Cheap Snorkels

[Hendrik]

Hi All,

I've noticed that there are a lot of cheap snorkels getting around on ebay at the moment, like less than $100 cheap. Has anyone fitted these to their D2?

Personally I prefer the more subtle type snorkels like the Mantec ones but obviously you pay for those, but I'm interested in hearing how these cheap ones actually go.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Hi All,

I've noticed that there are a lot of cheap snorkels getting around on ebay at the moment, like less than $100 cheap. Has anyone fitted these to their D2?

Personally I prefer the more subtle type snorkels like the Mantec ones but obviously you pay for those, but I'm interested in hearing how these cheap ones actually go.

You said cheap and that describes exactly what they are, you get crap quality. It amazes me how some are anal about maintaining their TD5s then put cheap crappy snorkels on them. One forum member fitted one and after a few year ended up painting his to seal up the holes it developed.

[vnx205]

A few years ago there was an article published explaining that the plastic in some cheap snorkels was not as UV resistant as it needs to be to survive in Australia.

It was published by a company selling or making one of the brand name snorkels, but there did seem to be evidence in the article to support their criticism.

Found the link.
Don't Get Burnt - Low Quality Snorkel Copies (http://www.dont-get-burnt.com/)

[Roverlord off road spares]

The problem is Safari makes them in Australia, but the price is just too high. They send them overseas and the overseas retailer can sell them back to the Aussie punter cheaper than purchasing the Made in Australia snorkel here.
Having said that you can buy the genuine article cheaper overseas, the punters are still attracted to the elcheapo Chinese copies , price drives their minds.

[DiscoKym]

I bought a cheap snorkel and it sucks.

Well that's all it does. No problems. No holes. No drama????

If you check even the Land Rover specialists in the UK sell them now.

[vnx205]

How long have you had it?
How much of the time is it exposed to direct sunlight?
Inability to survive prolonged UV exposure is supposed to be one of the problems with the cheap snorkels.

[Roberto]

I'd love to support Australian manufacturing, but over $500 for a plastic snorkel just doesn't feel right. Not much more complex than a plastic rubbish bin, and a similar number of moving parts, I would have said the Safari Snorkel should have been less than $200 from the outset.

Its hardly surprising then that knock offs have flooded the market, and are so well supported by Australian consumers.

And better UV resistance isn't enough to justify the price differential.

[clintooo]

I've got what I assume is a cheap snorkel on mine, it has discovery written on it.

It came on the car when I got it and the PO said he didn't fit it. So I know it is at least 4 years old.

Condition wise it looks fine. probably holding up better than some of the other plastics. No cracks either. There is some rust on the upper mounting bracket that I need to address. But other than that it looks and feels ok to me.

crappy photo I know. It is still black (more so than it appears to be in the picture)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/10/665.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/clintblay/media/snorkel_zpsnbl93wdo.jpg.html)

[worane]

I too put one with Discovery written on it on my D2 six years ago. I think it cost ninety odd dollars. It too sucks well and has no signs on degradation at all. I am perfectly happy with it.
Nick.

[SPROVER]

I've got one on my td5 as well. Been on for a few years now and hasn't fallen off or broken to pieces yet. The only problem i had were the small bolts on the template weren't exactly spot on. But easily fixed.

[CraigE]

I think some of the posters have got it right at around $400-$500 and installation Safari have ripped us off for too many years to feel sorry for them and as said at the end of the day it is some plastic and a few fittings that at worst should be more like $200-$250. Not sure what the cheap ones are like, but at around $100 delivered you could replace one every 3 years or so and still be no worse off.
Have to say all of mine have been Safari, but have always thought they were overpriced for what they are like a lot of 4x4 accessories.

[Roverlord off road spares]

If you check even the Land Rover specialists in the UK sell them now.
They sell them as there is a market for them, it's called catering for the market. It's called trying to make a quid.

[twr7cx]

The problem is Safari makes them in Australia, but the price is just too high. They send them overseas and the overseas retailer can sell them back to the Aussie punter cheaper than purchasing the Made in Australia snorkel here.

Personally I find this a disgusting practice by an Australian company which seems to be intentionally aiming to rip off fellow Australians.

I have a Safari snorkel that I purchased from the UK and that saved me $100.00 from purchasing locally in Australia. It meant that in addition to paying for the snorkel I had paid the cost of having it transported to the UK and then paid extra to have it transported back to Australia and somehow it still ended up $100.00 cheaper than a fellow Australian was willing to sell it to me for. Amazing.


In saying that, the quality of the Safari snorkels is a high standard. Mine has taken a few whacks now with the scrape marks on it to show and is still in great condition. If I had an inferior built unit I believe that I likely would have had to replace it by now.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Personally I find this a disgusting practice by an Australian company which seems to be intentionally aiming to rip off fellow Australians.

I have a Safari snorkel that I purchased from the UK and that saved me $100.00 from purchasing locally in Australia. It meant that in addition to paying for the snorkel I had paid the cost of having it transported to the UK and then paid extra to have it transported back to Australia and somehow it still ended up $100.00 cheaper than a fellow Australian was willing to sell it to me for. Amazing.


In saying that, the quality of the Safari snorkels is a high standard. Mine has taken a few whacks now with the scrape marks on it to show and is still in great condition. If I had an inferior built unit I believe that I likely would have had to replace it by now.

Yep it is disgusting, I had this argument with Bosch, asking why I can buy a particular bosch part retail overseas inc postage for a lot less then my wholesale price was here. They came back to me and explained it was Bosch Germany's global pricing structure.
So Price fixing???????

Re quality, a few vehicles had rolled and the safari snorkel survived, any one want to do a test on the chinese copies? LOL.:wasntme: Neither here nor there really, as if a car rolled, I doubt you would want the snorkel, but just wondered if the were up to strength.

[Jazzman]

Hi All,

I've noticed that there are a lot of cheap snorkels getting around on ebay at the moment, like less than $100 cheap. Has anyone fitted these to their D2?

Personally I prefer the more subtle type snorkels like the Mantec ones but obviously you pay for those, but I'm interested in hearing how these cheap ones actually go.

I've got a cheap snorkel, can't remember the brand, but it was from QLD and it had a tough looking cartoon kangaroo as the logo.

It works fine. Been to Cape York via the Old Telegraph track and it sealed perfectly fine.
But a PITA to install. The template was not real flash, but with a bit of stuffing around i made it work.

[turps]

I've got a cheap snorkel, can't remember the brand, but it was from QLD and it had a tough looking cartoon kangaroo as the logo.

It works fine. Been to Cape York via the Old Telegraph track and it sealed perfectly fine.
But a PITA to install. The template was not real flash, but with a bit of stuffing around i made it work.

That would be Roo Systems I think. Most likely the same factory as the 4wdsupa center trash

[LandyAndy]

I think some of the posters have got it right at around $400-$500 and installation Safari have ripped us off for too many years to feel sorry for them and as said at the end of the day it is some plastic and a few fittings that at worst should be more like $200-$250. Not sure what the cheap ones are like, but at around $100 delivered you could replace one every 3 years or so and still be no worse off.
Have to say all of mine have been Safari, but have always thought they were overpriced for what they are like a lot of 4x4 accessories.

Craig.
When I give you that training stuff for Brock,remind me,I have a D2 Safari snorkel template you can have,incase you find a second hand unit.TD5/V8 are the same;););););););)
Andrew

[Tombie]

Some suppliers like Safari also get tax incentives to export and can sell cheaper for OS...

[sharmy]

Safari now have a cheaper r spec snorkel $330 delivered.It is still made in au but only comes with a 5 year warranty instead of 20

[Roverlord off road spares]

Some suppliers like Safari also get tax incentives to export and can sell cheaper for OS...
That must be some huge incentive, so export and them to be resold with a nice profit and then be shipped back here for cheaper.?