Martin

Your final point is well noted. You have to be known to be sold.

For example, I heard that Hollywood movies spend almost as much on marketing the moving as making it. So the value of exposure to the marketplace cannot be undervalued.

If Tamiya or Heng Long considered the sales model I suggested then I think it would be possible to make it a reality. For a starting company the money required to develop that exposure would probably do them in. Mato has a chance because of the hugh volume they sell worldwide, and their position in the market place. But as a tank hobbiest, I think we need to hope HL or Tamiya read the market place a little better to really get this going. IF they continue with their current approach we will end up right where we are today. Diehard enthusists that are willing to spend $700-1000 for a IR battle ready tank. To grow the hobby further you need to appeal to the other guys. Give a low cost entry tank with a good supply of easy to add upgrades.

No doubt there are guys who never even consider this hobby because of the cost of a Tamiya, and those that have left because of the Heng Long. Not everyone finds this forum. How many of us can say they would still be in this hobby if it wasn't for this forum others like it?Without this forum, my first blown board would have been an end to my RC tank experience. So it is quite concievable for evey guy who finds a forum there are 10 who don't, and these ten throw their toy tank in the garbage and walk away. Those are the guys who Tamiya and Heng Long need to market to now. GIve them a decent hobby quality tank with a clear upgrade path, and they will stay in the hobby for the benefit of all.

The facts are

Many people looking for a hobby diversion consider Tamiya too expensive, and it never gets as popular as it needs to be to make Tamiya notice the opportunity of 1/16 scale tanks. People who have bought Heng Long and have had a problem throw it away and are done with tanking, and their next purchase is a Toy Helicopter, and then a Toy car, and then a Toy Flying fish. This demonstrates the disposal income is out there in $150 increments. As a Tank enthusist we need someone to understand this and produce a Toy that has that clear path to a quality lifelong hobby commitment. Heng Long is almost there, thanks to the third party suppliers, and internet forums. Instead of counting on this though they need to actively grab the ball and run with it. Tamiya obviously has the means and the exposure to use this approach to grow the interest in the hobby if they wanted. Maybe like Martin says though the whole 1/16 RC tank line is just a banner they use to promote their other quality products.