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Warn Zeon Platinum

17K views 31 replies 20 participants last post by  87_WhyJay 
#1 ·
Anyone running one of these, or has anyone seen one in use? They are crazy spendy, but have some cool features.
 
#10 ·
The best thing about it is the elimination of the manual clutch. This has several significant advantages:

- Mounting position. You can practically completely hide away the winch without having to worry about getting access to the clutch lever. This is not such a huge issue on Wranglers but can be a significant issue for mounting on other vehicles. It does, however, give way for people to get more creative about how these winches are mounted on Jeeps. Since you don't need direct access to the clutch lever it becomes limitless how you can hide this thing away in a bumper or the frame.

- Speed and access: If I can just flip the clutch from the remote this can save you a lot of time, instead of having the driver get out or another person scramble over rocks or through a mud pit to get to the clutch. Kind of nice.

Honestly i think the wireless clutch is a super nice feature. It would be great in competition or for super technical obstables and deep mud traps. Just don't know if it's worth the significant extra expense for everyday trail riding. Also if you drop power in the remote you're stuck, or if it breaks then you are probably looking at a very spendy replacement.
 
#12 ·
There is another benefit I forgot about and it's that it keeps hoodlums from messing with your winch.

Years ago there was a rash of vandalism where jerks were disengaging the clutches on people's winches, pulling the line out and over the top of the Jeep to affix to the rear, re-engaging the clutch, and then causing a short on the controller plug to cause the winch to pull the line in. Thus crushing the top and windshield. Have also seen people pull the line out and wrap the cables around a tree or another car without the driver knowing.

No clutch lever, no tom-foolery. The line's always locked when you put it away. This would be a reason to not have a manual backup.
 
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#32 ·
This is a big plus!! BUT, is it a $1300 plus? The way I prevented this problem on my YJ was to keep the nylon rope in a recovery bag locked inside the jeep and attach it when I needed it. It also kept the rope from getting sun baked.
 
#16 ·
I plan on ordering the 12 pretty soon..

It is claimed to be twice as durable as previous generation winches.
20% faster line speed.
High performance motor and stronger gear train
IP68 waterproof in Warns highest level
Has accessory port on winch
Remote clutch

The Remote does this:
Controls the clutch
It also gives you instant temp feedback of the motor,
Monitors vehicle battery charge level
The controller will control the winch plus two accessories.

BTW...You can charge the remote via USB or Cig. Plug
 
#18 ·
^ THIS.
Those accessory ports are like a mini Spod. Run your lights (or whatever ) right there, but the increased durability and strength over the previous iteration of these is why I have a 12 plat sitting in my shop waiting to drop into a new E1 bumper. Also, with the drums and clearances being identical to the 10/10-s, you can switch the cable to synthetic pretty readily. Master Pull made me up a line that can handle the extra pull strength present when almost fully spooled out...
Also, for those concerned with a battery failing in the remote, there is a supplied USB cable that will instantly turn on remote (even if fully drained) for use...plugs into the cigarette/12v adapter....
 
#22 ·
Well, after 40 years of being an Operating Engineer working with Cranes and Winch Tractors on Pipeline, I'm hoping I can get this thing spooled correctly. :)

AND..the Synthetic rope is great, BUT..it has a tendency to bind on the spool under tension. And here (Arizona) on the rocks it is susceptible to getting cut.
Also, Synthetic will cuts it's self if crossed.

BTW...If I was going into deep mud or on the rocks, I'll have a tagline on the hook to make spool out easy for my helper.
I'll be going with steel and will have an extra length of Synthetic if needed.
 
#23 ·
Well, after 40 years of being an Operating Engineer working with Cranes and Winch Tractors on Pipeline, I'm hoping I can get this thing spooled correctly. :)

AND..the Synthetic rope is great, BUT..it has a tendency to bind on the spool under tension. And here (Arizona) on the rocks it is susceptible to getting cut.
Also, Synthetic will cuts it's self if crossed.

BTW...If I was going into deep mud or on the rocks, I'll have a tagline on the hook to make spool out easy for my helper.
I'll be going with steel and will have an extra length of Synthetic if needed.
I could've swore (when I read it the first time) that it said sucker there...lol.
 
#24 ·
warn

I installed an M.O.R.E. bracket made for the ARB compressor under the hood and used it to mount my control head for the Warn Zeon 10s Platinum. Works and fits awesome. I love this winch. I enclosed it in my AEV bumper. Low profile, safe from theft and protected pretty well from unnecessary exposure on the rope.
 

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#26 ·
Just mounted my 10-s Platinum. Everything is pretty much different with the Platinum. Faster motor, stronger gears, remote controlled and faster line speed. Is it worth the extra $400, only you can be the judge. My wife said no but then again I was only in the dog house for a day.
 
#28 ·
Posted this in another thread but I thought I'd check here as well.

Just purchased a 10-s platinum, but just had an uh-oh moment when I happened across an older advertisement talking about the need for an enhanced signal kit, as the radio waves from the remote are apparently too weak to work through water when the control pack/winch is submerged. The enhanced signal kit isn't listed on Warn's website anymore apparently, (part number 94288 ) and I found very little on it via a Google search. I found the kit for sale on Amazon, but am leery to buy something that Warn doesn't seem to make anymore. Was hoping another platinum owner had some insight.

It would be pretty embarrassing to spend all that money on a waterproof winch and not be able to use it when it's needed most.
 
#29 ·
Digging up an old thread, anyone have any suggestions for the remote battery life? Mine can’t even last a few weeks in the console before it’s completely dead. My NiCad batteries in the 80’s did better than this thing!
 
#30 ·
I run the 12k Platinum version. So far so good - but I have had 2 friends each have their wireless unit in th winch fail - which leave the winch useless. If I could hard wire it as a backup I would be much happier. I also don't like how quickly the remote runs out of a charge and how quickly it shuts down and forces you to re-initialize.
 
#31 ·
Brand Loyalty

Anyone running one of these, or has anyone seen one in use? They are crazy spendy, but have some cool features.
Beings as the Warn's are $1300+ more money and 16 Lbs. heavier than the equivalent Smittybilt X20, I would have to read a whole bunch of negative reviews on the Smittybilt's before I could justify "BRAND LOYALTY" to Warn. "IF" they were still made in America as they used to be (the M8274 is the only one that states "MADE IN USA" for $2600) I would willingly spend the extra money to support the American worker. BUT Warn Winches are no longer made in USA. I have read way more positive reviews on the Smittybilt X20's than the Warn Zeon Platinum winches. In fact, at Quadratec, the Warn Zeon Platinum with synthetic rope for $2052, has ZERO customer reviews. Sorry, not me.
 
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