FiveByFive wrote:Sandro, did you ever get complete resolution on those Z-one models that had shoddy silicone manufacturing? The ones for your review? It seemed like there were definitely things to like, and GNSETC looks good compared to Jinsan on the chart, but some of those silicone defects were still rather atrocious.
Yes, here is the
follow-up posting. Most of the issues encountered with the first ZO-160/B were resolved respectively worked-around successfully in the replacement (which, btw, is still available for purchase from stock). The only thing largely unresolved is the weight issue; some of the taller dolls are still specified with significantly lower weights than the dolls that are actually shipped. The smaller dolls (like the ZO-111) are specified correctly in the meantime, and with others the deviation is no longer +25% to +30% but rather about +15% (what I consider to be almost within acceptable range of tolerances). If you check the specs page on the Z-Onedoll website, you will notice that they work on it (irritatingly) often.
What I need to remind myself from time to time is that Z-Onedoll is not a high-end silicone boutique, selling $8000 dolls with 16 months lead time. ZO dolls are supposed to stay affordable, and similar compromises are required like with industrially manufactured TPE dolls. GNSETC is a factory, very similar to their "brother factory" Jinshan. Like Jinshan, they have manufacturing tolerances. And what I have seen from Jinshan… well, better not talk about it.
The past shipments from ZO were quite good, and in certain areas - like packaging - Z-Onedoll is now industry leading. Surprise, surprise! The last ZO that went through my office was a ZO-162 at the end of last December (
Unboxing post & pictures, not published on TDF); she had the most advanced packaging I have ever seen from any (!) Chinese manufacturer:
http://dollforum.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 5#p1017605. Also they have now silicone-gel filled breasts, so just three months later, a lot of the points of criticism mentioned in last October are now just gone.
What I take from these experiences from the past months is that ZO is actively working on improvements. In the same time frame I encountered quite the opposite from certain
other manufacturers, stepping down from quality leader to something that doesn't make me happy anymore.
I guess we need to understand that doll making is neither static nor continuous in China. A brand that has shown nasty weaknesses can improve significantly within a quarter, and (
another) brand used to make really good dolls can take the opposite direction within the same short period of time. Z-Onedoll is currently on the ascending branch.
If you're looking for a silicone doll and are on a budget, I'd take a closer look at Z-Onedoll. They are in many aspects a full alternative to TPE dolls, and in some areas they are just better than any current Jinshan doll. For example, the ZO skeleton is fully hinged. No Jinshan doll has this yet, just
Doll Forever offers a hinged neck in the TPE segment. Z-Onedoll has it for months.
Sandro
