The snorkels are quite popular with some users, tiger, but they have always been supplied by mower manufacturers, not engine manufacturers so their designs are perhaps a bit less professional than genuine engine parts. They have a lot to offer heavy users, such as contractors, because they take a lot longer to clog under dusty conditions. I think they may have become mainly aftermarket items though, now that mowers are mainly commodity goods made in China, rather than something people think about before buying.
I have the impression the mower shops that offer machines assembled from imported parts tailored for specific types of customer, are making inroads into the contractor market. One reason would be that they can easily undercut Honda prices with a very similar machine. However another benefit they can offer is carefully tailored specifications that suit contractor preferences.
