annoyed at PoweriZer, sorry for PoweriSer

[martin]

Sorry folks, I do not want to complain about the quality of a particular brand. About the quality there are enough statements available on this board.

BUT I am getting angry about PoweriZer.    I read so many topics where people mix up PoweriZer and PoweriSer (which is understandable). I find it rather unfair that the Chinese company copied the word PoweriSer by just replacing one letter and sells them as PoweriZer. That looks like they just want to "steal" a bit of PoweriSer's market share and it is VERY confusing for all of us.

There are a lot design differences and maybe also quality differences (which I do not want to comment here). How should the people make up their opinion if you can not be sure about what someone wrote in this board?

In my opinion it should be forbidden to use the term PoweriZer (as a brand used for selling stilts professionally). I feel sorry for people who are engaged in PoweriZer (vendors) but nevertheless this is my opinion.

PS: (PoweriSer = Korean company; PoweriZer = Chinese company; both are completely independent and are not linked. PoweriSer was the first and PoweriZer simply copied the name. The Chinese brand also sells under other names like FlyJumper Fly Locust etc.)

PPS: I know this was stated already but I

[`esco]

well done martin. I nominated this topic for out knowledge section

[Locky]

Can anyone actually highlight the differences between the two?

I dont mean about where they are made or who designed what etc but what are the actual differences to the finished product that goes on sale?

[Trip Master]

In my opinion the springs of the Original Poweriser are better than the chinese version, i dont know of any other improvements, maybe a bit more durable. I guess its really an ethical question, is it fair that by simply adding Z to the name and getting PoweriZer. I think it is perfectly legal but confuses the buying public into thinking there getting something there not riding off the back of a more established product name.

But when has a Far Eastern manufacturer ever cared about that. I think that a few of the companys that used to sell the original Powerisers discovered that they could buy a cheaper costing copy product in China. (My guess calling them PoweriZer not many people would notice the change)

Its a kind of strange situation with this product the prices keep coming down but in my opinion it will be the more expensive professional models that will eventually be the winners. Power Skip, PoweriSer 2007 and 7's call me a fool if you think so!!

[XarnuSonci]

in places where PoweriSer existed as a registered trademark before PoweriZer there could be legal problems depending on the country's specific laws.  There are rules about copying names this closely, purposely desgining your product to confuse consumers is illegal.  And as poweriser is coming back to the USA, i hope they'll be taking action to make poweriZer change their name or stop selling their product.

[martin]

Can anyone actually highlight the differences between the two?

I dont mean about where they are made or who designed what etc but what are the actual differences to the finished product that goes on sale?

e.g. springs are different of the "old" models (do not know which are better, but I heard PoweriZer are slightly softer). PoweriSer developed new springs for the PoweriSer2007, PoweriZer will launch carbon springs

e.g. Spring categories are different (PoweriZer has more weight categories)

e.g. The bracket (at the bottom) of PoweriZer is a weak point, pictures of brocken bracket see http://www.PoweriserPages.com/forum/broken_bracket-t1593.0.html . PoweriSer has improved this bracket

e.g. Rubber sole and the whole aluminium foot-part is different (design and consitency), PoweriZer rubber is better replacable (you do not need to replace the whol aluminium part)

e.g. aluminum alloy and welds seem to be different (I know some cases of broken parts but only for one of the two brands)

e.g. bushings/ bearings are different

e.g. PoweriZer has one version with a moving footplate (Poweriser not)

e.g. PoweriSer has the improved calf-cuffs similar to velocity stilts (PoweriZer not)

e.g. Poweriser2007 has better bindings (straps) now with metal clips

e.g. some say one of them has a more reliable overall quality (but I do not state here which)

e.g. thikness and consistency of spring protection seems to be different

e.g. PoweriSer = made in Corea; PoweriZer = made in China

Just to state a view examples which came to my mind.

[Locky]

Hmm I dont want to appear as though I am disagreeing with you Martin but most of those points are either based on some personal or one-off happenings.

I'm going to exclude the 2007 model comments because there is a new generation powerizer coming out this summer (so we're promised) which apparently will rival 7leagues.

The weak bracket on the bottom I'm going to put down to a one-off manufacturing error because these are the same as on projumps etc and there are 100's of people with these and I think this was the first time many of us have seen that bracket break.

I guess what I mean is if you put say flyjumpers, 7's and skips head-to-head then there is a noticeable difference. Each is a seperate product (though first timers might be lead to believe otherwise) and I wonder where PoweriSers fit into this. For example, on any of the 7's sites they clearly point you to the thicker more durable rubber and the gliding bearing systems. I've not closely looked but I believe skips use a lighter frame and a better again spring and the whole bindings is replaced with a proper boot style.
Do poweriSers have anything noticably different to poweriZers? I think having some sort of clarification would help us and in turn help the public's knowledge.

[Sprog]

I've got powerisers, and to be honest the only differences I can tell between these and Projumps, PoweriZers, Flyjumper, etc. are:

One is  made in Korea, and the other mass produced in China.
Chinese ones have the name on the calf pad, poweriSers do not.
PoweriSer have a yellow gummy-rubber foot, more similar to bike tyres, poweriZers and other associated brands have a black foot that is more solid, like a car tyre.

One other thing is poweriZers are easier to get hold of and cheaper, hence why many companies sell them. Speaking to the skate shop when me, Q and Colin went down, they said it's really hard to get the PR7090 and PR90120 models

[XarnuSonci]

I think the reason they are so similar is becasue the chinese are really good at copying and repoducing stuff cheaply. They took a pair of PoweriSers and made an exact duplicate, the rubber on the foot is a bit different (diff color, maybe diff durability), the springs are a bit different(diff weight classes), there are slight diffs in materials such as the poweriSer knee bar is a dull metal, where as the poweriZer knee bar is shiney.  So they may be different quality/strength of metals, but we can't really test that without cutting up a pair and haveing them tested, not worth it, even though this is probably the most significant difference we could find.

[Hunter]

one of your examples of differences between the two is wrong. the powerizer pro models now come with metal clips for the bindings as well.

[Crazyfun]

I think its more to do with brand confusion  - most people do not realise the difference between the two and assume its exactly the same item. I think PoweriZer in the UK actually advertise them as PoweriZer / Poweriser as can be seen in their google adverts - sceenshot below:



I think that when they must have applied for the trademark they did not mention the poweriser with a s otherwise it would not be allowed and has been overlooked.

The patent holders are very fast to jump on people making items attached to the bocks ie pinheads straps but surely they should be also protecting poweriser from brand confusion too? As they do get a lot of money on royalties. I think they have to take some responsibility for this.

The other problem is most people think that the stilts are called powerisers so its not right that poweriZer have taken advantage of this yet the likes of 7's, Pro-Jump & Fly Jumper have to build up their brand from nothing.

I think we should not under estimate the chinese they will get the stilts better with each version and probably manage to do something that will create healthy competition in the market - if rumours are correct the new gen Projumps / poweriZers will give 7's and other brands a run for their money but will be more affordable!

[pro-jumpingboy]

The other problem is most people think that the stilts are called powerisers so its not right that poweriZer have taken advantage of this yet the likes of 7's, Pro-Jump & Fly Jumper have to build up their brand from nothing.

Sorry, but I thought pro-jump, poweriZer and flyjumper all came from the same company flyinglocust?

[Crazyfun]

They probably are but the point is Pro-Jump would not be allowed to call their stilts flyjumper and flyjumper would not be able to call them PoweriZer etc even if they are identical so it just highlights how big an issue this really is and how amazing it is that PoweriZer have actually got away with this for so long.

[Spikito]

they released 8 pair of 2007 poweriSers to the US, i got one, but they wont be shipped for another few weeks, supposed to be in before april 20th, we'll see. but ill def be posting stuff about them.

[Locky]

why only 8?

are they testing them on the public?

The other problem is most people think that the stilts are called powerisers so its not right that poweriZer have taken advantage of this yet the likes of 7's, Pro-Jump & Fly Jumper have to build up their brand from nothing.

I agree totally, the brand confusion does the whole sport no good at all.
I even think having this site called poweriserpages is bad. It should be changed to represent its neutral, unbiased stance.