This evening I was at costco and strolled down the generator aisle - expecting to see a Champion generator - which I did - but also was another generator.Smarter Tools was the brand name with a "Yamaha" engine driving the 2000W surge/1600w continuous duty. It weighs in at 44lbs dry - but what caught my eye more than anything else was the sound. 51dbs. I didn't see the distance it was measured at. It advertises a parallel option for doubling the output.Has anyone seen one of these beasts out in the real world yet?I found a youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN1FKcxgadM and excluding the diatribe and the fact the guy never started it, it's a good clear picture of the generator and what it looks like. Thoughts on this one?

This generator can be viewed here on AMAZON... Has included reviews... All the photos I find under this part number has model AP2000i model number on the unit. Could not find a photo on google search with GP2000i model number on the unit??? I guess they are the same...Smarttools ST-GP2000i 2KW Generator Roy Ken

My thoughts on these Chinese knock offs is you absolutely get what you paid for. "The joy of a cheap price is long forgotten while the pain of cheap quality lingers on."

jodeb720,,Last year I bought a Smarter Tools generator (7500 Watts) from Costco and immediately modified it to run on propane and added over-voltage protection. (This is for residential use as I'm not an RVer.I frequently contacted Smarter Tools Customer Support to obtain wiring drawings, determine thread size on oil drain, etc, etc.My purpose here is to tell you their Customer Support is absolutely awesome!If you want some individual contact names and numbers, let me know and I'll send them to you by private message.

""My thoughts on these Chinese knock offs is you absolutely get what you paid for. "The joy of a cheap price is long forgotten while the pain of cheap quality lingers on." ""I couldn't disagree more... I have a 2000 Champion and love it. It starts everytime, runs quiet, fuel efficient and was/is 1/2 price of Honda. The quality is excellent.Bottom line is if others have it and are happy, why not get it and enjoy the savings.

DesertFiver, you are absolutely correct, in my opinion. The quality of these Chinese CHONDA generators is very good and the prices are much less than the arguably over-priced Hondas.There are few threads here specifically tailored to the Chinese clones - one going back almost decade. There are literally hundreds of RVer who are just elated with their generators.I have found the Customer Service on my Smarter Tools generator to be simply outstanding!!!

Smarter Tools Inverter Generator at Costco? | Good Sam Community

DesertFiver
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
""My thoughts on these Chinese knock offs is you absolutely get what you paid for.
"The joy of a cheap price is long forgotten while the pain of cheap quality lingers on." ""

I couldn't disagree more... I have a 2000 Champion and love it. It starts everytime, runs quiet, fuel efficient and was/is 1/2 price of Honda. The quality is excellent.
Bottom line is if others have it and are happy, why not get it and enjoy the savings.
SaltiDawg
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
jodeb720,,

Last year I bought a Smarter Tools generator (7500 Watts) from Costco and immediately modified it to run on propane and added over-voltage protection. (This is for residential use as I'm not an RVer.

I frequently contacted Smarter Tools Customer Support to obtain wiring drawings, determine thread size on oil drain, etc, etc.

My purpose here is to tell you their Customer Support is absolutely awesome!

If you want some individual contact names and numbers, let me know and I'll send them to you by private message.
I_am_still_wayn
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
My thoughts on these Chinese knock offs is you absolutely get what you paid for.
"The joy of a cheap price is long forgotten while the pain of cheap quality lingers on."
RoyB
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2014
This generator can be viewed here on AMAZON... Has included reviews... All the photos I find under this part number has model AP2000i model number on the unit. Could not find a photo on google search with GP2000i model number on the unit??? I guess they are the same...
Smarttools ST-GP2000i 2KW Generator

Roy Ken

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