Fujikura 90S+ vs Sumitomo T-72C+

New price: US kit listings for the Fujikura 90S+ (AFL S017521 with CT50 cleaver) ran $15,900–$16,900. For the Sumitomo T-72C+ we found no US-dollar listing yet. It was £2,890–£2,990 ex VAT in the UK, CA$5,012–CA$5,579.52 in Canada depending on cleaver, and €4,940 for a kit with FC-8R-F cleaver in the Netherlands. Cross-border list prices aren't directly comparable, so get a local quote.

Used market: the 90S+ has a deep used market: $3,700 (used with CT-50), $7,999.95–$8,995 (certified pre-owned/refurbished with 1-year warranty), and €3,000 ex VAT for a 2023 unit with 18,159 splices. One US distributor marks the AFL 90S+ kit as discontinued, and a French refurbisher (search-index copy) describes it as considered obsolete by the manufacturer, so expect more used supply.

Running costs: Fujikura Europe's annual service for the 90S/S+ is £460 + £75 electrodes. Third-party labs such as Aumictech list $450 flat for fusion splicer calibration of any brand.

Rent instead? 90S rentals were $695/week in the US (KWIPPED) and CA$490/week in Canada (CNT Automation).

Bottom line: both are core-alignment workhorses. The 90S+ is easiest to buy used and rent in North America, while the T-72C+ is often cheaper new where Sumitomo has strong distribution. If budget is tight, the INNO View 7 (new $5,800–$7,500 US, used $4,499.95 certified pre-owned) is the value alternative.