I bought two of these:
Powermate’s Inverter Series generators provide stable power to a variety of loads including sensitive electronics. Product Features: Weighs less than 50 poundsFeatures a fully enclosed case for limited sound outputIdeal for multiple settings: Ca
www.ruralking.com
Agreed; it's not a Yamaha or a Honda. But then it's $1000 either! I bought TWO gennys for less than the cost of ONE Honda or Yamaha. And I can be a brand snob as much as the next guy when it comes to equipment; always have been impressed with Honda and Yamaha motorcycles and I'm loyal to those brands. But $379 for a 2200w inverter genny is too hard to pass up. And before we write it off as China-junk, consider this fact: it's the brand mate to Generac's new unit. In fact, it's identical, and the PowerMate literature even has the Generac parts references and there are stickers on the PM unit that say "Generac" on them. It's the twin of this unit:
Generac's most versatile collection of portable generators, the GP Series delivers reliable power for a variety of applications.
www.generac.com
Odd the identical Generac is $300 more than the PowerMate!
When I registered my PowerMate online yesterday, it takes you to the same Generac registration website!
Will they hold up as well as a Honda or Yamaha? Don't know. But as little as I'm likely to use them, I doubt I'd ever wear them out anyway. It's not like we boon-dock all the time. I got them for the "probably use them a couple times a year" approach, and not the "gonna live off the grid 24/7 for a decade" approach. Longevity is the unknown here. They appear well made, but time will tell.
As far as all other concerns (features, sound pressure, weight, fuel economy) they are dead-on with the major brands.