I would prefer a very aggressive "limited-slip" in the front over a locker.

I know I'm the oddball but I don't even have to put mine in 4-wd. LOL

 

Can-Am & BRP merged in 07- that's a video of an 06-07 bombardier outlander with the old front diff.

can-am redesigned the front locker in 08 with the new atv line-up.

if you search you-tube, you can find just as many pre 07 visco locks showing up the polaris also... but it all changed in 08.

 

Like I mentioned even the new QE Visco Lock is not instantaneous YouTube - Polaris AWD demonstration

This is instantaneous YouTube - Polaris AWD demonstration #2

I do not mine the manual diff lockers but you have to stop to engage it then stop to disengage it and they only work in low range. Where Polaris and Can AM is just gas and go.

 

I would rather keep what I have than have a Polaris locker. I see way too many problems with them because they have too many things that can go wrong with them.

I'm sure there are a lot of folks who have never had a problem with theirs but I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone say "my 4-wd doesn't work".

I also hate the limiters that the other manufactures put on their ATVs when you engage their front locker. Can Am - WOT any time with no "limiter" to hold you back. That’s the way it should be.

I spent some time riding an 09 Outlander 800 Max in the deep snow, I really liked the way the front diff worked.

 

The reason the manual diff locker only work in low speed is that when all 4 wheels lock the steering is almost uncontrollable, the Can -AM puts itself back into controllable limited slip 3x4 on its own once its through the nasty section , while the Polaris system goes back to 2wd on its own, both need no rider input like manual lockers.

I would take either set up before Manual diff lock.

 

I've ridden my son's 09 Renegade and have lots of seat time on the X2 obviously. I personally like the Polaris system a lot. But, I'm a big guy with large arms that can handle the steering when in AWD in the rough stuff. Some don't like it. The CanAm is alot slower to engage. It comes on gradually. I watched my son in a some sections of a nasty trail that involved a lot of turning, roots, rocks, stumps, etc. You'd get out of one turn and immediately have to get setup for the next one. This with all the above obstacles. The Renegade would spin rear tires a lot more before the fronts would engage where the Polaris is right there when you need it. I know CanAm has revised it again but I haven't been on a 2010 or 20011 yet. With full lockers the traction is there whether it comes on gradually or not. The more wheels pulling the less spinning, the less spinning, the less damage to trails. And, I think power steering being available on all major makers' quads negates the difficulty in steering under a fully locked front end. When it comes down to it, ride what you have, enjoy. If you get stuck a buddy will pull you out. (He might take some video first, though. )

 

I really think it's what each of us prefer and what works best for each one of us rather than which one is "best".

Here's an example. I'm sitting on top of the hill and I was they one who cut the path with my 3 1/2-wd Honda.

My friend can't get his brand new Suzuki 750 KQ with brand new Maxxis Big Horns up the same hill with a front locking differential.

I had to walk back down and move the log out of the trail that I climbed over (second try) and he couldn't get over.

So what's the better set up here?? A locker or my 3 1/2-wd?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRMhJ3XHDMU

 

And we have all been there done that.

 

I though of that would a manual diff locked ATV with PS need to ever go back to 3x4?

When I ride my buds Grizzly in diff lock the steering is so hard that I would think it could wear out a PS system after a long enough time.

 

A different set of tires could make a huge difference there. I think something like the PXTs that Polaris used to have or a dedicated mud tire. It seems like the Bighorns were getting packed with snow but not releasing it. Like having slicks.