I'm going to keep this post on-going. This thread will be about accessories people buy and put on their truck that I do not understand. Maybe others can help me see the light.
The first item I do not understand it the "safety thimble" or what's now being called the "ProLink". What a gay fucking name. ProLink. I don't even get why they capitalize the "L" in ProLink. Can someone explain that?
What does the name mean? ProLink. Is this a link only the pro's use? Would I be a pro if I used the ProLink? Maybe people view the ProLink as some sort of holy grail? Do people look a truck such as the one pictured below and think to them self, "fuck, this dude is serious about winching. Did you see his ProLink?".
Just look at that thing. It looks like a tit sticking out there. For some odd reason I just want to go up to that thing and start sucking it. And what's up with all the wild colors? Red, blue, silver, gold, black.... All they're missing is the wildly popular yellow. Don't they know yellow stands for safety?
Here is a link to the ProLink website, Factor55. Factor what? What the fuck is Factor55? I looked at the About Factor55 page:
I know my grammar can be bad at times, but shit, this is a website where this guy (or gal) makes his bread and butter. This is the place where you talk up your company profile and make me want to buy from you. But somehow in the translation I'm left thinking this guy is a dipshit. Suddenly the latest 3D CAD software and Cosmos FEA optimization does not matter to me anymore.
I also have to wonder about these claims. Latest 3D CAD software? What, is the machinist going to use some outdated software? When you buy your Solid Works or Feature Cam or whatever software he's using, you typically keep your software up-to-date. It's like doing an Windows or iOS update on your computer. This is stuff you just do. It's not even note worthy.
And Cosmos FEA Optimization? Raise your hand if you want a computer model doing the stress testing for you in a recovery situation. Static loads, dynamic loads, unknown loads depending on the circumstances....
So where are these test results, anyway? If I were to go through the expense of thoroughly testing a product I'm going to sell, and talk about the testing procedures I've completed, I think I would want to post those results for others to see. Maybe it's just me....
But it's the pages like this that take the cake.
The ProLink XTV
The ProLink XXL
"Coming Soon". What bullshit. I hate websites like this. That's like the people who put shit in the sig line on web forums like this:
1999 Discovery
2005 LR3
1997 Discovery (gone)
1995 Discovery (gone)
1995 Defender (gone)
1978 JMC Jimmy (gone)
2013 Mustang (coming soon)
it's retarded.
But lets look at this revolutionary new must-have product. For $150.00 you get the following:
I don't care about the price. It seems a little high for what it is, but I can appreciate the work that has gone into this product. What I do not understand is the Safer, Stronger, Smarter motto that goes along with the product or why the product has the features it does.
Safer. Why is this product safer? I'm guessing it's safer because your finger cannot get caught up in the thimble loop when spooling in your cable. I mean, how many times have you seen this happen?
Stronger. Stronger than what? I don't understand what it's stronger than. It's still the same winch line. It's still the same winch line thimble. It's still the same bow shackle. All you've done is put an additional piece of equipment between you and the object you're recovering. How is that stronger?
Smarter. Seriously? Smarter than what? By adding more pieces to your puzzle of an already potentially dangerous task this is smarter?
Let's look at the operation of this product. This link takes you directly to the Factor55 website and shows you why the ProLink is better than a clevis.
http://www.factor55.com/index.php?main_page=hook_shackle
Factor55 tells us that this is the wrong way to rig your recovery strap.
Factor55 is absolutely right! The pic above is the incorrect way to rig your recovery line. In fact, I personally don't think a clevis belongs in the winch recovery kit.
Factor55 tell us this is the correct way to rig our recovery lines.
I would agree with Factor55 that this is a better option than the clevis. What I do not get, or understand, is why you need the ProLink to do this. Why not just do this?
In the above pic you've eliminated three (3) pieces of equipment from your recovery puzzle, the ProLink, the pin in which holds the ProLink to the winch line thimble, and the c-clip in which holds the pin inside the ProLink that holds the thimble to the ProLink.
So if your bow shackle will connect directly to your which line thimble, why do you need a ProLink?
Factor55 tells us that by leaving your winch line secured like this, you're doing yourself a disfavor.
Factor55 tells us, "That is why it is common to see winch cables extended and hooks attached to bumpers, tow hooks, undercarriage parts etc.. It is not recommended to leave the winch cable or synthetic rope pulling at a right angle to your fairlead simply to attach the hook to something convenient – this can permanently weaken the fibers right at the fairlead surface." Personally, I don't know if I agree with that, but I can't discredit them at this time. I will say, however, that UV rays can and will deteriorate your synthetic winch line over time. It's also a good idea to keep your winch line neatly spooled on your winch drum for no other reason than to protect it from elements. So why not just do this?
I talked to another guy on the phone this morning and brought up this product. He seems to think the ProLink will protect your hause or roller fairlead from abrasions caused due to the winch line thimble digging into the fairlead when the winch line is stowed. Ok? I don't really see how, though. Here is the ProLink again.
Even with the ProLink utilized, if the thimble is twisted 90* it can still dig into your fairlead. So I do not understand how the ProLink would protect your fairlead.
There is one thing I like about the ProLink, though. When you're finished recovering or pulling whatever it is your recovering or pulling, I see people all the time spooling in their winch with the thimble just dragging on the ground. This is not good. Dragging your rope across the ground is bad enough because it can catch and snag on rocks or branches and rip or tear the fibers of your rope. It's even worse at the thimble end because the thimble has a little weight to it and the bouncing around on the ground across rocks and branches is amplified because it's heavier object. Imagine dragging this across the ground:
With this type of set up if you drag your winch line over the ground, the rope is going to suffer wear and tear right at the thimble.
With the ProLink the rope is protected.
But do you really need the ProLink to counter this? Why not just use a tube thimble?
Over on D-90 Source, chrisconnie, the proud new owner of one of these pieces of shit, says the ProLink is crafted from 6061, like that's something. Is 6061 now supposed to be some high tech shit? Is 6061 now a feature not commonly available? Fact is, 6061 is the standard shit. To the people who know nothing about metal or alloys this might be noteworthy because they don't know the difference between 6061 and something like 7075 anyway.
chrisconnie is really impressed with the product and can't wait to give it a pull.
http://www.d-90.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37496
Maybe Raz can chime in here and tell me why this "piece of kit" is "functional".
The first item I do not understand it the "safety thimble" or what's now being called the "ProLink". What a gay fucking name. ProLink. I don't even get why they capitalize the "L" in ProLink. Can someone explain that?
What does the name mean? ProLink. Is this a link only the pro's use? Would I be a pro if I used the ProLink? Maybe people view the ProLink as some sort of holy grail? Do people look a truck such as the one pictured below and think to them self, "fuck, this dude is serious about winching. Did you see his ProLink?".
Just look at that thing. It looks like a tit sticking out there. For some odd reason I just want to go up to that thing and start sucking it. And what's up with all the wild colors? Red, blue, silver, gold, black.... All they're missing is the wildly popular yellow. Don't they know yellow stands for safety?
Here is a link to the ProLink website, Factor55. Factor what? What the fuck is Factor55? I looked at the About Factor55 page:
I know my grammar can be bad at times, but shit, this is a website where this guy (or gal) makes his bread and butter. This is the place where you talk up your company profile and make me want to buy from you. But somehow in the translation I'm left thinking this guy is a dipshit. Suddenly the latest 3D CAD software and Cosmos FEA optimization does not matter to me anymore.
I also have to wonder about these claims. Latest 3D CAD software? What, is the machinist going to use some outdated software? When you buy your Solid Works or Feature Cam or whatever software he's using, you typically keep your software up-to-date. It's like doing an Windows or iOS update on your computer. This is stuff you just do. It's not even note worthy.
And Cosmos FEA Optimization? Raise your hand if you want a computer model doing the stress testing for you in a recovery situation. Static loads, dynamic loads, unknown loads depending on the circumstances....
So where are these test results, anyway? If I were to go through the expense of thoroughly testing a product I'm going to sell, and talk about the testing procedures I've completed, I think I would want to post those results for others to see. Maybe it's just me....
But it's the pages like this that take the cake.
The ProLink XTV
The ProLink XXL
"Coming Soon". What bullshit. I hate websites like this. That's like the people who put shit in the sig line on web forums like this:
1999 Discovery
2005 LR3
1997 Discovery (gone)
1995 Discovery (gone)
1995 Defender (gone)
1978 JMC Jimmy (gone)
2013 Mustang (coming soon)
it's retarded.
But lets look at this revolutionary new must-have product. For $150.00 you get the following:
I don't care about the price. It seems a little high for what it is, but I can appreciate the work that has gone into this product. What I do not understand is the Safer, Stronger, Smarter motto that goes along with the product or why the product has the features it does.
Safer. Why is this product safer? I'm guessing it's safer because your finger cannot get caught up in the thimble loop when spooling in your cable. I mean, how many times have you seen this happen?
Stronger. Stronger than what? I don't understand what it's stronger than. It's still the same winch line. It's still the same winch line thimble. It's still the same bow shackle. All you've done is put an additional piece of equipment between you and the object you're recovering. How is that stronger?
Smarter. Seriously? Smarter than what? By adding more pieces to your puzzle of an already potentially dangerous task this is smarter?
Let's look at the operation of this product. This link takes you directly to the Factor55 website and shows you why the ProLink is better than a clevis.
http://www.factor55.com/index.php?main_page=hook_shackle
Factor55 tells us that this is the wrong way to rig your recovery strap.
Factor55 is absolutely right! The pic above is the incorrect way to rig your recovery line. In fact, I personally don't think a clevis belongs in the winch recovery kit.
Factor55 tell us this is the correct way to rig our recovery lines.
I would agree with Factor55 that this is a better option than the clevis. What I do not get, or understand, is why you need the ProLink to do this. Why not just do this?
In the above pic you've eliminated three (3) pieces of equipment from your recovery puzzle, the ProLink, the pin in which holds the ProLink to the winch line thimble, and the c-clip in which holds the pin inside the ProLink that holds the thimble to the ProLink.
So if your bow shackle will connect directly to your which line thimble, why do you need a ProLink?
Factor55 tells us that by leaving your winch line secured like this, you're doing yourself a disfavor.
Factor55 tells us, "That is why it is common to see winch cables extended and hooks attached to bumpers, tow hooks, undercarriage parts etc.. It is not recommended to leave the winch cable or synthetic rope pulling at a right angle to your fairlead simply to attach the hook to something convenient – this can permanently weaken the fibers right at the fairlead surface." Personally, I don't know if I agree with that, but I can't discredit them at this time. I will say, however, that UV rays can and will deteriorate your synthetic winch line over time. It's also a good idea to keep your winch line neatly spooled on your winch drum for no other reason than to protect it from elements. So why not just do this?
I talked to another guy on the phone this morning and brought up this product. He seems to think the ProLink will protect your hause or roller fairlead from abrasions caused due to the winch line thimble digging into the fairlead when the winch line is stowed. Ok? I don't really see how, though. Here is the ProLink again.
Even with the ProLink utilized, if the thimble is twisted 90* it can still dig into your fairlead. So I do not understand how the ProLink would protect your fairlead.
There is one thing I like about the ProLink, though. When you're finished recovering or pulling whatever it is your recovering or pulling, I see people all the time spooling in their winch with the thimble just dragging on the ground. This is not good. Dragging your rope across the ground is bad enough because it can catch and snag on rocks or branches and rip or tear the fibers of your rope. It's even worse at the thimble end because the thimble has a little weight to it and the bouncing around on the ground across rocks and branches is amplified because it's heavier object. Imagine dragging this across the ground:
With this type of set up if you drag your winch line over the ground, the rope is going to suffer wear and tear right at the thimble.
With the ProLink the rope is protected.
But do you really need the ProLink to counter this? Why not just use a tube thimble?
Over on D-90 Source, chrisconnie, the proud new owner of one of these pieces of shit, says the ProLink is crafted from 6061, like that's something. Is 6061 now supposed to be some high tech shit? Is 6061 now a feature not commonly available? Fact is, 6061 is the standard shit. To the people who know nothing about metal or alloys this might be noteworthy because they don't know the difference between 6061 and something like 7075 anyway.
chrisconnie is really impressed with the product and can't wait to give it a pull.
http://www.d-90.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37496
Maybe Raz can chime in here and tell me why this "piece of kit" is "functional".
