Norton Door Controls8388 1601HX689 1600 Series, 008388

The description of this closer says "Adjustable size 3-6". In reality, it is size 1-6 making it more versatile (it's a standard Norton 1601H). Installation is pretty straight forward as long as you follow the instructions EXACTLY. The hole locations are critical for proper performance so be sure to understand what's involved before you start drilling holes. The five adjustments, sweep, latch, backcheck, spring power and hold open angle allow it to be set up for your specific needs. I'm very satisfied with its operation.

The instructions are pretty useless and very confusing. There are a few videos on YouTube that help, but they use different brands so you have to careful. I still don't know how the hold open feature works and need to call technical support when they open on Monday. I think they were designed for people who already have a general idea of how to install a door closer. It can be installed a number of different ways which adds to the flexibility and confusion. I figured it out after putting six holes in my door on the wrong side. Word of caution: If you have trim on your door frame which is slightly slanted, forget using the regular or top jam installation and go directly to the parallel arm installation (I saw a video where the person installed it on a jam like mine which slanted inward slightly. He must have used a different brand that allows that). The good thing is that the parallel adaptor plate is included (unlike other door closers which makes you buy it as an optional part). The other good thing is they include screws for metal or wood doors. Again, now that it's installed, it works great, but I wish they had better instructions.Added 4/29/14: Found out about the door hold open works. Swing the door to the desired opening and then using the enclosed wrench, turn the nut shown in the step titled "set hold open." You have to open the door slightly past that point (should be less than the back check opening (how far the door swings open) setting which was my problem since I set both to about the same amount)and release...the door should stay open until you pull it back a little to release it.

This door closer replaces one which is 27 years old.

As others have said, the instructions could use some improvement. Once installed, it closes the door as expected and the hold-open works. However, I have not been able to reduce the force needed to open the door without then causing the closer to not fully close the door. In other words, my door now feels "heavier" when I push or pull it to open. Not a big problem except some people think the door is locked when it's not, becuase of the force needed to open it. (I fully understand how the adjustments of force, initial swing speed and final closing speed are supposed to work.)

I bought this as a replacement for a very old Norton door closer. This model is supposed to have a "hold open" feature that only requires that the door be pushed wide open and the closer is supposed to hold it there until the door is given a slight pull to cause the closer to close the door.I have not been able to get that feature to work correctly, even after fiddling with it for about 8 hours spread over a period of three days or so. I called Norton tech support several times over those three days, but have nonetheless not been able to get the hold-open feature to work. I have/had many other things to do, so I've moved on to other projects. I could get the feature to work originally by mounting the closer's arm upside down and I should have left it alone and just moved on. But, I called tech support about it and they helped me to get it installed right side up, but I couldn't get the hold open feature to work after that for more than one open/hold/close cycle. Very frustrating, especially since I paid about 30% more to get that feature instead of a non-hold-open version. The closer otherwise works well, so I can't give it a one star rating, but I'm not at all happy about how this has turned out so far.

If you've never installed one of these and try to do it based on the "instructions" included you are in for some aggravation. And as others have mentioned YouTube, usually a great place to get more information in situations like this, is basically useless. This is not an intuitive device, especially to the uninitiated, so buyer beware. This is for someone who has installed a few door closers and understands what all the adjustments are for and how to use them to get the best results. I actually have an engineering degree and have done hundreds of projects around the house and this one is close to the worst experience so far. Not *the* worst, but close.

Hold open doesnt work, and I have spent hours adjusting it :-(

I wanted this for the 42" wide door on my Utility Shed and it works like a charm. Holds the door exactly where I want it every time. Very quick and east to install. I highly recommend this product.