ORIGINAL: TonyF
I guess you could compare the C rating to nitro levels. Except when the lower nitro stuff stops being made. Original C ratings for LiPo batterries used in pattern were if I remember correctly, something like 6. They flew the models competitvely back then. You can't even buy them now.
Let's look at top line radios. Futaba 8GAP to 9ZAP to 14MZ. Each more capabilities, each more expensive.
JR Unlimited 8, PCM9, PCM10, 10S, 10X, 12X. Each more capabilities, each more expensive.
There have been medium range radios that have come out, ie. Futaba 10C, JR 9303, Airtronics SD-10, with the capabilities to use in pattern, and they have been lower cost. But almost all the winners in the upper classes use the top line radios.
Lets look at servos. JR 4000 series, to Super Servos, to current digitals. All greater performance, all more expensive then the last one. Same true of the Futaba line.
Now a look at engines. I started flying pattern with a K&B .61 engine. That was when 10cc was the limit. I then went to a ST G.60 BH, ST X.60, O.S. .60F-SR, .61F-SR, .61VF, .61VR, .61RF, .61 Hanno Special. They were all the same size and they were all more expensive then the previous. In 1.20's I went from the O.S. 1.20F to the Y.S. 1.20, 1.20AC, 1.20SC, all were the same size and more expensive. Then a size increase with the Y.S. 1.40FZ, 1.40L, 1.40DZ, all were more expensive then the previous, and they were all the same size. Hard to compare the cost increase with the 1.60DZ, 1.70DZ as they were larger motors. You can compare the 1.70DZ to the 1.70 DZ CDI. Same size, more power, more expense.
My prediction about electric systems goes something like this. There has been a reduction in prices in some areas of electric systems due to greater production as electric has begun to take significant market share from nitro. And as electric has opened up entirely new areas of the hobby, like the indoor arenas. This has been particularly true in the LiPo batteries. As market share stabilizes prices will do the same and then begin to rise in the upper end market as the technology matures and develops. The ''sport'' line of products, such as E-Flite, Rimfire and AXI will probably be pretty stable. I don't know for a fact, but I'll bet there hasn't been any price reductions in those line of motors since their introduction.
Thanks for the info Tony. I do remember looking at some of those 60 sized engines with lustful eyes, especially the Super Tigre X 60.
It does show a couple things:
1) expense went up as manufacturers tried to increase performance within the given rules.
2) Competitors bought the newer, more powerful engines as they were available to gain a competitive edge.
3) This is my point...When the size restriction was lifted you were no longer flying the 60 sized engines...you went to the biggest available competitive engine....lift the weight restriction and bigger power systems are not far behind.
Servos are a great example, as better performing servos came to market the top competitors and those with deeper pockets used them and kept raising the performance bar and widening the disparity between the top and bottom of the pack. A 3 pole servo with less than precise centering is now MUCH more obvious to the judges as the pilot makes corrections due to lack of precision and holding power. Look at the new brushless servos that are on the market, speed, precision, and lighter package than what we were flying back in the 80’s.
Radios, now computer radios are the norm and the radio I have today isn’t much more than what I paid for my 7FGK back in ’81. Sure the top guys are using the latest and greatest, most are sponsored and even if they were not I would venture to say they would still use the same radio simply due to any competitive edge that can be gained.