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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3996

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
That's good news to me as I would want to retain SW status in case I were to change it back. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #941393 7th Feb 2022 12:33pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Hi Wyvern, I am leaning towards the x-Vision-x setup as the bed system looks really good and the rest appear comparable to ex-tec.

I'm having trouble getting hold of them - tried Facebook and their Contact Us form on the website and still waiting - no phone number on the site either - how did you get hold of them initially?
Post #941656 8th Feb 2022 4:59pm
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macfrank



Member Since: 05 Nov 2015
Location: somewhere in the north
Posts: 986

Germany 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
It seems xVx roofs are now made and fitted by Drexl in southern Germany
https://drexl-fahrzeugtechnik.de/vorteile-des-hubdach-laavu

Some pictures of our xVx - happy campers since 2016 Smile
https://kraxlr.de/makingof.html#roof
Post #941657 8th Feb 2022 5:15pm
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PocketFred



Member Since: 02 Feb 2022
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 22

Switzerland 2001 Defender 110 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
XvX designs and manufactures great poptops. The latest version of his frame is probably the best you can get if you still want to reuse the original roof (such as the built in features to manage water ingress from the original roof).
XvX is however a terrible business/sales person (great personally mind you!). He has so much demand that he can be.

Your best chances of contacting him is over Instagram, and your message needs to look something like this: "Markus, your roof is awesome, I want it, when can we get this done, where can I wire the deposit?".
Any extra blabla such as product info or what not requiring some basic sales effort from his side will get you off his sales funnel (which is probably filled to end of the year currently).

Or getting introduced though one or more of his current prominent instagram clients.
Or you take a trip do Pforzheim and knock on his door, that will also get you in his calendar.

XvX was also on my short-list of potential poptops but I finally decided of another.

Drexl copied Markus' previous design from what I understood. They are more expensive also. 110 HT TD5 w/ PopTop for travelling
110 CSW 300tdi for hunting
Post #941658 8th Feb 2022 5:23pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
That's really helpful, thank you Frank!

I hope the prices are the same as x-Vision-x as they were very good value.

I will try calling them tomorrow and hope that their English is better than my German Wink
Post #941659 8th Feb 2022 5:25pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
And thank you PocketFred.

It's a shame that Drexl are not selling the same equipment because I like the fact that xVx have got some great recommendations from this site
Post #941660 8th Feb 2022 5:29pm
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macfrank



Member Since: 05 Nov 2015
Location: somewhere in the north
Posts: 986

Germany 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Smile Andy, I guess they are a bit more expensive than xVx, but they have added nice features such as the internal lock. At least in German they do actually talk to their customers, unlike xVx recently.

I haven't heard them talk in English but be prepared for a rather thick accent Smile
If all else fails, I'd be happy to help. My grammar may not be the best, but I have a thing for accents and dialects. I remember a telephone conference between a company in Manchester and some of my Bavarian colleagues. After some 'umms' and 'ähm' from both sided, I ended up translating to the Germans what the British said (in English) and translating to the British what the Germans said (in English, too Laughing ).
Post #941662 8th Feb 2022 5:37pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Thanks for the offer Frank - I might take you up on that!!

I am very jealous of the choice of companies you have in Germany who offer the roof conversions. At least Drexl are right by Munich airport which makes drop off and collection a bit easier!
Post #941669 8th Feb 2022 6:23pm
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macfrank



Member Since: 05 Nov 2015
Location: somewhere in the north
Posts: 986

Germany 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Ok, send me a PM; I'll get notified by mail I think.

That airport nearby... unless you have very good connections, I think it's not open to the public. Smile
Munich's main airport is in the north east, quite a bit out of town. Probably 1 1/2 .. 2 hrs by train.
https://goo.gl/maps/iNAS5EdRKbzsv8GD6
But still a lot easier to reach than xVx Smile
Post #941672 8th Feb 2022 6:32pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2068

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Hi Andy
seems you have good help at hand from other forum members who are closer to the suppliers!
I can only agree with the coments on how hard Marcus is to get hold of ... but perchance paid of in my case !
Capricorn and Drexl seem to be using the xVx top as discussed with some improvements on the design and accessories (shame there are no prices to tempt me !) The xVx folding sand ladder mounts seem to be suppled by them as well.

Thumbs Up Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #941709 8th Feb 2022 9:09pm
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RoadForce



Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 323

Netherlands 2000 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Coniston Green
PSP Expedition Campers in NL do pop tops, as well as a wide range of other modifications. I have no experience / affiliation, but they seem to deliver solid work:

https://psp-expeditioncampers.com/nl/produ...fender-110 Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000
Post #941777 9th Feb 2022 1:49pm
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PocketFred



Member Since: 02 Feb 2022
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 22

Switzerland 2001 Defender 110 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
I can not stress enough how happy & amazed about the craftsmanship of my PSP roof! Smile

And it's a blessing to have a truly water tight roof! Cool

But waiting time is currently over a year... :/ 110 HT TD5 w/ PopTop for travelling
110 CSW 300tdi for hunting
Post #941778 9th Feb 2022 1:52pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
OMG a year! Shocked

Ex-tec said they were booked until December and our holiday is in August!

Fingers crossed I can find someone to help.. I really don't fancy making and breaking camp every day on the overland tour we have booked!
Post #941783 9th Feb 2022 2:26pm
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PocketFred



Member Since: 02 Feb 2022
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 22

Switzerland 2001 Defender 110 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
If you need/want a poptop by august, I'm afraid your only option is one of the DIY kits or an Alucab.

Alternatively, get a second hand hardshell for that week while you wait for the poptop of your dreams! Smile 110 HT TD5 w/ PopTop for travelling
110 CSW 300tdi for hunting
Post #941785 9th Feb 2022 2:58pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3996

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
andy2111 wrote:
OMG a year! Shocked

Ex-tec said they were booked until December and our holiday is in August!

Fingers crossed I can find someone to help.. I really don't fancy making and breaking camp every day on the overland tour we have booked!


Don't panic if it doesn't work out. I've done Morocco twice and a Pyrenees traverse with an Oztent, breaking camp every morning. If you don't take loads of unnecessary garbage with you, its absolutely fine, not quite as quick as a pop top, but not far off once you get your eye in.

In fact, the foist Morocco trip I did sleeping in ARB awning room after the cheap tent I bought wasn't suitable. Even that was ok once we got in a routine. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #941794 9th Feb 2022 4:34pm
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