JD
Well-Known Member
I think I have been operating under a popular misconception that China works like one BIG company, and that if two products look the same, they are probably the same inside. I recently bought a couple of Elation 4 channel dimmers for D.I.Y. rentals. These are rated at ten amps per channel, twenty amps max unit capacity. They cost me about $180 each. Later, I was looking at the Bulbamerica site and saw a dimmer with the same specs with the old "Similar to" line in the title. Cost- $58.95! I couldn't resist! I knew there had to be a difference, yet the specs were the same and they looked the same. So I bought one and got out my trusty screwdriver. Now, I want to say that I am not criticizing the Bulbamerica site, in fact I buy a lot of things from them. They didn't say it was the same product, and the price was one third of the cost of the Elation pack. Here is what I found:
Elation $180 / Bulbamerica $58
Heavy gauge case / Light gauge case
12-3 power cord / 14-3 power cord
(inside)
Separate DMX decoder board / all in one board
Larger marked Triacs / Smaller unmarked Triacs
More windings on filter chokes / less windings
Well laid out ground wiring / simplified wiring
There was more, but you get the idea. Both units worked fine, and they are marketed to the DIY crowd and not for permanent installations. I don't know if there is any type of competitive market in China, or if the equipment is simply built to the requested spec of the marketing company. The lesson learned is that there is drastic quality differences between similar looking products built in China, and that name brand actually does makes a difference.
Elation $180 / Bulbamerica $58
Heavy gauge case / Light gauge case
12-3 power cord / 14-3 power cord
(inside)
Separate DMX decoder board / all in one board
Larger marked Triacs / Smaller unmarked Triacs
More windings on filter chokes / less windings
Well laid out ground wiring / simplified wiring
There was more, but you get the idea. Both units worked fine, and they are marketed to the DIY crowd and not for permanent installations. I don't know if there is any type of competitive market in China, or if the equipment is simply built to the requested spec of the marketing company. The lesson learned is that there is drastic quality differences between similar looking products built in China, and that name brand actually does makes a difference.