The snark is unnecessary, I've never made any claims to having more expertise than anyone here. I'm well aware of how much experience you have, I'm simply chiming in to say - mine works for me.
:cheesy: Whoa there buddy, no need to get your panties in a bunch. I've never met you in person and I would never assume that I know more than the next guy. You just seem pretty sure of yourself and so I can only be left to assume that you're speaking from experience that I don't have. I'm glad to hear your winch has been working for you and I sincerely hope that it will continue to do so.
And while I don't doubt the failure rate of Chinese made winches is greater than that of American made winches, even though I haven't seen any numbers to prove it.
Not sure what "numbers" you'd be referring to. Me, I can only go off of what I have personally seen.
I also think most people around here wheel in groups and if they were to experience a winch failure, they could simply get assistance like anyone without a winch, and get it warrantied later.
Yeah, I suppose that would work out great if you were in a position where pulling you backward was an option or where someone could actually work their way around in front of you. Of course, this is to say nothing about you being in a position where your help would have been the best option but had nothing to offer.
Some folks might prefer the peace of mind of a brand they won't worry about failing as much - however if you're in those situations you likely know it and don't need to ask.
I realize that it helps you to sleep better at night making this into a "brand" thing but it really isn't or at least, not to me. Peace of mind comes from knowing what I have now WILL WORK when I need it just like it has again and again over the last 10 years. Hell, just like the 43 year old winch that's on my old CJ still works to this day. It's not like I haven't run other "brands" in the past, it's just that I have found ones made in the USA work reliably and consistently.
You made the comparison to parachutes. That's a life or death situation. And I don't think most recreational wheelers are in a life/death situation when they go out on the weekends. Again, just my humble little stinks-like-an-asshole opinion.
Ummm, you live in the State of Nevada, a place where you can literally get out to a place 100 miles from the nearest anything and with very little effort and in a day. You don't need to be playing on crazy big obstacles to put yourself in a life or death situation.