Honda 3000is vs 2x Honda 2000i

[DFlores]

I just received an ad from Northern Tool, they advertise a Powermate 2000 that is comparable to the Honda 2000i, for $549, what are the groups thoughts

[Bruce B]

There is no denying the EU3000iS is a heavy machine. I can lift ours by myself still so we keep it. I do sometimes wish for a smaller (lighter actually) unit and when I begin thinking about replacements, I always end up thinking that it would simply be a step in the wrong direction. Our Honda is powerful enough to run our trailer in its entirety, it is uber-quiet, it has been as reliable as any Honda product and did I say it is quiet? Quiet counts a lot in our book. As long as we can deal with it's heft it will stay.
Bruce

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by DFlores

I just received an ad from Northern Tool, they advertise a Powermate 2000 that is comparable to the Honda 2000i, for $549, what are the groups thoughts

On NT's website I see a Powerhorse and a Powerhouse inverter generator in the 2k range, no Powermate. I opened my NT propaganda packet just now and around here they have a Powerhorse 2000w peak (1600 rated) with a free parallel kit for $599. I've never heard of Powerhorse before... it claims a 2-year warranty, and if NT fulfills the warranty that would be good. If you have to find a Powerhorse service point it might not...

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

On NT's website I see a Powerhorse and a Powerhouse inverter generator in the 2k range, no Powermate. I opened my NT propaganda packet just now and around here they have a Powerhorse 2000w peak (1600 rated) with a free parallel kit for $599. I've never heard of Powerhorse before... it claims a 2-year warranty, and if NT fulfills the warranty that would be good. If you have to find a Powerhorse service point it might not...

I believe this is good advice. I would go one further and point out that a Honda while more expensive is after all a Honda (or for that matter a Yamaha is a Yamaha). When I see these knock off products I tend to keep lo keep looking. Even if the company is legitimately building and supporting a quality product (and that is a big if...) the next question I have is "will parts be available next year? How about in 2 or 3 years". I have had some experience with this in the world of Chinese scooters. While some are decent designs most have virtually no parts support. I have seen people spend more these knockoffs than a real name brand product would have cost only to throw them away in disgust.

Just saying...
Bruce

[TinTin]

The retained value on Honda and Yamaha generators is phenomenal, easy to see when you peruse Craigslist or Kijiji. This is seldom the case for used SOB generators.