No Kipors for Breakfast, which I found surprising...

[steve_cronin]

...YM's group test of small generators which I read over my fruit & oats this morning didn't include the Kipor range which, considering that it claims to be the most popular brand in Europe, was a surprise to me.

The feature explicitly said that it was covering "...the most popular brands.." (or WTE) yet, again to my view, there were some very obscure models included, one of which at over £600 for a Mod Sine wave-er was a little expensive (The Kipor equivalent is currently available for £180).

Maybe a decision to not include so many clones and provide a better valiety, more representative of the current market (& reader usage I venture to suggest) might have been a wiser editorial decision.

Another case of IPC fails to come up to the mark?

Steve Cronin

 

[ccscott49]

They only ever test that which they can get for free, from the manufacturer/importer/agents. They often test some obscure makes in most things.

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

I think I read somewhere that Honda had bought back all the Kipor range on the market ... either that or just threatened to sue them for breach of patent. One or the other. They were direct Honda copies....which probably makes them a good buy if you can find one! I had planned to get one from Towsure but now see they're no longer stocked!

 

[ccscott49]

You dont have to change much to not have patent problems and how do you patent electricity generation?
Sueing for patent infringement is an absolute nightmare! I know we tried, cost us a fortune and we lost!
I doubt Honda would even attempt it for such a small market, cars maybe but portable gennys?.......................

 

[Twister_Ken]

>such a small market<

Huge market in rural developing countries.

Quite big with market traders as well.

 

[ccscott49]

are you sure about that?

 

[Norman_E]

I read that Kipor had copied Honda's patented electronics that produce the good clean sine wave output, and that Honda had the Kipor generators that used that particular technology siezed by court order, and had the entire stock crushed.
Article here

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

I was just looking for that page ... knew I'd read it somewhere. Wish I knew how to do the links from there to here!
As for the generators - looks like I'll now have to buy a Honda!

 

[Twister_Ken]

According Honda's investor relations site, it sold 6.4 million power products in 2006.

Power products include:

General Purpose Engines
Water Pumps
Generators
Outboard Engines
Tillers
Electric 4-wheel Scooters
Lawnmowers
Compact Household Cogeneration Units (eh?)
Snow Throwers

It also says "Since Honda introduced the E300 portable generator to the world in 1965, it has produced a total of 8.5 million generators."

More on the Kipor story here

Maybe if PBO had tested one, the magazine would have been crushed.

 

[chrisbeeson]

Kingsley and Norman E are spot on: Kipor are the straight Honda rip-offs mentioned in the piece.

You probably can still buy them at car boot sales, alongside dodgy Rolexes, 3-for-£1 lighters and flood-damaged bilge pumps, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for your warranty.

 

[jamesjermain]

Good afternoon, Steve,

You seem to have a bit of a down on YM at the moment - first it was the sailing experience of the staff, now the selection of test equipment.

Might I suggest a little more research before posting would avoid mistakes on both fronts.

If you read the first paragraph in column one of page 74, you will see that there were a number of brands, all based on a Honda copy, which have been withdrawn from sale (destroyed is another word) for patent reasons. The Kipor was one of these. YM does not see it as a service to its readers to test illegal products. Rather than blame us for testing clones, you might give us credit for not testing rip-offs.

You also know perfectly well that the YM writing staff are all experienced yachtsmen who have just about done it all from mud hopping on the east coast to ocean crossing in the Atlantic and Pacific.

Producing any specialist magazine these days is far more demanding in terms of journalistic and production skills than it ever was so we have to employ people who know both sides of the business. Any gaps that might appear are more than covered by regular contributors such as Nigel Calder, Tom Cunliffe, Bill Anderson, Ken Endean, etc, etc, etc. We have access to every bit as much sailing and seamanship talent now as we ever had, and probably a sounder journalistic and design base.

 

[steve_cronin]

Criticism withdrawn - Forthwith! nm

/

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Re: Criticism withdrawn - Forthwith! nm

Hmm, teacher is slapping wrists!

I wish it on record that I deny ever having bought a cheap rip off copy of a generator that in any way infringes Hondas patents. At least I didn't know that it did at the time I didn't buy it.

 

[MarkG]

Re: Criticism withdrawn - Forthwith! nm

[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, teacher is slapping wrists!

I wish it on record that I deny ever having bought a cheap rip off copy of a generator that in any way infringes Hondas patents. At least I didn't know that it did at the time I didn't buy it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would like to associate myself with the remarks quoted and mines hiding in the garage under a plastic sheet.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Criticism withdrawn - Forthwith! nm

My generator is clipped to the seat stay of my bike and has been there for years. If Honda wants to crush it, I'll mail it them in a jiffy bag. Parcel Farce will probably have done the job for them by the time it arrives.

 

[ccscott49]

I stand corrected.

But still not buying an expensive honda. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[steve_cronin]

You will note that I have withdrawn my comments on the generator article.

I must point out though that Kipor continue to sell generators in the UK and all over Europe. They are easily the most popular in Greece for example.

As to the seafaring experience of those you mention, I will unhesitatingly concede that, to a man, they are indeed a group of the finest around. (I was actually criticising an article on the website.) However gaffs continue to be made from time to time in the editorial and very often in the commercial sections but I do of course understand that you, in the editorial department have no control there and also that nobody's perfect. Also, when "Learning on the Job" is involved, perhaps we need to be a little tolerant - except for in the cases of medics and lawyers of course.

Keep up the good work.

Steve Cronin

 

[jamesjermain]

[ QUOTE ]
You will note that I have withdrawn my comments on the generator article.

I must point out though that Kipor continue to sell generators in the UK and all over Europe. They are easily the most popular in Greece for example.

As to the seafaring experience of those you mention, I will unhesitatingly concede that, to a man, they are indeed a group of the finest around. (I was actually criticising an article on the website.) However gaffs continue to be made from time to time in the editorial and very often in the commercial sections but I do of course understand that you, in the editorial department have no control there and also that nobody's perfect. Also, when "Learning on the Job" is involved, perhaps we need to be a little tolerant - except for in the cases of medics and lawyers of course.

Keep up the good work.

[/ QUOTE ]

Many thanks for your generous posting, Steve

 

[Sy-Revolution]

Bought a kipor once when my old Honda passed away after 5 years. Lasted 2 months and packed up. Sent it back to the dealers for repair and after 2 years of hassling them to give it back, I gave up.
Bought a new Honda to replace the Kipor which was 3 times the price of the cheapo but it's a 100 times better machine........

Buy a £39 one from B&Q by all means but steer clear of a £200 Kipor.....IMHO

 

[nickcred]

Hi

i purchased the Kipor 3000 ti last season and have used it fairly extensively - so far no problems, works quietly and was superb value. IMHO I will now hide it under a sheet lol