Anyone Heard of this Product?

[FlyingWen]

I have been contacted by a company who would like their products sold on our site.
Usually we will never sell a product unless we have actually had the opportunity to play with it and make sure it is a quality item. That being said, I am wondering if any of you have heard of and used the Baja Buster
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/nanuk2121/baja.jpg?

The BajaBuster is a less expensive version of the new Hi-Lift Handle-All. It woudl retail for $49.95, as opposed to the Handle All at $135.

I would like to get some feedback before I consider adding it to our site.

[Lynn]

Interesting pix. Does it come with the jack, or replace the standard HI-Lift handle?

And I guess that is a hoe in the pix? (can you say 'hoe' here?)

Can't ya talke 'em into sending you one for evaluation?

Or, better yet, have 'em send it to me, and I'll let you know if it's quality kit. :)

[FlyingWen]

I actually did just sweet talk them into sending me one!

You must supply the Hi-Lift. The BajaBuster is a kit containing a shovel, hoe and rake.

I'll have to fill you guys in once I get my hands on it!

[Robert Bills]

This is the PR blurb on the "Baja Buster" from the May '07 issue of JP Magazine:


"Finally, a full-length shovel that is easy to fit in a Jeep. No more crawling under your rig to dig it out of the mud or sand, thanks to the short military shovel you brought with you. This shovel replaces the Hi-Lift jack handle with a longer, angled handle for better leverage and graspability. When stuck, just pull this handle off the jack, pull out the shovel or hoe head, attach with the quick release pins, and you've got a tool that can easily get under the Jeep without crawling. The attachments are small and easily fit under the seat of the Jeep. Now you can have a bigger shovel and not lose any of your precious interior space."



Their website indicates that the "Baja Buster" replaces the handle on your High Lift (or other farm jack), and lists a retail price of $91.95 including shipping.

Is the $49.95 retail price mentioned in your post without the handle (i.e., just the attachments), or has their price come down, or a typo, or (God forbid) you just accidentally posted your cost? :yikes:

[SEREvince]

I like the hoe, seems like it would be more usefull under your rig than a shovel.

[Green Ganesha]

Letting a single handle serve double-duty on both the Hi-Lift and shovel/hoe/etc. makes great sense to me.

That's not the case with the more-expensive Hi-Lift Handle-All is it? I thought its handle was a completely independent piece from the jack handle.

[The BN Guy]

Mmmm, have 'em send me one and I'll give you a review.

[Fifthpro]

Interesting bit of kit........is it just a flash fire or will it take off? I would be interested in testing one.

[FlyingWen]

Is the $49.95 retail price mentioned in your post without the handle (i.e., just the attachments), or has their price come down, or a typo, or (God forbid) you just accidentally posted your cost? :yikes:

We received this product as a sample and have got to say it is a solid product!
The shovel is better then a folding shovel, but it is flat as opposed to a normal shovel.

All and all, not too shabby. The retail price on these bad boys will be $49.95 (not a typo) and that comes with the bar, shovel attachment, and how attachment.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/nanuk2121/BajaBuster005.jpg

We are still not sure if we will be selling it or not.

[MoGas]

Where are they manufactured?

[FlyingWen]

They are manufactured here in the US. Seattle I think

[TACODOC]

We received this product as a sample and have got to say it is a solid product!
The shovel is better then a folding shovel, but it is flat as opposed to a normal shovel.

All and all, not too shabby. The retail price on these bad boys will be $49.95 (not a typo) and that comes with the bar, shovel attachment, and how attachment.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/nanuk2121/BajaBuster005.jpg

We are still not sure if we will be selling it or not.

It looks like a quality piece of kit. :bigbossHL:

Made in USA is a big plus IMO.

And, if the handle does double duty (interchangeability) with the Hi-Lift, this is also another great selling point as the only weight you are really adding to the vehicle would hypothetically be the shovel head attachments.

If it works out I could see one in my toolbox for sure!

[flyingwil]

Well, we got them in stock!

Baja Buster (http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=523)

[Georgia Mike]

Got mine today. Sorry, but they are made in Taiwan, not USA.

[MoGas]

Got mine today. Sorry, but they are made in Taiwan, not USA.


Are you sure?

From the Baja Buster (http://bajabuster.com/index.php) site:

"Hand Fabricated in the United States"



:confused:

[MoGas]

Well, we got them in stock!

Baja Buster (http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=523)


I'll order one or two if you can verify country of manufacture to be the US.


Dave

[flyingwil]

I'll order one or two if you can verify country of manufacture to be the US.


Dave


I'll inspect a box and keep you posted...

[Green Ganesha]

Well, we got them in stock!

Baja Buster (http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=523)

A couple questions:

Do you offer both the 28" and 38" Baja Busters?
Does the Baja Buster come only in red, or are any other colors available??


Thanks!

[Georgia Mike]

I'm sorry to have to be the one that brings this to light, but the only reason I ordered it was because I thought that it would be a good American Made alternative to the Hi Lift Handle All. It's not my intent to bash or bring harm to anyone, I just thought that if anyone else out there thinks like me, and wants to buy American whenever possible, that they would like to know this before purchasing this product.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/IMG_1028-1.jpg

[FlyingWen]

Mike you beat me to it! :littlefriend: :p

Made in Taiwan everyone.

[flyingwil]

A couple questions:

Do you offer both the 28" and 38" Baja Busters?
Does the Baja Buster come only in red, or are any other colors available??


Thanks!

There appears to be two different products called the Baja Buster and BajaBuster.

Odd how they look identical. I will need to do some digging into this to make sure that Heininger (company that is distributing here in the US from WA) is not ripping the design off of the smaller guy.

The BajaBuster comes in only red.

[TheRoadie]

The Bajabuster.com site that has the Made in US claim (and the Christian fish symbol as well) says it's Mfg by Silt Enterprises.

The cardboard box pic from Heininger says the Baja Buster is copyrighted by Silt Enterprises. So if it's a ripoff it's a bold one.

I filled out the contact form at the Oregonian bajabuster.com with no reply in 3 hours yet.

[FlyingWen]

TheRoadie-

Let me know what you hear. I will take care of the other company! I have been on a roll lately

[MuddyMudskipper]

I don't think it is a bold rip-off as much as it may be that the Baja Buster name and design may have been licensed to Heininger Holdings, LLC by Silt Ent. to be sold as a Heininger Automotive product. One Baja Buster may very well be made in Taiwan and the other in the U.S. which could be a possible explanation for the price difference.

I'm curious to know if a rep from Heininger or Silt initially contacted Sierra Expeditions. That may clarify some things.

[MoGas]

Any follow up?

[TheRoadie]

My emailed inquiry was never answered. I didn't try the phone.

[MoGas]

I just got off the phone with the "Mom" of the Mom & Pop operation of Baja Buster / Silt Enterprises. They leased production to Heininger Automotive, however Silt personally takes care of any warranty issues should they arise.

What she said was that if you get one and the quality isn't there, send it to them and her husband (the inventor) will go out to his shop and make you a new one or the part you need and ship it to you. So it sounds as if they are willing to stand behind it and I'll be ordering a couple in the next few days.


Dave

[MoGas]

Do the Heninger built ones come with the quick fists as advertised on the Baja Buster site?

[TheRoadie]

They leased production to Heininger Automotive, however Silt personally takes care of any warranty issues should they arise.So the "Hand fabricated in the USA" statement on their web site is no longer true. That should bother them.
What she said was that if you get one and the quality isn't there, send it to them and her husband (the inventor) will go out to his shop and make you a new one or the part you need and ship it to you. Often, avoiding offshore subcon manufactured goods isn't a statement about quality, but about other attributes. Loss of American jobs, Walmartization, political issues. All could be valid reasons to ask about WHERE a product is made. In this case it seems clear. The inventor outsourced manufacturing, but failed to update their web site, or exercise control over the ultimate subcon. What else can I say? I'm not currently boycotting Taiwanese goods. YMMV.

[flyingwil]

Do the Heninger built ones come with the quick fists as advertised on the Baja Buster site?

Unfortunately no the do not.

[MoGas]

So the "Hand fabricated in the USA" statement on their web site is no longer true. That should bother them.Often, avoiding offshore subcon manufactured goods isn't a statement about quality, but about other attributes. Loss of American jobs, Walmartization, political issues. All could be valid reasons to ask about WHERE a product is made. In this case it seems clear. The inventor outsourced manufacturing, but failed to update their web site, or exercise control over the ultimate subcon. What else can I say? I'm not currently boycotting Taiwanese goods. YMMV.


It sounded to me like the Pop made these and they took off and it was cutting in to his off road racing time.

[DoubleD]

It is great to see all of the enthusiasm regarding the new BajaBuster product. This is really a great product and a valuable idea, especially when your vehicle is stuck.

The product that was originally made by the inventor, Eldon Coats of Silt Enterprises. Eldon is a competitor in off-road racing and knows the score on necessities. The BajaBuster came for his own experiences and Heininger Automotive has since, licensed the product from him.

The product that was originally made by Silt, was made in the USA. The product that is now being marketing as the BajaBuster™ is actually made in Taiwan. The price difference is nearly half and the quality is the same. This was pointed out by MuddyMudSkipper earlier in this forum.

Bajabuster.com is a site established by Silt and it will soon be altered to link to the Heininger Automotive site where there are numerous products (automotive creature-comforts) on display.

If anyone has any questions on the BajaBuster or any of the products offered by Heininger, feel free to contact the company at info@heininger.biz

Double D
Heininger Automotive

[MuddyMudskipper]

It sounded to me like the Pop made these and they took off and it was cutting in to his off road racing time.

Sounds to me like licensing an idea and making money off of the said idea with little work (post licensing) is a cush situation. I would be daft if I said I wouldn't consider it, if not do it given a similar opportunity. :costumed-smiley-007

[FlyingWen]

Just an FYI:

I had the inventor of the BajaBuster actually call me up today to explain the situation.

He has leased his patent to the current company (Heiniger) for 14 years. Originally, the Bajabuster was produced here in the US, but it ended up being cheaper to have it made in Taiwan.

He assured me that there was no copyright infringement issues and that he believes that this is a great product and hopes you will all agree.

He came up with the idea for the BajaBuster after being stuck in silk for 3 hours and only having a Hi-Lift as a means to get him out.

Sierra Expeditions believes that this is a high quality product or we would not carry it.

[TheRoadie]

Originally, the Bajabuster was produced here in the US, but it ended up being cheaper to have it made in Taiwan.

He assured me that there was no copyright infringement issues and that he believes that this is a great product and hopes you will all agree. I think I agree, and will likely get one. I just wish he's change his web site to remove the "Hand fabricated in the Uniter States" claim, if it's no longer true. That's all. Did he address that problem?
He came up with the idea for the BajaBuster after being stuck in silk for 3 hours Ooooo. I wish I had that problem. Mrs. Roadie usually kicks me out after only a half hour romp in the silk. :hehe:

[MuddyMudskipper]

Ooooo. I wish I had that problem. Mrs. Roadie usually kicks me out after only a half hour romp in the silk. :hehe:

Well done!:jump:

[FlyingWen]

I just wish he's change his web site to remove the "Hand fabricated in the Uniter States" claim, if it's no longer true. That's all. Did he address that problem?:

He has asked the current lease holder, Heiniger, to update their website. Apparently has has received some emails and phone calls from concerned people regarding this product.

He told me that he brought his idea to Hi-Lift, who turned him down after signing some legal paperwork regarding refraining from the use of his idea. Shortly thereafter, they came out with the Handle-All which IS an patent infringement. I was surprised to hear that one!!!

Bottom line:
This product is made in Taiwan, but the inventor of this product is here in the US. Great, solid product and the angle of the handle is designed to keep one from smashing their hand.

[Colorado Ron]

The only downfall is if your hi lift gets stolen or damage the handle, you have no tools!

[vanderpooch]

http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Images/113768/113768-lg.jpg

The product is no longer being sold by sierra expeditions. did it prove to be an inferior product?
I see it is still sold at quadratec for $39.99
I am heading to Baja and looking to save some space and a few pounds as well. Seems like a great idea and the first few reviews seemed to support that it was a functional tool.
Anyone have a follow up??

[MoGas]

I have used mine here and there. The hoe is really useful, and I haven't really used the shovel head. It is a well made product, though.

I bought 2 and gave 1 to my Father-in-Law for Christmas. He put it in his Polaris Ranger and it looked like it had been well used last time I noticed it. I can ask him how he likes it.

[vanderpooch]

is it relatively lightweight?

[cruiseroutfit]

is it relatively lightweight?

6lbs with both ends attached :D