ChrisB Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Does anyone have any experience of these? Looks like a cheaper option, but has a hint of something orange about it! Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 No personal exprience but the plastic looks a totally differnt grade, probably go brittle after a time in the elements and crack or shatter. For the extra 30 quid i would buy the genuine Safari from here http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/safari-snorkels-c-2353.html?sort=2a&page=1&csslist=cols Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&S Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 I've seen them. They don't appear as good a grade of plastic and the top is moulded so doesn't rotate. Any damage to the top (which I guess could easily happen) would result in breakage and complete replacement. I haven't used one though, but seeing one at Craddocks was enough to stop me buying one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axlechorus Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Irrespective of the plastic I wouldnt touch it as the non rotateable head means that driving in heavy rain you will probably get water down it and into the airbox - cue rusted air filter or worse (I made the mistake once with my southdown one when I forgot to rotate the head around) Personnally I dont think u can beat a southdown snorkle, I have one from their seconds store on ebay, cost about the same and is superb, Much slimer and better fitting in my opinion. Cheers Ryck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtail4x4 Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 so cheap "orange" tat then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted April 15, 2010 Author Share Posted April 15, 2010 Ok, looks like I'll be avoiding those then! I was concerned about quality of plastic, having seen the type of abuse a proper Safari one would happily take. I guess I'll start looking at Southdown - I quite like the idea of a stainless pipe, but aren't they much narrower than a Safari - or did I just make that up from somewhere? Experiences and opinions please! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 The diameter of the snorkel doesn't matter - the restriction (or choke point) is where it connects inside the wing, which is usually around the 75mm mark. The thing looks like a cheap copy to me - I wouldn't buy one either. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gripper Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 a southdown one is a 63mm bore pipe which is exactly the same as the one i have made myself for £20 and it runs and revs sweetly all through the rev range without any problems http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=52657&st=0&p=474385&fromsearch=1entry474385 and whats this "orange" about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 'Orange' refers to Scorpion Engineering (as was) Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axlechorus Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Ok, looks like I'll be avoiding those then! I was concerned about quality of plastic, having seen the type of abuse a proper Safari one would happily take. I guess I'll start looking at Southdown - I quite like the idea of a stainless pipe, but aren't they much narrower than a Safari - or did I just make that up from somewhere? Experiences and opinions please! Chris I have had no issues with my southdown one either performance or with the quality of the pipe/mounts its been really tough. However if you do decide to go down the B&Q style build your own then you can get southdown tops from their ebay store directly to finish it off if you want that style. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtail4x4 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 'Orange' refers to Scorpion Engineering (as was) Les. they had a nasty "habit" of copying other peoples work, having it made cheaply and selling for more to fools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streaky Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 I got sent this a few days ago. Long winded but worth reading. S. Field Bulletin 22nd Dec. 2009 DON’T GET BURNT! Copies of Safari Snorkel Systems Manufactured in China People place a great deal of trust in a snorkel system and over the years, Safari snorkels have built a reputation as the ultimate insurance against engine damage from dust and water. Consumers have never experienced poor quality copy snorkels from China Unfortunately, during 2009, a veritable flood of low cost snorkels began appearing on the market. Whilst they appear to be exact copies of Safari snorkels, there are a number of issues that must be exposed in order to educate the consumer who may have never experienced poor quality copy products manufactured from inferior materials in China. S afari snorkel systems are manufactured from Australian plastics with special additives Safari snorkel systems are manufactured in Australia from Australian plastic materials that contain special additives. The base polymer and additives are compounded under precise conditions through exacting chemical reactions to create a homogeneous material that has exceptional resistance to the sun’s damaging rays, strong physical properties and tough impact resistance. Under the microscope, it is clearly evident that there is no graininess. The result is strong bonding down to the molecular level and consistent distribution and performance of all the additives throughout the entire component. Safari Snorkel material - No graininess and strong bonding down to the molecular level Cheap Chinese copies use poorly compounded and inferior materials The cheap Chinese copies however are a minefield of problems and a real trap for the unwary consumer who would understandably expect the same level of product performance. Whilst the copy components look very similar to the genuine Safari snorkel and are promoted as using a similar base polyethylene material, the key points of difference are what ADDITIVES are then mixed with the base material and the MANNER in which the (correct) additives are MIXED or COMPOUNDED with the base material. Under the microscope, the cheap Chinese snorkel material displays a distinctly grainy or crystal like structure where the additive/colouring agents simply coat the base material – rather than combining in a homogeneous structure. Chinese Copy Snorkel Material - distinctly grainy or crystal like structure where additive and colouring agents simply coat the base material. Consistency varies markedly throughout the part. Poor level of material consistency throughout the component To make matters worse, when sampled from different areas, the consistency of the material and mix of the Chinese copy snorkel varies markedly depending upon what part of the component is analysed. This has a huge impact upon the level of UV and structural performance of the component and even if some areas could be considered satisfactory, others are not. Poor UV resistance to the Sun's rays and brittle when cold This means that UV resistance becomes a serious problem and that these components will degrade markedly under prolonged exposure to the sun. Moreover, the physical properties are again markedly different to the genuine Safari component – particularly at cold ambient temperatures where a knock from a passing branch can crack the snorkel body – rendering it useless and dangerous at the next water crossing. Put simply, the inferior Chinese manufactured copy product cannot be relied upon to deliver the level of component performance and durability that Safari customers have enjoyed for over three decades. Regardless of cost, there is no peace of mind with inferior products. Impact Damage - Cracked snorkel body from a blow that barely marks the surface of a genuine Safari snorkel. S ame problem with cheap Chinese outdoor equipment To draw a parallel, professionally molded Australian recreational outdoor equipment such as children’s playgrounds have been used by schools and councils for years. These products are manufactured from the correctly compounded materials and enjoy many years of durable service life out under the harsh Australian sun. Contrast this with inferior home use playground equipment from China that is sold through large discount chains. As many parents would know, it would be unusual for the product to last one Australian summer without discolouring and cracking. H ardware corrosion that spreads to the vehicle Whilst the mounting hardware and brackets may look the same, there are huge discrepancies in the material quality. For example, hose clamps that have a stainless steel band are often constructed with a plain steel screw. Brackets are often mild steel and then painted or even worse, studs in the wrong grade of stainless steel or plated mild steel. Inserts in the snorkel body are often made of aluminium or plated steel. The list goes on and unfortunately for the consumer, the problems don’t appear for some time - but when they do, it will be too late. The corrosion will most likely have fused components together and rust spread to vehicle panels. All genuine Safari snorkel fasteners, clamps and brackets are 100% stainless steel, of the correct grade for the job and the stud inserts formed inside the snorkel body are high quality brass for a lifetime of component serviceability and zero corrosion. Consumers must have total trust in a snorkel system It is our strong belief at Safari that inferior materials and manufacturing techniques have no place on vital components such as snorkels. As 4WD enthusiasts, we rely on our snorkels for total peace of mind to protect the engine against harmful water and dust. That can only be achieved with a snorkel you can trust – the genuine Australian made Safari snorkel system. Safari Automotive Pty. Ltd. 73 Merrindale Drive, South Croydon 3136 Australia. http://www.safarisnorkel.com Tel: +61 3 9761 7244 Fax: +61 3 9761 7665 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 Now there's some legitimate spam Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 I didnt read the whole bit above about the cheap imported "safari" snorkels, but the reason the original head rotates is to prevent rain and heavy dust particals getting in when facing backward, but the original also vents any rain/water out when facing forward. It has 4 ports in the head to take rain away. Also the original will also put up with a massive amount of abuse !! wizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axlechorus Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 I didnt read the whole bit above about the cheap imported "safari" snorkels, but the reason the original head rotates is to prevent rain and heavy dust particals getting in when facing backward, but the original also vents any rain/water out when facing forward. It has 4 ports in the head to take rain away. Also the original will also put up with a massive amount of abuse !! wizard Yes. However a word to the wise as one of our group this weekend found out on our tightest lane. This being that should u potrivet the snorkle top to the main section to prevent it growing legs in the night. Then be prepared that when its ripped off both it and the main section are fairly well mangaled espically if you compound the problem by driving over your snorkle top afterwards . On a serious note though does anyone know if safari use a memory plastic, as I read somewhere that it can be heated back into place? Cheers Ryck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantic Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 On a serious note though does anyone know if safari use a memory plastic, as I read somewhere that it can be heated back into place? Dunno, but maybe you could use the mangled bits to play with and report back .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axlechorus Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Yeah I will reccommend that he tries it (Nothing to loose) and certainly report back. Cheers Ryck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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