g-4 raptor 2x the price

[rcflier1]

don't get me wrong, i have a r50 and a r90. but why is the g-4 going to be 2x the price of the trex 700fbl by the time i get it in the air. i,m looking for a project for over the winter, and i can't seam to justify the price difference. i also have 3 align helis too so i,m happy with them too.

[TCipolla]

I agree with you. I would love to get the new 90, but I can't see paying 1100 bucks just for the kit, that doesn't come with anything. And why is the flybarred kit an extra 100 bucks? I could see an extra 20 or 30 for the flybar, but not 100.

[TCipolla]

Just checked the spare parts listing on a popular heli distributor. this thing is way too expensive to crash. Main rotor grips are 125 bucks, and one side of the frame is 105. Too rich for my blood.

[rcflier1]

i think tt just priced themselves out of the 700/90 market

[Phaedrus]

It occurs to me that Align and the cheaper Align clones have caused many to feel more comfortable crashing due to the low cost to rebuild. Perhaps a more expensive heli will make us rethink the inevitability of crashing.

Maybe you don't try to complete an entire flight under 6 feet off the ground attempting to see how many times you can almost crash with a heli that costs this much.

I learned to fly 3 mistakes high, but it seems now the norm is to fly 1/2 mistake high because it is so cheap to fix Align and other helis.

[rcflier1]

interesting point, but, in these tough times, i can get a trex700 fbl in the air for 1/2 the outlay of cash.i was not even thinking of crash costs

[TCipolla]

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

It occurs to me that Align and the cheaper Align clones have caused many to feel more comfortable crashing due to the low cost to rebuild. Perhaps a more expensive heli will make us rethink the inevitability of crashing.

Maybe you don't try to complete an entire flight under 6 feet off the ground attempting to see how many times you can almost crash with a heli that costs this much.

I learned to fly 3 mistakes high, but it seems now the norm is to fly 1/2 mistake high because it is so cheap to fix Align and other helis.

Crashes still happen, whether you're smacking it 3 feet off the ground or 100 feet up. Parts fail, they're machines. To think that one, yes, one half of the frame is $105, tail grips are 60, boom supports are 34, a clutch is 38, and main blade grips are 125, come on! The stuff that's going to break in a crash seem to be the most expensive. I know it's a 90/700, and with size comes price, but come on!

Prices may come down in 6-12 months. Who knows, Avant prices are coming down quite a bit right now.

[KeithT]

Agree with this thread - I crashed my 90 a few weeks ago - ok I had a few bits in stock and bought a used Fusano canopy for £30, but the repair came in under £200 including £75 for a set of mains. I wouldn't get away with that for a G4
Crashing isn't only due to nutter moves - stuff just happens....well it does in my world anyway
Cannot see many unsponsored pilots going for somethig they can't afford to crash - kinda ups the stakes

[Phaedrus]

True enough about crashes still happen, but the frequency of the event and the built in thinking that the more you crash the harder you are trying makes parts cost a big deal, as evidenced by this thread. The closer you fly to the ground and the more you are smacking it around then the more likely it is that you will suffer a catastrophic collision with terrain.


Fortunately there is a fair variety of helis to choose from that pretty much cover the spectrum in price. If the new Raptors are over priced for the market I am sure it will show in their sales figures and perhaps make TT re-think the price they are wanting to get.

[Stevendavis]

I was realy looking at the G4 until I started into build costs. I may go with the 700E unless I go glow. I do realy like the 4G nitro.

[TCipolla]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love a 90 G4 Nitro. If it's built anything like my 60, I'm sure it'd be a great bird. I think they forgot to hit the shift key on the keyboard when they were naming it. 4 and $ are the same key. Should have been the G$.

[skunkworx]

Originally Posted by TCipolla

4 and $ are the same key. Should have been the G$.

More like "G$$$$" That or G6 and it would've had its own song.

I agree. TT has done a lot for the hobby and I wouldn't be the same pilot without my experience on the Raptor 30, but geez...As it is, ALL RC helis are kind of overpriced, so going overboard as this is seems like suicide to me (I know I wouldn't fly one if you gave me one for fear of ever having to repair it). That puts it up with a Srimok and you can probably guess which one most people would choose.

[Sake]

But its got a real nice fan

[NitroAl]

You think the G4 is expensive? Take a look at a carbon Hirobo The Rave is crap out of the box and it is around the same price for the kit! I'm not sure what the parts prices are like. Then you have JR, MA, Blitz Avero and none of them are better or cheaper!

Once KloneRC start reproducing the frames the prices will come down on those and quite frankly the US gets bent over for ThunderTiger gear so I think you want to talk to tower about there profit margins and be greatfull you don't live in the UK!
If you want a cheap 90 the buy a Ely.Q Vision 90 and see how that go's for you!
So it's simple, If you can't afford it don't buy it!

[ticedoff8]

Could it be the material used on the G4 is better that Align uses on their helis?
For example - I've been told that Align uses a sandwich of carbon fiber & cheaper fiberglass in the layers that make up their side frames. This would cut down on the cost of the raw material as well as the machining costs (this laminate is easier to cut and does dull the cutter as quickly).

[cbcelectech]

As far as the frame material goes, I think it's the other way around. My new TT X50 flybarless definitely has substandard frames. They are a bit on the thin side, and the bottom plate and tail fin are definitely NOT pure carbon sheets. It's very clerarly carbon outers with fiberglass inners.

The best frames I've seen thus far are the carbon frames on my Hirobo Evolution EX. Very thick, pure carbon, and the edges are very well finished. No sanding required on that frame!