OVS expedition cap

[Colo_Ranger]

RSI now has a facility in Texas. I'm not sure what is currently being made there, but I do know their intent is to scale that up. Fwiw, I know my SmartCap is from SA. Fun fact... I think my cap came in the same shipment with @Colo_Ranger's.

Mine is also from SA. I've heard nothing but horror stories about the caps made in Texas.

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[Wes Siler]

I have an OVS 270 awning. I'll say that I'm happy with the product considering what I payed for it. There are alotta fit & finish issues, but dealing with those things would likely bring the price up. In the end, it's an awning and it does the job I need it for.

All awnings suck. There's a ton of potential in that space for a product that doesn't.

With your smart cap, are you happy given that you could have ordered one for $600 on AliBaba instead? (Again probably representing at least a 100 percent margin from the factory).

 

[Brett Fields]

@Colo_Ranger, You got yours about a year ago, right?

 

[Wes Siler]

yours came loose? damn. you also use your truck properly.

I drive off road every day that I drive.

 

[Brett Fields]

All awnings suck. There's a ton of potential in that space for a product that doesn't.

With your smart cap, are you happy given that you could have ordered one for $600 on AliBaba instead? (Again probably representing at least a 100 percent margin from the factory).

In the absence of actually seeing one of those, and hearing a review from someone who's had one for a period of time, yes. I'm happy with my choice.

 

[Wes Siler]

In the absence of actually seeing one of those, and hearing a review from someone who's had one for a period of time, yes. I'm happy with my choice.

But it's literally the same thing. Just with non marked up pricing.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

@Colo_Ranger, You got yours about a year ago, right?

I got mine in January.

 

[Fx4ranger2019Larait]

Mine is also from SA. I've heard nothing but horror stories about the caps made in Texas.

Good to hear mine also from SA bought in Dec. 21’ so it’s been on truck 2 1/2years no issues yet. Took it to Pismo/Ocotillo Wells and other mountain trails in area SoSal. Think I purchased first or Second batch sent to NA for Rangers. Serial number ends in 0303.

But it's literally the same thing. Just with non marked up pricing.

I don’t think it’s the Same thing I’ve seen these in person just driving down the freeway. But they look cheap, panels on the exterior look flimsy and there’s no rear window. Looks Like Chinese made crap to me Just my opinion. If you want mall crawler go for it, like they say you get what you pay for and if it falls apart on you don’t be surprised.

 

[Wes Siler]

Good to hear mine also from SA bought in Dec. 21’ so it’s been on truck 2 1/2years no issues yet. Took it to Pismo/Ocotillo Wells and other mountain trails in area SoSal. Think I purchased first or Second batch sent to NA for Rangers. Serial number ends in 0303.



I don’t think it’s the Same thing I’ve seen these in person just driving down the freeway. But they look cheap, panels on the exterior look flimsy and there’s no rear window. Looks Like Chinese made crap to me Just my opinion. If you want mall crawler go for it, like they say you get what you pay for and if it falls apart on you don’t be surprised.

Literally made in sane factory/exact same product, only difference is it's sold through a different channel. This is what you paid $3k for. There's two versions of the smart cap, one with clear windows and one that's dressed up to appear a little tougher.

 

[Brett Fields]

I got mine in January.

January of 24?

 

[gwhalin]

Literally made in sane factory/exact same product, only difference is it's sold through a different channel. This is what you paid $3k for. There's two versions of the smart cap, one with clear windows and one that's dressed up to appear a little tougher.

Do you have some proof of this? RSI is mass producing their caps at a Chinese factory and is directly selling unbranded versions of the same caps they are selling to rest of world through Alibaba? Not calling you a liar but can’t blindly take the word of an employee for a competitor brand.

 

[Friday yet?]

Do you have some proof of this? RSI is mass producing their caps at a Chinese factory and is directly selling unbranded versions of the same caps they are selling to rest of world through Alibaba? Not calling you a liar but can’t blindly take the word of an employee for a competitor brand.

It is pretty standard behavior for Chinese manufacturers. Regardless of product.

 

[gwhalin]

It is pretty standard behavior for Chinese manufacturers. Regardless of product.

RSI is not a Chinese manufacturer. They are South African and claim to manufacture in either a facility in SA or in a newer one in Texas.

 

[Wes Siler]

Do you have some proof of this? RSI is mass producing their caps at a Chinese factory and is directly selling unbranded versions of the same caps they are selling to rest of world through Alibaba? Not calling you a liar but can’t blindly take the word of an employee for a competitor brand.

Yeah, sub car company size brands don't own the Chinese factories. They just contract out manufacturing. It's SOP for the shittier Chinese factories to turn around and sell those designs out the back door, too.

That's IF a brand even bothers designing something itself. There's also factories over there that just design and produce stuff on their own, then sell lots to brands. That's why every canvas sack rooftop tent looks identical whether it's wearing a label that says Roam, CVT or whatever.

And this is ultimately what I'm describing here when I talk about business models. These brands are asking you to pay thousands for trash.

None of this is any sort of secret, or insider knowledge. Just be an informed consumer and buy products with a high value to cost ratio instead of paying 50-90 percent margins to middle men.

 

[gwhalin]

Yeah, sub car company size brands don't own the Chinese factories. They just contract out manufacturing. It's SOP for the shittier Chinese factories to turn around and sell those designs out the back door, too.

That's IF a brand even bothers designing something itself. There's also factories over there that just design and produce stuff on their own, then sell lots to brands. That's why every canvas sack rooftop tent looks identical whether it's wearing a label that says Roam, CVT or whatever.

And this is ultimately what I'm describing here when I talk about business models. These brands are asking you to pay thousands for trash.

None of this is any sort of secret, or insider knowledge. Just be an informed consumer and buy products with a high value to cost ratio instead of paying 50-90 percent margins to middle men.

To be clear none of this is proof. I understand all of the above but RSI claims to produce their product in their own factory locations in SA and Texas. Not in an outsourced Chinese factory. Now either they are flat out lying about this or they aren’t. You are claiming they are lying and I was just asking if you had proof.

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