The Chinese Do It Again...

[Loscaldazar]

Another blatant rip-off of an excellent work light by Astro Pneumatic....Bothers the hell out of me that it is such a blatant copy. Doubt it actually has a higher lumen rating. Made In China complete with crappy ChinEnglish warning to not buy from other sellers in case you get ripped off....lol. About the same as the snake warning the hens about the fox.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6RLSUX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

So do Astro a favor and spend a few bucks more to get the actual one. Support a company that has spent more than a fair amount educating us on how tool manufacturing and sourcing works, as well as answering our questions about products, and frequently takes our feedback and designs tools specifically for us. What other company does that for us?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018R0XQPA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I know the Chinese like to copy ****, but this one really got under my skin.

Also apologies for the most ranty and poorly written post I'll probably ever make, but I feel like it's justified this time

 

[ADSR]

I like a deal.

 

[BIG BACCHUS]

"Dear buyer, bayerry is replaceable"

LOVE IT

 

[mlum6969]

no....just no.

 

[nieuport17]

Prime too ! Awesome, put into cart.
No, just kidding. I actually don't like rechargeable flashlights.
Astro or not, this is not for me.
Is this a copy or coming from the same factory with a different name?

 

[Skin]

Im sure i'll incur the wrath of the Astro spokesman who will chime in saying they're engineered to very specific Astro specifications but im fairly certain they didn't actually produce anything on that light as they undoubtedly are largely fabricated in China too. Contracted? Sure. Made? No. Even Matco sells a version in their colors.

For what its worth I own the Astro also and like it a lot. My only 2 complaints are that the felt on the magnet was a token joke so I ripped it off after about 20 minutes of trying to pick metal filings out of it and I often bump the slide dial while holding it inadvertently turning it down. If I had to buy another tomorrow I'd stick with the American company compared to some random China white box brand. Im also pretty sure I didn't pay much more than that, maybe $52.

 

[nieuport17]

"Dear buyer, bayerry is replaceable"

LOVE IT

The bayerry is so not easily replaceable.
And zhuoman (the seller) needs to copy a spell checker software. So many words wrong.

 

[anndel]

I have 3 Astro 40SLs. I would not buy the ripoffs and if I needed more, I'll buy more Astros.

 

[firworks]

I was just looking at those the other day. I was considering grabbing one to tear it down and see what it looks like compared to the Astro. I don't really get knocking off a product and selling it for almost the same price though. It's only 12$ difference between the real thing and the knockoff right now. I'd like to know if they just ripped off the look and the performance and guts are different, or if they stole the whole design through and through.

 

[K13]

Astro is clearly just one of many companies that have purchased the same light from a Chinese manufacturer.

https://www.forcetools-kepmar.eu/FC-68611-Ultra-COB-LED-Slim-Light-15W

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MHHFL/HANDHELD-DIAL-FLOOD-LIGHT/

http://choicegear.org/index.php/product/slim-led-work-light-by-griots-garage/

 

[firworks]

Astro is clearly just one of many companies that have purchased the same light from a Chinese manufacturer.

https://www.forcetools-kepmar.eu/FC-68611-Ultra-COB-LED-Slim-Light-15W

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MHHFL/HANDHELD-DIAL-FLOOD-LIGHT/

http://choicegear.org/index.php/product/slim-led-work-light-by-griots-garage/

The three you listed there are exactly the same as the Astro 40SL. The Zhuoman the OP linked is very slightly different. The magnetic mount on the base is quite a bit different, and the USB charging port / flap is different. It seems reasonable to me that Astro might be the "OEM" importer behind the Matco and Griots / EU branded ones. They already OEM a lot of tools for other companies.

 

[ADSR]

All things equal, the cheapest one wins in my book.

 

[Vantastic]

A Chinese light that's the same as a different Chinese light. Yea that pisses me off too.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Interesting...

I love my Astro's. One thing to note though: several reviewers are saying it does not come with a US style plug. The USB works fine though.

 

[thesilverone]

same factory, but paying for the Astro name.

Typical chinese business....

 

[cowboy73]

The thing is Astro doesn't make anything....just like Craftsman, HF, Lowes, Menards, HD, Tekton, etc. They have things built to spec with their name on them. They are an importer.

 

[Stooge]

A Chinese light that's the same as a different Chinese light. Yea that pisses me off too.

I wasn't sure if the OP was serious here at first

apparently he was

I think the last time I talked to the GJ astro spokesman, and was asking him about a board sander that seemed to be similar to 2 or 3 others, he even just told me to buy the cheapest since they were all the same. I appreciated his honesty and candor and bought the IR flavored one

 

[ddawg16]

All you young kids....

I remember when the ***** was the cheap Japanese stuff...."Made in Japan" was the joke.

Then it was the "Made in Taiwan" joke....

The it was "Made in Korea"....when you were shopping for VCR's, you wanted the "Made in Japan" one, not the "Made in Korea" one....

Now the joke is "Made in China"

In a few more years, the joke will be "Made in India"

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL sells the exact same light as well only in it's color: green. Part number: JJAT0515. Most of the better versions of this are made in Taiwan. What you gain by buying something from ASTRO is iron-clad customer support. Steve, David, and Nicky (the Fisher family) along with Chris and Leeor (all of whom I consider to be friends) have built their business on that principal. True, they import much of their stuff from the same guys others do, but all of ASTRO's stuff has undergone their internal testing and is built to their specifications. Most importantly they stand behind it completely. Eric O. has dropped his 40SL in every video he makes and it's still working great. If you buy the wing-wang version that likely wouldn't be the case. In this particular instance paying an extra $10 for that kind of support seems reasonable to me.

 

[bcradio]

Thanks OP, in for 2 of these.

 

[Skin]

TOPTUL sells the exact same light as well only in it's color: green. Part number: JJAT0515. Most of the better versions of this are made in Taiwan.

Maybe i'll eat crow but im tempted to open it up as I wouldn't be surprised at all if the electronics (LED board) and battery are from China anyway.

 

[6PTsocket]

Im sure i'll incur the wrath of the Astro spokesman who will chime in saying they're engineered to very specific Astro specifications but im fairly certain they didn't actually produce anything on that light as they undoubtedly are largely fabricated in China too. Contracted? Sure. Made? No. Even Matco sells a version in their colors.

For what its worth I own the Astro also and like it a lot. My only 2 complaints are that the felt on the magnet was a token joke so I ripped it off after about 20 minutes of trying to pick metal filings out of it and I often bump the slide dial while holding it inadvertently turning it down. If I had to buy another tomorrow I'd stick with the American company compared to some random China white box brand. Im also pretty sure I didn't pay much more than that, maybe $52.

But does yours have a replacable bayberry? Accept no substitutes.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[paulm12]

not to get too political or anything here, but I take a different perspective. I think that much of the blame lies with "the Americans" who buy cheap and/or knock-off products. For years I have seen co-workers, friends and neighbors buy knock-off and counterfeit CDs, DVDs, clothing, home goods, tools, etc. And then they blast a company or country that makes such a product. The market responds to customer wants, and unfortunately too many people today just want cheap, regardless of the real long term costs.

It isn't right what many of these companies are doing, but they aren't the only ones that are at fault.

 

[dutchgray]

All things equal, the cheapest one wins in my book.

The thing is, they may look the same but you can be utterly sure they aren't all built to the same spec. There will be ones built with decent batteries and LED's for the likes of Astro and others with the absolute cheapest junk in the factory could find.

 

[6PTsocket]

I was just looking at those the other day. I was considering grabbing one to tear it down and see what it looks like compared to the Astro. I don't really get knocking off a product and selling it for almost the same price though. It's only 12$ difference between the real thing and the knockoff right now. I'd like to know if they just ripped off the look and the performance and guts are different, or if they stole the whole design through and through.

Read K13's post. Astro is just one of several companies marketing a similar Chinese product. It is not "their"work light. Importers might specify certain colors or some minor feature to make it theirs. This is true with many items. Those blow molded tool boxes have a smooth spot where they will stick on the foil brand label of anybody who imports the same tool.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[firworks]

Read K13's post. Astro is just one of several companies marketing a similar Chinese product. It is not "their"work light. Importers might specify certain colors or some minor feature to make it theirs. This is true with many items. Those blow molded tool boxes have a smooth spot where they will stick on the foil brand label of anybody who imports the same tool.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

What I'm getting at is, that Zhuyoyov one in the OP is actually a knock off of the design Astro is using. Maybe it's not theirs but one they bought from another company. It's not the same actual light but is clearly intending to be. As I pointed out above the mag base is different as is the USB charge port and cover.

If Astro actually had a hand in designing it and is the "OEM importer" (lol) then they shouldn't have had this made in China. Everyone knows this stuff happens.

What I meant by OEM importer is that since Astro has agreements to provide tools under branding with other companies, it saves say, Matco time if they can ask Astro to brand their already imported from China light rather than going through the rigamarole of finding a supplier, verifying the product is good, setting up shipping agreements and all that. That's all I'm saying. I would think that there are probably other branded things (Matco, whoever) coming from Astro that are built by a company other than Astro.

Who knows though maybe they are all importing the same light. The only way to really know would be to take them apart and check out the guts. I had my Astro apart last night and it is extremely simple inside, but looks well done. I was surprised that there was no thermal paste/grease on the heatsink behind the COB though. There's a long channel heatsink that is just held against the COB by the plastic case.

 

[Vantastic]

Thanks OP, in for 2 of these.

I'm going to start a thread on this light in the Hot Deals section

 

[Stuey]

What I'm getting at is, that Zhuyoyov one in the OP is actually a knock off of the design Astro is using. Maybe it's not theirs but one they bought from another company. It's not the same actual light but is clearly intending to be. As I pointed out above the mag base is different as is the USB charge port and cover.

What I meant by OEM importer is that since Astro has agreements to provide tools under branding with other companies, it saves say, Matco time if they can ask Astro to brand their already imported from China light rather than going through the rigamarole of finding a supplier, verifying the product is good, setting up shipping agreements and all that. That's all I'm saying. I would think that there are probably other branded things (Matco, whoever) coming from Astro that are built by a company other than Astro.

Who knows though maybe they are all importing the same light. The only way to really know would be to take them apart and check out the guts. I had my Astro apart last night and it is extremely simple inside, but looks well done. I was surprised that there was no thermal paste/grease on the heatsink behind the COB though. There's a long channel heatsink that is just held against the COB by the plastic case.

Are you sure that it's an Astro design?

A lot of companies boast about their new products, even when they had little to nothing to do with the design or manufacturing.

There's one brand, and one whose tools are primarily made in the USA, whose press releases I've started to ignore. Most of their new tools are simply imported tools dressed up in their colors and branding, and tools that other brands already offer for less money. So why would anyone be interested in Brand A's product, if Brand B sells the same thing at less money.

Is Astro Pneumatics an OEM for other brands? I always thought they were a mix of importer/rebrander and unique tool maker.

If they're not the OEM, will another brand really go through them to make arrangements with the OEM, adding another middleman and increasing end-user costs, or are they going to go straight to the OEM?

Not to say that it doesn't happen, but I have never seen a rebrand of a rebrand of an OEM-made product. Maybe I just wasn't aware, and if so, does anyone have an example?

 

[K13]

What I'm getting at is, that Zhuyoyov one in the OP is actually a knock off of the design Astro is using. Maybe it's not theirs but one they bought from another company. It's not the same actual light but is clearly intending to be. As I pointed out above the mag base is different as is the USB charge port and cover.

But you have no way of knowing that this is true. It very well could be that the same company offers slightly different versions of the same light to enable them to sell to different customers in the same market.

 

[-Brent-]

Maybe Astro will chime in but I'm wondering if their light is just privately labeled by Astro but not actually a product they design and have a mfr produce? A lot of stuff is that way, these days.

 

[T45]

I like astro, but they source foreign made--and sometimes foreign designed--tools. Just like verybody else. Heck there is a whole truck tools equivalent thread with USA oems "rippin off" each other left and right. Do you use ratcheting wrenches? How many are taiwan designs? People living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, and I think thi whole thread is a bit of a 'meh' as a result. We could probably do this all day with different sku's if people find it interesting. Just my $0.02.

 

[wjamyers]

All you young kids....

I remember when the ***** was the cheap Japanese stuff...."Made in Japan" was the joke.

Then it was the "Made in Taiwan" joke....

The it was "Made in Korea"....when you were shopping for VCR's, you wanted the "Made in Japan" one, not the "Made in Korea" one....

Now the joke is "Made in China"

In a few more years, the joke will be "Made in India"

Indeed. Lots of good Chinese tools already... "good" as in they are in use in professional's shops day in and day out for years getting the job done. Sometimes they **** and they fail but they are getting better all the time.

 

[ADSR]

The thing is, they may look the same but you can be utterly sure they aren't all built to the same spec. There will be ones built with decent batteries and LED's for the likes of Astro and others with the absolute cheapest junk in the factory could find.

Here is the problem with this statement. We don't know if they're exactly the same until we open it up. I've had a few items made in china myself, and I know how they play the game. You can buy an exact copy, or, you can cheap out on little things to cut costs.

I'm going to look for these lights from my supplier and see what the differences are.

 

[ADSR]

I'm going to look for these lights from my supplier and see what the differences are.

And that was pretty easy IMO.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/15W-Ultra-LED-COB-Slim-Working_60311021486.html

http://www.autotool.com.tw/

 

[ADSR]

Taiwan made and pretty sure it was designed by Astro, not just a rebranded light.

Nope, it's a rebrand. Look at the links above.... made by .....

TIEN CHIEN ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Nope, it's a rebrand. Look at the links above.... made by .....

TIEN CHIEN ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.

Fair enough, almost certain it was an Astro design due to how much Chris (Astro Pneumatic on this board) has talked about designing it



EDIT: On second look, Tien Chien enterprises has 5-10 employees.

You sure they are the manufacturer?

Chris has talked a lot of the design of this, which lead me to believe it was one of Astro's designs (as Astro makes plenty of other tools, in addition to what they rebrand). Astro also owns some of their own factories.

Tien Chien doesn't seem any more likely with only a few employees.
https://autotool.en.alibaba.com/company_profile.html?spm=a2700.8304367.0.0.nCytqg

 

[ADSR]

Fair enough, almost certain it was an Astro design due to how much Chris has talked about designing it

It is possible Astro did design it. The way it works is, I've designed items in china and when the design is complete, the company offers to pay for the design by giving you the cost of the design in free product in the first order. The catch is, they can use the design as well and sell the product.

 

[ADSR]

Fair enough, almost certain it was an Astro design due to how much Chris has talked about designing it



EDIT: On second look, Tien Chien enterprises has 5-10 employees.

You sure they are the manufacturer?

Chris has talked a lot of the design of this, which lead me to believe it was one of Astro's designs (as Astro makes plenty of other tools, in addition to what they rebrand). Astro also owns some of their own factories.

Tien Chien doesn't seem any more likely with only a few employees. Sure they aren't just an exporter?
https://autotool.en.alibaba.com/company_profile.html?spm=a2700.8304367.0.0.nCytqg

I'm going to call that a language error. It's the norm doing business overseas. I've seen it more than 100 times. with a Total Annual Revenue: US$2.5 Million - US$5 Million

There's a few more than 5 - 10 workers.

 

[T45]

the company offers to pay for the design ... The catch is, they can use the design as well and sell the product.

Thats not a catch, thats basic econ 101

 

[zendriver]

To some, Taiwan is about the same as China.

It's a light, probably utilizing the same components.