What in tar nation?

[Stan H]

Why does the Warn Zeon XP12-5 look like a carbon copy of the Badlands 12,00 Apex?
from the casing, to the wire box, to the removable flap for the winch cable on top. It's exactly like my Badlands..
Or am just seeing things?

Because they were all being made in one of 3 factories in China . Only Ramsey is made in the USA

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[DanJT]

I actually did hear the parts were made in China.

 

[Stan H]

I actually did hear the parts were made in China.

Its more than just the parts bubba they are completed over there .

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Its more than just the parts bubba they are completed over there .

No one reads the country of origin fine print.

 

[Figmo]

As one who has been victim to this on more than one occasion I can guess it's probably Chinese IP theft. And it works like this:

You design a better mousetrap. You have a factory in China build it for you because it's way cheaper than having the components made in the USA. A year later, you see your better mousetrap all over eBay, Amazon, Temu, AliExpress, ad nauseam with like 10 different "manufacturer" names.

Lessons I've learned, should you ever design a better mousetrap:

* NEVER have one factory build all the components. Fastest way to losing your mousetrap.

* NEVER tell the factory what the application is. They'll ask. Casually, at first. But the more you evade the question you'll begin to notice the more insistent they become. They're desperate to know because when you order 1,000 units, they want to make 100,000 units - then market them all over the world behind your back.

* And finally...ALWAYS make your hay while the sun is shining. Accept that no matter what you do, if you sell enough mousetraps, the Chinese *WILL* eventually find you and knock it off. You can't stop them. So make your money while you can and then move on to the next mousetrap.

Of course, you could just build everything in-house. But then you'll be that company people bitch about all over the forums: "it's a nice mousetrap but I'm not paying X thousand dollars for it".

And, even still.... if it's popular, eventually the Chinese will *STILL* knock it off.

 

[DanJT]

The are a couple of reasons I purchased the 12klb Badlands Apex, one is that I know a couple friends who have beat the crap out of one on their rigs (and it shows) and sill going strong, and two I got mine on sale with synthetic ropes and wireless for $450 and some change.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have been able to get a Warn Evo, but that would have been double the Badlands.

 

[Figmo]

The are a couple of reasons I purchased the 12klb Badlands Apex, one is that I know a couple friends who have beat the crap out of one on their rigs (and it shows) and sill going strong, and two I got mine on sale with synthetic ropes and wireless for $450 and some change.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have been able to get a Warn Evo, but that would have been double the Badlands.

BL is a good winch. Nothing wrong with not wanting to pay double just so you can brag about the name at parties: "Well I've got the Warn Evo. Oh? You don't have one? Hmph."

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The are a couple of reasons I purchased the 12klb Badlands Apex, one is that I know a couple friends who have beat the crap out of one on their rigs (and it shows) and sill going strong, and two I got mine on sale with synthetic ropes and wireless for $450 and some change.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have been able to get a Warn Evo, but that would have been double the Badlands.

There's a video out there of a Jeep guy totally abusing his Apex winch, unreal the work he was asking it to do, he even twisted his winch mounting plate. He ordered parts and repaired the winch, the video shows him working on it and it really wasn't a bad thing for the money. Best of the best? not, but it sure wasn't crap inside, either.

What in tar nation

I haven't heard that phrase since Hector was a pup

 

[DanJT]

What in tar nation

I haven't heard that phrase since Hector was a pup
[/QUOTE]

Oops, that's he southern in me seeping out!

 

[Stan H]

The are a couple of reasons I purchased the 12klb Badlands Apex, one is that I know a couple friends who have beat the crap out of one on their rigs (and it shows) and sill going strong, and two I got mine on sale with synthetic ropes and wireless for $450 and some change.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have been able to get a Warn Evo, but that would have been double the Badlands.

Yeah ,I got the same one wireless remote etc.. Look at a Superwinch brand ..
Identical ..literally except a little led light above the spool.
That's when I started looking into this and found out the truth.
Warns are designed here and completely made built etc. In another country along with many others.
You can slap a sticker on anything and change color and a led light etc... and Bam ! Different brand .
I watched videos of you tube off roading influencers who were sent the aaPEX to try out for reviews .. didn't have a dime in em and literally worked the guts out of em. That's what solidified my decision.

 

[snowbear]

Many years ago there was an article in WOOD magazine about band saws. It said there was a company in Korea (at the time) that made all kinds of power tools for different companies. Same tool, different labels. Some were spec'ed out, others were not.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Many years ago there was an article in WOOD magazine about band saws. It said there was a company in Korea (at the time) that made all kinds of power tools for different companies. Same tool, different labels. Some were spec'ed out, others were not.

The guy who invented, and had made, the ShopTask tool, had quite a story about his misadventures with a certain factory in China.

 

[DanJT]

I'm happy with my selection, I do not care about bragging rights, Just wanted one that will
do what I ask it to do.

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