Generators ???

[Cast A Way]

Looking to purchase of generator for the winter fishing season. I would use it occasionally for the microwave and charging the wheelhouse battery. Inverter or regular?? How many watts? How much to spend vs. gas usage? Thanks. What do you use?

[Ryan_V]

The resounding answer you'll get here is HONDA, HONDA AND HONDA. They are the best out there. quiet, easy on gas, lightweight. But, they are spendy. I have one and wouldn't trade it for the world. you can get cheaper ones, they will use more gas and be considerably louder, you will want to consider that if you're ever fishing near anyone else. Most don't take kindly to a screaming generator!! I only run my honda for movies, and then after dark for lights/movies. once in a while in the morning for the coffee maker. good luck!! do the research and get what works for you!!

[JSK76]

I love my Honda EU1000i, Small size, light weight, easy on gas, easy to start and very quiet. I cant think of one thing i would change about it, I just wish I would have not wasted my money on my first generator that was a cheap piece of junk.

[CJH]

Honda/Yamaha/Subaru are all good. That being said, get what is appropriate for your usage + budget.

[T.O.W]

Like Ryan said. Honda. I struggled on the cost versus what you get being they are sooo much higher. I saved a while longer and am glad I did. Since your going to run the occasion microwave or ever want to use a coffee maker, toaster, or electric skillet you might want to go with the EU2000i. Some places will have them on the shelf for $849. My father in law has the 1000 Honda and for the small price difference wishes he would have went with the 2000. His coffee maker trips it. Send me a note if you want the location where it was $849. Not sure if I can post it on this site.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I got the Yamaha EF2000i for $900 shipped, no tax. If I remember correctly, it is 1 # lighter than the Honda and 1DB quieter. That said, you can't go wrong with either. Don't waste your money on the cheap knockoffs.

[cold one sd]

I bought a cheap (made in China) generator first and got rid of it and got a Honda EU1000i. Very good generator for my ice shack. I use propane for cooking or I might have gone for a 2,000.

[harvey lee]

Yes, the Hondas are very nice and quiet.

We put a Yamaha in our race trailer and it also is a great generator.

[Jim Almquist]

Like Ryan said. Honda. I struggled on the cost versus what you get being they are sooo much higher. I saved a while longer and am glad I did. Since your going to run the occasion microwave or ever want to use a coffee maker, toaster, or electric skillet you might want to go with the EU2000i. Some places will have them on the shelf for $849. My father in law has the 1000 Honda and for the small price difference wishes he would have went with the 2000. His coffee maker trips it. Send me a note if you want the location where it was $849. Not sure if I can post it on this site.

T.O.W. you can post a name but just don't post a link if they are not a sponsor.

It seems like Northern and L & M have pretty good everyday prices and they will put them on sale if you watch the ads.

I know that when I but a generator it will be a EU2000 Honda. I like the fact that you can tie two of them together with a cord and make a 4000 and they have a adapter for a fuel line that will allow you to use a 6 gallon gas can for a longer run time.

[FrontenacPike]

+1 for everything printed above about Honda's. I too have a EU2000 Honda, like you, I posted the same question on here 3 years ago. I didn't have the $ for one at the time but after being convinced by the guys on here to save a little longer...am very glad I did. Since no one has brought up fuel yet I can give you my gen's consumption. On my 1 1/2 gal tank I typically get about 8-9 hours out of it. Considering when I bought my gen gas prices were around $4.50 a gal, that can add up fast. In any given fish shack day I will be running, TV, Playstation, radio, coffeepot, lights, and multiple crock pots and have no problem with too much draw.

Just like everything else you get what you pay for. Save now and you will be in the market for another one in a couple years or buy a Honda and buy one for life.

[dfv87]

We have the Honda 2000 model and bought it several years ago at the State Fair... which just happens to be going on again... check there as they had a smoking hot deal when we bought ours.

It is the ticket for a wheel house. The only thing the rep cautioned us about was to keep it close to the house so that you can actually hear it or it may just walk away... if you get his meaning. We love ours and it sips gas on eco mode. easy to start and store just really a nice deal.

Heard really good things about yamaha also.

[hdspringer]

Deffinately go with the Honda. Last year my friend was in the market for a gen and we went to a store that sells the Honda's and a Cheap Chineese Knock off for about 1/2 price, I tried to talk him into spending the extra on the Honda but the Clerk talked him out of it and gave him an extended Warranty on the cheaper model and said it will work as well as the Honda and now has the same warranty. We used it to power a camper for deer hunting and it worked fine. The next time it got used was for powering the Ice Shack On Upper Red around new years last year, and needless to say the Gen failed, it would not run anytime the temp got below 25-30 degrees. He took it back for a replacement and the next one did the same thing. Needless to say he also returned that one and spent the extra on the Honda and never looked back. This year I purchased a new wheel house and also just picked up the Honda 2000. I have also heard good things about the Yamaha, but the moral of the story is, you deffinately get what you pay for when it comes to Generators.

[dfv87]

Ask yourself this... Do you want to be out on Mille Lacs on the boot flat (a short 30 minutes pull of the wheelhouse at 10 MPH) facing -20 temps with anything but a honda? Jan 1,2010... we spent the night on ML on the Boot and in the mornign the truck didn't even turn over. Started the Honda, plugged in the block heater, then put a charger on it and 30 minutes later we had it running. Honda never missed a beat and started on 2nd pull...

Of course we then snapped a cable on the front winch and had to tilt the back/front to get the pin in but that is another story...

[FrontenacPike]

I too have ran mine in sub weather without any problems. Always starts on the second pull. I'm so glad HSO members talked me into spending the extra and could not be happier with my Honda.

[MNfan]

Anybody seen a good price on a Honda 2000?

[Jim Almquist]

I have been looking at prices for the EU2000 and found them at Northern for $999 and L & M had a normal price of $889 and this week you can take off another $20. From what I have seen at most stores and online $869 is a pretty fair deal.

[Snowking]

heard moon motor sports have them for 850.00

[chris63]

star west delano 899

[CalamityJohn]

After owning a EU 2000, I would not recommend buying anything else. You will not regret buying a Honda EU2000.

Just think of the warm, fuzzy feeling you'll have knowing if it ever needs parts you'll be able to swing in to any Honda dealer.

I'd advise purchasing from a reputable online site. You'll get free shipping, a better price, and not have to pay the outrageous MN sales tax.

[MNfan]

Any hints on a online source?

[GSB Ice Man]

Check Rays Sports and Marine in Grand Rapids for the Hondas, I paid them to ship it and it was still cheaper than everyone.

[Nordern]

Last year at the Ice Show I picked one up from Beisswenger's during the last hour of the show and got it for $859.00 but I had to pick it up at their store. I ran it on my wheelhouse all last winter and I have to say, next to a flasher, that is the best investment I ever made.

[FrontenacPike]

I bought mine from Gander M, they are willing to match any competitors price. Open a GM credit card and get another 10% off. Just what I did.

[Cast A Way]

Well - finally bought a Honda EU 2000. Runs like a top(Honda). Used is last weekend out grouse hunting. Nice to run the micro wave, TV, and other various elec. conviences. Used very little gas. L & M Fleet on sale for $859 and received a $20 off credit also. Thanks for the info.

[FrontenacPike]

You won't be disappointed...you bought a gen that will last you a lifetime. Good choice!!!!