Your opinions on the Caster Racing Fusion
09-21-2008, 08:37 PM
#1
Your opinions on the Caster Racing Fusion
I was just wondering what everyone's opinion was on the fusion. There was a huge interest on it at first when it was announced, but it has seemed to have dwindled. We are selling them, but not like expected. I was just curious as to why. There will be a review in the Dec RC Driver and that will probably change everything, but is it the economy, the waiting for other brands, the lack of advertising, the fact that it is an 1/8 scale buggy, everyone is waiting for the pro kit?
It is supposed to have a street price of $300, but the casterusa site has it at $350 to protect dealers. Is that the problem?
Everyone who has bought one has absolutely loved it and the parts quality is way better than the Caster products in the past. Just trying to figure out what the problem(s) are. I know that Caster will be much more aggressive in 2009 and that they have been holding back as to not make the same mistakes as some of the other manufacturers.
It is supposed to have a street price of $300, but the casterusa site has it at $350 to protect dealers. Is that the problem?
Everyone who has bought one has absolutely loved it and the parts quality is way better than the Caster products in the past. Just trying to figure out what the problem(s) are. I know that Caster will be much more aggressive in 2009 and that they have been holding back as to not make the same mistakes as some of the other manufacturers.
09-21-2008, 08:58 PM
#2
I think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. With the release of your buggy, I feel that the E8 world was opened up. I look at it like you are the first company with the
to release something like the Fusion. I do feel that the electronics are the things that are holding the rest of the world from entering the class of electric 8th scale. ESCs, BEC's, and voltage cutoffs are very intimidating to beginners. When the MMM is re-released and is fool-proof, more people will come along. Good work with the buggy and I
to release something like the Fusion. I do feel that the electronics are the things that are holding the rest of the world from entering the class of electric 8th scale. ESCs, BEC's, and voltage cutoffs are very intimidating to beginners. When the MMM is re-released and is fool-proof, more people will come along. Good work with the buggy and I
09-21-2008, 11:41 PM
#4
I remember there being an LHS/indoor track located on Nellis Blvd, back when I was stationed at Nellis AFB.
09-22-2008, 12:11 AM
#5
Tech Regular
Only $300!! That is a steal! That's less than a ZX-5 SP or a B44!
1/8 scale 4wd buggies are known to be EXTREMELY durable due to being designed to the handle massive power from nitro engines...unlike the fragile and light weight reputation of 1/10 scale electric 4wd, haha.
I think that if you made a recipe/guidelines for the electronics to get, that could help with the sales. I think a good portion of your future customers would be from the nitro world and they might not know as much about "non-1/10 scale" electric motors/batteries/ESCs. I also think another good portion of your future customers would be from the 1/10 electric world and they might not know as much about "non-1/10" scale electric motors/batteries/ESCs.
1/8 scale 4wd buggies are known to be EXTREMELY durable due to being designed to the handle massive power from nitro engines...unlike the fragile and light weight reputation of 1/10 scale electric 4wd, haha.
I think that if you made a recipe/guidelines for the electronics to get, that could help with the sales. I think a good portion of your future customers would be from the nitro world and they might not know as much about "non-1/10 scale" electric motors/batteries/ESCs. I also think another good portion of your future customers would be from the 1/10 electric world and they might not know as much about "non-1/10" scale electric motors/batteries/ESCs.
09-22-2008, 01:47 AM
#6
Personally I am waiting for other brands. I think the fusion looks good (best rtr body I have seen) and appears to be a great value. The thing is I will just convert what ever car is popular at the track I am going to race at. That way I know the lhs will stock what ever parts I may need. Most likely my next 8th scale electric with be a losi 8 version 2 unless something else catches my eye over the winter.
Other then that I think a reliable 8th scale esc could be hurting your sales. The mamba monster was suppose to be that esc and mine is working great but I have seen many others that haven't been so lucky.
Other then that I think a reliable 8th scale esc could be hurting your sales. The mamba monster was suppose to be that esc and mine is working great but I have seen many others that haven't been so lucky.
09-22-2008, 09:27 AM
#7
Tech Adept
iTrader: (2)
I'm having a hard time justifying the cost for any new vehicle. Just got into electric off-roading a few months ago and I'm having a great time with it, but I still need to recover from the initial cost.
With respect to the Fusion, I'd have to say I will either go with it or the
8ight-E. I'm REALLY liking the dual battery config of the Fusion because of balance and that I can use my 1/10th batteries. With respect to the 8ight-E, its hard to overlook the 8ight's reputation. I'm also not fond of the conversion kits.
In my view - electric 1/8th is a two car world (Castor and Losi).
With respect to the Fusion, I'd have to say I will either go with it or the
8ight-E. I'm REALLY liking the dual battery config of the Fusion because of balance and that I can use my 1/10th batteries. With respect to the 8ight-E, its hard to overlook the 8ight's reputation. I'm also not fond of the conversion kits.
In my view - electric 1/8th is a two car world (Castor and Losi).
09-22-2008, 09:46 AM
#9
I do feel that the electronics are the things that are holding the rest of the world from entering the class of electric 8th scale. ESCs, BEC's, and voltage cutoffs are very intimidating to beginners. When the MMM is re-released and is fool-proof, more people will come along.
Last edited by cla5675; 09-23-2008 at 09:37 AM.
09-22-2008, 10:41 AM
#10
Tech Regular
I see the MSRP is $1300 and is "available for $879.99" on the Losi site...
but what is the real street price of the Losi 8e roller?
Caster seems like a steal at $300!
I think Caster should detail some history and design heritage on how and by whom their Fusion was designed, it would give the Fusion more street cred.
but what is the real street price of the Losi 8e roller?
Caster seems like a steal at $300!
I think Caster should detail some history and design heritage on how and by whom their Fusion was designed, it would give the Fusion more street cred.
Last edited by haulin79; 09-22-2008 at 11:17 AM.
09-22-2008, 11:03 AM
#11
Suspended
09-22-2008, 01:21 PM
#14
Well two major things that the Fusion stands out from the rest:
1) It was designed with the intent of electric, whereas the other conversions are an after-thought, a work-around.
2) $300 for something comparable to a Losi 8eight and RC8! The biggest factor that's keeping me out of 1/8th scale electric is the cost. $500+ for just a chassis and a bunch of nitro components I don't need. For $500+, I rather have a 1/10th with electric in mind when it was conceived...
Two MAJOR things against it:
1) Parts support at the local level
2) Did I mention parts support? One of the things that makes AE so successful is that 9 out of 10 hobby shop carries their part. I think this effort is not really on the engineering aspect of this product, but more on sales/marketing!
1) It was designed with the intent of electric, whereas the other conversions are an after-thought, a work-around.
2) $300 for something comparable to a Losi 8eight and RC8! The biggest factor that's keeping me out of 1/8th scale electric is the cost. $500+ for just a chassis and a bunch of nitro components I don't need. For $500+, I rather have a 1/10th with electric in mind when it was conceived...
Two MAJOR things against it:
1) Parts support at the local level
2) Did I mention parts support? One of the things that makes AE so successful is that 9 out of 10 hobby shop carries their part. I think this effort is not really on the engineering aspect of this product, but more on sales/marketing!
09-22-2008, 02:00 PM
#15
I was just wondering what everyone's opinion was on the fusion. There was a huge interest on it at first when it was announced, but it has seemed to have dwindled. We are selling them, but not like expected. I was just curious as to why. There will be a review in the Dec RC Driver and that will probably change everything, but is it the economy, the waiting for other brands, the lack of advertising, the fact that it is an 1/8 scale buggy, everyone is waiting for the pro kit?
It is supposed to have a street price of $300, but the casterusa site has it at $350 to protect dealers. Is that the problem?
Everyone who has bought one has absolutely loved it and the parts quality is way better than the Caster products in the past. Just trying to figure out what the problem(s) are. I know that Caster will be much more aggressive in 2009 and that they have been holding back as to not make the same mistakes as some of the other manufacturers.
It is supposed to have a street price of $300, but the casterusa site has it at $350 to protect dealers. Is that the problem?
Everyone who has bought one has absolutely loved it and the parts quality is way better than the Caster products in the past. Just trying to figure out what the problem(s) are. I know that Caster will be much more aggressive in 2009 and that they have been holding back as to not make the same mistakes as some of the other manufacturers.