Yeah I have a 1 year old mylaps 3 wire transponder that drops more laps in a 5 min race than I miss in 2 years with all other transponders used. I've heard from several people this is pretty common and that older 2 and 3 wire transponders are more reliable. Great, how do you expand and run more classes if you cant really rely on new transponders?

Best part is I traded a 2 wire for it to help an old friend out because it wouldn't work with that stupid spektrum servo/receiver combo. So not only did I not technically purchase it I didn't have the receipt. Amazing,

So transponders are $75-125 new now, and they were $75-90 20 years ago. Meanwhile stuff like TVs are way more advanced and cheaper for the size. Cheap cellphones vastly more powerful than they used to be.

But a simple transponder is more expensive? They have some more features but who really uses them. Plus the whole firmware updates just to make other/older transponders not work and it makes it clear its a money grab. Is it cheap compared to your yearly expense of the hobby? sure but buying 3 or 5 when a firmware update ruins yours (useability) or getting new people into racing is hugely prohibitive. Of course if we had some competition there'd probably just be a new firmware update to nullify it.