When you're choosing between two used variable frequency drives, the first hurdle is the price gap. In the vfds soft starters motor controls space, the Yaskawa CIMR-VA2A0001BAA V1000 sits at $40.00, while the Vortek SP1406 Unidrive SP sits at $359.97 - an 89% spread. That gap forces a clear question: do you need the specific drive platform the Vortek offers, or will the Yaskawa V1000 give you the motor control you need without the high price?
Quick Verdict
The quick verdict is that most motor-control buyers should lean toward the Yaskawa. It occupies the low end of the price spread, which makes it the sensible first candidate when you're trying to keep costs down. The Vortek SP1406 only makes sense if your application is tied to a specific drive family. Because the price spread is so wide, the Vortek has to justify its higher price with the usefulness of that platform.
Comparison Table
| Product | Price | Condition | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vortek SP1406 Unidrive SP Variable Frequency Drive | $359.97 | Used | Control Techniques Unidrive SP |
| Yaskawa CIMR-VA2A0001BAA V1000 Variable Frequency Drive | $40.00 | Used | Yaskawa V1000 |
Where Each Product Wins
Vortek SP1406 Wins for Drive-Platform Compatibility
If your motor controls are built around a specific drive family, the Vortek SP1406 is the one that matches. The model number and title make that alignment clear. You're paying the higher price in this comparison, but you're also getting the drive architecture the Yaskawa can't offer.
Yaskawa Wins for Cost-Conscious VFD Upgrades
The Yaskawa CIMR-VA2A0001BAA takes the win on price by a wide margin. It sits at the opposite end of the price spread, making it the natural pick for motor-control work where keeping costs down matters. You get the Yaskawa drive without the high outlay, and that alone is the main reason to choose it.
Product Notes
Vortek SP1406
The Vortek sits at the top of the price range in this head-to-head, and the title places it in the Control Techniques Unidrive SP series. If your existing motor-control setup expects that drive family, this is the only option here that provides it. The unit came out of a working environment, and only the pictured items are included, so you know exactly what you're getting. The As-Is condition is a limitation, especially at this higher price point. Still, for a buyer who needs the Unidrive SP platform and is willing to take on the risk, the Vortek is the relevant choice.
Yaskawa CIMR-VA2A0001BAA
The Yaskawa takes the opposite approach: it sits at the low end of the price spread, which is the main reason to consider it. The title identifies it as a Yaskawa drive, a specific model for motor-control work. The used condition is the trade-off, but the lower price means the financial downside is limited. If this VFD works in your application, the upside is strong; if it doesn't, you haven't overextended your budget. For a first VFD experiment or a straightforward replacement, the Yaskawa is the more approachable pick.
Final Choice by Use Case
Pick the Vortek SP1406 when your motor-control system is specifically built around that platform. The higher price is justified only by that platform need. Pick the Yaskawa CIMR-VA2A0001BAA for just about every other used-VFD situation, especially when your goal is to get a Yaskawa drive without spending much. The price spread will likely settle the debate: unless the Vortek's architecture is non-negotiable, the Yaskawa is the easier decision.
