I haven't dealt with Ben @ ATC but I will say that I am impressed with the way BOTH stan and ben conduct themselves here...competitors with similar products noting the differences and finding special niche customers... competition such as this is definitely a good thing for all of us. It keeps them on their toes and helps further innovation, IMO.
I have dealt with FWC...both with stan & sean @ Go Anywhere...and I will say that they have been nothing but helpful when I've made my MANY stupid customer calls.
In fact, I got the Hawk out this weekend for it's maiden voyage. Of course I waited til the last day to get everything in order...specifically the propane system.... and just before leaving for the weekend I unplugged the 120v and *tried* to light the propane on the fridge.
Thought I was gonna break that red button... got a bit flustered...waited... tried again...and again...and again.....and again. Nothing. I figured it was air in the lines but the book talks of blowing yerself up with gas collecting and that kinda freaked me out to keep holding the button down. (I had the fan on..but still..sitting it there alone and not being able to see/smell what's going on outside....I had those "visions"...LOL)
so I called stan....just as I was finishing up PACKING THE COOLER and thinking..$1000 bucks for that? LOL.
He gave me great advice...told me how to go about it/made me feel secure that I wasn't gonna screw something up on the first go. (you new owners must know the paranoia I'm speaking of as I had it all weekend..."did I remember to _______?")
And now as I log on here I see an extended message from him shortly after I called....detailing it all in writing...and telling me to let him know if it worked OK/if something further needed to be done/if I needed anymore help...etc.
Stan..IT WORKED. THANK YOU for the friendly advice and for goin' over wht you must have already gone over with others a zillion times....
my thought is this on the FWC *vs* ATC
When two people walk into the same conversation and then walk away and speak about it later it is inevitable that each will glean certain things from that *same* conversation and form an opinion...often times a completely opposit opinion.
I do not intend to diminish anyone's experiences in buying one of these units..it was a true bitch and something I was unprepared for @ the onset. However, I did want to make it clear that my experience has been excellent with everyone involved @ FWC in the procurement of my Hawk (Ok, 'cept goin' to the bank
) and all of my dumb customer questions (so far) have been answered fully/etc.
happy trails, all...
mtn
P.S. Saw an Eagle on a Red Tacoma (I believe) @ the cabins (??) near the junction of HWY24/Hwy 82 near Twin Lakes, CO...pretty new one too.... anybody here in the area this week?