Well after a long time, I finally got a winch!
Initially I had an Avenger Mako TDS 9.5, ready to go in, but unfortunately it didn't fit in the ARB bar. I was a little bummed as it received a great review from a 4x4 magazine comparison on winches. Fortunately the guys at Opposite Lock took it back and it was back to the drawing board for me...
I'd always wanted a synthetic rope winch to reduce additional front end weight, make it easier for the co-pilot to lug it up a hill and the ability to easily re-splice it in the event of a breakage. The trick was, finding a winch that was truly synthetic rope capable. Plenty of winches come with a synthetic rope option, but aren't built for the purpose; with the internal brake being in the drum and heating the rope up to damage point very easily when in operation.
While I was in my local ARB store a few months prior, the guys were drooling over the new offering from Warn; the 9.5 XP-S winch. Warns premier ‘extreme conditions’ winch, the 9.5 XP now retrofitted to support synthetic rope (hence the –S suffix). I took a look at the specs and having seen my mates XP series winches used and abused, I didn’t hesitate to say ‘you’d better order me in one of em’.
So 2 months later, the shipment from the US came in and I have a shiny new 9.5 XP-S fitted up. I was most surprised that the kit also included a wireless remote control, which does away with the wired hand remote (though still included). It’s a very small unit that is a godsend when driving and winching at the same time.
Another interesting development with these new series of winches; solenoids in the control box have been done away with. Replaced with a completely sealed contactor box; theoretically this should never fail, but time will tell.
The winch comes with a polished Warn hawse, which looks brilliant. Unfortunately it’s a standard hawse configuration and ARB bars require an ‘offset’ hawse, so it couldn’t be used. I did however order an offset hawse earlier in the year from Ellis Precision (same guys that did the handbrake, gear and transfer knobs) which really looks the part.
On order now is a Factor 55 ProLink Loaded kit, to replace the hook with a shackle point for greater security and connection flexibility.
All in all, a quality bit of kit I couldn't be happier in having and trusting my life with; as they say 'quality remains long after the price is forgotten'.
PS: if your a complete wally like me and skim read the instructions; you need to press and hold both buttons on the wireless remote for a couple of seconds before it becomes active. I went back to ARB today to claim the wireless unit was dead until my trusty sales guy, Pete let me in on the activation secret!
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| 1. Wireless Controller |
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| 2. Contactor Box (no more solenoids) |
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| 3. Winch installed, Ellis Precision hawse visible. |
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| 4. Factor 55 ProLink shackle point. |
