Brand vs. Cheap

[ursus Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ursus]

Reading the Internet I get all kinds of opinions about using cheap brands versus the real thing. One of the significant factors, of course, is price. I am looking at LED lightbar and HID driving lights to decorate my new Prado with, and the difference in price is mind boggling. Some say original brands are more reliable, dependable and better quality overall. On the other hand, a friend of mine is a cheapskate, and his Ford Ranger is equipped with cheap stuff from eBay, and he spends considerable time hunting in remote areas.

So, the question is: are original brands worth the price? Is the difference in performance and reliability worth five fold difference in price?

[stanmiko Member Find all posts View Profile Close stanmiko]

I tend to be a bit towards the price aspect as opposed to brand, so long as apples are being compared to apples, etc.

I use a pair of 9" LED driving lights I bought through 4WD Supa Centre and they are fantastic.

I look at the warranty supplied with any product. These days if someone offers any longer than 12 months then you should be OK.

[Guest Close Guest]

For me, it has to do with the criticality of the accessory. Don't go cheap for unknown suspension but LED lights are OK. Don't go cheap for winches - the cheapest good value brand is probably the Runva. You could go cheap on recovery tracks but a few reports of cheap tracks breaking so you end up paying for another set when a set of Maxtrax would be better off in the first place.

[reddevil25 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close reddevil25]

Hi
I think it depends on what it's for

If you only camp once a year then Aldi might suffice

If you spend weeks out bush then don't risk a super cheap compressor or fake maxtrax

With the amount of gear getting knocked off in some areas I wouldn't like s pair of $1200 spots on the front -- couldn't sleep at night

[RBJET Member Find all posts View Profile Close RBJET]

If all you plan to use the lights for is decoration then the cheap shit is fine but if you actually want to use them do a bit of research and buy a trusted brand.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

For me, it has to do with the criticality of the accessory. Don't go cheap for unknown suspension but LED lights are OK. Don't go cheap for winches - the cheapest good value brand is probably the Runva. You could go cheap on recovery tracks but a few reports of cheap tracks breaking so you end up paying for another set when a set of Maxtrax would be better off in the first place.

Yeah this pretty much sums it up.

All your critical stuff you want quality over price.
Just have to think when purchasing something cheap "Can I afford for this to break when I am out in the middle of whoop whoop".

Having said that, there is a lot of cheaper stuff that is getting good reviews.
I.e. some stuff from 4wd supacentre - have heard good things about their LED spotties, Compressors & swags.
But then I have heard their winches & light bars are rubbish.

Just do your research - we are armed with so much knowledge now days!!

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

And furthermore, just because its cheap doesn't necessarily mean its rubbish.

The 4WD aftermarket industry years gone by has only had a few main players & manufacturers, meaning that prices of items have been unnecessarily high for a long time.
But now the market is flooded with choice & a fair few of the cheaper manufacturers are making similar quality items to the big boys but selling them for a much more realistic price.

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

If its lights your looking for, you cant go past this guy on ebay. http://stores.ebay.com.au/SunyeeTrading
I have had his spots and light bars on for 4 years now and still going strong.
I replaced there 22inch lightbar with 4x4 supercentres 44inch bar and was pissed off because i went backwards in light out put

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

For lights and non critical stuff I don't have an issue with cheaper stuff.
For safety and critical items (bar work, winches, tyres, etc) I only buy the good stuff.

[jaco150 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaco150]

I have one of these from STEDI - a mate of mine has a smaller 60W bar - both very good build quality and lights up the road very well.
- I do not have a $1,000 bar to compare it to, but it does the job pretty well...

My view is... LED and HID tech is ever evolving and in a year you will get 20w super-god-mode LEDs, pop a few double rows in a bar and you can use it for a landing light on an Airbus A380... until then, I opted for a good quality, better priced brand... eg. STEDI.

** their wiring harness is not too bad, but decided to wire my own setup and got "good gauge" wiring - thus when I have to replace lights in 2 years for the god-mode bar - I can plug and play, and not have to rewire it all again for the extra amps required.

see - http://www.stedi.com.au/120w-cree-le...spot-lamp.html

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

+1 on the Stedi's