Genuine vs Knock Off

[KingOfTas]

Please note: This is *not* a discussion thread. Please do not respond to people's comparison. If you have a conflicting experience, simply post your own review. (You can use the template below). Thanks very much.

As far as I saw there aren't any threads yet comparing knock offs vs originals.

I'm curious if there are people who tried MoKo, OULUOQI, BRG, Penom, top4cus, Lumnia, etc and ended up going for the real thing. Or perhaps some folks returned their Apple branded bands and got creative on Amazon, eBay, or somewhere else?

Below is a poll for people who BOUGHT a similar looking band from both Apple and a third party. Please only vote if you had the chance to compare for instance two milanese loops from two different manufacturers in FIRST person (i.e.: you touched the bands, not just watched a YouTube)

In the thread discussion, I'd like to have people who bought both a genuine (OEM) and a knock off version and discuss pros and cons of each.

I've even made a cute little template you can copy/paste.

Apple [band name] vs. MoKo [band name] [url to purchase item (https://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Milanese-Stainless-Bracelet-Models/dp/B00JP6FMUS/]

Apple
PRO

• good
• points

CON

• bad
• points

MoKo
PRO

• good
• points

CON

• bad
• points

Please try and be as objective as possible.

Cheers.

Edited: Added bold instructions at top

 

[OllyW]

Apple Sport vs. MoKo Sport

Apple
PRO

• Great design, looks good and very comfortable to wear
  
• Feels more luxurious than the MoKo knockoff

CON

• Too expensive, especially in the UK
  
• Limited range of colours

MoKo
PRO

• Looks almost the same as the genuine Apple Sport band
  
• Very cheap

CON

• Material is thinner and feels lower quality
  
• Quality issues (mine arrived with the pin separated)
• Seems to get more sweaty in use

It's hard to beat the MoKo for value for money, especially after the recent price hike to Apple products in the UK. The Apple strap is obviously made from higher quality materials but it's very difficult to justify the extra £43 in cost.

 

[44267547]

Apple Sport vs. MoKo Sport

Apple
PRO

• Great design, looks good and very comfortable to wear
  
• Feels more luxurious than the MoKo knockoff

CON

• Too expensive, especially in the UK
  
• Limited range of colours

MoKo
PRO

• Looks almost the same as the genuine Apple Sport band
  
• Very cheap

CON

• Material is thinner and feels lower quality
  
• Quality issues (mine arrived with the pin separated)
• Seems to get more sweaty in use

It's hard to beat the MoKo for value for money, especially after the recent price hike to Apple products in the UK. The Apple strap is obviously made from higher quality materials but it's very difficult to justify the extra £43 in cost.

Be aware, MOKO will NOT back any of their products. Horrendous customer service. This is widespread, not a local opinion. I would rather spend the extra money for quality and support.

 

[KingOfTas]

May I thank you both for your valued contributions! Hope more is coming!

 

[OllyW]

Be aware, MOKO will NOT back any of their products. Horrendous customer service. This is widespread, not a local opinion. I would rather spend the extra money for quality and support.

Luckily, Amazon's customer service is really good.

They gave me a full refund and told me I didn't have to return the faulty goods as it was sold by an external seller who didn't accept returns. As I'm an engineer by trade, I took it in to work and re-riveted the pin back on to the band and I'm wearing it today.

 

[44267547]

Luckily, Amazon's customer service is really good.

They gave me a full refund and told me I didn't have to return the faulty goods as it was sold by an external seller who didn't accept returns. As I'm an engineer by trade, I took it in to work and re-riveted the pin back on to the band and I'm wearing it today.

Agreed with Amazons customer service is stellar. Some of these third party sellers are garbage. I always read reviews first prior to purchasing.

 

[doboy]

Be aware, MOKO will NOT back any of their products. Horrendous customer service. This is widespread, not a local opinion. I would rather spend the extra money for quality and support.

What the heck are you talking about? I had Moko replace one black sports band and $7 Milanese Loop due to slightly weaker magnet compare to another Moko loop I had. Never had that kind of great service on a sub $10 merchandise that you can easily throw away.

 

[Brien]

None of the third party link bands that I've seen have the precise fit and finish in the lugs that I'd expect - they always poke out too far or not far enough. Hopefully someone can chime in on one that does.

 

[KingOfTas]

I'd love to keep all "you're wrong, I'm right" discussions out of this thread and just keep this as a wiki like comparison thread if that's okay with everyone. Cheers

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Nice thread, let's keep it clean.

JeTECH black leather loop band

Pro:

- ~$20, so cheap
- genuine leather
- looks as good as the Apple version (can't tell the difference).
- magnet is extremely strong.

Neutral: it feels tougher, aka not as soft, the apple band. But not in an uncomfortable way, it's a very comfortable band. If you want it to be softer, a leather conditioner will soften it up.

Cons: Not really any here I can think of.

Leather can be manipulated to feel softer or tougher based on how you treat it. For example, I put mink oil on my blue apple leather iPhone case. This made the color a bit darker, but waterproofed it and seems to prevent scratching. From past experience with leather boots, mink oil can make a worn boot look brand new. Also, if the boot is stiff and uncomfortable, you use a conditioner.

I say all this because the Apple version of the leather band is very nice, a little softer, but that's it's. The JeTECH is genuine leather, looks just as nice, and the magnet may be stronger. You can manipulate the leather feel and even color, but you can get back the extra $139 you pay for the apple band. Leather wears, and with the price difference, you can buy 8 different leather jetech bands for the same price.

 

[pkahleeb]

Be aware, MOKO will NOT back any of their products. Horrendous customer service. This is widespread, not a local opinion. I would rather spend the extra money for quality and support.

Not true in all cases. I bought a MOKO stainless Steel link with ceramic band that had some issues and they refunded me within 2 days of sending in photos.

 

[fischersd]

MoKo sport bands I found to be way too thin and poor work on the colouring (lighter colour by the connector on 2 of the 3 bands I purchased). Also, far too thin - heard of some people having issues with their bands tearing. (so, I returned them - no issue whatsoever returning them through Amazon).

Ordered a couple FanTEK bands from Amazon - hoping they're better quality (long shipping times though for standard - coming from China).

Surprised you don't have ClockWorkSynergy on your list - they're pretty popular here.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Apple Nylon vs Clockwork Synergy NATO

• Apple:

• Pro:
  
  • Well made
  • Comfortable
• Con:
  
  • Limited color choices
  • More expensive
  • Band is "stiffer" than those from other manufacturers
    
  • Does show signs of wear and fraying

• Clockwork Synergy:

• Pro:
  • Well made and durable
    
  • Better prices, coupon codes almost always available
  • Wider selection of colors and patterns
  • Multiple color options for adapters and buckles
  • Comfortable
• Con:
  • Different material feels rougher at the beginning, but softens up nicely

 

[44267547]

Not true in all cases. I bought a MOKO stainless Steel link with ceramic band that had some issues and they refunded me within 2 days of sending in photos.

If you purchased it through Amazon, then Amazon replaced it for you, not MOKo.

 

[pkahleeb]

If you purchased it through Amazon, then Amazon replaced it for you, not MOKo.

That is incorrect. I did not speak to Amazon support but directly with Moko. Not only did they refund me, they told me to keep the band and reorder it if I wanted to.

 

[fischersd]

@pkahleeb, @Relentless Power - you're both right. There's different resellers. Some are fulfilled by Amazon, some aren't. They say in the ad.

Me, I prefer when it is as I've never had any issues dealing with Amazon.

 

[KingOfTas]

@fischersd
ClockWorkSynergy added to poll options. Thanks

@pkahleeb @Relentless Power @fischersd
Please: keep this as a wiki like thread with Apple vs third party pro/cons. Any discussions can happen in your own thread or search the forum for existing ones. The goal of this thread is to compare the actual bands, not the CS of the outlets/OEMs selling them.

Thanks for your cooperation.

 

[44267547]

That is incorrect. I did not speak to Amazon support but directly with Moko. Not only did they refund me, they told me to keep the band and reorder it if I wanted to.

That wasn't my point and I asked you a question. How does that make it incorrect? If MOKo assisted you, then great. But they still make a garbage product with poor quality. But you get what you pay for.
[doublepost=1475396286][/doublepost]

@fischersd
ClockWorkSynergy added to poll options. Thanks

@pkahleeb @Relentless Power @fischersd
Please: keep this as a wiki like thread with Apple vs third party pro/cons. Any discussions can happen in your own thread or search the forum for existing ones. The goal of this thread is to compare the actual bands, not the CS of the outlets/OEMs selling them.

Thanks for your cooperation.

It's not your responsibility to advise other forum members how to participate in a conversation. You need to advise a moderator, being its their responsibility to advise how to conduct. Please read the forum rules and regulations on this.

Lastly, We have discussed the quality control issues with Moko in previous posts, with the last being most recent.

 

[pkahleeb]

That wasn't my point and I asked you a question. How does that make it incorrect? If MOKo assisted you, then great. But they still make a garbage product with poor quality. But you get what you pay for.
[doublepost=1475396286][/doublepost]

You said to me: "If you purchased it through Amazon, then Amazon replaced it for you, not MOKo." I responded with that is not correct and provided actual facts of my dealings with Moko through Amazon. You then respond and state that you asked a question? You didn't ask a question. It is okay if you think Moko makes terrible products but that doesn't mean their customer service fails every time.
[doublepost=1475444861][/doublepost]

@fischersd
ClockWorkSynergy added to poll options. Thanks

@pkahleeb @Relentless Power @fischersd
Please: keep this as a wiki like thread with Apple vs third party pro/cons. Any discussions can happen in your own thread or search the forum for existing ones. The goal of this thread is to compare the actual bands, not the CS of the outlets/OEMs selling them.

Thanks for your cooperation.

I am responding to discussions taking place on this thread. I apologize if the conversation isn't going the way you want but I don't think there are any specific rules stating that I can't respond to someone when they are misleading or flat out lying.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Your not going to succeed it keeping this thread formatted, as you requested. It's just the nature of the forums. Just take the helpful inputs as the come bud.

 

[AZhappyjack]

@fischersd
ClockWorkSynergy added to poll options. Thanks

Adding options to the poll after the "voting" has begun really messes with the integrity of your data. Especially when there is no option for people to change their selections. #FUBAR

 

[44267547]

What the heck are you talking about? I had Moko replace one black sports band and $7 Milanese Loop due to slightly weaker magnet compare to another Moko loop I had. Never had that kind of great service on a sub $10 merchandise that you can easily throw away.

Great. My opinion still stands. Garbage quality.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Great. My opinion still stands. Garbage quality.

And My wife has silicon bands from moko that she loves. Great quality for what they are, silicon bands. The price difference is substantial and has to be considered.

A Lincoln is nicer than a ford, and much more expensive. But they serve the same function. Would you rather buy one Lincoln and 3 fords? Same with the watch bands. There is nothing wrong with either approach.

But I agree, substantial difference in quality. The fluro whatever plastic substrate is expensive and extremely durable.

 

[44267547]

You said to me: "If you purchased it through Amazon, then Amazon replaced it for you, not MOKo." I responded with that is not correct and provided actual facts of my dealings with Moko through Amazon. You then respond and state that you asked a question? You didn't ask a question. It is okay if you think Moko makes terrible products but that doesn't mean their customer service fails every time.

[doublepost=1475444861][/doublepost]

Reviews of Moko speak for themselves. They make a cheap, poor quality control product, with lack luster customer service. I already acknowledged your experience with Moko. Cheap Chinese crap. All day long. That's what it is. I call it as I see it. Your one reflection does not persuade the negative reviews implicated by thousands of others.

With my $600.00 investment, I expect quality. Not quality control issues that may or may not compromise the integrity of my device. Again and again, you get what you pay for. For some one on a budget, so be it. Otherwise, their garbage. Feel free to retort, but it doesn't change one user review as yourself. If you had decent experience, then consider yourself fortunate.

 

[pkahleeb]

[doublepost=1475449039][/doublepost]

Why are you participating in Third Party Bands threads when you obviously feel you should only use Apple made bands? 99% of the bands outside of apple are going to be the same "Cheap Chinese crap" as you phrased it.

Take the crusade elsewhere. We are looking for good deals on bands for our overpriced Apple Watches. I am personally done responding to you because the conversation is going nowhere.