We are talking about two different products here. The factory plastic RAI that Powerful UK sells is just that, an air intake that draws cleaner air into the engine. Land Rover makes no claims of it being water tight and doesn't call it a "snorkel" anywhere in its description because, well, it isn't a snorkel (Powerful UK should avoid calling it a snorkel as well, in my opinion.) The aftermarket stainless steel accessory sold on New Defender Mods is a different product entirely - or at least it claims to be.

 

Duly noted and I do need to ease off keyboard when frisky. So this snorkel will allow you to go past wade sensors. Where as the LR ones not so much. Now I want to see what the NDM airbox looks like or does it attach to just the regular airbox.

 

Now we are getting to the basis for my question. I am very well aware of the LR RAI and its limitations. Not to mentions it being reported as being noisy. My question for real world experience is to find the answers to whether wading depth is increased, is it actually sealed, is it quieter when driving on the highway?

 

Simon and co at PowerfulUK are referring to the OEM raised air intake. This is not a snorkel and in a deep crossing at 900+mm would be about as welcome as a fart in a spacesuit.

The Bravo snorkel and the NDM snorkel are snorkels. Sealed to the airbox.

The Defender's diff breathers are above the 900mm also.

Of course as we go deeper, the upthrust from the displaced water will eventually exceed the vehicle mass and floatation results. This assumes a good seal which in my experiences exists.

*shakes fist at Archimedes.

 

Not sealed. Not a snorkel. No increase in safety from water ingress. Completely useless for water crossings. Not surprising as it's not designed to be a snorkel. Just a RAI.
If your daily commute has you rubbing guts with the Kalihari, Gobi, or something similar it's no doubt a boon. Otherwise a useless bit of kit. 99.9% of folks fit them for esthetics alone. I've even seen some fitted to V8s. Rather unfortunate.

 

The wade sensors are a useless gimmick. They don't beep unless you're in wade mode which is useful. The beeping and graphic not so much.

Beep, beep, beep= You're deep, your, deeper, you're deeper, you're.......oh fudge..... hydrolock.....toast. Beeping intensifies.

 

Really in my mind does the NDM snorkel fit to the stock air box and is that box sealed or does it have a flow valve to let water out (from rain etc)? Therefore becoming flooded? Second question when does the Defender start to float?
I admit I am not that extreme and will more than likely never see either situation, in this respect consider me an arm-chair 4 wheel driver!

 

There are some tracks around here where water crossings in the spring melt can be 3-5' in places.

plenty more less deep but close to the limit.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TcamL7k3LMg

 

So the NDM snorkel iis no different than the LR RAI in that respect then? Not really worth cutting a fender if all it is is a RAI. I don’t do water crossings all the time but do have some places I go from time to time that depending on conditions I could have a situation where water temporarily could be over the bottom level of the intake. I am not looking to really wade deeper but more to just have a little more peace of mind just incase I misjudge.

 

????

no. This quote relates to the OEM RAI. No use WRT water crossings.

NDM snorkel is a true snorkel. 4” stainless steel sealed to the air box. completely different to the OEM RAI.

It meets all the criteria.

as does Bravo snorkel which requires no fender drilling.