AMB Personal Transponders...Too Expensive?
#31
Someone mentioned supply and demand which I think is correct. The other reason they "have to" gouge us is that they only sell one complete system to a track and then nothing else. The PT is nice for them because they commonly sell more than one per customer and it's a big source of income so right now they will "make hay while the sun shines". The Euro and the dollar are a lot closer than they were 2 years ago but the cost of AMB PTs continues to climb. There is just not enough money in it for somebody else to sink capital into developing something different. (again, opinion)
#32
There's a lot more to the cost of a PT than just the cost of components. Manufacturing, distribution, overhead, personnel, advertising, R&D costs, etc... From that point of view almost everything in R/C is "overpriced" How many cents worth of plastic are in that 8 dollar pair of A arms?
IIRC, when the PT's were first sold at that low price it was referred to as an "introductory price" and we were warned that it WILL go higher. I wish I had listened back then, I could have bought 20 and bought a new car
-James
IIRC, when the PT's were first sold at that low price it was referred to as an "introductory price" and we were warned that it WILL go higher. I wish I had listened back then, I could have bought 20 and bought a new car
-James
#34
A hobby store by me was closing and the were selling used ones for $30.00 I was able to grab one. When you find a good deal you have to take it. They sell used for over 70 on ebay. Just keep you eyes and ears open
#35
Tech Champion
iTrader: (108)
I just don't like companies that say, "hey, lets see how far we can push the price on this and see if they will still buy it." It shows what they truly feel about their customers. Instead of trying to be reasonable..they go for the throat. Not all companies are like that.
#36
Are they fix able if something goes wrong with them?
#37
Originally Posted by JamesArluck
There's a lot more to the cost of a PT than just the cost of components. Manufacturing, distribution, overhead, personnel, advertising, R&D costs, etc... From that point of view almost everything in R/C is "overpriced" How many cents worth of plastic are in that 8 dollar pair of A arms?
IIRC, when the PT's were first sold at that low price it was referred to as an "introductory price" and we were warned that it WILL go higher. I wish I had listened back then, I could have bought 20 and bought a new car
-James
IIRC, when the PT's were first sold at that low price it was referred to as an "introductory price" and we were warned that it WILL go higher. I wish I had listened back then, I could have bought 20 and bought a new car
-James
If we are going to see this industry flurish then we need to lower some of the operating cost.
#39
Tech Champion
iTrader: (108)
When is the last time you saw any advertising for AMB? R/D??? when??? It's been the same product for years.
Originally Posted by JamesArluck
There's a lot more to the cost of a PT than just the cost of components. Manufacturing, distribution, overhead, personnel, advertising, R&D costs, etc... From that point of view almost everything in R/C is "overpriced" How many cents worth of plastic are in that 8 dollar pair of A arms?
IIRC, when the PT's were first sold at that low price it was referred to as an "introductory price" and we were warned that it WILL go higher. I wish I had listened back then, I could have bought 20 and bought a new car
-James
IIRC, when the PT's were first sold at that low price it was referred to as an "introductory price" and we were warned that it WILL go higher. I wish I had listened back then, I could have bought 20 and bought a new car
-James
#40
Tech Master
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by Smoking motor..
civic it not missing laps, the bec is not able to power the transponder, anda 6v servo I assume your using. This is a common problem with lrp quantum 2 's as it cannot supply the current to power both the pt and servo. I had the same problem you are talking about but it is the speedcontroler you are using.
A simple fix is to use some caps in series to stop the pt losing power it has been mentioned on the forum before.
Though I didn't do that as my quantum died and i got a ko and it has never missed laps since then.
A simple fix is to use some caps in series to stop the pt losing power it has been mentioned on the forum before.
Though I didn't do that as my quantum died and i got a ko and it has never missed laps since then.
#41
interesting u complain about amb transponders and the price, when your signature says your running KO Prorpo equipment... how come you dont complain about KO's pricing structure ? why r u picking upon AMB ?
#43
----edit
#44
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
One thing everyone needs to keep in mind is the R/C part of AMB is very small. Almost all full size racing series and tracks use AMB products. So in the scope of things AMB for R/C is very small. When the Personals came out I remember thinking I would never buy them nor would anyone else. After using them for a few years they are great. Even AMB said when they first came out that the price was set low so it would be more attractive to buy them. In the long run they save the tracks a ton of money as I believethe "house" transponders are $150+ and non repairable (not sure about that part though).
As comparaison the transponders for full size racing are $325 for a direct wire and $365 for a battery powered one.
I'm not trying to defend AMB but you need to look at the company as a whole. There's a reason they appear to have a strangle hold on the market and no one else has tried to compete with them.
As comparaison the transponders for full size racing are $325 for a direct wire and $365 for a battery powered one.
I'm not trying to defend AMB but you need to look at the company as a whole. There's a reason they appear to have a strangle hold on the market and no one else has tried to compete with them.