Yes, they are expensive, and we know they are worth it.
But these days don't be surprised if we spend some time hunting for the lowest price online. I don't see anything wrong with someone investing in 1000 of the real thing at a quantity discount and selling onesies on eBay.
My question is, OK, the cute glowing blue-eyed clear alien-head design is simply irresistible, :) , and not easy to duplicate...
But should we watch out for visual attempts at fakes and counterfeits ?
Because I have started noticing ads that look very similar in pictures, but under "manufacturer" they will just say "not specified".
Do you have any links to these?
Quote from: FNG on January 10, 2025, 09:34:01 AMDo you have any links to these?
A specific one:
This one says Brand- OE QUALITY (https://www.ebay.com/itm/387680551120?_skw=mnspd-300-ac&itmmeta=01JH95RAKT2HJNCFABMXTANJHY&hash=item5a438fc0d0:g:tekAAOSwGFhnTRIL&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKk%2F9kHe1qWWjP5hhrLY0j3J38lCR0733S%2Frd9%2BZDcOBAAdqhpx%2BdUdPZLv1yGcF200Twsv9II8BxTt8tIha3Qf4vnk55GJTncx%2FF7xQGXhbuUSILRu4JFjI155vyQHhhuqzy0BoncUk5HEPNNKHHJm9odHPN21fZ5WfZfUdQYxqeHAAWt7MKCF2xgUzk80TVC48u%2BNiwbOtweyDSdiyLQb%2F3OIg0NGdG2uX5B8BhgHtpTmtNssd9761eJSOYiIf3E0%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9yq4aWKZQ)
A more general eBay search:
Sorted prices low to high (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mnspd-300-ac&_sacat=0&_sop=15)
Zz
Yeah some of those are definitely knock offs with no listing etc. The clue is to look for the Midnite Logo on the label and Red, Black and Green wires
Quote from: FNG on January 13, 2025, 11:54:30 AMYeah some of those are definitely knock offs with no listing etc. The clue is to look for the Midnite Logo on the label and Red, Black and Green wires
Do you possibly know where the genuine MidNite SPDs are manufactured?
...For that matter, it just dawned on me... Is that alien-head enclosure something MS originally designed, or did they find it as an off-the-shelf product that lent itself as the perfect box for this function?
Quote from: JustJoe on January 15, 2025, 07:58:29 AMQuote from: FNG on January 13, 2025, 11:54:30 AMYeah some of those are definitely knock offs with no listing etc. The clue is to look for the Midnite Logo on the label and Red, Black and Green wires
Do you possibly know where the genuine MidNite SPDs are manufactured?
...For that matter, it just dawned on me... Is that alien-head enclosure something MS originally designed, or did they find it as an off-the-shelf product that lent itself as the perfect box for this function?
The Midnite MNSPD is built in our facility in Arlington Washington, And yes the Alien head design is something we designed and had tooled up.
Quote from: FNG on January 16, 2025, 06:44:44 AM...
The Midnite MNSPD is built in our facility in Arlington Washington, And yes the Alien head design is something we designed and had tooled up.
WoW ... I gotta believe people seek out MS products due to reputation. But also, like me, are trying to survive in a crazy economy while at the same time juggling dozens of daily information tasks. We often buy from resellers, but still first return to the manufacturer's website to review new/updated documents. I don't know exactly how, but a little red-box warning of possible fakes/knockoffs out there might help...
Or maybe a new video of side-by-side lab lightning bolt tests to watch the fake alien-heads suffer a catastrophic "stroke"? 8)
Quote from: JustJoe on January 16, 2025, 07:39:40 AMQuote from: FNG on January 16, 2025, 06:44:44 AM...
The Midnite MNSPD is built in our facility in Arlington Washington, And yes the Alien head design is something we designed and had tooled up.
WoW ... I gotta believe people seek out MS products due to reputation. But also, like me, are trying to survive in a crazy economy while at the same time juggling dozens of daily information tasks. We often buy from resellers, but still first return to the manufacturer's website to review new/updated documents. I don't know exactly how, but a little red-box warning of possible fakes/knockoffs out there might help...
Or maybe a new video of side-by-side lab lightning bolt tests to watch the fake alien-heads suffer a catastrophic "stroke"? 8)
Yes we will be doing a lot of, if not all of those things in the very near future. I have a few coming to evaluate and test to see how poorly they did at the knock off
VERY... VERY COooOL !!!
I look forward to seeing it !
Quote from: FNG on January 16, 2025, 08:14:44 AMYes we will be doing a lot of, if not all of those things in the very near future. I have a few coming to evaluate and test to see how poorly they did at the knock off
So I'm curious whether you got any of the knockoffs for testing? Maybe it would shed light on how they are making what looks like an identical enclosure?
The knockoffs are almost the same price as the real stuff on Amazon and eBay.So, it's not worth it even if the testing is good.
Quote from: mahendra on January 23, 2025, 09:00:32 AMThe knockoffs are almost the same price as the real stuff on Amazon and eBay.So, it's not worth it even if the testing is good.
Hello. :) I think maybe you misunderstood my reason for posting. It's not just about me, trying to decide which SPD brand to buy, I want the genuine MNS.
I am thinking about the bigger picture of MNS continuing to succeed on profit returns on their intellectual property designs, so that as users we continue to enjoy new and supported products from them.
I bet a majority of ebay shoppers search sort-by-price. These knockoffs run 20% less so they'll be first in the list, and appear similar enough to fool most.
I felt it's in all of our best interests to make MNS aware so they can act as they feel most effective. And I'm continuing to engage the subject to remind the rest of our community how shady things like this start and progress if unchecked.