Warn 9.5cti or Zeon 10..??
- Thread starter JKCrawler
- Start date
OscarMike2.0
New member
Both great winches. Dont think you can really go wrong with either. That being said though the CTI is faster and the Zeon draws less amps.
Spudcannons
New member
Are they both waterproof?
OscarMike2.0
New member
I dont think either are "waterproof" but they are definitely both water resistant. Warns website says nothing about the Zeon being waterproof or anything even related to water resistance. The CTI however has this stated in the description "Extreme-duty winch sealing system" as for what that means compared to the Zeon I really dont know.
Spudcannons
New member
I just saw the zeon has -Extreme waterproofing meets rigorous IP68 standards-
IP68 standards-Protected from total dust ingress. Protected from long term immersion over 1m up to a specified pressure. says google.
OscarMike2.0
New member
While what you read/quoted might be true I would only take what Warns website says seriously.
https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/95cti-s_winch.shtml
https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10.shtml
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Havoc40
New member
I think the Zeon Platinum is the only one that meets the IP68 standards. Probably due to the sealed electric clutch vs. the traditional manual lever on the standard Zeon.
https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10-S_Pltnm.shtml
https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10-S_Pltnm.shtml
Spudcannons
New member
Yep yep. That's the one I was looking at. Seems beastly.
Spudcannons
New member
Good point. I guess the warranty would be key. They are a 2 year on electronics? Why did you go for the zeon over the 9.5 CTI?
JEEPAlexander14
Member
I was planning on getting a zeon but ended up getting a good deal on a 9.5. It currently has steal cable. It pulls the line a lot faster the zeon (my friend has the zeon). However the clutch is a very small handle which makes it slight hard to turn. You can't go wrong with either.
Wardell
New member
Both the Zeon and Zeon Platinum are IP68 rated for dust and waterproofness. I found this vid from SEMA 2012 (when the Zeon was first revealed) where the Warn rep talks about it (about 50 seconds in).
https://youtu.be/_6XadtHjzLY
I don't know if the 9.5CTI was ever IP rated, but it is a Warn, so I doubt it would be too bad.
There has been a couple other threads comparing these two with more good info. I'll see if I can find one.
https://youtu.be/_6XadtHjzLY
I don't know if the 9.5CTI was ever IP rated, but it is a Warn, so I doubt it would be too bad.
There has been a couple other threads comparing these two with more good info. I'll see if I can find one.
Wardell
New member
This might have been the thread I was thinking about, but I thought there was a longer one:
http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=28146
These are the differences between the 9.5 CTI-s and Zeon 10-s that I found (I think most of them have been mentioned already):
- Design: The Zeon is wider and is a centred setup, while the CTI is off centre. That might bug you if you have OCD, but more importantly it means the Zeon won't fit in as many bumpers. You can relocate the control pack from the top of the Zeon (to mount it under the hood etc), but that really isn't necessary on a Jeep bumper unless you want to give it a low profile look.
- Raiting: The Zeon has a 10000 lbs raiting, while the CTI is 9500 lbs. Both will be powerful enough for a JKU.
- Line Speed: The CTI is a bit faster.
- Amp Draw: The Zeon has a slightly lower power draw.
- Waterproofness: The Zeon is IP68, CTI is unknown.
- Thermal Indicator: The CTI has something for this. IIRC, it's just a warning light on the winch controller. The Zeon doesn't have an indicator.
I was having a tough time choosing between these too, until the Zeon Platinum came out. It is as good or better than the best stats of both the other winches. Plus, it has a great cordless remote with the clutch control built in, displays winch temp and battery voltage on the screen, and can even control two accessories. Only downside is it costs around 50% more than the others. If I didn't get the Platinum, I'd probably have bought the older Zeon.
http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=28146
These are the differences between the 9.5 CTI-s and Zeon 10-s that I found (I think most of them have been mentioned already):
- Design: The Zeon is wider and is a centred setup, while the CTI is off centre. That might bug you if you have OCD, but more importantly it means the Zeon won't fit in as many bumpers. You can relocate the control pack from the top of the Zeon (to mount it under the hood etc), but that really isn't necessary on a Jeep bumper unless you want to give it a low profile look.
- Raiting: The Zeon has a 10000 lbs raiting, while the CTI is 9500 lbs. Both will be powerful enough for a JKU.
- Line Speed: The CTI is a bit faster.
- Amp Draw: The Zeon has a slightly lower power draw.
- Waterproofness: The Zeon is IP68, CTI is unknown.
- Thermal Indicator: The CTI has something for this. IIRC, it's just a warning light on the winch controller. The Zeon doesn't have an indicator.
I was having a tough time choosing between these too, until the Zeon Platinum came out. It is as good or better than the best stats of both the other winches. Plus, it has a great cordless remote with the clutch control built in, displays winch temp and battery voltage on the screen, and can even control two accessories. Only downside is it costs around 50% more than the others. If I didn't get the Platinum, I'd probably have bought the older Zeon.
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NevadaZielmeister
Caught the Bug
How important is it for a winch to be waterproof? What kind of environments should one need a waterproof winch?
Spudcannons
New member
In New England there will be salt exposure unless removed from the jeep for the winter. A ton of it dissolved in melted snow/slush/water gets splashed everywhere and some will inevitably make it to the winch even when covered. Otherwise I would not see much of an issue with the waterproofing over water resistant. You are lucky with the weather in NV and won't have the evil salt problems we do :yup:
I got the cti s and was really pleased. Zeon wouldn't fit in my ARB stubby without a lot of cutting from what I read. So I went with the cti s. Bolted right on with only a small amount of trimming. Line speed is awesome. Noise is minimal. And it looks balanced in the bumper (not too obviously offset). Wheeling in october at hidden falls so may get a chance to use it. Especially since I'm stock for the most part. For me it was more a question of fitment. Would have loved the zeon but it was too large and a bit heavier too. Like that the cti s weighs less.
Havoc40
New member
I honestly never even considered the cti. I just couldn't justify the extra cost over the Zeon (before I even knew about the Mopar deal). My decision had always been between a PowerPlant and the Zeon. I finally chose the Zeon because it was centered, good price, and I'm going to run an ARB twin.
Edit: I don't know about the electronics warranty with Warn. I'd have to look that up or call. I know it says Limited Lifetime?
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Wardell
New member
For most people it's probably just a nice to have, but it could help extend the life of the winch. I'm pretty sure a friend of mine's Superwinch died because of mud and water that got into it, which damaged it over time. You don't have to worry about this so much if it's waterproof, though if it's not you could probably make up for that by maintaining it a bit more dilligently.
I'd only say you need a waterproof winch if you're likely to get stuck in mud holes, muskeg, swamps, ect and may have to run the winch while immersed in water. And even then, I'd try another option first (i.e. have a buddy tow or winch you out).
To me, it was worth the extra piece of mind to get a water proof winch, just because there is less that could go wrong with it.
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