I've owned a Kipor 3000W inverter genset since 2004. Bought it new for about half the price of a Honda EU3000. It has been a real reliable genset, and is about as quiet as the Honda.
The Boliy gensets have great specs, and there are a lot of happy users on this forum.
Good luck with your choice.
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mlts22 wrote: The truth lies between the generator snobbery....
Aw, come on. Since when is being considerate of your neighbors "snobbery".
I was surprised by how few people knew what an inverter generator was, much less would pony up the cash for one. Even if someone couldn't afford a red/blue, buying the CPEs, Magnas, Boliys, etc... it would bring a lot of peace/quiet to campsites.
I think I have given up on generators. Although I still have my old 2300va rated Kipor I hardly use it. KGE3000Ti. If we need air conditioning we are headed for hookups. For everything else I have an inverter or it will run on propane. With recently added solar I can't imagine ever needing a battery charge.
UncleDonald wrote: Thanks for all replies. More info. Mostly I am looking for a generator to take on Alaska trip this summer. Looking for one to recharge batts and maybe run the tv to watch a movie and make sure I can run the furnace if it turns cold.
Looking at price, easy start and quiet running. So far I am impressed with the Champion at around $550. At about $400 less than the Honda, I can use that money toward some Maxxis for the trailer.
Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated. Don
FWIW, I now own three Champion 2000i and I'm very happy with them. I had a Honda eu2000i that I just got rid of last week. I bought my Champion at Costco for $500 each. I strongly suggest you spend a week... and read that 219 pages thread about the Champion. You won't regret it. Also, drop by the Yahoo forum for Honda eu2000i, you might find out that they are not as perfect as you might think.
Champion beats Honda in support and helpfullness. And at low rpm, the Champion are fairly quiet, not so far off from the Honda. IMO, both brands are a bet, so why not bet with the lowest bid? Yamaha are fine too, but seem to cost more than Honda. In the end, I prefer to lose the least amount of money, so I bought Champion instead of more Honda.
Your post was interesting, as I often note "opinions vary" but when you stated:
"Champion beats Honda in support and helpfullness. And at low rpm, the Champion are fairly quiet, not so far off from the Honda. "
you lost all credibility. Most Honda's simply don't need much support/service as their reliability and fuel efficiency are the standards by which all others are measured and this has been the case for years/decades. Count the number of Honda sales/service facilities in the US and then count the Champions, end of discussion. The problem with many of the Chinese knock offs, and I think Champion is probably the best of the lot, is the lack of service and availability of parts. Read the reviews posted on line at any site that sells them and you will find that is the principle complaint.
The second point you made that the Champion is "fairly quiet" was honest but admit it, you damn with faint praise. I'm glad you are as happy with your Champ's as I am happy with my Honda's. Last week we were camping at Lost Dutchman SP and when our new neighbor arrived I walked over to say hello. He had a Champion 4000 in the bed of his Tundra and I told him I would like to hear it run. "No you don't!" he said with a smile. "It's really loud". We left before he needed to run it so I don't know for sure but suspect he was being brutally honest. I run the Honda(s) so little it doesn't make that much difference to me but it is nice to know I can do so without bothering most folks.
Desert Captain wrote: Last week we were camping at Lost Dutchman SP and when our new neighbor arrived I walked over to say hello. He had a Champion 4000 in the bed of his Tundra and I told him I would like to hear it run.
We went camping at Paradise SP in the Santa Ynez mountains. Had a site right next to some tent campers. The husband remarked on how quiet our generator was. When I told him we didn't have one, he simply said, "no wonder".
Desert Captain wrote: Your post was interesting, as I often note "opinions vary" but when you stated:
"Champion beats Honda in support and helpfullness. And at low rpm, the Champion are fairly quiet, not so far off from the Honda. "
you lost all credibility. Most Honda's simply don't need much support/service as their reliability and fuel efficiency are the standards by which all others are measured and this has been the case for years/decades. Count the number of Honda sales/service facilities in the US and then count the Champions, end of discussion. The problem with many of the Chinese knock offs, and I think Champion is probably the best of the lot, is the lack of service and availability of parts. Read the reviews posted on line at any site that sells them and you will find that is the principle complaint.
The second point you made that the Champion is "fairly quiet" was honest but admit it, you damn with faint praise. I'm glad you are as happy with your Champ's as I am happy with my Honda's. Last week we were camping at Lost Dutchman SP and when our new neighbor arrived I walked over to say hello. He had a Champion 4000 in the bed of his Tundra and I told him I would like to hear it run. "No you don't!" he said with a smile. "It's really loud". We left before he needed to run it so I don't know for sure but suspect he was being brutally honest. I run the Honda(s) so little it doesn't make that much difference to me but it is nice to know I can do so without bothering most folks.
Regarding the eu2000i, it seems to me that either people are lucky and everything goes well, or it is a complete disaster and a horror story. That is my take based on reading so many detailed posts from people who experienced 'difficulties' with their eu2000i. If one spend the time, there is plenty of good and bad to read about the eu2000i. Too many horror stories from a company like Honda.
And regarding Honda customer service, I also had to deal with them in regards to my 4 yrs old, $1,200 lawnmower and after hanging up the phone I told myself that I was glad I didn't have to deal with them more often.
* This post was
edited 02/24/12 08:57am by Bernadette Shoe *
toyboxgang1 wrote: Has anyone heard any comments on the Power Ease line? http://www.ruralking.com/generator-3-500w-inverter.html?utm_medium=google&utm_source=cse&cvsfa=1908&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=313439343830303430
I was speaking with a local repair shop that is a honda and power ease dealer. He said that there are people from NA who are stationed in the assembly plant in China to make sure that they adhere to the proper manufacturing requirements. He said that he has never had one back with any issues and has sold more of them than Honda's in the last year.
Or has anyone heard anything on this one? http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod863526&#desc
Or this one, which is the same power ease engine (INVERTER 3500 WATT CIH
Item no.: MCI3500) http://www.cnhshopproducts.com/itemlist.cih?Category=Generators&Group=POWER+EQUIPMENT
Thanks in advance.
Try amazon.com, there are many reviews over there.
If your needs can be met with an outstanding, ultra-quiet (one dB louder than an idling new Honda), small generator ... good for lights, TV/movies, computer, hair dryers set on LOW, hand-held vacuum cleaner, slightly slower speed battery charging, and using 1/2 gallon of gas every 6 hours (but NOT for running an air conditioner) ... then you might want to pick up a used Honda EX650 for $150-$200:
I will second that. Our little EX650 did a great job for us for years. It was replaced with an EU2000 only because DW wanted the gen to run the microwave.
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