Entry Level Winch Poll

[StompJrKz400]

hey everyone, im getting ready to look for a winch, im interested in a few, my budget is under 400 ( maybe i can throw in a few more for a warranty)

my fav so far is the superwinch, but it doesn't have a roller fair-lead, will that affect me ?

here are my options

Superwinch LP8500 $299



Quadratec Q9000 Self Recovery Winch 294



Smittybilt XRC-8 Winch $299



Warn VR8000 Winch $479

[HeavyMetal]

i wouldnt rule out Warns new entry level offerings

Warn VR8000

its more...as per warn...but it comes with warns unparalleled product support

[StompJrKz400]

good call, wish i could add that in now but dont think i can reopen the poll

Warn VR8000 Winch $479



ive never dealt with a company on winches so idk whoses who yet

thank you

[HeavyMetal]

i added it for you as an option to the poll

[hippie metal]

I'm in agreeance with will on this. Warn makes a great product, and when you have problems. Tech support actually helps you.

[Buffalo Phil]

Yeah...buy the Warn.

[Hydra]

I have to disagree with the cost/servicability theory.

Most people i know rarely use their winch. It's an emergency recovery device which doesn't see such heavy use on a DD/average trail rig as those on Comp Buggies or actual emergency vehicles.

You have to imagine how often will you really use it. Because most of the cheaper winches are perfectly reliable with proper maintanence and servicing. If you get 5-7 years of service out of a winch and maybe 3-6 pulls a year I'd just as soon replace it with another cheap one.

Then again, I'm poor. My winch is a chain hoist and a bunch of straps. But when I do get a winch I'll get something cheap because frankly I don't plan on using it enough to wear out major internal components.

[HeavyMetal]

I have to disagree with the cost/servicability theory.

Most people i know rarely use their winch. It's an emergency recovery device which doesn't see such heavy use on a DD/average trail rig as those on Comp Buggies or actual emergency vehicles.

You have to imagine how often will you really use it. Because most of the cheaper winches are perfectly reliable with proper maintanence and servicing. If you get 5-7 years of service out of a winch and maybe 3-6 pulls a year I'd just as soon replace it with another cheap one.

Then again, I'm poor. My winch is a chain hoist and a bunch of straps. But when I do get a winch I'll get something cheap because frankly I don't plan on using it enough to wear out major internal components.

Fully disagree

A winch is something youre going to need to count on, sometimes in a dire situation. It doesnt take repeated use/wearing of mechanical parts for a winch to fail or not operate correctly.
I would hate to save 100 bucks and then some day be stuck in the woods or in a nasty situation because my winch decided to crap on me.

Ive heard/experienced plenty of situations about a rarely used winch crapping out. everything has the potential to fail, of course warns as well, but their reputation speaks for itself and theyre proven reliable. and in the case something does fail, they back up their products very very well.

FWIW my opinion has nothin to do with competition use, especially considering comp guys dont typically use a VR series winch, lol. there is plenty of evidence out there of cheap winches not being reliable, especially some of the ones in the poll.

[Hydra]

Fully disagree.

How dare you.

[HeavyMetal]

How dare you.

youre lucky i didnt just ban you

[Nick]

Goderator

[Hydra]

youre lucky i didnt just ban you

What can i say, I'm a blessed man

But seriously, cheap wenchs fro teh wine

[HeavyMetal]

But seriously, cheap wenchs fro teh wine

now theres a rock solid argument

[Hydra]

now theres a rock solid argument

I never declared an argument, I was just presenting my own opinion on a topic of semi-importance. I see the validity of your opinion but my situation is tempered by a lack of personal experience in owning any sort of electronic winch and also a severely limited amount of funding for this particular hobby.

Everything I say is from my own personal assumptions, conjectures, and general day-dreaming when it comes to winches: pure winch philosophizing going on.

If you're looking for an argument, perhaps try some of the other more aggressive members concerned with race-cars, auto-cross, misplaced rent checks, and/or applications of centrifugal/centripedal force.

[HeavyMetal]

I never declared an argument, I was just presenting my own opinion on a topic of semi-importance. I see the validity of your opinion but my situation is tempered by a lack of personal experience in owning any sort of electronic winch and also a severely limited amount of funding for this particular hobby.

Everything I say is from my own personal assumptions, conjectures, and general day-dreaming when it comes to winches: pure winch philosophizing going on.

If you're looking for an argument, perhaps try some of the other more aggressive members concerned with race-cars, auto-cross, misplaced rent checks, and/or applications of centrifugal/centripedal force.

does "discussion of opinion" fit your mold better?