Honda vs Harbor Freight generator

[Shooter45]

I use a Honda in my camping trailer and have no complaints. Quiet as hell when they run and they always start on the first pull every time. Quality has a price.

[GilpinGuy]

If I have a chance I'll try to find that podcast and link it here.

Man, I can't find the exact episode. If you're interested, it's one of the interviews Jack Spirko did on the Survival Podcast in the last year or so with Steven Harris. Might have been one of the "bug out trailer" episodes or one of the "expert panel" episodes.

[Irving]

Good to know. Good discussion so far.

[MED]

I have the Predator 8750 for the house and the 2000...haven't used the 2000 yet (i used a little 2 cycle tailgater for camping with a popup, which I've owned for eight years now). I bought them as a stop gap until I get my Generac setup when I move after retirement. I also have the Predator power washer. I have no complaints, and I bought them because that is the common theme of all the comments I read about them...the sale prices I got were great. I think a lot of people dismiss because the "harbor freight" tag. They do sell a lot of shit, but some stuff works well. I got their roller bearing tool chests 15 years ago; those are awesome and I paid half the price. However, I don't think the new ones are made as well as mine. In the size of generator you are buying, there is no denying that the Honda is the gold standard for those. If I were to use the generator on a regular basis especially for work, I would go with the Honda. For occasional use, not sure if it is necessary. Regardless of which one you buy, don't store with fuel in it; that will jack-up any of them.

[funkymonkey1111]

Are there other options somewhere between the Honda and the Harbor Freight that are worth it? I've seen a Yamaha that's blue that seems to be specifically copying the Honda shape

[ben4372]

The Yamaha ones are about the same price as Honda. Every so often Costco sells an inverter generator powered by Yamaha that is pretty decent for about $500. The HF stuff is usually a clone of a proven design. I have an old Honda conventional generator that I may be passing on to my son in 10 years. And a newer Honda generator is easy to sell in a pinch too.

[Great-Kazoo]

Are there other options somewhere between the Honda and the Harbor Freight that are worth it? I've seen a Yamaha that's blue that seems to be specifically copying the Honda shape

Look on CL as they pop up every so often. Picked up our yamaha 2K for $400 on CL then did a propane / dual fuel conversion. If you see one for $600 or less grab it.