The only issue I have with consumer reports is that much is based on published ratings, consumer reviews and service reports... not on actual head to head testing or component examination. If I own a predator I might be perfectly happy with it and rate it as such. That doesn't necessarily make it a better, or as good, a generator as a Champion, Honda or Yamaha.

They are simply that... consumer opinion reports.

Likewise with Honda/Yamaha. Hondas are considerably more prevalent and are well deserving of their praise. With the "nuts n bolts" head to head performance reivews though... the Yamaha's come out on top and Predators don't even rank. Not that the margins are of any significance on the Honda vs. Yamaha, or that I'm knocking Honda's ONE bit. 

My personal view on the Honda vs. Yamaha... each is equal, but with different features that may be more appealing in one application vs. another. One has a fuel pump, one doesn't. One has a fuel shut-off, one doesn't. One has a steel drive shaft, the other has a plastic wheel. One get's 20min more runtime on their fuel tank... the other is quieter under heavy load... etc etc.

One brand or model within the brand may not always reflect the entire brand... and... may not always be the case. Redesigns and improvements are always on the boards. It's what drives industry so it's always a good idea to keep an open mind and evaluate apples to apples.

  On 5/1/2018 at 4:39 AM, Chalkie said:

As you can see there is the not a huge variation in scores, but there is a huge difference in prices. Second place rather surprised me.

If you read the explanation given on the Consumer Reports site it states that they did no output testing at all and relied on the manufacturer's statements. Even if all of those statements are accurate, not one of them get into the THD issues which are the major reason that Honda & Yamaha cost so much more. If you only use your generator to power heaters and things of that sort, issues related to harmonic noise on the line are negligible. If you use a microwave on a noisy source enough it could experience an early demise. If clocks supplied by your generator become inaccurate, that is a hint of THD issues or it could also be frequency control issues. If you happen to be a ham radio operator you would probably discover the THD issues very quickly. Things powered by an ac motor will be impacted by a somewhat shorter lifespan but it could take a lot of hours on the generator before the problem occurs and most RV owners will not realize that the cause was poor quality power. 

Useful lifespan of the generator set could also be quite different based on price but that would be really hard to pin down. The whole debate on portable generators reminds me of the same debate on RV brands. The vast majority of consumers buy based more on price than any other factor. If you only expect to use the generator occasionally and for short periods, quite likely you would be ahead with one of the lower cost units on a cost/value basis. If you expect to use the generator a great deal or if you plan to depend on it when power is absolutely critical or if you want to use it to supply expensive electronic equipment, then I would stick with the Honda or Yamaha. 

I have a Westinghouse WH2000iLT. I do like it a lot and have had no problems for the two years I have owned it. But it did cost over $650. I don't think anyone is making Westinghouse now.

I have not purchased yet, but I am going with a set of the Honda 2000i units.

I have found two sets for sale locally (within 60 miles) that are low hours and 

a little cheaper than new one's cost.

We have had 2 of the Predators for over a year now with the piggy back wiring.  They start on the 2 pull almost every time.  We have run them all day long with out a hiccup.  They are just as or maybe even quieter then the Hondas...  If you only need lights and TV you can run one and it is barely noticeable.  When running like that it uses very little gas and runs over night.  Not sure why folks get all hung up on Hondas other then it must be a status symbol.  I use to run one of the those dreaded yellow gens ....used it for years and it too was fairly quiet to the point that people I camped with out in Quartzite didn't even know it was running behind my trailer...  Only switched  because the 2  2000 watter's are easier to throw up into the truck....Just make sure you change the oil when necessary and they will last a long time.....

  On 5/29/2018 at 12:06 PM, steelpony5555 said:

Not sure why folks get all hung up on Hondas other then it must be a status symbol.

If you say so.?

To me, that's kind of like comparing a freight harbor tool socket set and snap-on. Under light use they may "appear" to be the same and may function just fine for the "average Joe" doing light auto repair work on his car in the garage... but hardly suitable in a mechanics shop. One might certainly swear that theirs works just fine (for their purposes) so is absolutely no different than a snap-on except in name and price. That's quite a "leap" in logic, IMHO.

There are a number of considerations when choosing a portable genset.

-Noise? Of course. Measured not only at "idle/eco mode", but at full throttle.. which is where you'll see the most difference. Not exactly a major consideration because they all fall within just a minor few db's of each other.

-Fuel consumption? 30min extra run time on the same amount of fuel and identical loads adds up over time and lowers the amount of fuel weight/cost necessary to sustain you over an extended trip.

-Clean/consistent power output (or even hitting actual rated outputs for that matter)? BIG consideration. Devices may function, but you may also be doing damage and shortening their lifespan with "dirty" or fluctuating power input. See Kirks April 30 post for more on that.

-Serviceability? How readily available are "day-to-day" routine maintenance parts? Will they still make them for your specific model a year or two from now? Many of the less expensive mfg. are notorious for discontinuing parts support when new model versions are introduced.

-Repairability/warranty service? Having an authorized service department within convenient travel of any given geographical location and in-stock OEM parts, vs. relying on "Jimmyjoebob's lawnmower and small engine repair" (No offense to Jimmyjoebob. I'm sure he does great work?), is important to many. Of course, with Predators, you DO have the option of having service center repairs done... as long as you're willing to package and ship (prepaid w/insurance) your genset to Michigan and wait out the turn-around time without it. If it's "found" that the limited warranty does not cover the repair you'll also be on the hook for the return shipping even if you elect not to have them perform the repair.

To me that's akin to holding your genset hostage. You either pay whatever exhorbitant repair bill necessary or take a hit on the shipping charges going and coming, regardless. Considered against the inital cost of the genset... that's a pretty big chunk to add on... if or when.

Most important to most:
-Reliability/longevity. New "out-of-the-box" isn't where you'll see the most difference. Put a few 1000hrs on em we'll talk again. ?

That's not at all to say that less expensive portables are not suitable for some. If your budget is limited, you're willing to take on the risks involved and it's capable of providing enough energy to meet your needs on a limited basis... I say grab it and go camping!! That "is", after all, the most important factor trumping all others. Live within your needs and means and go camp!

If you're happy with your purchase and your gensets performance... that should be good enough! It's not necessary to denigrate others choices where some of the above factors weighed more heavily on their decision making process than it might for some.

Edited May 29, 2018 by Yarome

  On 5/13/2018 at 10:38 PM, Phil Saran said:

I have found two sets for sale locally (within 60 miles) that are low hours and 

a little cheaper than new one's cost.

With a little patience some really good deals can be found.. and "slightly used" isn't much of an issue as long as they've been taken care of. I think you'll find that there are a lot on the market for sale where folks bought them but didn't actually use them as much as they thought they might... or puchased them for a stick and bricks emergency backup but turn around and let them go with little to no use when the fear of "crisis" is low and money is tight. ?

Good hunting!

  On 5/29/2018 at 7:55 PM, Yarome said:

With a little patience some really good deals can be found.. and "slightly used" isn't much of an issue as long as they've been taken care of. I think you'll find that there are a lot on the market for sale where folks bought them but didn't actually use them as much as they thought they might... or puchased them for a stick and bricks emergency backup but turn around and let them go with little to no use when the fear of "crisis" is low and money is tight. ?

Good hunting!

I bought two eu2000's after Ike [2008 ] with parallel kit. Ran them monthly  with electric heater as load, had maybe 30 hours on them, [No storms since 2008], so just sold them with covers and manuals for $1200 for the pair.

  On 5/29/2018 at 9:53 PM, jcussen said:

I bought two eu2000's after Ike [2008 ] with parallel kit. Ran them monthly  with electric heater as load, had maybe 30 hours on them, [No storms since 2008], so just sold them with covers and manuals for $1200 for the pair.

Exact case in point! 2008's run monthly, parrallel kit and 30hrs on em (barely up for their first oil change)... $1200 was "extremely" fair pricing. ?

  On 4/30/2018 at 10:08 AM, TXiceman said:

Honda EU series are quiet and reliable.  Parts and service are available nation wide.  On the clones, you pay your money and you take your chances.

Ken

That was the same situation when Honda began selling gensets, lack of service shops. I use a Boliy, inverter genset, every part is "plug n play" and most Honda shops have replacement parts.