99LikesMyLaps update killing MRT, AMBrc DP and house transponders!
10-31-2017, 12:16 PM
#46
Tech Initiate
People spend hundreds and thousands of dollars every year to upgrade to the newest version of a car that may have a few revisions but after all this time complain about the transponders. This hobby is expensive. If you had a transponder for 5-10 years what is the actual cost over time. I understand not wanting to spend the money but if the new software does thing better but can't support the old transponders, well that is just progression. I'm more mad about my older cell phones that get upgraded and don't work well anymore. That is roughly $400 every 2 years.
10-31-2017, 04:57 PM
#47
People spend hundreds and thousands of dollars every year to upgrade to the newest version of a car that may have a few revisions but after all this time complain about the transponders. This hobby is expensive. If you had a transponder for 5-10 years what is the actual cost over time. I understand not wanting to spend the money but if the new software does thing better but can't support the old transponders, well that is just progression. I'm more mad about my older cell phones that get upgraded and don't work well anymore. That is roughly $400 every 2 years.
10-31-2017, 05:56 PM
#48
People spend hundreds and thousands of dollars every year to upgrade to the newest version of a car that may have a few revisions but after all this time complain about the transponders. This hobby is expensive. If you had a transponder for 5-10 years what is the actual cost over time. I understand not wanting to spend the money but if the new software does thing better but can't support the old transponders, well that is just progression. I'm more mad about my older cell phones that get upgraded and don't work well anymore. That is roughly $400 every 2 years.
But they don't do anything better....
10-31-2017, 07:19 PM
#49
People spend hundreds and thousands of dollars every year to upgrade to the newest version of a car that may have a few revisions but after all this time complain about the transponders. This hobby is expensive. If you had a transponder for 5-10 years what is the actual cost over time. I understand not wanting to spend the money but if the new software does thing better but can't support the old transponders, well that is just progression. I'm more mad about my older cell phones that get upgraded and don't work well anymore. That is roughly $400 every 2 years.
10-31-2017, 08:02 PM
#51
I am waiting for the new model that subtracts a half a second off my lap times....
11-01-2017, 07:06 AM
#52
If you purchased one of the newer 3 wires then why even make this comment? (I get your being factious, but so em I)
11-01-2017, 07:15 AM
#53
The used market hurts manufactures. If enough of your older product is around and still works, why would people spend money on new ones. A company can only make money when selling product.
11-01-2017, 07:26 AM
#54
I've checked with 2 track owners in my area and they assured me they are not going to upgrade their firmware anytime soon (if ever).
Again, This whole problem is moot if tracks who buy new systems can downgrade to older firmware.
*** I think the weirdest part is that MyLaps has abandoned the concept of "House PTX's"... that is the gateway to bringing in new blood!
*** The real irony would be if MyLaps stops selling hybrids, then they can potentially kill off their own market share and force folks to buy only from MRT for tracks who refuse to upgrade, doh!
Last edited by billdelong; 11-01-2017 at 07:40 AM.
11-01-2017, 10:23 AM
#55
Super Moderator
iTrader: (31)
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Location: RIP 'Chopper', 4/18/13 miss you bud:(
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^This.
I do not fault a company that invests to create/fill a market need by developing a suite of products, only to have to compete against some third party coming along and 'piggybacking' on a small (most profitable?) part of that business, from taking steps to protect their investment and viability.
For all the complaints otherwise, if there truly was a profitable business model to develop a comprehensive competing solution, doesn't it make sense someone (or many someones) would have been lining up to grab that opportunity? Maybe having to invest to build-out the entire thing just isn't that profitable - in which case is it really fair to bash MyLaps for taking this step?
As a consumer, this doesn't have to mean we have to like the change. Though perhaps some of the 'energy' being directed at MyLaps should be focused elsewhere - like those only providing a 'half a solution'? (Not encouraging this)
I do not fault a company that invests to create/fill a market need by developing a suite of products, only to have to compete against some third party coming along and 'piggybacking' on a small (most profitable?) part of that business, from taking steps to protect their investment and viability.
For all the complaints otherwise, if there truly was a profitable business model to develop a comprehensive competing solution, doesn't it make sense someone (or many someones) would have been lining up to grab that opportunity? Maybe having to invest to build-out the entire thing just isn't that profitable - in which case is it really fair to bash MyLaps for taking this step?
As a consumer, this doesn't have to mean we have to like the change. Though perhaps some of the 'energy' being directed at MyLaps should be focused elsewhere - like those only providing a 'half a solution'? (Not encouraging this)
11-01-2017, 10:44 AM
#56
Super Moderator
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: RIP 'Chopper', 4/18/13 miss you bud:(
Posts: 15,463
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just to clarify... any track has the right to continue using older decoders so I don't think the older units will stop working, but I can see a problem if MyLaps stops selling hybrid PTX's then folks buying the newer stuff might not work at a track running older systems.
I've checked with 2 track owners in my area and they assured me they are not going to upgrade their firmware anytime soon (if ever).
Again, This whole problem is moot if tracks who buy new systems can downgrade to older firmware.
*** I think the weirdest part is that MyLaps has abandoned the concept of "House PTX's"... that is the gateway to bringing in new blood!
*** The real irony would be if MyLaps stops selling hybrids, then they can potentially kill off their own market share and force folks to buy only from MRT for tracks who refuse to upgrade, doh!
I've checked with 2 track owners in my area and they assured me they are not going to upgrade their firmware anytime soon (if ever).
Again, This whole problem is moot if tracks who buy new systems can downgrade to older firmware.
*** I think the weirdest part is that MyLaps has abandoned the concept of "House PTX's"... that is the gateway to bringing in new blood!
*** The real irony would be if MyLaps stops selling hybrids, then they can potentially kill off their own market share and force folks to buy only from MRT for tracks who refuse to upgrade, doh!
2) "House" PT's, which are becoming near non existent, will still work the same as the AMBrc PT's. Assuming your track doesn't do the firmware upgrade, which is NOT required!
11-01-2017, 01:28 PM
#57
Super Moderator
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: RIP 'Chopper', 4/18/13 miss you bud:(
Posts: 15,463
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If you want to point any blame. Point it at the cheap guy in the pits next to you who is running a KNOCK OFF MRT transponder. MRT piggybacks off the investment of MyLaps and their scoring system to produce and sell the cheapest part of any scoring system, the PT. Mylaps isn't stopping anyone from creating a competitive decoder or software, they're simply trying to protect their product and investment from rats like MRT.
IMO
Claim you would do any different if you were Mylaps and I would call you a LIAR.
IMO
Claim you would do any different if you were Mylaps and I would call you a LIAR.
11-01-2017, 01:33 PM
#58
Super Moderator
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: RIP 'Chopper', 4/18/13 miss you bud:(
Posts: 15,463
Trader Rating: 31 (100%+)
FYI. Based on these resent events I would bet that Mylaps and their dealers will offer their own trade in program shortly. I have a rough idea but I won't speculate on what that dollar amount is..
11-01-2017, 01:51 PM
#59
If you want to point any blame. Point it at the cheap guy in the pits next to you who is running a KNOCK OFF MRT transponder. MRT piggybacks off the investment of MyLaps and their scoring system to produce and sell the cheapest part of any scoring system, the PT. Mylaps isn't stopping anyone from creating a competitive decoder or software, they're simply trying to protect their product and investment from rats like MRT.
IMO
Claim you would do any different if you were Mylaps and I would call you a LIAR.
IMO
Claim you would do any different if you were Mylaps and I would call you a LIAR.
https://www.theatlantic.com/business...siness/514358/
+
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering
To quickly summarize both articles, what MRT is doing is perfectly legal, what MyLaps is doing is unethical and hurting the industry as a whole. Don't just take my word on it, please read the articles to gain a deeper understanding of what's happening.
