Does anyone have the Warn 3.0 CI winch, if so how do you like it? Is it worth the extra $100 over the 2.5 CI? I was interested in it because it comes with the roller fairlead, the drum is centered and it has a lifetime warranty. Thanks for any info.

 

I bought the 2.5 simply because it comes with the handle bar mount mini rocker.
I use mostly for plowing.
Hope this helps

 

I just got a 3.0ci, and am in the process of building a multi mount for it for my 700. It's almost done (sometime this week) and I will post some pics. Looks like it's gonna be a nice winch. Had a 2500 before and liked it.

 

i thought i read somewhere that the 3.0 doesn't fit in the rectangular opening on the SP700/600. that means the thing is going to stick-out damn far in my opinion.

i have the 2.5 and it fits well and has plenty of pulling power for my 700.

 

According to the specs on the Warn website the 3.0 is almost exactly the same size as the 2.5, it is .2 inches longer and .1 inches shorter than the 2.5, the opening in the bumper is 13.5 inches wide, so I think it will fit.

 

It will fit fine. Mine sticks out because I built a multi mount for it and I ahve to be able to get behind it to pull the reciever pin. Even then, it's pretty even with my brushguard, so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

I have the 3.0 mounted within the bumper opening on my 03 SP600. Do a search of my screenname from a month or so ago to read about what I went through to mount it. It will fit just fine in the opening, the only problem is that Warn and Polaris don't make a mount. The Warn people say it won't fit, but my Polaris dealer told me his rep said there will be a mount sometime this spring or so. If your interested in making it fit within the bumper opening, send me a message and I'll detail what I did, and maybe even figure out how to post pics of my handiwork.
I used to have the A2500 on my old ride, and was never happy with it. The freewheel spool **** broke once and was replaced under warranty, but then it broke again out of warranty. Every time I needed it, it didn't have enough juice to get my SP500 out of trouble. I am very happy with the 3.0 so far. I used it to ensure that some very tall pine trees didn't fall on my inlaws house as I cut them down over christmas, and it really saved my butt when a wind change made things interesting for a bit. I like the smaller rocker switch on the handlebars, it fits really nicely and isn't in the way. I haven't gotten around to installing the remote yet, but will soon. I'm just concerned that the actual remote will get destroyed in my storage box under the seat, bouncing around with my other tools. The winch definately has more power than the 2500, and I'm much more happy with it than my 2500. The construction also seems to be much more sturdy. And by mounting it up in the bumper, it will stay out of quite a bit more snow,mud,water, sand, etc that my 2500 went through. The instructions were pretty good, it took me maybe 2 hours or so to put it together.

Arcosanti

 

Polaris does make a mount. YOu can go here to find it. I finished my multi mount, and will have some pics up soon. I thinhk iti's gonna work out okay.

 

The mount in the picture on the Polaris website won't work if you have the brushguard installed. The winch mount kit Polaris sells uses a plate that goes behind the bumper and the 2.5 ci or 2500 winch mounts vertically with brackets for the roller fairlead. The 3.0 ci won't go all the way up in the bumper opening and the mounting holes for it are in the center, not offset to one side like the 2.5. I built an "L" shaped mounting plate for the 3.0 that uses the 4 bumper bolts and is also bolted to the inside of the brushguard. This way it is mounted horizontally and about half of the winch is in the bumper opening, the roller fairlead sticks out just a little past the front of the brushguard but it looks good and should be very strong.

 

V8s10...That's interesting. as Warn states that the 3.0ci will work on all of their 2000 and 2500 winch mounts. I would have to go out and look at it to see if it will go way back in the place we are talking about.

Like you, I built my own mount. It too is L-shaped, but I made mine a multi mount, so if probably sticks out a little farther than yours does to acomidate the reciever. Basicaly, the front of my winch is about even with the front of the brushguard, and the roller fairlead sticks out beyond it. Not really a problem as If I get into a spot that I may hit the fairlead, I can pull the winch and either out it on the back or the quad, or take it off compleatly and stow it in one of my bags.

When I purchased my winch, the salesman asked if I wanted a mount for the winch, so I assumed that they were out. I have been told that there are atleast a couple of companies that are making mounting plates for the 700.