Beware of fake Safari Snorkels hitting the market.

[off-roader]

I do agree that companies should not copy other companies work and should come up with their own product designs.

I'm not sure how valid the spare parts argument is. The last I checked (admittedly over a year ago now) you couldn't order a spare safari snorkel head (top most portion) and instead had to purchase a whole snorkel if you say accidentally lost it when it unknowingly came loose on the trail. I spoke with them directly (was difficult at that time to obtain their number but I did) and they told me that in Australia they consider the cost of a new snorkel insignificant as the reason they didn't sell the various parts separately. :Wow1: Talk about leaving a sour taste in my mouth. Perhaps they've changed this policy.

Also last I checked I had to source parts to mate the snorkel to my airbox (US Spec 1990 Montero v6) because they didn't include that in their installation kit! It's pathetic that they don't and I have to find the necessary parts locally to do this. That said, THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM for improvement from Safari.

Now I certainly agree that cheap plastic knock offs are not something we want to see, but what we do need are a decent number of alternative choices to a current product monopoly which is NEVER good for a free market society.

While I don't have a Safari snorkel I do have a 'cheap' asian knock off of an Airflow snorkel which IMHO is actually superior to the either the Airflow and Safari models because it's made of easily repairable Fiberglass (see any boat shop) while just as strong as non repairable plastics of the Airflow/Safari units.

While I wish the manufacturer of my snorkel made his own design instead of copying the Airflow design, I see it being the lesser of 2 evils (costly monopoly versus competition forcing manufacturers to offer less expensive & superior snorkels).

Just my $.02

 

[roninjiro]

way i see it.... nothing seems to be authentic anymore, look at all your major conglomerates and what they sell at "super low prices". also another thing... there aren't many ways you can redesign a tube that redirects airflow intake. imo a tube is a tube no matter how it looks. i myself use a lot of harbor frieght goods, seems everything there is a knockoff of a "name" brand...

truth be told, no matter what each of us may gripe its gonna happen and there is nothing we can do about that. if you look around on just this forum you will see what i mean, people including myself will buy something if the quality is there and the price is low.

personally i like "knock offs" because it gives me that "other" option, but only if the quality is there. but like how off-roader explains, i would LOVE to see these guys have a design that sets them apart, ideally that would be perfect.

 

[off-roader]

One item I should also comment on which was included was a far superior fiberglass template for marking the location of the fender mounting holes and air port hole. Instead of a simple paper template the seller actually includes a the fiberglass side of the snorkel that goes against the fender with the mounting holes already punched through. All you need to do is line it up on your fender and mark it with your sharpee or other permanent marker. Much more effective and accurate than the template included in these 'name brand kits'.

 

[roninjiro]

wow that is pretty neat.... so it is like a unused "half" that you put up there to mark you holes?

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Australian for me. At least the box said Safari Snorkel, from Australia and no Chinese anywhere!

You can even see Australia in the background!

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I have an authentic Safari Snorkel, and while it is very high quality, I still balk at the price. It was kind of a "close your eyes and just do it" thing when I ordered. For twice as much money, I could buy a kayak made out of similar materials.... I always found the price to be way out of line for a rotomolded plastic tube but... Oh well.

While I don't condone the knock-off, maybe it will make the big guys set more realistic prices.

But I wanted to comment on this:

Verify it comes in the Safari Snorkel box, has the high quality hardware (stainless & zinc coated, black coated hose clamps, etc) and the instructions, etc.

IIRC, the molded in nuts in my snorkel are brass, not stainless or plated steel. So, not as strong as steel, mind you since they're just molded into plastic, probably not a big deal.

However, the fasters they provided for bolting to the A pillar are not too impressive. The bolts have a black coating, and were rusting after less than a year.

 

[earthmuffin]

Maybe the China guys will get smart and make something for an older full-sized Chevy.......
Safari won't seem to produce one even though there are a bazillion of these rigs running around.

Still waiting.

 

[off-roader]

wow that is pretty neat.... so it is like a unused "half" that you put up there to mark you holes?

Exactly.

Australian for me. At least the box said Safari Snorkel, from Australia and no Chinese anywhere!

You can even see Australia in the background!

LOL, mine was made in Malaysia (or was it Thailand) actually.

I have an authentic Safari Snorkel, and while it is very high quality, I still balk at the price. It was kind of a "close your eyes and just do it" thing when I ordered. For twice as much money, I could buy a kayak made out of similar materials.... I always found the price to be way out of line for a rotomolded plastic tube but... Oh well.

While I don't condone the knock-off, maybe it will make the big guys set more realistic prices.

But I wanted to comment on this:

IIRC, the molded in nuts in my snorkel are brass, not stainless or plated steel. So, not as strong as steel, mind you since they're just molded into plastic, probably not a big deal.

However, the fasters they provided for bolting to the A pillar are not too impressive. The bolts have a black coating, and were rusting after less than a year.

Yup, the price is 2x what I paid for my 'superior' knock off and yes, mine came with stainless steel fasteners.

Maybe the China guys will get smart and make something for an older full-sized Chevy.......
Safari won't seem to produce one even though there are a bazillion of these rigs running around.

Still waiting.

Another problem with them since they're an Aussie firm is they will only make them for rigs in Australia. If they happen to fit a rig in the US then they sell them here otherwise, it's pretty much 'to bad so sad' for you. But then again no US companies are willing to make them either.

Now all this said, I want to again be clear that I don't condone copies just for the sake of lower prices and in my own case I purchased a snorkel that was made using superior materials with a superior installation system (template & stainless hardware) and for less than 1/2 the price ($175 shipped).

Now unlike Airflow/Safari my manufacturer also mentioned he's willing to sell just the air scoop section in the case that it might break / fall off.:Wow1:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I do agree that companies should not copy other companies work and should come up with their own product designs.

I'm not sure how valid the spare parts argument is. The last I checked (admittedly over a year ago now) you couldn't order a spare safari snorkel head (top most portion) and instead had to purchase a whole snorkel if you say accidentally lost it when it unknowingly came loose on the trail.

Not sure who you were working on this with but I have ordered loose heads and other small parts all the time, grills, heads, etc, all available as they have been since I've been dealing with them (personally for ~10 years now). Part numbers are listed in ARB's price guides and any ARB dealer should have been able to order it for you.

While I don't have a Safari snorkel I do have a 'cheap' asian knock off of an Airflow snorkel which IMHO is actually superior to the either the Airflow and Safari models because it's made of easily repairable Fiberglass (see any boat shop) while just as strong as non repairable plastics of the Airflow/Safari units.

Interesting take, having dealt with zero broken plastic snorkels I don't see the benefit of fiberglass that wouldn't likely fair as well to tree strikes and our bitter cold. I can see how for some it would work fine. Keep in mind I've seen a Land Cruiser rolled on its side (Hot Tub in Moab), resting on the Safari Snorkel. It was thought to be a gonner but sure enough popped right back to shape. Still see this customer/snorkel a couple times a month. ~15 years old, always parked out outside, nearly 1/2 million miles

 

[cruiseroutfit]

way i see it.... nothing seems to be authentic anymore, look at all your major conglomerates and what they sell at "super low prices". also another thing... there aren't many ways you can redesign a tube that redirects airflow intake. imo a tube is a tube no matter how it looks. i myself use a lot of harbor frieght goods, seems everything there is a knockoff of a "name" brand...

I disagree. Quality vendors will continue to sell quality gear, regardless of the name attached they will ensure the product works, the product is supported today and in 10 years and the customer can turn to them when in need.

truth be told, no matter what each of us may gripe its gonna happen and there is nothing we can do about that. if you look around on just this forum you will see what i mean, people including myself will buy something if the quality is there and the price is low.

Of course its going to happen, someone wants to make a quick buck

personally i like "knock offs" because it gives me that "other" option, but only if the quality is there. but like how off-roader explains, i would LOVE to see these guys have a design that sets them apart, ideally that would be perfect.

Would the fact your selling the knock-offs have anything to do with your opinion

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyo...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[cruiser guy]

Not sure who you were working on this with but I have ordered loose heads and other small parts all the time, grills, heads, etc, all available as they have been since I've been dealing with them (personally for ~10 years now). Part numbers are listed in ARB's price guides and any ARB dealer should have been able to order it for you.

Kurt, I have to agree with the other guy. ARB doesn't have the spare parts support. I needed the elbow on the backside of my '60 series snorkel and ARB in Seattle told me that they do NOT have any spare parts. I can probably dig up who I talked to. I got the template emailed to me but it seems to be too large to me when I lay it on the snorkel (the mounting holes are probably 1/4" off).

This is a genuine Safari with the brass inserts.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...Much more effective and accurate than the template included in these 'name brand kits'.

Having installed dozens and dozens of snorkels on everything from 40 year old rigs to brand new off the lot vehicles. I can't say I've ever had an issue with the paper templates, they simply work. No need to over complicate the process.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Kurt, I have to agree with the other guy. ARB doesn't have the spare parts support. I needed the elbow on the backside of my '60 series snorkel and ARB in Seattle told me that they do NOT have any spare parts. I can probably dig up who I talked to. I got the template emailed to me but it seems to be too large to me when I lay it on the snorkel (the mounting holes are probably 1/4" off).

This is a genuine Safari with the brass inserts.

Shoulda called me, could have taken care of you on both. As several members of ExPo can attest I'm more than happy to send out templates as I have spares of most of the Land Cruiser applications. Each time we do an install I use my own template, so the template that comes with the snorkel goes into a pile. They are easy enough to neatly fold and toss in a mailing envelope.

 

[cruiser guy]

Shoulda called me, could have taken care of you on both. As several members of ExPo can attest I'm more than happy to send out templates as I have spares of most of the Land Cruiser applications. Each time we do an install I use my own template, so the template that comes with the snorkel goes into a pile. They are easy enough to neatly fold and toss in a mailing envelope.

PM sent!! I'll send another with the mailing address if you don't mind. I found an elbow at the local auto parts place that I hope will work. We'll find out once I chop the hole in the fender.

Another question. Does the snorkel interfere with the '60 series power antenna?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Maybe the China guys will get smart and make something for an older full-sized Chevy.......
Safari won't seem to produce one even though there are a bazillion of these rigs running around.

Still waiting.

Doubt it, its apparent at least in the case of this manufacture that they are not interested in doing any R&D.

Its easy to make a product at a far cheaper price when your R&D process includes buying a Safari Snorkel and copying it. Zero testing, never even touch the application vehicle, etc.

Remember in the case of the FJ Cruiser, Safari shipped one from the US to Australia so they could R&D the snorkel firsthand, produce a prototype and test run it. I'm beyond willing to pay the premium for the efforts and support a company that is going to be around in 10 years still supporting the market with new products and support for their older products.