AGO Film Processor - Automatic Agitator and Tank for Home Developing

I'm a relative novice with at home development having done about 20 rolls prior to buying this (with a standard paterson tank). I already have a cheap sous vide set up to heat my chemicals to 38deg, so the ago doesn't do anything I couldn't otherwise do - but it does make my life quite a bit easier. The built in timer with temperature compensation and stirrer mean that development just requires less attention. Once the chemicals are ready, it's so easy to pour in dev/bleach/fix when the ago tells me too, and not need to think about much else.

Device and software seems well built and thought out, although this is made by a smaller company so set your expectations accordingly.

Only issue I have noticed is that you need to have the paterson reel column the correct way up, otherwise the stirrer won't engage and turn the reels! If you're used to inverting a paterson tank, this doesn't normally matter. If you get it the wrong way round, you won't notice until development is done and the roll is ruined. You will only make this mistake once though.

I reviewed the AGO after processing my first 2 B&W films; I've now had the opportunity to process 6 x C41 Colour films so I am adding some additional thoughts.
Having processed B&W for over 50 years this was my very first C41 excursion and I was a little anxious to say the least - the main difference is that B&W is effectively a room temperature process whilst C41 is at 38c, and the temperature leeway is quite small.
I used the Cinestill TCS1000 to maintain the temperature of the chemistry in a water bath - the TCS is reviewed elsewhere, it gets the water bath to temperature very quickly but it does take a long time for the chemistry in the bottles to reach the temperature in the water bath. So be prepared for it or you find like I did that the developer was only at 36c which is outside range.
Also when processing rolls 5&6 I adjusted the developing time as per the instructions and inadvertently turned off the AGO feature that reads the temperature and adjusts the developing time, so there was a bit of guesswork but it seems I got away with it. On rolls 1-4 the temperature adjustment worked perfectly, with at least 1 minute added both times to the development stage.
I have now processed a Kodak Gold 200, Candido 800, 2 x Portra 160, Harman Phoenix and Amber T800, all apart from the Candido were taken on my ME Super (the Candido was on the Pentax 17). I've 3 more Portra 160's to go.
I used the Bellini C41 kit (which AW don't sell) as I like the idea of a liquid kit and it has separate Bleach and Fix. Also there are no wash steps its straight in with chemistry and finish with stabiliser.
My conclusion is that there is nothing to fear from C41 but the AGO certainly makes things much easier. From start to finish, processing 2 batches of 2 films took about 40 minutes, plus the time to get the chemicals to temperature and the clean up afterwards.
The AGO didn't cause any issues, it doesn't leak and I found pouring chemicals in and out to be really simple. Emptying the tank is easy if you pick the tank + AGO up and pour the fluid out from what is the top lip of the tank. Don't try and use the AGO itself as it will be messy. I bought 3 cheap funnels to avoid spillage and had none at all.
Despite the savings on development it will take quite a while to get back the investment in the AGO and Cinestill even though the AGO has come down in price and I was able to use a £100 Wonderpoints voucher. However its a very enjoyable and rewarding additional Analogue adventure and I highly recommend it as a fun way to increase your enjoyment of film.
When I have all 7 rolls of my recent trip to India I might just post a few - but for now I've attached some images from rolls 1 & 2. Bluebird at Coniston and Arnside.

I have been pondering buying an AGO since it was in Crowd Funding some time ago - however when AW reduced it in price by 18% I cashed in quite a lot of Wonderpoints and got what I now think might just be a bargain.
The AGO came last week. You get the processor, and a Paterson 2 reel tank with a modified funnel. This allows the developing chemistry to flow into the tank and also to contact the temperatute re sensor which is the silver bar you can see on the photo.
So I developed 2 B&W films almost immediately. The developing time at 20c was 9 minutes but this is reduced by 15% due to continuous agitation - the spirals are rotated backwards and forwards the whole time. Because it is horizontal I used only 250mls of liquid, 5mls of Adonal for a 1 in 50 dilution so very economic.
The temperature probe adjusts the developing time - my developer was a bit cooler than 20c and I had 34 seconds added automatically. Its just a matter of pouring chemistry in and out when you are told to.
The interface takes a bit of work to get right but I was able touse it pretty quickly.
Results? Perfectly developed films.
The Washing phase consisted of running the setup vertically which allows you to fill the tank (several times) over 10 mins.
So far the main benefit was that B&W has just become a pour and empty process but with temperature adjustment. The next step will be to go for C41 at 28c, for which I will need the (still unused) Cinestill TCS 1000 which I received for Christmas. I have 2 x C41 films waiting to be developed so watch this space!

I’ve used Paterson tanks for processing my B&W film for over 50 years. My issue has always been temperature control and consistency. I’ve thought of a Jobo on nany occasions but they’re big, expensive and use a different tank and spiral system.
I signed up to the AGO when it was a IndieGoGo campaign. For me the advantages are cost, size, a clever way of compensating for changes in temperature, uses less chemicals and uses the Paterson tanks and spirals I’m familiar with.
I’ve used my AGO processor many times now with all sizes of Paterson tank right up to the Multi-reel 8. Works so well.

Great product and gives really nice even development which is the most important thing. Very pleased with it. Software screen desktop not hugely intuitive and upgrading the System software even following the manual is DIABOLICAL!!!