Warn Evo Vs Zeon: A Complete view

If you are looking for a winch, you should consider Warn. This brand dates back to 1948, so you know it’s been around for a while and knows what it’s doing. 

Whether you need to pull some cars out of a ditch or looking for something more powerful to aid in rescue situations, you have quite a few options with warn winch. They have an extensive lineup of winches to choose from for different uses and applications. 

It can be confusing to sort through the selection available. Their products are designed and built with the best materials available so they can handle almost any situation.

With that in mind, let’s get started with an article comparing the two popular winch series: Warn evo vs zeon.

Warn Zeon Vs Evo

Always on top of trends, Warn boasts years of experience in the world of off-road equipment. Their constant usage of quality materials that hold up against harsh conditions has made them a well-known name in the off-roading and powersports community.

The Warn Zeon and Warn VR EVO series have proven themselves time and time again, making them popular among many people who love their rugged style and reliability. So, what is the difference between WARN Zeon and Evo? Let’s find out.

Price

The biggest and most obvious difference between these two series is their price point. The winches from the Zeon series cost almost twice as much as the VR Evo series. 

This price difference is caused by a lot of factors but a major reason is because of where they are manufactured. The VR Evo series winches are manufactured in China with parts sourced globally whereas the Zeon series winches are designed and manufactured in USA. 

However warn enforces strict quality control in manufacturing all of their winches regardless of where they are manufactured.

Winch Capacities

Both Zeon and VR EVO series of winches are available in 8000 LBS, 10000 LBS and 12000 LBS load capacities. The winches of VR EVO series are standard duty winches while the Zeon series offers a premium lineup. 

Solenoid/Contactors

High Quality solid state contactors are used in winches from both these series. So you can always expect reliable performance from them.

Convertible Control Pack

These winches come with a convertible control pack. Amazing right? The convertible control pack gives you the flexibility to remove the pack and mount it separately from the winch. So the winch can be mounted within tight spaces and give you the option of a low-profile look.

Cable Type

You can use either synthetic or steel cable versions of the same winch from both series. However, the synthetic ropes are different between the two series. Warn uses a standard duty synthetic rope on the VR series while on the Zeon models such as: warn zeon 10s,

they use their spydura rope which features a 20% higher ultimate strength, a gusseted thimble and a red wrap at the drum end of the rope which is used as an end of line indicator.

Gear Train & Motor

Winches of both series come with a 3-stage planetary gear system. But the gear train in the Zeon is much stronger than that in the VR Evo series. The motor design runs much cooler giving the Zeon a higher duty cycle and a longer life in harsh conditions. 

Line Speed of zeon series winches are faster under no load compared to the VR Evo series. But under full load the VR Evo series provides quicker line speed than Zeon.

Braking System

The VR Evo series uses the traditional spring in drum brake assembly the Zeon uses cone style break which is more efficient and it gives it a much more superior holding power while under load.

Drum Size

On the Zeon series winches you’ll find a 3.15 inch diameter aluminum zinc alloy drum and

VR Evo series uses a 2.6 inch diameter welded steel drum. The bigger diameter and aluminum alloy construction of zeon winches reduces rope wear and is better for heat dissipation. 

For anchoring the rope to the drums the VR Evo uses a common washer and bolt arrangement. You’ll need a minimum of 11 wraps of rope around the drum to anchor the rope and secure it properly on the drum.

Again, the Zeon series uses through drum anchoring, where the rope goes through the drum and is anchored with an anchoring key. It’s better to use at least five wraps of rope around the drum for securely anchoring it.

Waterproof

Warn ensures the highest standard ingress protection rating for all of their winches. They are IP68 rated but the zeon and zeon platinum series are the ones rated for submerged use also.

Warranty

You can enjoy the exceptional warranty service of lifetime for mechanical components and seven years for electrical components for winches of both Zeon and VR Evo series.

Which One To Buy: Warn Evo Or Zeon

So who wins the battle of warn zeon vs vr evo? Apparently both these series are great in terms of performance and reliability. Warn doesn’t compromise on the quality of their winches. 

The VR Evo series offers a price competitive lineup. If you want an affordable warn  winch, go with the Evo series. It’s durable, sturdy, and offers great features.

Zeon series offers a full-on premium experience. It doesn’t cost more for nothing. You get premium features and better build quality and so if you’re ready to spend thousands of dollars on your rig, this is the one for you!

FAQs

Is WARN Evo Made in the USA?

No. The Evo series from war is manufactured in china.

Is WARN Evo waterproof?

Yes. The winches from VR EVO series are rated IP-68 and well protected from dust and water ingression.

Are WARN winches worth the money?

Yes. Warn winches offer exceptional durability and performance which accounts for the high price.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how both these series differ from each other. You can expect equally good performance from both the Warn Evo vs Zeon series winches. But for enjoying the perks of premium features the zeon series is definitely a go. 

It comes down to the type of user you are. While the evo series has been designed for lighter users, Zeon provides a heavy duty lineup for extreme users.

Ricardo Vaughn
Ricardo Vaughn

Vaughn is a seasoned off-roading expert and professional winch specialist. When he's not out on the trails, he shares his knowledge and experiences through his writing as a blog author in the off-roading and outdoor lifestyle space.

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