I'm looking at getting a winch, I've never had one but one need one a couple of times luckily there was always someone else around. But I'm looking at the Warn zeon platinum, or save myself some money to spend elsewhere and get a smittybilt?

 

I have had a 10k smittybilt for 6 years and never had a problem with it.

 

I've had my Warn for 16 years now, it's still pulling strong. But, there are a LOT of new lower priced winch mfg's these days that are getting good reviews. Doesn't hurt to compare a few before deciding.

 

Winches require maintenance and if you fail to do it then the winch will fail on you. I had a winch with no directions fail on me. I now spool and run the winch monthly, per the directions, to keep the solenoid free.

 

I ordered the Smitty x20 synthetic 10k. This weekend for under 500 bucks. It will do for what I need.

 

I have an Engo. Had to replace the solenoid after about 3 years.

Otherwise has worked well for me.

 

^ Same had mine about 5 years now.. still works, never had any issues.

 

Smitty X20 12K have had it for over 2 years, no issues. It's had some tough pulls but it works like a charm.

 

Just used my smittybilt x20 10k synthetic rope last night to pull out some friends while snow wheeling. Worked awesome! However smittybilt sent me one of the square nuts unthreaded from the factory!! One of the ones that goes into the bottom of the winch. Had to find my own solution at the hardware store.

 

I'm curious to learn more about the second-generation VR-series from Warn that debuted at SEMA. They've re-engineered the winch to increase reliability and durability, but you're allegedly getting Warn quality in a now American-made product.