Originally Posted by
stegl
my question is why not buy good ones and be on your way in the first place OR stay away from buying retracts in the first place.
I agree that retracts can be a PITA so staying away does have an attraction. But, if you like warbirds, retracts are a necessary evil. If money isn't a problem everyone should buy Sierra or Robart. If you are on a budget then finding "good and inexpensive" items is what you want. The new HK gear so far have been "good and inexpensive" for me. I didn't say they were "the best"...I said "good".
A set of Robart electric retracts (main and tailwheel) for my ESM LA-7 would run over $600. The same thing from HK was under $100. Now if I had to replace the HK gear 6 times I would still be money ahead. My experience so far says that won't happen. We will see.