I was going to suggest the Talon series from Superwinch, but looking at Summit Racing they seem to be expensive. I purchased my Superwinch EP9.0 (no longer made) 4 or 5 years ago for about $650. Search is your friend here.
You get what you pay for. I am leery of the inexpensive electric recovery winches that have come onto the market over the last several years.
I do know people that have used these successfully, including a 12K Harbor Freight model.
The items I am concerned about are the quality of the components that were used during assembly, and how they will stand up over the long term. Also whether replacement parts will be available several years in the future.
An electric recovery winch that sits in a bull bar year after year, out in the rain and sun, used infrequently - will it work when you need it? Or will electrical parts corrode, water get into the gearbox, etc.?
If you have spent $$ on a premium product like a Slee winch bumper you should spend the coin on a quality winch. My $00.02
I will only buy warn.Might be higher priced than a lot of others but hands down the best/most reliable winch out there.Id rather spend a few bucks more now than be stuck in the bush with an unreliable winch.iv seen more than a few smittybuilt and champion winches fail.
Another vote for a Warn winch. If $ is an issue, get a used one. Lots on Craigslist.
You would be surprised what a Warn M8000 can do on the front of an 80, and it's lighter, and can be made very light with synthetic cable. Even if you need to double line pull with a snatch block, so what? You won't be winching much unless you are constantly in the mud, and if you do live in the mud, a Chinese winch won't hold up anyway.
To me the real advantage of a Warn winch is the company. They have great customer service, a full stock of parts and are excellent all around.
A lot really depends on how and how often you intend to use it. If you are winching yourself, or others, out of 'situations' every time you go wheeling: Go Warn or Ramsey. My preference is the 8274 (I own two of them):
I just went on Craigslist and just in my area are a Warn 8274 with a synthetic cable for $500-(says working but needs a clean up), and a clean looking M8000 for $400. Those are asking prices.
It's hard to make an argument for a Chinese winch.
It all depends on your time horizon. If this is a 2 year hobby for you, get a Chinese winch if you must. If you plan to be in this game for 20 years, get a Warn winch. 15 years from now when your winch needs a repair, Warn will still have parts on the shelf. You'll be on your 5th Chinese winch by then.
When considering your purchase, realize that the only winch from Warn that is worth anything is the 8274. Their other winches are identical in design to countless others on the market, the Warn warranty is identical to most on the market (actually the warranty on many other winches is better than Warn's), and with Warn your paying a huge mark up for the name and "assembled in USA."
Buy the badlands 12k, seal it and replace the factory grease with a proper moly grease, and replace the electronics with albrights. You will have a hard working and trouble free winch for years as long as you make sure to replace the grease and reseal it ever couple of years or so.
Another vote for ComeUp. I bought mine last spring and have been very pleased with it. Quality is great and performance is as well. Full disclosure.....since purchasing my winch ComeUp has contracted with me to help with their marketing efforts so take it for what it's worth...maybe you find my recommendation totally biased and will dismiss it. That's fine and I'm sure some will do just that. But having had several Warn winches in the past (which I had good luck with) I will just say that I did my own research and purchased the ComeUp that is currently on my 80 before there was even a hint at a future partnership with ComeUp, so it had no bearing on my purchase. I'm glad to say as time goes on the more pleased I am with the purchase. The quality and reliability are proven and every bit as good as what I have seen from Warn.
I'm not trying to downplay any of the Warn products, they've earned their reputation but just suggesting another high quality option at very reasonable prices. Good options from both companies. ComeUp is at least worth a look if you haven't given it consideration.
I went ahead and got a Warn 10,000 VR with synthetic line, great purchase! I mounted it on my Slee Shortbus Bumper! I have already pulled out a F-350 0n 35"s
