OVS Expedition Cap vs RSI Smart Cap

OVS looks like a much smaller, US based company but their product looks very similar to the Smart Cap EvoA given the gull wing doors, 5 piece assembly, locks, rear window, etc. But they are also $1000 cheaper. Anyone have any experience with the OVS product?

The Smart Cap has both good and bad reviews out there. Locks being most of it. Little bit of leaking, seals applying pressure on tailgates. But they do have a really nice provision for the 3 Gen rear bed light and camera.

 

you can find ones just like the ovs on alibaba

 

Yeah I saw a couple posts about people buying them to try them out. Just never heard anything long-term on them

 

There's also a lot of people on facebook marketplace, and companies like msj offroad, that import the alibaba ones and sell them, with less mark-up than OVS.

 

"Less mark up than OVS..."

Are you saying the OVS product is an Alibaba purchase that is being marketed and sold in the US for a markup? Or that the OVS product is made in Asia and imported into the States?

 

I'm saying that OVS buys theirs from one of the Chinese factories that also sell them on alibaba.

 

I just did some Google searching and found some posts saying something similar about their tents.

That's disappointing. We know where the Smart Caps are made. I guess with some tariffs the prices will even out to be a little similarly priced in the future.

 

Most tents and awnings except for the high end ones are made in china.

 

Philosophical question: Are you overpaying as a consumer when you buy something that costs an importer 30% of what he's charging you? Or are you overpaying when you're buying a product made in an American factory that costs more than an import?

I guess the performance of the product has something to do with the answer. Back to square one: does anyone have experience with the OVS Expedition Cap?

 

I don't have either but looking at the pictures of both products. The RSI curves to the cab and has a spot for the bed camera. THe OVS is straight down squared to the cab and no area for the bed camera.

 

I ordered a Smart Cap last night based solely on buying something manufactured in TX, albeit owned in SA.

And the inclusion of the bed camera and bedlight

 

I need to pull the trigger too for the RSI