I've always been a winch snob and bought Warn but trying to be open minded....

I've narrowed my winch choices down to Warn ans Smittybilt and I am going with a 10k lb unit with traditional cable vs rope I think. Warn has a new winch called Zeon that varies dramatically in appearance from the more traditional M series. Are these any good and how would you compare and contrast to the Smittybilt 10k winch......?

Smittybilt is 399 and Warn is 950.....other than marketing and reputation....how do these compare?

 

I have the smittybuilt 10k it's been a great winch. Extremely reliable I've had it about 3 years and there's been no problems

 

No complaints here with my smittybilt . And if it makes you feel better you can get buy the extended warranty offered from stores like 4WP. $50 gives you peace of mind for 3 years

 

I don't really care about a warranty but if I am stuck 10 miles from a road I want it to work.....no doubt about it.

 

I don't really care about a warranty but if I am stuck 10 miles from a road I want it to work.....no doubt about it.

 

I have a buddy with a SmittyBilt. The only time he needed it, it didn't work. But that is really my own experience with them.. Maybe a fluke. I run a Warn and it has never let me down. I've had to pull cable more times than I can count and I've never had a problem what so ever. In my experience, especially with Jeep parts, is that you get what you pay for.

 

Had a Smittybilt XRC on my TJ for over 4 years, no problems at all and had many pulls on it. Now have a warn on my JK so I get to compare the two. I was very pleased with my XRC.

 

Have the warn zeon 8 on my jku love it and well worth the extra 250 bucks (got a deal) plus that comfort in knowing you bought the best and it will work everytime (most recently pulled out a f-150) is worth it. There's 2 cents

Sent from my dogs cell phone

 

I think about it like this.

My Warn is about 20 years old and when I want to use it it's as good as it was 20 years ago.
I did out new seals an a motor in it last year.
It's been on 5 jeeps an a Chevy 2500. Heck it's out lasted 2 wives.
With a $300 or $400 unit I don't see that happening. For a few years sure it'll work.
They all make cheap ones. And the ones your talking about are not in the same class.
If you want to spend $400 go to tractor supply and get a 12000 lb. and in 2 years try ordering parts for it. My warn I can have any part for it in 24 hrs if I need it.

 

My smitty has been rock solid. More pulls than I can count over 6 years now.