ob1n
Posts: 389
Joined: 6/25/2005
From: Bridgeport,
NE, USA
Status: offline
|
I agree with the last three posts......They serve their purpose. I would definitely let someone drive one of those when they came to my house. I currently have a used Pede I bought off the classifieds from here...for that purpose. As mentioned before, none of these cars are actually made in the US anyway....at least, not that I am aware of. However, the "real" manufacturers can demand a quality standard that we view as the "real R/C". The "knock offs" are only interested in selling a product.....to anybody for any reason. I was not fond when it all started years ago.....all of R/C going RTR, ARF or whatever they chose to label it. I always enjoyed building the kit. Now, it's hard to find something I can build. Of course, I don't see it going away anytime soon either. Before you know it.....Wal Mart will have brushless R/Cs with li-po batteries.....or, at least, these so-called "knock offs" will! It all comes down to us....the consumer to decide what we want. And it's up to us, the REAL R/C guys and gals to educate others of the differences.
Personally, to this day, whenever someone I talk to ask me what to buy for their kid(or themselves)....I send them to the Tamiya Kit section....about the only place I know of that still offers the entry-level person with a kit of the "real" R/C. Maybe it's more expensive than "RTRs" or "knock offs".....but they are perfect for beginners and, I find, when you get a beginner "in" with one of those, they tend to STAY for a long time. Of course, some leave....but MORE leave when they get a "RTR".....even if it's a Stampede or Rustler(ones we consider "real" R/C). I know this because every year I buy an R/C and give it to someone less fortunate. For the last few years, I've bought used "RTRs"(usually Pedes...cause they are plentiful) and disassembled them.....cleaned them up(this is the part of the hobby I enjoy as well as driving/flying)......then I ask the parents if it's ok to offer it to the kid(s). The trade off is that they have to come over to my shop and re-BUILD it from parts to make it operational. Every one of those kids learn something, have FUN, and are still running those vehicles around. I remember giving 2 pedes away that I, personally, rebuilt....and I have heard from one kid.....and the other was nice enough to give his back for me to pass on to someone else.
I've thought about giving those "knock offs" to kids.....but they won't "stay" in the hobby....besides, the parents can give them a Wal Mart R/C for less than $50 dollars....something that even poor families will buy for their kids for XMas. No....I want them to experience the "real" R/C.....this is a choice that I've made. I know that someday, those kids will thank me for it(some already have).
So....no matter what we buy, it's most likely manufactured overseas.....I have nothing against that(my wife is filipina)......Tamiya has a factory there(in the Philippines). In fact, just about everything comes from overseas anymore.....and WE have all made that happen.....one way or another. Unless we make better buying decisions and educate the newbies and veterans alike.....there will always be "knock offs" around.....regardless of where they come from.
Just my thoughts...
Ob1
_____________________________
Honey, I didn't do it! Your son gave me the transmitter seconds ago and said, "Here Dad, put this away for me, will ya!
|
Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> RC Car General Discussions >> RE: The Chinese Knockoffs: Post info, opinions, reviews of "copy-cat" cars. 
RE: The Chinese Knockoffs: Post info, opinions, revie... - 
