Yes, I know they are both Chinese budget models. I am not a serious rock crawler, just looking for something to help me and others on the snowy CO roads, maybe up a trail every now and then. So please no "save more and get a Warn" speeches.

I am debating between a Smitty Gen3 9.5 Comp or a Badland Apex. Been scouring google for a couple days and am having a hard time finding any complaints about either. I have a fairly baseline 08 JKU half door. Only upgrades I have done are a Smitty SRC Gen2 up front and a "Body Armor" rear (no tire carrier). Battery is a 770CCA AGM and tires are 32.5's on stock suspension

Since both winches debuted last fall I have been having a hard time finding solid reviews of either so I am reaching out to folks here. They are both in relatively the same price-line right now (coupon code for the Apex puts it at 550+ tax, a little cheaper than the smitty)

 

What does the warranty look like on each unit? I'm not a fan of Chinese knock off's either but I have to say that my Barricade (same as the rest) has worked for my use. If I were in your shoes, I'd see about buying the Smitty locally. Smitty has good customer service despite the product and if you buy it locally then you won't be responsible for shipping it back and forth if/ when you have an issue. I've had HF items and while the winch is probably the same as the rest of the Chinese winches, I don't know if I'd be ready to give it the ultimate test for when I 'need' to get out.
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As much of a fan as i am of buying locally, our local 4x4 shop has been deemed "not essential". Was thinking about waiting for the Smitty to go on sale to get the 12 (or buy the cheaper steel cable version and get a synthetic cable for it elsewhere) but waiting for sales never turns out well for me haha

Yeah the Badland warranty is pretty shite at 90 days vs 3 years on SB

 

I cannot speak to the Smitty Gen3 9500, but I have had a Smittybilt X20 10k with synthetic line for ~5.5 years now. It has been a good winch for me and I've gotten some use out of it. One time I left it switched to "wireless" and I ran the battery out on the handheld unit. I contacted them, admitted it was 100% my fault, they sent me a brand new solenoid box and handheld for free. Way, way back when.....they sent me a brand new rear bumper and tire carrier to remedy a problem I was having with an existing unit....all for free (about $900). You can say what you want. They are indeed Chinese products, but those guys have some good customer service in my opinion. The winch is the only Smitty product I still have. I have a few friends with very well build rigs with quality, big name brand parts for everything, one of them the owner of a shop. We're all still running this same winch. That should something. Warns are really nice, but most of us can get by with less.

Between those two, I'd lean Smittybilt just because I know their customer service. I have not compared that Gen 3 9500 to what I have, but I'd even go so far as to say look at the X20 to save $80-$100. I see the Gen 3 has "increased line speed", but I'd say I've never felt my X20 was slow.

 

I don't know the exact location but I've got a friend who works up at CORE and I believe they're still open. You might reach out to them and see if it's something they stock.

 

Is there any reason you would say to get a synthetic out-of-box vs getting a steel cable and putting on a synthetic line from elsewhere (saves about 50 bucks or so plus leaves a spare "in case shit" cable/roller fairlead)?

-edit- Karl- it was just brought to my attention that 4WP here SHOULD not only be open but do curbsite pickup (which HF will not do). May be making a trip out to it after work tomorrow if I can make up my mind

 

I've not looked at the prices, but I'm surprised that is cheaper. I would tell you this though.....I'd bet dollars to donuts that you would not carry that steel cable and fairlead around as a spare Not only the weight, but awkward getting that cable wound up. It would only take up space in the garage too and you're just not ever going to need it. That said, if it's really cheaper to purchase that way, no reason not to. Synthetic line ain't cheap. Do you have links to what you're looking at?

 

Be wary of cheap synthetic line. I have one and I'm very aware of it when I use it and I watch the condition on it closely. I sold my steel cable for $20 so maybe it would make sense but I'd rather just get it all assembled so that you know the connection at the drum is the correct style. I bought steel and went to synthetic so it's not impossible, it's just not necessarily the best way to skin the cat.

 

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smitty..._/R-DSBP-98612 - Smitty Gen3 12K synth: $700 (pre-tax)
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smitty..._/R-DSBP-97612 - Smitty Gen3 12K Steel: $550 (again, pre-tax)
https://www.amazon.com/AUXMART-Synth...es-pcr-20&th=1 (shockingly good reviews from everywhere I have read) : $97

That leaves 50 bucks to get a hawse (if 4WP wont do a direct trade for NIB roller, havent called them to ask but can't hurt). Can be found for around 30 it seems anyway, so still saving money plus having spare equipment.

Thoughts?

Not factoring discount codes or tax for simplicity

 

I'ma side with Karl on cheap which line. I feel ok with my Smitty synthetic line, but it looks a lot beefier than that. IDK if you've ever been in a precarious situation that you really needed to trust a winch, but I can promise you that if you ever find yourself in one of those situations, that extra $100 isn't even going to cross your mind. If not your life, the body of the jeep could be relying on that line. Maybe some would say the same thing about Smittybilt line