Moisture Meter Stihl/Harbor Freight - Same Thing...

[AdamE]

I finally decided to get a moisture meter and I found a Stihl on Amazon. After doing some more looking, I found one at Harbor Freight for much cheaper, but when I looked at it, I did a double take. Aside from the color, it's the exact same unit!

I figure that Stihl wouldn't put their name on a crap product. So, for around 11 bucks (with a 20% off coupon), I've got a meter that seems to be plenty accurate enough for my needs.

 

[Squirrel]

Looked at buying a meter myself, found the Stihl on Amazon. Checked several countries Stihl sites and this meter (or any other) is not listed as a product of theirs. Can you spell rip-off??

 

[velvetfoot]

Counterfeit?

 

[Squirrel]

You might think so!! I ordered the same meter for $10.19 US with free mail delivery direct from China.

 

[AdamE]

Looked at buying a meter myself, found the Stihl on Amazon. Checked several countries Stihl sites and this meter (or any other) is not listed as a product of theirs. Can you spell rip-off??

Yes, I can spell rip-off. Can you spell Squirrel-is an-idiot? Dood, lighten up! Anyway you look at it, I've got a meter that seems well made and is (so far) accurate for $11

Methinks you didn't look hard enough...

(broken link removed to http://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Merchandise-and-TIMBERSPORTS-Collection/STIHL-Merchandise/22063-1597/Wood-moisture-gauge.aspx)

I may very well have bought a knock-off, but what often happens is, a company like Stihl, who isn't an electronics manufacturer, will find a manufacturer who produces a product that meets their specs, and slap their name on it. This same product could be sold by many different companies.

.

 

[Squirrel]

OK I didn't look hard enough, I figured the USA, Germany, Canada and Denmark were enough. I still say selling an $11 item for $25 just isn't quite right, even in the UK.

 

[BrotherBart]

I have had the lil one from HF for years and it does a fine job.

 

[Squirrel]

I was glad to find that Stihl had put their name on it and then to hear BB likes his.....That's the icing on the cake!

 

[CountryBoy19]

I have had the lil one from HF for years and it does a fine job.

Same here... just had to replace the batteries last week as I was checking my 15/16 wood... gonna be cutting it close I would say... My ash is 27% (CSS in May), and my hickory CSS last fall is still ~40%

I have plenty of poplar and silver maple to burn plus some 4-5 y.o. mixed oak and locust that is currently buried under all the ash...