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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:44 am |
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Hey guys, I stumbled accross some what look to be arb
nock off air locker kits that are dirt cheap, the website is http://www.chinasoong.com/Air-Locker.htm has any one used these or know anything about the quality of these??? Cheers
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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atari4x4
az supporter
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:30 pm Posts: 34843 Location: East Radelayed
Vehicle: SV420+SV620 Vitara's
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:05 am |
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this has come up before & i don't think anyone actually went thru with it.... you keen to be the Guinea Pig?
with the AU dollar so strong at the moment, buying genuine air lockers from the US could be an option?
_________________ You're just hating because you don't understand
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Benz
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:30 pm Posts: 1006 Location: Cervantes WA
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:06 am |
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looks like the photo's are taken straight from arb...
note the arb logo's scrubbed out
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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:16 am |
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I'm thinking of getting one maybe, I got a price for a rear locker, compressor and all the hardware to suit $499 delivered, it really does sound too good to be true as a genuine arb is $1100 alone no hardware or comp, but hey I run an Aldi 9500lb winch no dramas there, bargin @ $400
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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atari4x4
az supporter
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:30 pm Posts: 34843 Location: East Radelayed
Vehicle: SV420+SV620 Vitara's
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:18 am |
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buy now
_________________ You're just hating because you don't understand
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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:24 am |
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Tempting trust me ,, might do a bit more reasearch on these lockers before I go forkin out cash to the gooks, cheers
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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Rhino
az supporter
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:30 pm Posts: 928 Location: Sunny Coast
Vehicle: 79 Lj80 stockman 94 swb Sierra
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:58 am |
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Kermy87 wrote: genuine arb is $1100 alone no hardware or comp,
What do you mean by no hardware?
I got my arb locker from lowrange over in the states and it came to just over $900 to my door.
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303zuke
az supporter
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:30 pm Posts: 2447
Vehicle: LJ50V, SJ70
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:47 pm |
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Kermy87 wrote: Tempting trust me ,, might do a bit more reasearch on these lockers before I go forkin out cash to the gooks, cheers
They've even used the ARB part no.s !!
Don't encourage the pirate bastards by giving them a cent.
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NotNormal
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 4:14 am Posts: 23 Location: Australia
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 1:02 pm |
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303zuke wrote: They've even used the ARB part no.s !! Don't encourage the pirate bastards by giving them a cent.
+1
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lump_a_charcoal
az supporter
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:30 pm Posts: 4454 Location: Botany, NSW
Vehicle: MY2019 Jimny
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:42 pm |
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No fuck it, buy one - I wanna see if it blows up.
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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 6:45 pm |
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Rhino wrote: Kermy87 wrote: genuine arb is $1100 alone no hardware or comp, What do you mean by no hardware? I got my arb locker from lowrange over in the states and it came to just over $900 to my door.
no hardware, ,,, no pressure ,hoses switches, compressor ect,, I got a quote from arb I think everything hoses switches compressor not fitted was like $1500
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 6:48 pm |
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lump_a_charcoal wrote: No fuck it, buy one - I wanna see if it blows up. .
You wanna sponcer me,, I'll be the gunnie pig and test it
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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jungas
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:30 pm Posts: 70 Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 7:22 pm |
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I've found these guys a while back and had a heap of correspondence to and from trying to get as much info as possible for my sierra. I was am still am very keen to get one and see what it's like, i've heard of other guys running them and they seem to hold up pretty good...... probably wouldn't buy one to enter Tuff Truck but for a Zook i reckon you'd have to be trying pretty hard to break them.
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jonno_racing
az supporter
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:30 pm Posts: 8164 Location: Tassie
Vehicle: suzuki
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 7:38 pm |
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NotNormal wrote: 303zuke wrote: They've even used the ARB part no.s !! Don't encourage the pirate bastards by giving them a cent. +1
why arb is a down right rip off! overpriced but every one uses them as they have no choice. if i had the coin i would buy one now.
_________________ Do cool stuff, Put it on the internet Sierra build, Jimny build https://www.youtube.com/user/redzook1
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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 8:25 pm |
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I read another artical this morinin cimparing the chinese to the arb in a hilux, they thrashed the fuck out of both of them for a full day and both of them held up, the arb broke an axil and the Chinese stripped a ring gear,, looking more tempting
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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Jccck
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:30 pm Posts: 706
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 8:36 pm |
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jonno_racing wrote: NotNormal wrote: 303zuke wrote: They've even used the ARB part no.s !! Don't encourage the pirate bastards by giving them a cent. +1 why arb is a down right rip off! overpriced but every one uses them as they have no choice. if i had the coin i would buy one now.
ARB, Lightforce, TJM..
It's like Billabong boardshorts, or a pair of Arnette sunnys
No better than anything else, just carried by a brandname
There's plenty of products just as good, without the name.. That do just the same for half the price
Go Chinasoong!
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Hybrid
az supporter
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:30 pm Posts: 1095 Location: Bulimba, Brisbane
Vehicle: '92 Sierra
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 8:37 pm |
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I have.
The no's
No, I haven't used it yet. (the zuks lacking an engine currently)
No, I don't care that ARB didn't make 300% profit off me
No, I don't have any great expectations
No, I'm not under any misconception that this couldn't end up with me having to buy a real locker at some point in the future.
The yes's
Yes it came with all hoses switches etc just like ARB
Yes I pulled it apart to check the machining, casting, seals etc. Even spun it up in Damo's lathe. It's actually surprisingly well fabricated. Interesting note is it looks nothing like the one that ARB showed in their "F*$k I'm good just ask me" youtube ad where the blow up a knock off.
Yes I've plumbed it and tested it in the garage and it locks and unlocks just like it should.
Yes I bought it because I've got more money than sense and I've been curious ever since I saw the ARB youtube vid.
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Jccck
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:30 pm Posts: 706
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 8:41 pm |
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Would it really suprise anyone if half the components come from the same factory?
And if they dont
China has no copyright laws stopping them making whatever they want, and ARB can't do jack about it
So this locker could be a direct copy
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DR_JOSH
az supporter
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:30 pm Posts: 178 Location: Adelaide
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 8:44 pm |
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Hybrid wrote: Interesting note is it looks nothing like the one that ARB showed in their "F*$k I'm good just ask me" youtube ad where the blow up a knock off.
Yes I bought it because I've got more money than sense and I've been curious ever since I saw the ARB youtube vid.
this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewt7f-h8Wn4
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Chop
az supporter
Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:30 pm Posts: 6456 Location: Radelaide ofcourse!
Vehicle: Suzuki GV 03/ 2010 DDIS NGV
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:01 pm |
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Ive always been interested to see how these go, especially in a suzuki which is way under powered and light.
Chop
_________________ Chop
Suzuki's are like Mogwai's, they multiply!
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Hybrid
az supporter
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:30 pm Posts: 1095 Location: Bulimba, Brisbane
Vehicle: '92 Sierra
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:03 pm |
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DR_JOSH wrote: Hybrid wrote: Interesting note is it looks nothing like the one that ARB showed in their "F*$k I'm good just ask me" youtube ad where the blow up a knock off.
Yes I bought it because I've got more money than sense and I've been curious ever since I saw the ARB youtube vid. this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewt7f-h8Wn4
Yeah that's the one. If I remember right they showed some horrible castings of gears in that clip. Not the case with the unit I received.
I should have taken photos of the internals while it was out.
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dank
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:30 pm Posts: 1157 Location: VIC
Vehicle: WR250F/Jeep XJ
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:04 pm |
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As far as I have seen the chinese ones are normally using cast gears and cases rather than machined like genuine arb gear. It's unfortunate that ARB take us locals for a ride on price but there is no other option.
I know of a well known 4wd shop in Mackay who have been selling chinese lockers for a while and it seems like they have been ok. i haven't seen any bad press on the forums and these guys are heavily involved in the comp scene up north.
I think for a zook that it might be worth giving it a go. I have handled a locker for a hilux built in china, and the casting was a bit rough with some surface pitting on the case but the gears looked to be ok. They were also cast and not fully machined.
It just truly sucks that companies like Lowrange can outprice a local supplier on ARB gear, not by any fault of their own, it is just rough.
_________________ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK - KPD4x4
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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:07 pm |
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Hybrid wrote: I have.
The no's No, I haven't used it yet. (the zuks lacking an engine currently) No, I don't care that ARB didn't make 300% profit off me No, I don't have any great expectations No, I'm not under any misconception that this couldn't end up with me having to buy a real locker at some point in the future.
The yes's Yes it came with all hoses switches etc just like ARB Yes I pulled it apart to check the machining, casting, seals etc. Even spun it up in Damo's lathe. It's actually surprisingly well fabricated. Interesting note is it looks nothing like the one that ARB showed in their "F*$k I'm good just ask me" youtube ad where the blow up a knock off. Yes I've plumbed it and tested it in the garage and it locks and unlocks just like it should. Yes I bought it because I've got more money than sense and I've been curious ever since I saw the ARB youtube vid.
how much they charge to your door
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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Hybrid
az supporter
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:30 pm Posts: 1095 Location: Bulimba, Brisbane
Vehicle: '92 Sierra
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:20 pm |
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dank wrote: I have handled a locker for a hilux built in china, and the casting was a bit rough with some surface pitting on the case but the gears looked to be ok. They were also cast and not fully machined.
Pretty much exactly what I found. Pitting of the case was my only concern when visually checking it. I'm no machinist but the gears were all fully machined on mine and looked fine.
Kerm, they were $510 USD to my door in Brisbane Metro area.
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Kermy87
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:13 am Posts: 348 Location: Hervey bay QLD
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:35 pm |
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Pretty much same quote I got, cheers hybrid
_________________ Sik as drover, 32" mongrels, 4age 20v, 2" sus, 2"
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royce
omnipotent being
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:30 pm Posts: 17216 Location: Pluto
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:55 pm |
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Jccck wrote: jonno_racing wrote: NotNormal wrote: 303zuke wrote: They've even used the ARB part no.s !! Don't encourage the pirate bastards by giving them a cent. +1 why arb is a down right rip off! overpriced but every one uses them as they have no choice. if i had the coin i would buy one now. ARB, Lightforce, TJM.. It's like Billabong boardshorts, or a pair of Arnette sunnys No better than anything else, just carried by a brandname There's plenty of products just as good, without the name.. That do just the same for half the price Go Chinasoong!
Soo how do ARB, TJM, Lightforce etc design new products? its costs a shit load in time and experimental items to come up with a new product that does what its supposed to do, the Chinese jsut stick it all in a copy machine and pump em out
Would you be ok working for free? cause tis the only way they might be able to keep designing stuff
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NotNormal
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 4:14 am Posts: 23 Location: Australia
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:15 pm |
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A little bit of risk vs benefit comes in here.
In my ignorance I bought Roo Lites, I am very happy with them, but I now realise they are a knock off of Lightforce. Lightforce is a US company, and if the lights bugger up, no biggie, I can still get home. A broken diff and you are out of action.
I own up to being parochial with ARB. I think the amount of time and investment required to get a diff locker to market is somewhat higher compared to spotties, and it would be a shame to see this sort of work stop. However, if you think ARB is taking the local market for granted, I can understand the vote for the knock offs.
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SuziBlu
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:30 pm Posts: 4268 Location: Eyre Peninsula
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:16 pm |
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Royce,
I fully understand that, I do not have any problem with that, what galls me is I can get an ARB airlocker sent from the states landed at my door cheaper than I can buy an ARB in OZ, it has to fly from OZ to the states, then back again, an its cheaper.
I think ARB should have a bit of a think about this.
_________________ Bad decisions make good stories.
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jonno_racing
az supporter
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:30 pm Posts: 8164 Location: Tassie
Vehicle: suzuki
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:18 pm |
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royce wrote: Jccck wrote: jonno_racing wrote: NotNormal wrote: 303zuke wrote: They've even used the ARB part no.s !! Don't encourage the pirate bastards by giving them a cent. +1 why arb is a down right rip off! overpriced but every one uses them as they have no choice. if i had the coin i would buy one now. ARB, Lightforce, TJM.. It's like Billabong boardshorts, or a pair of Arnette sunnys No better than anything else, just carried by a brandname There's plenty of products just as good, without the name.. That do just the same for half the price Go Chinasoong! Soo how do ARB, TJM, Lightforce etc design new products? its costs a shit load in time and experimental items to come up with a new product that does what its supposed to do, the Chinese jsut stick it all in a copy machine and pump em out Would you be ok working for free? cause tis the only way they might be able to keep designing stuff
with the 500% profit they make???
_________________ Do cool stuff, Put it on the internet Sierra build, Jimny build https://www.youtube.com/user/redzook1
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Jccck
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:30 pm Posts: 706
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:19 pm |
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royce wrote: Soo how do ARB, TJM, Lightforce etc design new products? its costs a shit load in time and experimental items to come up with a new product that does what its supposed to do, the Chinese jsut stick it all in a copy machine and pump em out
Would you be ok working for free? cause tis the only way they might be able to keep designing stuff
Don't be naive, we all know their junk is overpriced.
Especially the spotlights, there's many good brands that don't cost anywhere near what Lightforce do.
R&D costs money, sure.. Good on 'em for discovering a bit of reshaped C section with some uprights and black paint makes a good bull bar.
I could've told them that
Problem is, there isn't enough competition for that clean style of bullbar for them to warrant having a competitive price, and because of this, they can charge whatever they like.
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