Synthetic CABLE or Steel CABLE

[wheeler]

I've heard that the Synthetic is just as good as the steel cable. But, it is more expensive. I would like to hear everybody's or anybody's opinion on the difference or strength.

[dave phelps]

I've heard that the Synthetic is just as good as the steel cable. But, it is more expensive. I would like to hear everybody's or anybody's opinion on the difference or strength.

Synthetic is a whole lot more user friendly and does not get a memory or bends in it.

[Sparx]

Definitely pros and cons. I find syn cable is like aluminum is to steel. You have to go heavy on the syn rope to have the same strength as the cable. I love syn cable but it has failed on me when it mattered the most so I deal with the downfalls of the metal cable the few times I ever need to winch. Cause when I need it, it's a matter of walking out if it breaks, and that's when I break the syn rope...

[allwheeldrive]

syn likes to be babied, it doesn't like to be dirty (have to wash it and let it dry) since dirt caught inside cuts it up. It doesn't like sunlight, it doesn't like touching stuff while being used (like rubbing trees, rocks, or your bumper) as it cuts very easily. The pros are, it WONT stab your fingers with sharp needle like splinters of steel! Which cable will start becoming after awhile. Its also very light, however if you don't want it to break you'll need such thick rope it reduces how much line you can get on a spool. It also doesn't like being compressed under layers of itself tension... and if your using your winch a lot the drum can heat up and melt it!

In the end I went with syn, WHY!? because I've only got a hand winch, it gets used MAYBE once a year and the few times I've had to deal with cables I felt like syn line IE getting cut up and injured easily lol

Steel cable works, if your using it a lot and don't mind working its kinks out, the dangers of it snapping, there's no problem. Steel is also cheaper MUCH cheaper. If you don't like it you can always upgrade to syn, unlike syn which is expensive enough it hurts to switch back to steel.

[Craig_B]

So far I see no aspects of synthetic cable that would make me want to use it.
No pokes in the hands from a frayed cable comes close but gloves should really always be worn when using a winch anyways.
In the real world of off-road strength, reliability and length are the only things that really matter.

[Sparx]

So far I see no aspects of synthetic cable that would make me want to use it.
No pokes in the hands from a frayed cable comes close but gloves should really always be worn when using a winch anyways.
In the real world of off-road strength, reliability and length are the only things that really matter.

I agree and that's why I went back to cable. Length can't be sacrificed for rope diameter especially when I seem to resort to snatch blocking often. Now keep in mind this always happens when I try to go forwards to places I NEED to go.
Now that I run a front and rear setup and will always continue to do so, for the convenience and lack of extreme need I will be running a rear winch with SYN rope as they don't seem to need the same strength and stress requirements as forward winching does. Mostly for anchoring and pulling other machines through the nasty holes and the very rare situation I can't go further forward anymore. Always easier to winch where you just came from in my experience as well. Even then I can see myself going to rear cable as soon as I break the rope.