[Dick]

I have been scratching my head trying to figure out the difference in the Bimini and Soft Top accessories. At first glance it seems straight forward but bear with me and I will try to explain what is puzzling me... hopefully someone will have the answer or is it another mistake in pricing. The last mistake Honda made on the windscreens pricing was corrected in a couple days after posting it on this site...

Ok.. below is the Bimini 4P soft top it sells for $149.95 us

Below is Fabric Roof with Rear Panel 4P it sells for $424.95 us the specs on it are identical to the Bimini top above.

Now.. below is the Fabric Rear Panel 4P that is sold separately for $126.95 us.

Now do the math.. the Bimini and the Fabric Rear Panel add up to $276.90 us verses the one piece top at $424.95 us...

Usually when Honda breaks something up into 2 pieces it costs more so why is the one piece top $148.05 us more ???

You can see why my original thought was that the Fabric Top and Rear Panel were of a better quality material than the Bimini but the specs on them are identical they even have the same installation instructions. Am I the only one that noticed this??

.

 

[Thunderstix]

Wow! That is a good point. I have also been wondering what the difference is, but I did not realize the price difference.

 

[Dick]

The only thing I can see is the Fabric Top with Rear Panel is over priced, even if it included the Mid Panel ($119.95) it still wouldn't add up.

Or the Bimini Top is underpriced??

I think I will order the Bimini Top and Mid Panel tomorrow. ($269.90 us)

 

[Moose]

Nice work bringing that to people's attention Dick. That's an odd discrepancy. Seems like there has to be something wrong if that pricing or their descriptions

 

[Dick]

When you look at the pictures the Bimini seems to have more wrinkles but that could just be the install, the descriptions are the same.

toodeep, have you seen both types yet?

 

[Moose]

Fabric top says rated to -30.

Other top isn't . That's a big difference

 

[Dick]

I think that is for the window part Moose because the Rear Panel says the same thing -30F.

 

[Moose]

my guess is the bimini is something like a woven acrylic and the fabric is more of a canvas. So cheap cracky vs keeps it flexibility

 

[toodeep]

All I have installed so far has been the "hard" parts for the cabins. I haven't had anyone wanting the soft tops yet.

 

[DBCooper]

I have the soft top. I haven't installed it yet. I'm waiting til Friday - when my windshield comes in.

I'll let you know what I think of it, though, when I get it on. It's supposed to rain, here, Sat. and Sun. I'll be fully enclosed if I want to get out.

 

[Dick]

I have the soft top. I haven't installed it yet. I'm waiting til Friday - when my windshield comes in.

Which one did you get DB? I ordered the Bimini and Mid Panel suppose to be in on Friday. Maybe we can take some close up pictures and compare the 2 if you got the one piece?

The Bimini is not a bad price compared to the other accessories, it comes with frame work, mounts and window connect bracket and its only $20 more than the Mid Panel. I thought about getting the fabric and making one but the frame work would be time consuming to get to look like anything nice. Without the framework you would just have a swimming pool on the roof. If the fabric ever does go bad I will have a good template and all the frame work to easily replace it myself.

 

[midnighthrasher]

Has anyone physically touched both? Seems crazy that Honda would be charging that much more for nothing.

 

[DBCooper]

Yes. I got the one-piece. I can take some photos of it now, I guess. I just wasn't going to install it until the windshield was on. I don't know if that's important or not. I figured I'd do everything while it was clean!

 

[Dick]

No hurry DB just wait until you have it out.

I did some more searching and both are made of the same material called "Sur Last" it is used a lot for boat awnings and covers. It appears to be a very durable waterproof material.

It is still a mystery why so much more for the one piece.

 

[Utard]

Look closely at the edges of each.

To me the bim looks like it drapes over the top and is tied down.

The soft top looks like the edges are attached?

I bet you can not use the soft doors with the bim?

 

[DBCooper]

I can tell you this...........

If you have a Honda windshield, you have to cut the thing to use the soft top.

What kind of thinking is this? This is piss poor engineering.

 

[Dick]

I have the factory hard coat window and it jogs out at a 60 degree angle at the top about 3", I believe to meet the overhang on the factory hardtop.

I think it would look funny if it wasn't removed with the soft top.

I agree you would thing they would engineer something that would work for all optional accessories without cutting it.

 

[Moose]

what happens when you decide to swap out for a hardtop..... oh, time for another new windscreen!

thats pretty much just stupid

 

[Dick]

I am going to save the piece I cut off moose, then I can make a brace to put it back together when I get my new garage built.

 

[DBCooper]

I just realized I have enough room for the hard top.

If I can use my soft doors with the hard top, I'll go that route. It's more money (and I have to buy a rear windscreen, also). But, I'm not going to cut a new $500 windshield.

They are really lacking in the engineering dept.