Airtronics MT4 Drop Down By GridRC
 

Trying to see how much interest there would be for a Drop Down for the MT4. GridRC needs more people to chime in if they are going to make one. Post up here if you have any interest in buying one if made......

I'm interested, but like everything else, depends on final cost.

I will buy one.

I'm interested, but again price is a huge and probably the only factor.

It sould be around the same price as the DX3R I would assume. $40

im in for one.

Matt

I'm in for one

Team GRID Drop Down for MT4
 

Re: MT4 drop down pricing

Folks,

I want to clear up expectations on this pilot project so that everyone is happy.

We tried to offer a drop down a year ago but I guess the MT4 was too new at the time and there wasn't enough racers interested.

Those few racers from back then have been still asking for a drop down so we decided to give another second time go around.

The DX3R is a different beast where it was designed to easily support a drop down upgrade. We were able to mill a one-piece unit to keep the pricing down.

Whereas on the MT4, it is a bit more complex requiring two individual shells to do it right. The more realistic target price would be around $58.

I welcome any feedback on this so that it is taken care of now and not later.

Ron
Team GRID

$60 is a more than fair price if you ask me.

+1 ... For the quality of machine work being delivered, that's more than reasonable.

Matt

Not saying the quality of the machine work isn't worth $60, but that is 25% of the cost of the radio. For me, that's too much to spend on something with no huge benefit. If it's $60, I'm out.

bump for interest!

Matt

^ :) ^

I would love to be apart of the pilot.

$58 sounds good.

I will take one for $60 .

whoop whoop loving the interest!

Matt

Bump for interest!

Matt

I'm still in :nod:

Any pics of what its gonna look like

+1

Pics coming in a few weeks.

If you really want a drop down please post because those that do will be asked again just before we do the pilot run and that list will be final.

Once the pilot list is confirmed, we will make only enough for this run.

Thank you.

It will look like any other drop down, a milled extension for the wheel.

Take a look at that one we did for the DX3R.

I am interested

Drop down
 

Hi,

Please put me down for one....

M12 coming
 

Just hit the news, the M12 looks like it will be the successor to the M11X.

http://www.sanwa-denshi.co.jp/rc/car/propo/m12.html

Using the MT4 platform, the M12 will probably incorporate all the M11X and now have back light and drop down plus telemetry.

The features that the M12 has over the MT4 are:
- PC link capability
- vibrator
- 50 model memory
- large and small grip pads
- back light
- possible drop down option

There is no more need to void your warranty on the MT4 if you really got to have a back light.

As for our drop down project, if the M12 sells at $350 to $400, it will be shelved.

As much as I'd love a drop down for my MT4 to make it more like my M11 or M8(damn changing to the new radio was hard, but worth while) I think buisness wise its a good decision on you guys. Your stuff rocks, and would be well worth the $60, but I too have to chime in that it would just be too much money for me to spend on the radio to get the feel back of my old one after I've finaly gotten used to holding this one a little different to make it feel okay. Had I just gotten the radio though I probobly would have shelled out the $60 for the drop down

This is the second time around trying to do this project again and basically same feedback from the majority.

It is unfortunate with any CNC project, customers don't understand the machining costs involved to produce any product. The cost to operate a CNC machining center, lubrication, hydro, and machine operator costs and hours to mill.

People jump on radio wraps for $35, which cost pennies to print. Same people willing to shell out $40 for a back light kit that cost a few dollars to manufacture.

People have already told us that their top upgrades for the MT4 is a back light and radio wrap because it has a higher cool factor over a drop down???

I am sure Sanwa will come out with a plastic injected drop down for the M12 that also can be used on the MT4 for $50 that cost pennies to produce and people will line up for it. This is the funny nature of the consumer marketplace.

I've worked in the automotive industry, and have friends that worked in Machine shops. I know the costs of running/owning a CNC Lathe. Belive me, I see $60 as being cheap for the product. But I also think you deserve the respect of an honest answer. I just have too many other "wants" right now to justify spending money on my radio like that.

Do I think I would enjoy the drop down? Yes. Do I think its worth the money? Heck when I got my radio I probobly would have droped $75 on the drop down if you guys made it. But I'm at a point now that I've gotten used to the feel of the radio and even if Airtronics/sanwa made a drop down for $10 I probobly wouldn't bother buying it.

For me its primarily for the reason that I would have to re-learn to drive the car all over again. I'm just lazy like that. Its nothing agenst your product or my feeling of your time or cost to produce your product. I co-own and run a hobby shop and all the time have people telling me they would buy somthing if I stocked it, only to stock it and watch them walk right past it and never buy anything. I dont want to be the one telling you that I would buy it, and then not. So I am just trying to say, I would love to see the product. I think it would be cool, but I probobly wouldn't end up buying one at this point and would hate to see you guys out the R&D work and not see anything for it.

Sorry I get long winded and try to over explain myself

We already knew the answer awhile ago.

Radio manufacturers reserve certain features and upgrades for their flagship radios. Those that want all the features buy the flagship version.

Take a look at the owner poll from the Airtronics's site.

=======================

What is your Airtronics radio?

Air Radios
RDS8000 2672 (25%)
SD-10G 1973 (18%)
SD-5G 41 (0%)
SD-6G 182 (2%)

Surface Radios
M11 1449 (14%)
MX-3 1567 (15%)
M11X 1448 (14%)
MX Sport 655 (6%)
MT-4 692 (6%)

poo

Matt

Sorry Matt,

We did give a second try.

While this thread had almost a thousand reads, only 13 people signed up for a drop down.

"Smiley"
galaga
hyujmn
mdwalsh
jwb5150
madblu2
oldrcr
Roadsplat
james1227
elex300
Tim3
jasoncb
dcaprilia

This time again it showed little interest from the MT4 owner base.

It doesn't surprise us seeing the results from the Airtronics poll indicating buyers going for the M11/11X or MX-3.

M11 1449 (14%)
M11X 1448 (14%)

MX-3 1567 (15%)


MX Sport 655 (6%)
MT-4 692 (6%)

yeah i understand. it doesnt really surprise me, but i was hoping for a different outcome. maybe that m12x will share enough architecture, and airtronics might release one. i did like the idea of being unique though.

Matt

The M12X is going to be their flagship radio to replace the M11X. By the looks of the marketing pics, it will be sold without a drop down like the KO EX-1 KIY.

KO is selling the EX-1 KIY drop down option for $99. Airtronics may offer a similar drop down for the M12X and MT4

http://www.shop.kopropoamerica.com/i...roduct_id=1351

Drop down released for the M12X and MT4.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/10747439-post49.html

Hope this is good news for MT4 owners.

Airtronics support says the drop down attachment will not fit. :mad:

Well that sucks. I was hoping it would be an option. I'm not going to get an M12 just to get a drop down wheel though.

I want one
Buying the drop down to the MT4 will save having to buy the M12
Please please do one GRID RC

Now that there are the 3D printers could you do a test run with them, its not as hard as alu but does it need to be that robust?

OR
How about releasing the images/work for it??? THat way people that maybe have a milling machine at home or at work that they can borrow and or 3D printer can do their own.

I know you guys put a lot of work into the drawings and cad stuff, maybe people could buy it from you?

I'm in if it moves the wheel out a inch or better

The project was cancelled because only a dozen racers wanted the drop down for their MT4 and because it is considered as a preference option.

The majority want radio skins and back lights.

Airtronics (SANWA) have the M11X and M12 to address racers that want a radio that also includes a drop down. As for comments that all pro racers use the MT4, not true. They are sponsored to use the flagship radios, M11X and are now moving over to the M12.

GRID and the rest of the guys,
if you think the demand not meet not to continue the MT4 drop down project, you are totally wrong. here in ASIA it's about hundreds are using MT4. one proof is the online store hobbyking.com it's every week they are out stock. we ask them why they are only given 20 units per week, and started selling early this year. so how many do you think they sold. and how about the other stores.
agree or not, but MT4 users, are begging for the drop down wheel including myself.
drop down wheel is the only lack of MT4 to be the best radio ever. i saw some in our local track doing some drop down mod using plastic but a little rough on the craftmanship.