which to buy? xti or avenger

[cottonpicker]

ive been looking to buy another 8x8 for a while i have found 2 near me for sale. one is listed as 2014 conquest xti 756 hrs. has 1/2 rops with hard top and argo rubber tracks.
other is avenger 750 camo 130 hrs with brush guard and winch. the avenger is 1/2 the price of the xti. what are the pros and cons of each?

[Sparx]

The lighter conquest or avenger chassis are better if you plan to float often especially with a load in and with tracks on then the XTI.

The XTI is more robust and requires less maintenance. Not as good to float due to the extra weight from the stronger frame and extra weight. Not even recommended by Argo to float with tracks on even...

[trapperjack]

I float my Argo outfitter a lot with Adair tracks and an 6 hp Nissan outboard and it is more stable then my last to advengers 06 and 10 model. I would not buy any others Argo again after owning an Argo outfitter. If it fits your budget that is. All around better way better machine. I put the Adair tracks on from the day I purchased it and haven't taken them off yet.

[Sparx]

Didn't say it wouldn't float, just not rated from the factory to float fully loaded like the Avenger is. Just a safety thing, wouldn't stop me either.... What concerned me was crossing deep creeks and ponds over 6ft deep with a full moose and camp gear onboard. The Avenger IS rated to float with a load where as the XTI in not even recommend from factory to float with tracks which they refer to as their Rubber track setups, not the Adair tracks either... I would rather the XTI myself, but I float too much to take a risk in jeopardizing floating fully loaded.
Now obviously anyone can help with this issue in spending a bit more money for the Argo tub trailers for floating in large camp loads with the XTI to be safer. I just picked up a 4 wheel Argo Tub for $750Can used! Hoping to get an 8 wheel version down the road. There's a good video of some guys floating an 8 wheel Argo tub loaded to the nuts with firewood with ease and swimming with no issues with plenty of "freeboard" room on the sides. Last thing we need is a load shift and to sink like the Titanic fully loaded with all your camp gear!

[trapperjack]

4 full size adults plus 2 dogs and the motor on back. No problem . The outfitter is 5 inches wider which helps a lot. I would post pictures if I new how too. Lol

[Sparx]

How does the machine being 5 inches wider help it? The machine weighs at least 350lbs more, and has a lower side freeboard height by the box because of the tub design. Way easier to get water into the back of a XTI as a result. I've already taken in water at the very rear of my Avenger in some climbs out of creeks, I don't need anymore help taking in water with a lower body height. LOL.
That is my big dilemma right now with a SHERP, I want one so bad but the width at 99" wide is too wide. I thought an Argo with tracks pushing 70" was as wide as I could handle.

[trapperjack]

Then buy an avenger then. I'm a extreme extreme off road bush woods guy on my 4 th Argo in 21 years and between 6 and 8 thousand mile on each one before I get rid of them . So I think I have some experience in Argos on and off water. 15 years ago I flipped an avenger with 4 guys in it and one nearly drowned. So I know about stability in water . And the wider machine gives it more stability. I can stand on my seats and cast for fish and the outfitter doesn't even lean. As for coming out on to a bank of river or lake some water will come in but I'm coming out not going to capsized or sink it. When out put bilge pumps on and your good. It doesn't take in water over the sides when approaching water or while floating in water. There is no comparison in the avenger to the xti or outfitter in any off road condition i been in. Here in upper michigan we get 340 inches of snow every year and the outfitter rocks. Its like comparing a 1/4 ton to a 1 1/2 ton truck for build strength. I was really considering the mudoxx vengeance 38 hp. But did not like some of the feed back about them so I bought a outfitter. I will not respond again to the floating part of this topic again. I own one and owned several Argos and the outfitter trumps them all .

[Sparx]

If you haven't noticed in the main picture I own an Avenger, so I don't need to buy another one.

You should call up Argo and ask to change their water capacity rating to what you believe it should be. It's in their specs on their website... Go check it out and have fun with that, it's a legality thing.