RE: Inexpensive and reliable onboard glow system.
Your right.... it didn't cost $12. It was closer to $15, but I built it myself using the articles linked above. Etched my own PC boards and soldered the compnents on. I also have have the crimping tool and the ends to make my own servo leads. If you buy the already etched board, buy a servo lead, etc. etc. yes it does add up, but if you do all that stuff yourself, it's cheap. I bought enough stuff to make 10 of them and kept 4 or 5 of them and sold the rest to members in my club for the cost of the materials plus a couple dollars for my time.