ICON vs SUNEX

[DFB]

I was just going thru the "What's New" link at the HF website at they are advertising a 13PC Cro-Mo 3/8" drive impact set under the ICON name for $44.99

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-professional-impact-socket-set-13-pc-56209.html

A comparative SUNEX set, part# 3358 includes the same amount of pieces (13 sockets 7-19MM no skips) and same material (chrome-moly construction) and is between $18.99 - $22.99 on average several places on the web TOOLSid/CPO/ACME TOOL

https://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-too...paign=PLA&scid=scbplpSUN3358&sc_intid=SUN3358

So what am I missing?

 

[bobcatdan]

Could easily be the same sockets. Sunnex sockets can be found with several different names on them.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Icon is trying to be "upmarket" relative to sunex. Icon is available today through a store, in store warranty. You linked to Tooltopia, which also has a minimum dollar amount to hit to get free shipping.



I also don't understand Icons place in the tool ecosystem.

 

[plinker]

FWIW, a set from Napa/Carlyle similar to the Sunex is 34$ per the prolink site I have access to, NPT 610203, 8-19 skip free.

 

[regguy1]

I bought Sunex 1/2 and 3/8 drive Impact flex sockets, they're beautiful. I looked at Icon 30-250 ft Lb torque wrench, ended up buying a Sunex 20250 30-250 ft lb 1/2 drive torque wrench, the Sunex is way nicer and slightly lower priced (on Amazon)

 

[magicrat]

Sunex impacts are great. Last years under pro use and have a mail in warranty that can b accessed online. The Icon cost twice as much and have in store warranty. Icon MIGHT be as good but I would seriously doubt there any better. Just matters how much you value the in-store warranty I personally never broken an impact socket. And if I do I can wait a week on replacement. I’m also not a pro mechanic.

 

[lardy1]

I've yet to see an Icon item that I think is a good price compared to their competition. I really don't understand the allure.

 

[Certified Drunk]

Don't forget to use the 20% off ICON coupon.

 

[m6z]

Sunex is the name in quality affordable impact sockets.

The only reason to pay more is if you need it today.

 

[demarpaint]

I realize this is ICON vs. SUNEX. If I were in a HF store looking at ICON impact sockets, I'd buy the Pittsburgh impact sockets. I have them and they're very good for the money, especially with the 20% off coupon, or on sale.

 

[Ton ton]

Here's my 2 cents- if you don't agree, I understand. I think professional mechanics are looking for a step up in quality from Pittsburgh Pro. Hopefully ICON will live up to it's hype. Pittsburgh wrenches are available @ my local antique Mall. I have yet to see ICON @ my local antique Mall.

 

[Batscat]

For a mechanic the in store warranty is very much worth it.
This is a Gearwrench 19mm I broke now waiting for them to ship me a new one. I’m thankful it was as easy as sending a picture to them and them mailing it though.
Still wish I could just drive down the street and pick one up.

 

[WhataTool]

Wouldn't Sunex and Icon be sourced from the same manufacturer in Taiwan?

No, I know of 6 impact socket manufacturers in Taichung alone. Sure some of them share forging houses (TW is a small island, the huge factories you picture in CN where everything is done in house does not apply), but the forging dies, designs, material sourcing and testing/QC is specific to the factory.

 

[msbytes]

I would never buy Icons, but I do like the fully necked down there sockets. I wish Sunex would start doing that.

 

[CafeTools]

Icon because of local warranty and support. Better packaging and tray.

 

[Mr_B]

For a mechanic the in store warranty is very much worth it.
This is a Gearwrench 19mm I broke now waiting for them to ship me a new one. I’m thankful it was as easy as sending a picture to them and them mailing it though.
Still wish I could just drive down the street and pick one up.

Really on a 2 to 4 buck socket .
I buy nice taiwan impact socket and just self warranty, the prices that good you can buy about 3 sets for price of 1 branded with usable warranty.
If I wore a socket out or break one (haven't cracked one yet) I simply go to store racking and pick new socket out of spare set .
Self warranty best warranty you can get and on consumables like impacts it ain't worth messing with calls, emails or driver turn up in a week .
In many instances you waste more in calls gas and time than value of the socket you replacing for supposedly 'free' !

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Wouldn't Sunex and Icon be sourced from the same manufacturer in Taiwan?

Were snap on and craftsman made in the same factory in america?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

No they weren't. Western Forge and Snap-On have their own different factories. However you often find for things such as ratchets that many brands re-brand from the same Taiwanese manufacturer (Titan/Tekton/Pittsburgh Pro/etc) take the swivel head ratchets for example.

While there is some crossover between brands, I can think of several major tiawanese tool producers.

Just looking at the shape of the 1/2 shows they're obviously not the same socket.

 

[Steve_P]

Icon because of local warranty and support. Better packaging and tray.

Please. When is the last time you broke an impact socket? I've broken one in 35 years - using the starter with breaker bar on a Honda. Packaging and trays? Are you on the HF payroll? I have HF , Sunex, SK impacts; they all seem the same to me. Sunex all the way vs Icon.

 

[BolognaBlake]

FWIW, a set from Napa/Carlyle similar to the Sunex is 34$ per the prolink site I have access to, NPT 610203, 8-19 skip free.

NPT impact sockets and wrenches (if you come across a set) are fantastic.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Could easily be the same sockets. Sunnex sockets can be found with several different names on them.

That is pretty much it. There's only so many suppliers in Taiwan they can source it from. Sunex to me is better because it has a more versatile product line.

 

[setfocus]

a trainee tech at my old shop bought sunex 1/2 drive impact sockets, he use to strip smaller bolts all the time with them. I don't know if it was the milwaukee high torque impact he used, if he was trigger happy with it, or it was the sockets

I don't have that problem with my snappy's on my IR 2135timax, granted I don't hammer on them or I drop down to a more appropriate 3/8 drive socket/impact. Breaking bolts *****

 

[plinker]

For a mechanic the in store warranty is very much worth it.
This is a Gearwrench 19mm I broke now waiting for them to ship me a new one. I’m thankful it was as easy as sending a picture to them and them mailing it though.
Still wish I could just drive down the street and pick one up.

That's why I bought the majority of my impact sockets are from Napa. Same or next day replacement. The route guy can pick it up at the shop and drop it off. And the price is close enough to Sunex not to matter that much, especially given they are identical/same source.

Harbor freight isnt local to me at all, it's a 1-1/2hr one way drive to nearest store, so it rules them out by a lot.

 

[ZRX61]

I was at HF last weekend. Took the time to look at Icon tools (they had no boxes)
My only thought when I saw the prices was "you must be ******* joking"

 

[Oil leak]

I think the Icon are a little overpriced for what they are. The Pittsburgh pro are good for the price. I have never liked sunnex have used them but won't buy. In my shop I use Cornwell, William's, Proto, and GP. For my money GP are the best value in quality and price.
I have broken two impact sockets in over 30 years both Cornwell. The problem is the tool trucks don't stop anymore so I have to chase them down or give them to other people to warranty. The option to just exchange in store ie, Napa, HF is the best for some users so paying a little more works.

 

[Steve_P]

For a mechanic the in store warranty is very much worth it.
This is a Gearwrench 19mm I broke now waiting for them to ship me a new one. I’m thankful it was as easy as sending a picture to them and them mailing it though.
Still wish I could just drive down the street and pick one up.

It's one socket. Not a $3000 transmission. Buy a new one at Napa if you need it. If you want to drive to the store for a free replacement now, you could've bought Pittsburg for a fraction of the cost vs Icon. The focus on warranty here on $10 items is ridiculous

 

[bmxr4life87]

Gray Pneumatic

 

[lardy1]

The nearest Harbor Freight to me is a 45 minute drive. One of many reasons I don't go there.

 

[thool]

My theory is that when the average shopper goes into a HF store, they might buy the Icon brand if they perceive it to be a good value. If they weren't aware of similar products at other retailers, they may assume that "since it's at HF, it MUST be lower price than elsewhere."

Another option is that HF set the price point there to benefit from those holding out for the prices to go down. Someone may realize that, yes, the price is too high right now and they'll wait for any break. When a coupon comes along, they'll fly off the shelves (purchased by those who still didn't shop around) due to increased demand.

And if they run out, even better: this means demand is so high that people will keep coming in to see if the tools have been restocked.

 

[Mr_B]

have a 20% coupon now, still makes it quite pricey but if impacts decent enough and you close to HF it worth considering for purchase/warranty convenience perhaps !

 

[CafeTools]

Having a local warranty option makes it a easy decision %100

 

[parks31]

Icon is new to the game so the durability isn't known yet. Sunex has been proven to be a good tool at a good price. Warranty for Sunex might take a bit longer. I bought the 3/8 deep icon sets when on sale to see if they were good or not.

I would give the Icon impacts a try.

 

[Mr_B]

Having a local warranty option makes it a easy decision %100

Only thing I like about shop or truck purchase is quality control/inspect items before purchase or at least in the car park before driving away.
Life warranty on low cost individual tool not worth over paying or limiting your choice and more so if you paying like 3 to 5 times the price and the tool design not that great and you buying focused purely on the warranty .
If I think I likely be replacing it 3 or 4 times I would be reviewing if tools actually any good or my usage needs some changes .

Icon impacts have reasonably decent design and size range, if they prove durable and not wallow out quickly they be reasonable option with the 20% coupon and being able go to a physical store .
For tools under 10bucks a piece (impact sockets under 5bucks) self warranty can be way to go, I use mine in daily auto repair business and self warranty on some of low cost and abused items way to go for reduced costs, less wasted time and flexibility of tool replacement solutions .

 

[Cgw1984]

Whats all this silly talk about self warranty? If im driving to the store to buy a new single socket.. why wouldnt i drive to hf to get the new one free? Im not seeing the logic here. Hf is 7 min. From my house.

As an aside.. the icon hate on the board is hilarious.

 

[Mr_B]

Whats all this silly talk about self warranty? If im driving to the store to buy a new single socket.. why wouldnt i drive to hf to get the new one free? Im not seeing the logic here. Hf is 7 min. From my house.

As an aside.. the icon hate on the board is hilarious.

If sockets are any good then it not bad option, I currently buy 18pc taiwan impact sets with nice usability design and durability for 35bucks, I keep shallow and deep metric 1/2 sets on stock shelf so don't even need go to a store .
You simply not replacing masses of sockets regularly enough unless they very poor quality to have much real need or benefit from warranty .
HF currently easy on warranty but how long that last !
What is silly is amount of concern people have on life warranty for an item that worth about 3 to 4 bucks, granted if you close to HF then with their prices and current warranty it not bad choice for select hand tool gems they got if matches your preferences .
Also they control the warranty product so in future replacement may not match what you initially bought . Self warranty you in 100% control and you not paid for service you not going use or not going be happy with decade or 2 down the road .

 

[Hammer1963]

Whats all this silly talk about self warranty? If im driving to the store to buy a new single socket.. why wouldnt i drive to hf to get the new one free? Im not seeing the logic here. Hf is 7 min. From my house.

As an aside.. the icon hate on the board is hilarious.

I will have to agree. I don not understand the dislike with ICON. I have bought a couple of tools and they are very good and the warranty thing, I do not buy a tool based on warranty. Performance is the key to me. Does it help me do my job better, then that's what is important

 

[Batscat]

If sockets are any good then it not bad option, I currently buy 18pc taiwan impact sets with nice usability design and durability for 35bucks, I keep shallow and deep metric 1/2 sets on stock shelf so don't even need go to a store .
You simply not replacing masses of sockets regularly enough unless they very poor quality to have much real need or benefit from warranty .
HF currently easy on warranty but how long that last !
What is silly is amount of concern people have on life warranty for an item that worth about 3 to 4 bucks, granted if you close to HF then with their prices and current warranty it not bad choice for select hand tool gems they got if matches your preferences .
Also they control the warranty product so in future replacement may not match what you initially bought . Self warranty you in 100% control and you not paid for service you not going use or not going be happy with decade or 2 down the road .

Wtf is self warranty? I have no idea of what your talking about.

 

[Yarpo]

Wtf is self warranty? I have no idea of what your talking about.

Using your own money to warranty (buy) another product instead of relying on some company to replace a 3 dollar socket. Much easier and less hassle, imo.

 

[M6erfan]

Using your own money to warranty (buy) another product instead of relying on some company to replace a 3 dollar socket. Much easier and less hassle, imo.

+++1.

 

[JWILL]

One of our newer techs at another branch just dog piled his box full of the entire Icon line. I was out there helping for a week recently. Only issue I see is skipping 24mm in the impact line.