Firman generator on sale at Costco

Boon Docker wrote:

jjrbus wrote:
The BIG problem with the Hondas is the replacement parts are expensive. That is what I have been told. On my 6th Honda and have not bought a replacement part.

6th Honda, do you just toss them away when they quit working? :B

First one was an open frame Honda, replaced that with 2 2000 watt, then I sold for about what I paid for them and replaced with a Onan diesel genset, BIG mistake! Next was a Honda EV which I let go with the RV I sold, still kicking myself for not keeping.

Bought a used 2000 and kept it for a few years, sold it for more than I paid and now on #6 which I have had about 4 years. This is over a 20 year period, Think I bought the open frame Honda in 2000?

dieseltruckdriver wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I think the market place is changing. The off brand gensets are better than they were just a few years ago. There is a market for an inexpensive genset that is only used occasionally. Once upon a time Honda was the only way to go, however in today's market the bargain priced gensets have a niche to fill.
The off brands are not equal to a Honda, but they still get the job done for the occasional user.

I do agree with you, that is why after thinking about my response I added my disclaimer.
In the group we normally camp with, myself and one other guy got made fun of for spending so much on our Honda generators. Our group almost always only boondock/dry camp, so the generators are a big deal to our group. The two of us are still using our Hondas over 10 years later. They have bought enough Champions, Predators, and some other brands that escape me right now but were cheap, that they could have just bought Hondas and been money ahead.

In the last few years, I have added enough solar that I hardly use a generator any more, but I will not give the Hondas up.

Funny how the genset discussion has evolved.
The ultimate set up is no longer a Honda. It is no longer a genset at all.
Solar has come a long way that it is possible to run a RV A/C unit a few hours now via an inverter and large battery bank.
Just a few yeas ago running a A/C unit via batteries was virtually impossible. Currently state of the art solar set ups make A/C possible.
With that in mind one could be heavily invested in solar/batteries and have a off brand less expensive genset as a back up.

Dave H M wrote:

#1Flyboy wrote:
I’m a fan of a Honda or Yamaha; dependable, repairable if they ever quit working, High resale value, not made in Communist China!

must be loving it in the dark. So where are some of the honda's and their parts made? :S

This seems to be more of a geography question rather than an implied design or quality question, but unlike some globalist advocates, trust that I’m no fan of Chairman Xi...

3 tons

Would be nice if Costco offers a good deal on a 9k-12k watt genny for home use.

Chew and spit?

jjrbus wrote:
The BIG problem with the Hondas is the replacement parts are expensive. That is what I have been told. On my 6th Honda and have not bought a replacement part.

6th Honda, do you just toss them away when they quit working? :B

dieseltruckdriver wrote:

4x4van wrote:
Could buy 3 of the Firmans for the price of 1 Honda.

And you might have to.

Key word being “might”.

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
Parked near a friend using the Predator 3500 inverter generator, they are loud compared to a Honda 2000. It was also loud compared to his Champion 2000 inverter generator that he switched to later.

Comparing the loudness of a 3500 (of any brand) to a 2000 is more than a bit unfair; apples to oranges. Even the Honda 3500 would have been louder than the Honda 2000.

The Champion, Predator, Firman 2000 are within a few decibels of the Honda/Yamaha, depending on load. You are correct, though; it really depends on usage as to which generator is the way to go for any individual. As Lantley said; the quality of the "other" generators has improved over the last few years, and there is without a doubt a place in the market for a relatively inexpensive generator that does not see heavy use.

The BIG problem with the Hondas is the replacement parts are expensive. That is what I have been told. On my 6th Honda and have not bought a replacement part.

Lantley wrote:
I think the market place is changing. The off brand gensets are better than they were just a few years ago. There is a market for an inexpensive genset that is only used occasionally. Once upon a time Honda was the only way to go, however in today's market the bargain priced gensets have a niche to fill.
The off brands are not equal to a Honda, but they still get the job done for the occasional user.

I do agree with you, that is why after thinking about my response I added my disclaimer.
In the group we normally camp with, myself and one other guy got made fun of for spending so much on our Honda generators. Our group almost always only boondock/dry camp, so the generators are a big deal to our group. The two of us are still using our Hondas over 10 years later. They have bought enough Champions, Predators, and some other brands that escape me right now but were cheap, that they could have just bought Hondas and been money ahead.

In the last few years, I have added enough solar that I hardly use a generator any more, but I will not give the Hondas up.

I think the market place is changing. The off brand gensets are better than they were just a few years ago. There is a market for an inexpensive genset that is only used occasionally. Once upon a time Honda was the only way to go, however in today's market the bargain priced gensets have a niche to fill.
The off brands are not equal to a Honda, but they still get the job done for the occasional user.