Hitachi "Sys Cart" - Made in China

[TinyShop]

I have a lead on a supply of these Hitachi-branded sys-carts (402543):

...but am wondering if they are worth the US$60/each that I can import them for. I'm not even sure if they are a Tanos product (or a knock-off) and/or if they are equally durable to the more well known Sys-Cart. Then there's the matter of spare parts availability (most crucially, I would want to know that replacement latches are readily available). I did manage to locate some very positive reviews in German (thanks to Amazon.de) which is the only reason that I am even considering these over the well-known Tanos Sys-Cart. 

Also, I have conflicting info regarding their compatibility with T-Loc systainers. Some retailers state they are compatible while at least one customer review that I came across stated that they are not.

The following photo only adds to the mystery:

Anyone have any experience with them? Should I seek or avoid?
   

 

[Gregor]

Festool Version
Old festool version

The 'hitachi' green one is most likely a knockoff (from the way the casters are mounted, which differs from Tanos does it) and likely a finger breaker with the old latches (especially the ones inside the grips).

Given that the Festool RB-SYS retails here (germany) for 50€ (incl. VAT, so ~62$ with/ ~52$ without) on a regular basis and goes for >95$US (amazon.com) in the US... it might be worth it to find out how much it would cost you to import the original.

 

[TinyShop]

[member=53905]Gregor[/member] - I assume that you are referring to either 492388 or the current iteration. If the former, given the rubber hold-down straps (seems like planned obsolescence at it's finest) and the smaller diameter wheels, I'd have to say that I'd never considered it a viable alternative. If the latter then, sadly, on its own shipping plus the cart ends up being more than the unit retails for in N.A.

Which brings me back to the Hitachi. After some further research, I now see that this cart (along with the latest iteration of Hitachi containers) is not a Tanos product but, instead, a proprietary design that makes use of the Tanos standard. I've written Hitachi U.K. and will post the outcome of that correspondence. The most crucial piece of info that I'm curious about is where these are being produced.

Stay tuned. 

 

[TinyShop]

[member=53905]Gregor[/member] - I assume that you are referring to either 492388 or the current iteration. If the former, given the rubber hold-down straps (seems like planned obsolescence at it's finest) and the smaller diameter wheels, I'd have to say that I'd never considered it a viable alternative. If the latter then, sadly, on its own shipping plus the cart ends up being more than the unit retails for in N.A.

Which brings me back to the Hitachi. After some further research, I now see that this cart (along with the latest iteration of Hitachi containers) is not a Tanos product but, instead, a proprietary design that makes use of the Tanos standard. I've written Hitachi U.K. and will post the outcome of that correspondence. The most crucial piece of info that I'm curious about is where these are being produced.

Stay tuned.

I finally heard back from Hitachi U.K.'s Marketing & Publicity Controller. According to him, these carts (and, for that matter, the entirety of the HSC line) are being manufactured in China. Bummer.

 

[Gregor]

sadly, on its own shipping plus the cart ends up being more than the unit retails for in N.A.

After having read:

I have a lead on a supply of these Hitachi-branded sys-carts (402543):

...but am wondering if they are worth the US$60/each that I can import them for.

I though you thought about amounts sized what fits onto pallets (or even filling a container), not single-digit for individual use, with the intent to resell them... Sorry for misunderstanding.

 

[demographic]

Well, they can't be any worse than the old Festool ones with the rubber catches that fall off.
They must have been designed by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.

 

[CBRacerX]

Please get some in the country - I would roll the dice on one.

 

[TinyShop]

[member=67537]CBRacerX[/member] - To be clear, I was only thinking about importing a couple for my personal use, not for retail. And, given their country of origin, I've since opted for a couple of Tanos carts. If you're interested in purchasing one or more of the Hitachi carts for yourself, one of the two (or three) Amazon UK sellers of the Hitachi carts is set up to ship to the U.S. (that is who I was going to go with).

 

[Coen]

Well, they can't be any worse than the old Festool ones with the rubber catches that fall off.
They must have been designed by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.

I have two of the older Festool ones and they were supplied with a spare set of 'rubber catches'. But I never disconnect the lower Systainer from the cart anyway

 

[CBRacerX]

[member=67537]CBRacerX[/member] - To be clear, I was only thinking about importing a couple for my personal use, not for retail. And, given their country of origin, I've since opted for a couple of Tanos carts. If you're interested in purchasing one or more of the Hitachi carts for yourself, one of the two (or three) Amazon UK sellers of the Hitachi carts is set up to ship to the U.S. (that is who I was going to go with).

I’ll have to try and get on Amazon UK as these are not shown on the US site.