No disagreement on the fact that the transponders are expensive, but this is not an inexpensive hobby. What other component for your r/c car do you only buy once? Some tracks will rent you a transponder, but if you race a lot then renting ones soon becomes more expensive than purchasing. When you look at how much you spend over a years time for purchasing equipment, race entry fees, parts, etc. a transponder is, for me anyway, worth the expence.