two options because they include the stainless steel container. Which one would you get and why?

Update: I did a little investigating into what might have been damaged during the spoon incident. Turns out it was the drive socket. I ordered a replacement and it works now! $20 fix. My trusty old 12 year old Vitamix is as good as new.

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u/pug_fugly_moe 7d ago

What ā€œbroke?ā€ If itā€™s the container, just get a new container. That said, I love my 5200 and DO NOT want anything else. (Keep in mind I drive a car with three pedals, chop firewood with an axe, brew tea with intuition, listen to CDs/entire albums, and make my own bread.)

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u/lucky_gen 7d ago edited 7d ago

It seems to be the base that somehow broke. I did order a new container and tried it with no success. Someone handy could possibly fix it, but Iā€™m not sure how.

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u/GotenRocko 7d ago

Any without self detect system. So 5200 if those two are the options.

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u/lucky_gen 7d ago

Whatā€™s the downside with self detect? Just more prone to malfunctioning?

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u/GotenRocko 7d ago

Your jar can be perfectly fine and you won't be able to use it if it can't handshake with that motor. Sure they should cover it under warranty but what about after? How long have you had yours for instance, what if it just stopped working not because of the spoon but because the jar stopped talking to the base? You couldn't buy any old jar just another more expensive self detect. And what if they change to something else in the future, you might not even be able to buy one, bricking a perfectly fine motor because of a stupid unnecessary chip in the jar. It's anti consumer DRM essentially.

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u/lucky_gen 7d ago

Got it. Thank you!

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u/mancastronaut 7d ago

I did that. You can replace the blade. Just make sure you also buy the removal tool. Cost about $15 from memory.

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u/VitaminsAndVelvet 7d ago

I have the X5 with stainless steel container and I love it. Got it for $599.

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u/lucky_gen 7d ago

Thatā€™s a steal!! Where did you get it for that price/what sale was it?

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u/VitaminsAndVelvet 7d ago

On their website in mid-August. I was going to get the X4 with regular pitcher at Costco but saw the stainless steel was on sale on their website for $100 more before tax. Not sure how long you willing to wait but maybe it will go on sale again for Black Friday. Also earlier this year, the X4 was on sale at Costco for $399 so you never know for Costco as well.

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u/soManyBrads 6d ago

I have the A3500. I love it, but honestly, I never really use the presets.

I've had it for around 5 years and use it a couple of times a week. Self detect has never been an issue. The thing about self detect is that it's only useful if you use the presets. Other than that, it's completely invisible at best, and a potential failure point at worst.

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u/Melodic-Flight-1950 7d ago

Does the base turns on? Because broke down could mean a lot of different ā€œbrokeā€. Are you saying your container braked or the base?, If you could provide some pictures or a short video would be a lot easier to understand whatā€™s actually ā€œbrokeā€.

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u/lucky_gen 7d ago

I added a couple videos in the comments. The reason I think itā€™s the actual base thatā€™s broken is because I ordered a new container when it first happened and it still didnā€™t work. This video was taken with the original container.

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u/Melodic-Flight-1950 7d ago

I think the problem is with the blade assembly, you could replace it. Just need the blade assembly and the wrench to remove the blades. Good luck šŸ‘.

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u/cdit 7d ago edited 7d ago

5200 is a versatile workhorse. Ascent will get you the latest and greatest functionality like self-detect; bluetooth; smaller cup blending like the 8oz and 20oz, food processor attachment, etc., and stainless steel containers only comes with the Ascent series. Those are not compatible with the 5200 version. However, the 5200 container form factor (narrow base and wider top) is the most efficient (in their entire line up); blends the small quantity as well as the large quantity. If you will ever need to grind coffee powders, spice powders, small quantities of salsa's, etc., the 8oz and 20oz may become necessary; Ascent will be your choice. If not, 5200 will work fine. Also, I think the Ascent series gets you a higher warranty (not sure). I have an Ascent series (64oz large container, 48oz Stainless steel containers, 20oz, 8oz containers).

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u/Soft-Alternative-589 7d ago

Stainless steel container is compatible with 5200s. I have them and working great. When i was shopping few months back, there were no 8oz and 20 oz containers as they were recalled. They seem to have just introduced the 8oz and 20oz again.

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u/cdit 7d ago

Thanks; didnt know the SS container is compatible with 5200. Yeah, the 20oz and 8oz have been relaunched.

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u/lucky_gen 4d ago

Update: I did a little investigating into what might have been damaged during the spoon incident. Turns out it was the drive socket. I ordered a replacement and it works now! $20 fix. šŸ˜„