Thanks for the input everyone! I've expanded my budget because I really want power stearing and a winch. Narrowed it to two choices. The cam am outlander 570 xt, or the polaris sportsman 570 sp. Both seem to have similar features and specs. The outlander is more pricey at first glance, but after you add the front and rear brush guards and winch to the polaris they are about even. And if you want the same light output as the can am, that additional cost makes the polaris a bit more. I think I'm just going to have to go look at them both and see which one I like best.

 

Keep in mind, both a winch and power steering cane be added aftermarket, and usually for a decent savings as well.

 

Except for Honda all 4x4 are belt CVT, they only make one non belt 4x4 that is in the 38hp range the rest are only in the high 20s.

If you want a powerful 4x4 your stuck with belt or nothing nowadays .

 

All you really need is a winch, you can buy a decent winch for $200. Extra lighting doesn't cost that much either. Basically, the Can Am(and everything Can Am makes escept for the L models) is overpriced. The 570L would be a better choice and just add the stuff like a winch later. I saw a shootout between the 500 L and Sportsman 570 a while back and it was very close. Ill see if I can find it, you might find this interesting to watch. Its about 30 minutes long but it tells you a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of each machine. Here it is

 

Just had time to watch that video. Really great piece of info there! Seems like you really cant go wrong with either, though the can ams are geared a bit more toward the type of riding I'll be doing. I'm going to go test ride each and see where that leads me, but right now I'm leaning towards the outlander.

 

I would probably pick the Can-Am myself too. I prefer steel racks over composite(plastic) ones that Polaris uses. Though the integrated front storage on the Sportsman would be very useful. Its easier to bungy things down on steel racks, they even mentioned that in the shootout video. The only disadvantage the Can-Am had compared to the Polaris is that the Polaris had a stronger low end because it was a single cylinder as opposed the the Can-am being a v-twin. I think it probably isn't really that big of a difference though. Put both in low range and either can be used for work but these are more performance machines than work machines anyway. The Can-Am outperforms in mid range and top end. And that was for the 500L. The new 570L makes more power.