Originally Posted by
cleong
(I know I'm doing my part carrying this off-topic - sorry)
It probably doesn't become apparent until you get to a large scale battle that compatibility does not equate parity - its merely the first requirement. Parity/consistency means that the non-Tamiya system that you use has to perform at the existing standard in every measurable parameter. Off the top of my head:
Similar optical performance (firing and receiving hits - this includes IR receiver sensitivity, IR emitter output strength)
Programming - ability to set up the tank for weight classes, with the corresponding hit points, reload time, and damage simulation
I think its a decent compromise to sell 3rd party boards that have the ability to be configured for Tamiya gameplay by the end-user, though it can be quite a frustrating process if you are new to the game.
Very true, and this is something I have been preaching about. Having a tank that merely can hit and be hit with the Tamiya system is only part of it. You need a system that has the ability to completely mimic the Tamiya system( IF playing against Tamiya's is in your future) Anything less can become a nuisance. I think most guys have finally picked up on this. Without battle damage interface with the electronics to slow down the tank, different weight classes, and similar IR firing times the system is not Tamiya compatible. OF course range of the IR is another important thing.
Sometimes protecting your rights to a product can be the kiss of death. Tesla threw all of their patents for us to use. Tamiya may have actually seen an increasing demand for their product because of the expansion of the hobby base. So there can be reason for a company to just look the other way, especially in a niche market like this. What happens in the IR tank world means next to nothing to the Tamiya bottom line, why spend a nickel policing it.
Apple learned this the hard way, It almost killed them out of the gate. The success of the I products now is the third party app developers. Without them the hardware is nothing but soon to be out of date technology..
Tamiya is probably aware that the sale of TBU seems to be up in relation to their tanks. The mark up and volume of sales on those may contribute more to the bottom line than tank sales do!!!!.