As soon as the new REVO MKII winch from Bushranger came across my desk, I couldn’t wait to get a closer look at it. I’ve seen plenty of winches in my time, from terrifyingly budget models to the high-end gear you’d need to sell your firstborn to afford, but the REVO MKII aims to hit that sweet spot in between. The balance between a price the average Joe can afford, and quality that isn’t going to have you crossing your fingers every time you switch it on.
I ticked the box for the 12,000lbs model wrapped in 24 metres of synthetic rope and it was immediately obvious it’d be a solid addition to my 80’s good but no-nonsense build ethos.
Bushranger promises the REVO MKII is lighter, faster, safer, and tougher than their previous offerings, and from what I can see at first glance, it lives up to all of that. Straight out of the box, Bushranger’s attention to detail is apparent, and it’s clear this winch is designed with longevity in mind, something made all too clear with its lifetime warranty on the mechanics and a seven-year warranty on the electronics. For comparison’s sake, the cheap end of town is lucky to have a two-year warranty.
REVO MKII winch compact multi-fit control box
One of the first things that stood out to me was the control box. Winch fitment can be a nightmare, especially when you’re working with limited space behind bull bars. I’ve cabled tied my fair share of winch control boxes in goofy places due to their bulky size, almost always with terrible results.
Bushranger has clearly thought about that with the MKII. The control box is compact and lightweight, which will make installation in tight spaces a lot easier. Plus, it has multiple threaded insert locations, so it should slot into most bull bars without drama. That’s a massive tick in my book.
Albright contactor and safety features
Next up, the Albright solenoid. This isn’t some generic electrical component – Albright is known for quality, and the fact that it’s IP67 rated means it’ll handle bulldust and river crossings with ease. Albright are the go-to for good-kit on winches and are the solenoid of choice for people hot-rodding high-end winches, so it’s great to see it as a factory fitting. This is particularly important for longevity, and honestly, I think it’s what sets the REVO MKII apart from some of the lesser models in this price range.
The inclusion of a 500A winch isolation switch is another welcome feature. It adds a level of safety that is often overlooked in winches further down the price scale. The peace of mind that your winch is completely disconnected from the battery when it’s not in use is a big deal. I had a bull bar turn into a pretzel a few years back because of a malfunctioning solenoid. An isolation switch would have saved me literally thousands.
Effortless clutch operation and zero drag braking system
The clutch handle on the Bushranger REVO MKII winch is another subtle but significant upgrade. It’s designed for easy use, and what’s more, it’s factory-positioned to fit most bull bars without any mods needed. No more wrestling with awkwardly placed controls. It’s a small thing, but when you’re stuck in mud up to your hubs, these little details make all the difference.
And then there’s the Zero Drag braking system. The system is designed to allow fast unspooling to get you hooked up faster. It’s not often you see this level of thought on a winch in this price bracket, and I reckon it’s going to be a game-changer for those of us who want to get the job done without faffing around. If you’ve ever had to stand on the bull bar and heave with all your might to get a winch to unspool, you’d know why that’s a solid win.
Premium motor design and robust construction
The REVO MKII winch is powered by a 12V, 6.2HP series wound motor for the 12,000lb models and a 12V 5.2HP motor in the smaller 10,000lb models. Both offerings promise high line speeds and low current draw, and both 12,000lbs and 10,000lbs models feature IP68 ratings on the motor and control box.
The construction of the winch itself is rock solid. The aluminium alloy body is strong and feels like it’s ready to take some knocks. The satin black powder coat is a nice touch too – not only does it look the business, but it’ll hold up to the elements, whether you’re in the outback or the beach.
So, Is the REVO MKII winch worth the money?
Based on my first impressions, the REVO MKII winch stands proud above a sea of cheap-in-a-bad-way winches. It offers superior specs, build quality, and warranty than any of the cheaper options. The level of engineering and the attention to detail are obvious from the moment you unbox it. Bushranger gives a damn. Every component – from the compact control box to the Albright contactor and the Zero Drag braking system – has been designed with durability and ease of use in mind. There’s no doubt that Bushranger has created something solid here.
I’ll be fitting it up to my ‘Cruiser soon and putting it to the test, but from what I’ve seen so far, I’m quietly optimistic it’ll be able to back up its specs. First impressions count and the REVO MKII definitely seems like it’s up to the task, but there’s only one way to find out.
RRP: $1030 – $1370
Website: Bushranger REVO MKII
Phone: 1800 654 767
