RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive?

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive?
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RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/5/2007 1:03:46 PM

b.bullfrog

Posts: 165
Joined: 5/30/2006
From: jacksonville, FL, USA
Status: offline

You always get what you pay for. It's Cheaper (HL) than a Tamiya for a reason.I've got both versions of a Pershing (HL & Tamiya) one sits waiting for the cloned battle systems for a Tamiya tank and the other is used often.I've also seen the HL Tiger and older style Panther.I hope when they come out with the Tamiya(style) battle system for the HL it will just bolt in as they say. I am not any good at modifying to fit something that did not come orginally in the box.At least not in Tanks!
Sure wish I had a new ESC that would work with whatever is soon to come out.My Pershing from HL just sits with a burnt up board for one of the tracks.The best list price I've seen for the new Tamiya Panther is 675.00 (pre ordered).I'm happy with my Tamiya kit and now I will use the HL version as a target( just got some practice targets in the mail).

(in reply to Almighty)

Post #: 51

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/5/2007 2:04:55 PM

heavyaslead

Posts: 836
Joined: 11/18/2002
From: Loganville, GA, USA
Status: offline

It probably has something to do with Japanese philosophy as well.

Look at the reputation Tam has compared to its competitors, not just RC tanks, but the whole product line, Tam has many fine products that frequently excel in quality than its competitors. They can demand a higher price for this.

Tam is well respected. They can demand a higher price for this.

Tam is a recognized leader in the hobby world. They can demand a higher price for this.

Right or wrong, economics and reputation drive prices more than the actual cost to produce product. HL is becoming a powerhouse product provider that has provided a 'middle' niche for the hobby that previously did not exist. HL has the significant advantage of jumping on opportunity making several product choices in a very short time, whereas Tam takes years to come out with one or two!

< Message edited by heavyaslead -- 4/5/2007 2:06:11 PM >

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Eric Scott

(in reply to Almighty)

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RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/5/2007 2:28:23 PM

ArmChairGeneral

Posts: 1220
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: youngstown, NY, USA
Status: offline

I think every market has a similar striation, think of a Honda and the upscale Acura. Its a good thing to have the choice of the cheap easy HL type or the detailed expensive time sink Tam. As time goes on I will be adding little dodads to my HL/WSN's but the cost will still be in an acceptable zone for me, with metal upgrades under $150. A few others have voiced this, if it wasn't for the low cost HL's alot of us wouldn't be here. It will be a good day when a defacto IR system is used by all of us because on the battlefield no one will be wondering if its a Tam or HL, just that an ally or axis is about to brew them up!

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Tamiya King Tiger FO, Sherman FO
HL Panther, Pzkpfw III, Tiger I, Sturmtiger & Pershing, Trumpeter T-34/85

(in reply to heavyaslead)

Post #: 53

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/5/2007 2:35:15 PM

heavyaslead

Posts: 836
Joined: 11/18/2002
From: Loganville, GA, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ArmChairGeneral

quote:

just that an ally or axis is about to brew them up!

THAT will be a good day! Bring'em on!

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Eric Scott

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Post #: 54

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/5/2007 10:01:44 PM

MySoldier

Posts: 64
Joined: 12/5/2006
From: , ON, CANADA
Status: offline

Taniya been around for years..the can charge ust on the brand name - ppl will buy..
HL doenst understand this yet..lol@ Hl trying to sell at Tamiya prices

(in reply to PoisonPorkChop)

Post #: 55

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/6/2007 2:44:48 AM

YHR

Posts: 1688
Joined: 11/29/2006
From: Grande Prairie, AB, CANADA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: MySoldier

Taniya been around for years..the can charge ust on the brand name - ppl will buy..
HL doenst understand this yet..lol@ Hl trying to sell at Tamiya prices

Doubt that will happen. The new Panzer III is supposed ot be the best yet, and it is still cheap.

(in reply to MySoldier)

Post #: 56

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/6/2007 4:02:51 AM

ksoc

Posts: 649
Joined: 6/27/2006
From: Dana Point, CA, USA
Status: online

quote:

The new Panzer III is supposed ot be the best yet, and it is still cheap.

What about the story tha Mato had to send a prototype back to HL with a request for numerous changes. Doesn't seem as if HL gets it yet. They settle for the "good enough" philosophy. That works great who love tinkering and fixing, especially you British types. I think it is in your DNA. How else can you explain MG & Austin/Healey, etc..... ???

HL has shown an aversion to making complex tanks. They have stuck with the simple swing arm suspsension and avoided the Sherman's HVSS. Wouldn't most of you HL Tiger drivers like a Sherman to square off against? They would strike gold if they made a good VVSS that could be grafted onto Tamiya Shermans, and a cast upper hull. HL AND Tamiya owner would buy just to get thoses. The VVSS was a hell of a lot more common then athe HVSS.

What is needed is an RTR RC grade tank, not a toy. The drives and electroncis would be reasonably sealed up. Easy to work on and replace part - like a RC Car. Through in the proportional radio, 2000 mAh battery/charger, and most importanly the Battle System. No paint (colored plastic), tools not attached.

You can run it right out of the box you could run up to 6 at a time, or paint and upgrade to your hearts content. (2.4 GHz radio, quick charger,bigger battery, exterior details, metal tracks......) Offer turnkey upgrades at a higher price as Mato does.

What would you pay for the basic package?

Remember , a HL Tiger S&S from Mato, with metal suspension arms and idlers cost $130, so you are talking about a re-engineered tank, proportional radio, PLUS a Battle System.

Let the bidding begin.....

KevinO

<S.C.A.T.>

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Kevin O''C <S.C.A.T> www.socalareatankers.com • Tamiya-Sherman/Tiger/Pershing/Kubelwagen • HL-Tiger, Panzer III

(in reply to YHR)

Post #: 57

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/6/2007 6:44:33 AM

YHR

Posts: 1688
Joined: 11/29/2006
From: Grande Prairie, AB, CANADA
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I believe the Heng Long electronics are not as bad as you would think. I have only had one board fail and this was replaced for under $20. There is nothing really wrong with the S&S tanks, and the control out of the box is not that bad. Add the EI MOD booster with momentum features and you have a very nice acting tank.

So you see a third party cottage industry is beginning to give you that almost RTR tank. The EGS system is available and I hear a rumor that EI MOD is looking at an IR module as well. I believe within the next year you could see 3 IR battle systems for Heng Long tanks. At that point, look out. If the Heng long tanks have sold this well without IR, imagine what will happen when it becomes available at an affordable price.

EI MOD has proven you can interface easily with the Heng Long components with a very straight forward approach. I look forward to the next 12 months with anticipation as Heng Long based products are developed and released. I wonder how easy it will be to have some of these new IR systems interface with the Tamiya electronics????? Is the architecture open on the Tamiya's, or is it pretty much black box

Hmmmmmmmmm

(in reply to ksoc)

Post #: 58

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/6/2007 12:16:31 PM

kenneth74

Posts: 13
Joined: 7/9/2006
From: , SINGAPORE
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1) Development Cost: ie flying an entire team to France to research on the real thing.
2) Economy of scale, RC tank is niche mkt compared to RC cars/planes, for every tank sold, maybe 1000 cars are sold
3) Non-generic parts; ie Tiger 1 can only be sold as Tiger 1, a single TT-01 chassis can mkt >10 different models
4) Accuracy drives cost up; Tamiya tanks are dimensionally accurate, and this is expensive.(than many will realise)

With regards to HL, they are dimensionally inaccurate (less those copied from big T, and even then its a lousy job). It takes professional scratchbuilidng skill to turn 1 into something that is close to a Tamiya tank. Most pple who buy HL, are not too concerned about accuracy. Doesn't matter that the gun barrel scales out to be 100mm instead of 88mm. And the panther looks more like a bulldog hybrid. To correct such inaccuracies takes major surgery, would be better off buying a tamiya. Also, 1 may argue that the process of accurizing it is itself a hobby...true, but there are not too many pple out there armed with the scratchbuilding skills to turn it into something similar to a Tamiya tank.If then the cost/time/effort would be much greater than the price of a tamiya tank.

In short, one is toy, the other is a model.

Also, soon we will see a "new" HL Panther....and it will be cheap

(in reply to YHR)

Post #: 59

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/6/2007 3:20:59 PM

YHR

Posts: 1688
Joined: 11/29/2006
From: Grande Prairie, AB, CANADA
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I thought the Pershing was pretty good. Seriously could you point at all the flaws to me, as I am interested.

Also the new Panzer III seems to be a better representation then Tamiya has done

(in reply to kenneth74)

Post #: 60

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/6/2007 5:12:06 PM

uhu

Posts: 614
Joined: 5/10/2006
From: Barcelona, SPAIN
Status: offline

Hmmmm...that japanese research team should have been "measuring" many Bordeaux bottles, as both french Tigers (Vimoutiers and Saumur) are late production models, and they ended up with measurements for an early Tiger.....

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Measure with a micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with axe.....

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Post #: 61

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/7/2007 12:45:46 PM

john z

Posts: 36
Joined: 3/8/2007
From: mastic beach, NY, USA
Status: offline

If heng long could produce a tamiya quality tank, which they probably very well can, and even if they doubled the price, I think heng long would sell a ton of them. Would anyone here buy a tank with full bearings, metal gears and better electronics, ready to run for $150-200? I surely would. Just my thoughts on the matter. I have no brand preference as long as it's good fun. Regards, John Z

(in reply to uhu)

Post #: 62

RE: Why are Tamiya tank so expensive? - 4/7/2007 1:36:15 PM

Wozwasnt

Posts: 757
Joined: 8/3/2006
From: St Helens, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline

There's a lot of talk about HL and Tam but what about others.

WSN / Trumpeter make a very detailed T34 but the electronics suck and Matorro's SturmTiger (don't know what thats like) both of these companies sell their tanks at a very low price and they will both be releasing KT's soon. (wish they had a bouncing up and down with excitment smiley).

Tam have been going for decades but they've only released a few large scale kits whereas HL seem to be bringing out new ones every year.

Also HL had the great idea of doing a PZIII which can be used as a base for loads of conversions so people are going out and buying more then one. If they did a VVSS Sherman then I think they'd have trouble keeping up with demand.

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Modded HL Tiger 1, HL Panther, 2x HL Pz III''s, HL M-26, WSN T34, Scratchbuilding a Jagdpanther.

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Post #: 63