NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

For the last couple years, I've seen the occasional rumblings here on RCU about Norvel coming back online. Well they have a new website up if anyone cares to take a look. Its actually rather slick looking, so I can only hope the people behind it are serious about what they are doing. The only downside is you have to register an account to look at the pricing. I went ahead and did that, and I'll post the pricing of what is currently available when you login.

NV 049 Aero CL - $46.95
NV AMD 061 CL barebone - $54.95
NV AMD 061CL -$58.95
NV Big Mig 049 CL -$60.95
NV Big Mig 049 R/C -$65.95
NV Big Mig 061 CL -$69.95
NV Big Mig 061 R/C -$74.95
NV Big Mig Helihead 0.061 RC -$79.95
NV Big Mig 074 R/C -$79.95
NV Big Mig 0.15 CL -$84.95
NV Big Mig .15 R/C -$84.95
NV Big Mig 0.25 CL -$92.95
NV Big Mig 0.25 R/C -$94.99
AX 40 BB R/C -$109.00


They also have an extensive parts listing/pricing as well, which is good news. (0.49-0.61 glow plugs seem to be $7.95 fyi) I guess now the only thing that remains to be seen is if they deliver on their promise to bring Norvel back from the ashes, and maybe even come out with new products in the future. I don't post much on RCU, but I figured this latest discovery of mine warranted letting you guys know, as I didn't see a thread about it already. It'll be interesting to see what happens here, at least for the sake of 1/2A glow diehards like us here. -Mitchell

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

It is certainly good news and it started last summer; [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9861538/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm]Norvels are back[/link]

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

I wish them success but the business model is a little odd. The pool for customers is pretty small, all of them are internet savvy, all of them shop Feebay, and can buy them cheaper than he's offering them. He's got great product to sell but there's a glut on the market at the moment.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Yes, it is an open market and that is also why the prices are kept low on ebay I guess. It is not long ago that the prices where getting really high for the .074 NIB, for instance.
Knowing that one can get any part at anytime is worth a lot. The springstarters for instance are really nice and works on almost any 1/2a (including the .074) except for the TT07GP.

Having to register on their website, just to see what they have, is a bit silly though, they would get all that information anyway once they get the order.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Silly? Down right NOSEY.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Catch more fly with honey than vinegar;)

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Catch more fly with honey than vinegar;)To make shopping more troublesome is not a good business plan!

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

And you can't order parts directly off the website, either. You have to do it by email. Absurd.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Guys, read the text on the site before criticizing. We posted the site only to offer support for loyal customers - e-commerce will be offered later when the supply and demand equalize. We don't advertise or promote our products yetbecause the production is relatively small, but this will change once we move into a bigger facility. Have some patience.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

It appears to be a very nice well designed site. Let me know when you get .15 mufflers in , Ineed one along with a connecting rod to fix up mine.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

I'm in. A more reliable source than the 'bay is always welcome.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

The Big Mig .061 Startup was my favorite engine. It even came with a tank mount. Best of all, it cost less than forty bucks when it hit my door. And that was direct from the distributor. (Full MSRP I'm sure) Hopefully Klondike makes it to that new facility and hits a price point that will allow that great engine to come back.


(hint hint)

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

You can still get the Start up - all parts are available (tank, spring starter). As for the price, gas used to be $1.50 a gallon then - now it is over $4.00... The price for metal, labor, and energy has tripled since then and $40.00 per engine is not real anymore, especially if you need quality. If quality is not an issue, you can have a Chinese alternative...

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Norvels were always priced under value compared to what you get out of them and what they take to make.

The problem is that in the years since Norvel stopped sending SIG engines is that electric power in the size ranges that a Norvel would typically fly have become an uncomfortable reality. I never thought I'd see the day when so many people were flying 1/2A to .15 sized airplanes-I just never thought I'd see them electric powered....... and I got in on the early days of E-power and have stayed with it.

Now, if you want to know what I think you should do with the product line, here's a list of what I would like to buy from Norvel:

An .074 with a factory diesel head, or at least a head I could buy
A factory 'race' motor with the hot mods that the FF and pylon guys use
Diesel 1/2A heads (which are coming)
A .10 sized motor in the same vein as the .074-with ball bearings
Those fabulous starters that Lite Machines made need to come back
Fuel bulbs that don't ruin glow plugs (common complaint, but I have not had any problems)


What Norvel had to offer before was pretty hard to beat, but I think it will take keeping the lineup fresh to retain customers interest over the long haul. I think pushing diesels makes some sense (though you might have to sell fuel, it's getting hard to find) because a .049-.061 norvel with a diesel head is a direct analogue to the park flier systems people are schoolyard flying with using 8" props.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Hey Klondike, you moving that facility from Russia to California or something?

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

In Russia, but into a bigger one

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

I had no idea by making this thread that I would attract the attention of the distributor himself. You all have raised some very valid points for the most part, and I'm glad klondike17 is here to get a better idea of what his target market thinks and feels price-wise. It would be a downright shame if we lose what may very well be one of the last standing 1/2A engine manufacturers for good, when we had a second chance so to speak. Anyhow, I'll turn the thread back over to you fine gentlemen. Keep the dialogue coming, as I'm all ears. -Mitchell

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

When Norvel went down in 2003, the void in the marketwas filled by electric motors. Now we all have to think how to sway balance back. Besides the engines we will be offeringARF kits soon - working on the assemly line right now.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

I think the idea of NV engines in RTF kits has some pretty good merit.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

I second the RTF / ARF including Engine (And servos?) package idea. Having an all inclusive package priced competitively would make it easier for electric flyers looking for something different. I think you have to make it look as easy and simple as possible. That seems to have worked really for the electric guys, when it was all complicated and expensive, it was reserved for a few die hards. When electric became ready made / simple / cheap: you know the rest.

I think it's also safe to say that most the old school kit / scratch builders (Like me) also like buying a quick and easy plane every now and then..

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

In 2003 I made the mistake of selling my NIB .074. I'm pleased to see those fine engines
returning.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

What ticks me off is I've read 21 posts and not one of them NOT ONE has the mentioned link in it!

It should be in your signature Klondike. I gave all my 25 combat engines to a guy who was actually going to play combat. 7-8 of them to keep 2 or 3 running and in parts. Sooner or later he's gonna need parts, at least head gaskets, though I told him to take an old one out and send it to FOX and they'd probably have something close.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

Good point - www.nvengines.com

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

I am confused as to why the necessity to "Register" just to check the site. See the prices. Look at the stuff you are trying to sell.
I think you are loosing customers this way.

RE: NV Engines (formerly Norvel) are returning?
 

We are not trying to sell - we are trying to build a community. The current demand far exceeds our production limit.