From what I can gather....between the Airtec and Safari...it usually boils down to aesthetics...
That just about sums it up!
I don't think there is a major difference between the Airtec and the Safari.
I fitted the Safari due to obtaining a good deal and the guys who did the installation (4x4Megaworld Paarden Eiland = Kaapstad vir julle dun lug inasemers) know their stuff.
The reduction in dust on our recent Botswana trip was VERY noticable. And I actually fitted the snorkel for the water levels we anticipated and eventually DID drive thru! No noticeable additional noise, but then the fully loaded vehicle also sported a roofrack and Goodyear MTR tyres,so it would have to have been serious noise for me to have heard it above that din!
Where the make of snorkel did play a role was with my Land Rover Discovery Tdi, so for the guys with turbodiesels, just check the following:
On the Disco the airbox sits on the left hand side of the engine bay (when viewed from the driver's seat). Guess where the turbo sits - Yep, also on the left hand side!
The Safari and Airtec snorkels snaked around the airbox, but on the inside of the box, in other words close to the turbo ... Yes the guys who fitted them either suffered holes burnt through the plastic or had to wrap the snorkel pipe with heat resistant tape etc. The Mantec snorkel was the only one that snaked around the outside of the airbox and therefore far away from the turbo. So that was a no brainer! Just check where the internal piping goes on a turbodiesel!
I also like the Safari as it gives me the following options:
1. let the intake face forward to create a bit of a ram air effect - not quite sure whether it has any significant positive effect though - the jury is still out!
2. In serious rain, sleet, snow (? in CT?) and convoy dust driving, I can quickly turn it around to face rearwards.
3. In really serious dusty conditions I can fit a sand & dust separation bowl.
All these changes are very quick and easy due to the hose pipe clamp fitting.
There is 1 danger with the Safari and that is if you do NOT have branch deflector cables, there is a real danger that you could knock off the intake fitting when driving through thick forest areas.
So pay your money and take your pick ...
Good Luck!
