After yesterday's announcement, I feel like I have to completely rethink my originally plan for a winch purchase. I was dead set on getting the Warn M8000 on Friday, but happened to be too busy to order it. I knew I wanted a Warn and the M8000 was really the only thing in my budget.
Now that the VR Series has been introduced I have a few more options. The M8000 is still lighter weight and faster than the VR8000, but also about $100 more (after including the mount, etc.) Should I take the savings? Can anyone shed any light on why I might want one over the other?
Also, I find myself considering the extra power from the VR10,000 now that it's at a comparable price point to the M8,000. I was already planning on paying the $539 for the M8,000, should I just skip the VR8,000 and go ahead and get the VR10,000 for $500 (after rebate)? :help:
Any help is appreciated. I've been in the market for a winch for a long time and think my patience has paid off. Now I just need to make a decision.
I just got my M8000 last week. Time will tell if the VR series will hold up time and time again. I got the M8000 because it is a tried and true winch and I want to know that when I need it, it is going to work. The VR series might be just as good. I think Warn had to do something to compete with all of the Chinese winches like Smittybuilt and the like.
I am curious about the VR - anyone have a link or pic to a chart of the differences in line speed, HP, spool size, etc. of Warns different winches? A Warn at the cost of a rugged ridge or smittybilt is attractive, but I'm curious at what sacrifice this low cost, costs...if you will
Thanks for the input. BigMikeATL, I had the same thoughts about the M8000 being a proven winch. However, Warn is also a proven name, so I hope the same quality is included.
If you go into product detail for each one, it breaks down the speed at different loads. I've not owned a winch before, so I'm unsure of how much of a preference factor the speed is as long as it's reliable and gets the job done.
Anybody have any thoughts about a Warn 8000 vs a 10000, in general, at those prices?
My thoughts exactly...if I can buy a Warn 10Klbs at the same price as a Rugged Ridge 10Klbs...the name and inherent quality associated with that name, seems to make the Warn a no brainer. I'll do some further reading into spec comparisons
I got tired and haven't yet added in the smittybilt or any other comparable, money saver, base model winches. I'll be happy to add to the chart at your request :cheers2: Mike
i'd love to see the smittybilt xrc10 added to the comparason. i mean for 400 bucks getting a 10k lb winch seems like a no brainer but i'd like to be sure
(400 dollar price point i found was at winch depot)
In self recovery mode, any of the winches will suffice. You get stuck, pull out the line, and winch yoursef out. Line speed is what it is. You'll get out faster with the faster line speed. The amount of cable on the drum is the pull speed/load determiner.
Constant duty, being at the lead and have to turn around and winch your buddies up a bad spot, here's where the stuff can hit the fan. Or, a trail that the winch line is out for extended periods. Inferior winches will heat up and stop. I've seen other winches have to pause, and I've seen not so well maintained Warns fail. You see the minimum battery requirements listed. I'd say that's not even close. Get the spec sheet for all of them and look at the load draw under full pull. That'd be as important in the winch game, power leads, too.
First pass, looks like the VR is put together a little cheaper, and it only says 12VDC motor, doesn't mention the motor size, which is okay if the same motor and relays are used as the M series. Then you just need to maintain the VR so it doesn't rust if it gets scratched.
Different motor - big deal.
Different gear train - planetary gears and quality big deal to me.
Control difference, who cares if it works.
Contractors vs solenoids? Bull$hit if you ask me, same thing. Surprised Warn would pull that crap on valued users?
Agreed. Although it's probably in Warn's financial interests to break out a knock-off to compete price-wise with all the competition. Remember when it was just Warn and Ramsey???
Real question to me is is the M8000 $60 price difference worth it. As stated above, the M8000 is proven and if there's some ambiguity over possible cheaper parts/design in the VR8000 then I'll go for the proven one for a pretty insignificant price difference.
RockyClymer, not sure if I'm getting your message across right- are you saying that the differences aren't material enough to warrant paying the extra $140 (rebate) for the M8000?
I got tired and haven't yet added in the smittybilt or any other comparable, money saver, base model winches. I'll be happy to add to the chart at your request :cheers2: Mike
I was bored, so I found the specs for the different winches and put them into a spreadsheet, then copied and pasted to paint and saved as a JPEG. I'll get bored tomorrow and a do some more :cheers2:
These $399 price points for vr8000 are when including the $80 rebate, which is also is available on the m8000 which would be $459 after rebate on qtec and other retailers. So this is where the question lies, is it worth it to save a minuscule $60 and have half the line speed and and other compromises that have been stated? I'm thinking my near future purchase will be the M8000 for the piece of mind.
Sorry for confusion in my earlier post. I mean to say that a different motor and gears is a big deal in that cheaper or lower quality would make me wary of getting one when I can get the M8000 for a few more bucks.
Surprised Warn would put their reputation on the line with a winch built with lower quality components. I don't think the price difference of the M8000 and the VR8000 is worth tarnishing their rep. Guess we just have to wait and see..:dunno:
I guess with any new product that hits the market it needs to be field tested and put through the ropes. I would hate to save some money and then have it fail on me when my life might depend on it. I'm sure it works as advertised. Maybe an independent testing company should put it through real world testing against other brands.
You have to call them to get any kind of deal. I got my M8000 to my door for $540. Some manufacturers have rules that state the seller has to list the MSRP, but they don't have to sell it at that price.
I just ordered the VR8000 from gowarn.com. They had it discounted to $427.19 with free shipping and Warn has a $50 rebate so the total net cost will be $377.19.
I have the m8000 and have had zero issues with it. Going on 6yrs now.
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