hiroboworld.com = no more?

[tz250w]

All I get is "account suspended" (URL). Saw this before a few months ago then it came back. Just not paying the bills or did the admin (who posts here as well) pull the plug? :thinking

[n8sx]

not sure what's going on there Taz, but when I looked at it the other day the last posted message was something like june 13. So either something is wrong or no one is using it.

[2kwik2c]

That site has been so dull lately. Whoever is the admin there failed to attract more members. Plus that monthly raffle thing was wack. It suppose to create some incentive towards members, but with the lack of participants it was all in vain. I guess there's not many eager and enthusiastic Hirobo pilots around.

Oh well, there goes another site.

[tz250w]

I have sent a PM to the admin (to his account on this board).

Yes, the site was slow to gain members. The monthly freebee thing being pulled without notice was a kick in the groin but I thought it (the site) had potential.

I hope he / she reads this and realizes at least a few of us were there hoping to help get it going.:(

[tz250w]

Well, it seems to be back... I guess the site is billed monthly or something... IMHO the admin could do a better job keeping people up to date on what's going on. :thumbdown:

[2kwik2c]

Well, it seems to be back... I guess the site is billed monthly or something... IMHO the admin could do a better job keeping people up to date on what's going on. :thumbdown:

That's why there's not much members in that forum. Bad admin + Dull forum = NO member participation.

[HiroboWorld]

Hi, I have not given up on the forum, it just seems that few people have any input for it, the hirobo sections on other online forums seem to follow the same trend.

As far as the forum/site going offline is due to the fact that I created the hosting account when I lived in the UK and now I live in the USA and the hosting company nearly always has has problems trying to process an USA payment on a US based account. I have asked them convert my account to USA but they will not do it.

I created the forum to help grow the knowledge of the hirobo line of helicopters. I do not make any money from this. Some people say that the forum is 'dull' and the admin is not doing it's job. I just created the platform, and it should be up to the members to provide the content.

Monthly competition was created to gain membership and forum support, but it did not work, and the sponsor who 'wanted' to supply the prize(s) did not see the interest/benefit, and I do not want 'addition' expense from this forum.

I hope you and the other members understand.


Thanks for your time.

Hiroboworld

[tz250w]

I can understand the billing thing, and was confused when I saw your location as California... I had you in the UK.

As for "dull", I don't think so. It's just a "simple" matter of getting more people involved and active (which I understand was the idea behind the montly competition, why more people didn't join in beats me...). The not so simple part is we Hirobo users are not a huge crowd compared to the Align group and some other brands.

Taking nothing away from HF, having a Hirobo only forum on the web is a good idea. I bounce back and forth between both.

[WillJames]

It would be great if you guys would help build the Hirobo forum here on HF. MRC has never been interested in making it into anything on HF for some reason??? Oh well, they are good helis, but very little good marketing in the USA IMHO.

[tz250w]

MRC has never been interested in making it into anything on HF for some reason??? Oh well, they are good helis, but very little good marketing in the USA IMHO.

At the risk of sticking my thang out to be stomped on... Hirobo has always been a bit of a niche as far as marketing is concerned. Over here at least. I don't know much about MRC but I'd be willing to bet a bit of the "corporate image" has been rubbed off on them.

Hirobo makes great stuff, but pumps new stuff out slowly and refines it over years. They have a name here but the true hardcore machines (Eagle WC3) have always seemed to be aimed at the sponsored competitor, the corporate executive, lawyer, doctor or others in the same salary range. Their scale birds really fit that bill. Nothing against those folk, but the majority of us slobs don't have the bank account to support it. Besides, I want my scale body in gellcoat so I can paint it myself. Why do I have to pay so much extra for a "factory" paint job that I'm only going to sand and repaint anyway? Offer both, some of us prefer to do it ourselves...

The Sceadu and Freya "range" has brought them closer to the common market but there still seems to be a lingering elitist odor from my point of view. I've visited the factory and ate in the "restaurant"... Bummer I forgot my necktie (shorts and T shirt), but at least they let me in as it was a slow day...

I fly Hirobo for a few reasons. One, they have proven themselves as a competent manufacturer and have pioneered many areas of the hobby and mostly because I live within a 90 minute drive from the factory so parts are never a worry.

As for building the "database" here on Helifreak I'm all for it. At the same time, I think both sites can co-exist and share information. I'll say this here, but not there, "some" Hirobo fans are weird. ;) They like to feel "unique", "special" or "elite" (speaking from the viewpoint in Japan). That's human nature, but there are others (like myself) that just love to fly and are happy with our helis. We're used to them, their construction, their "evolution" and feel comfortable with the brand.

I'd like to see Hirobo grow like some other companies like "the big A brand" by producing good quality but reasonably priced products while at the same time keeping their "premium" grade lineup for those that just have to have it. I'm sure they can do it but they just might have to swallow a bit of "pride" in the process.

[WillJames]

At the risk of sticking my thang out to be stomped on... Hirobo has always been a bit of a niche as far as marketing is concerned. Over here at least. I don't know much about MRC but I'd be willing to bet a bit of the "corporate image" has been rubbed off on them.

Hirobo makes great stuff, but pumps new stuff out slowly and refines it over years. They have a name here but the true hardcore machines (Eagle WC3) have always seemed to be aimed at the sponsored competitor, the corporate executive, lawyer, doctor or others in the same salary range. Their scale birds really fit that bill. Nothing against those folk, but the majority of us slobs don't have the bank account to support it. Besides, I want my scale body in gellcoat so I can paint it myself. Why do I have to pay so much extra for a "factory" paint job that I'm only going to sand and repaint anyway? Offer both, some of us prefer to do it ourselves...

The Sceadu and Freya "range" has brought them closer to the common market but there still seems to be a lingering elitist odor from my point of view. I've visited the factory and ate in the "restaurant"... Bummer I forgot my necktie (shorts and T shirt), but at least they let me in as it was a slow day...

I fly Hirobo for a few reasons. One, they have proven themselves as a competent manufacturer and have pioneered many areas of the hobby and mostly because I live within a 90 minute drive from the factory so parts are never a worry.

As for building the "database" here on Helifreak I'm all for it. At the same time, I think both sites can co-exist and share information. I'll say this here, but not there, "some" Hirobo fans are weird. ;) They like to feel "unique", "special" or "elite" (speaking from the viewpoint in Japan). That's human nature, but there are others (like myself) that just love to fly and are happy with our helis. We're used to them, their construction, their "evolution" and feel comfortable with the brand.

I'd like to see Hirobo grow like some other companies like "the big A brand" by producing good quality but reasonably priced products while at the same time keeping their "premium" grade lineup for those that just have to have it. I'm sure they can do it but they just might have to swallow a bit of "pride" in the process.

Interesting perspective Taz. Thank you for the insight.

There is no question that Hirobo Helicopters are some of the very best, I always wondered why they did not even try to promote them here on HF? Maybe now I know. Thank you.

[Milde Shag]

At the risk of sticking my thang out to be stomped on... Hirobo has always been a bit of a niche as far as marketing is concerned. Over here at least. I don't know much about MRC but I'd be willing to bet a bit of the "corporate image" has been rubbed off on them.

Hirobo makes great stuff, but pumps new stuff out slowly and refines it over years. They have a name here but the true hardcore machines (Eagle WC3) have always seemed to be aimed at the sponsored competitor, the corporate executive, lawyer, doctor or others in the same salary range. Their scale birds really fit that bill. Nothing against those folk, but the majority of us slobs don't have the bank account to support it. Besides, I want my scale body in gellcoat so I can paint it myself. Why do I have to pay so much extra for a "factory" paint job that I'm only going to sand and repaint anyway? Offer both, some of us prefer to do it ourselves...

The Sceadu and Freya "range" has brought them closer to the common market but there still seems to be a lingering elitist odor from my point of view. I've visited the factory and ate in the "restaurant"... Bummer I forgot my necktie (shorts and T shirt), but at least they let me in as it was a slow day...

I fly Hirobo for a few reasons. One, they have proven themselves as a competent manufacturer and have pioneered many areas of the hobby and mostly because I live within a 90 minute drive from the factory so parts are never a worry.

As for building the "database" here on Helifreak I'm all for it. At the same time, I think both sites can co-exist and share information. I'll say this here, but not there, "some" Hirobo fans are weird. ;) They like to feel "unique", "special" or "elite" (speaking from the viewpoint in Japan). That's human nature, but there are others (like myself) that just love to fly and are happy with our helis. We're used to them, their construction, their "evolution" and feel comfortable with the brand.

I'd like to see Hirobo grow like some other companies like "the big A brand" by producing good quality but reasonably priced products while at the same time keeping their "premium" grade lineup for those that just have to have it. I'm sure they can do it but they just might have to swallow a bit of "pride" in the process.


Hi I am an Agent for Hirobo. It is difficult to get so called information/technical & marketing form Hirobo Factory. I am not sure why this is, maybe the funds are tied up in development & final product.
You are welcome to ask for information concerning Hirobo machines.
If you want a particular product, I can forward reasonable questions and get direct replies.
I also get some inside information but some is privy.

HIROBO LINEUP.
E2 Alloy Frame Original w/SSR 5 R/H, 700 Carbon DY, 105 RF's, Carbon Shaft Drive, OS91SX-H C-Pump.
RF 3D paddle on 555. MultiGov & Arizona...
Heavy but Wicked.
RF Twister NIB
Freya EX 2 New in box.
Shuttle RG-EX NIB.

The views expressed in this message are not necessarily the views of Hirobo Ltd or Technical Model Imports NZ.

[warpspeed]

Shame. Finally started my Freya build and was intent on milking Hirobo world for all it was worth.
Guess I'll just have to pester you bums here at the 'Freak with all of my stupid questions.:)

[tz250w]

Shame. Finally started my Freya build and was intent on milking Hirobo world for all it was worth.
Guess I'll just have to pester you bums here at the 'Freak with all of my stupid questions.:)

No, it's still there. Just some international credit card problems brought on the server bill issue.

[tenmikemike]

As for Hirobo being slow to introduce new models and refine them over years, BULL! Maybe with the Shuttle and Eagle line they did, but I bought a GPH-346 in 1996 and within four years it disappeared. Parts were available from limited sites for a couple more years, but after that........nothing. No support, no mention, only a host of new models like the Freya and all these electric POS's.

I bought Hirobo because my first RC heli was a GMP Cobra .50 (Hirobo & GMP joint venture) and I was then and remain now impressed with the stunning quality of Hirobo engineering. I don't want to buy another brand, but now Hirobo variety seems VERY limited and MRC is, as pointed out, doing nothing to promote the brand or support them.

[tz250w]

I think just about every company discontinues product lines that don't make a profit, for whatever reason.... Are you 100% sure about the parts though? A lot of Hirobo parts are not model-specific. Of course, it depends on who is importing.

I found this link for Ron's Heliproz South that has a bunch of parts for that heli.

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=heli&Category_Code=403

And I know I've seen it in the LHS's Hirobo "Big Book" that lists all of their parts. Of course, I live in Japan.

[Aerowizzard]

Hello Hirobo lovers...

I had a Hirobo Lama for .61 in 1984 and learn to fly with this machine and flew it a lot and sell it after to a newbie that did the same thing. I then bought a Hirobo Falcon 888 for .61 and this machine was the most beautiful and well built helico for that time (my picture is from 1987 with my Falcon 888).

Living in Canada was a little hard to have Hirobo news and promotions. I found a reseller in Alberta and became a kind of LHS for those who want to buy helicopter at that time.Within a year I sold 20 Falcon 555 and 888 and beeing the only RC helico pilot in the area (I learned by myself) I give my time to teach those people to fly and the wheel started.

When the Shuttle made his debut, I was selling them like fresh hot bread. If I remember well I sold 30 Shuttles in 2 months and lot of parts. I did this for 3 years and sell my little Hobby Shop to a friend that follow the traced path.

I flew from 1983 to 1994 and took a 12 years break. I always had Hirobo even if there were some competition comming from Circus Circus with a new brand.

I always looked at the Hirobo Eagle from the beginning but it was not affordable for a sport flyer like me and as the RC Heli World Championship was beeing more high end sport and the machine promoted was not what many people might expect to pay to enter this very closed circle.

Today the RC Heli is a complete new sport with a lot of competition in the air and on the web and I saw for the first time recently Hirobo coming on the market with a superb Turbulence D3 at a price that is affordable for those who want to compete.

Perhaps that most of Hirobo flyers love more to fly their machine and do not chat on the forums. I think that this can explain the low profile of Hirobos owners.

:):)