How about a trade-in program? If people are going to be buying & selling used Smart-Fly products it may as well be you. Customers can ship in all there old gear, you inspect it, then give them in-store credit. Then you can refurbish and resale the the used gear at a discounted price.

Win, Win

That idea seems to have some merit. Would certainly give more peace of mind to a buyer.

I have been surprised reading about more and more larger planes with IBEC.
I had always thought they were for 30cc and smaller planes only.
I see a few here have mentioned them, but you refuse that idea.
You asked, but I guess you have your personal opinions on them.

When I first got into GS a few years ago, it seem everyone was using the high dollar 7955 servos and such.
I read now where lots of people are using the cheaper servos also.

Seems many are finding lower cost components for their toys.
Good luck. I hope you get your business model figured out.

Hi,
Problem is, I could not continue Smart-Fly as is selling low end products like those. $30-$40 orders kill me on processing time and the profit margin is just not enough to come out ahead at the end of the day. Most places that sell these sell a lot of other stuff and probably end up with bigger checkout tabs than I would since I only sell my stuff. I also just cannot sell things I don't believe in. I'd rather go back to consulting work than sell junk for a profit. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Brutimus

I have to second you on commending Rob Ritchey and Smart-fly. They are terrific supporters of many, many local and national events. It would be a sad day indeed if Smart-fly ever closed up shop.

I know RR has his reasons for shunning less robust products on the market, but if the demand is softening, and consumers are asking for cheap and simple- maybe it's time to compromise a little. Come out with a "ECO" line of bare bones products like the servo city power bar, or a simple voltage drop diode soldered to a 6" servo extension for A123 ignition batteries, or a bare bones IBEC ( I know- I know). Keep the luxury lineup going for more discerning customers that want the best. Like FASST users. If Futaba ever comes out with an answer to the "powersafe" receiver line... That's going to be tough to compete with.

Hi,
Its definitely something to consider. Its hard to figure out where to set the price points for trade-in vs resale of a used item. Thanks,

Originally Posted by pawnshopmike

How about a trade-in program? If people are going to be buying & selling used Smart-Fly products it may as well be you. Customers can ship in all there old gear, you inspect it, then give them in-store credit. Then you can refurbish and resale the the used gear at a discounted price.

Win, Win

I had an idea--how about a powerboard that hooks to my SBus rx? Then the ports on the board could be plugged in anywhere and the SBus programmed servo would get the right SBus signal? You get all the benefits of SBus and all the benefits of the powersystem or powerboard!

What do you think of that?

The trade in program sounds good.

Hi,
Yes, that is on the list for this year, in fact I moved it up. Basic idea is one, two or three S.Bus receivers, 24 outputs, you can assign channels to outputs. If you have multiple outputs per channel then you can run those as an Equalizer.

Originally Posted by AeroSheldon

I had an idea--how about a powerboard that hooks to my SBus rx? Then the ports on the board could be plugged in anywhere and the SBus programmed servo would get the right SBus signal? You get all the benefits of SBus and all the benefits of the powersystem or powerboard!

What do you think of that?

Drat I figured I thought of something!

To rrritchey

Just my 2 cents.
I like your products and use them as much as i can!!! Also thank you for all the times i got great service and help from Smart-fly over the years.

-I use an IBEC on every thing from 30cc to my 170cc raven and would like to use a quality product from smartfly, but am forced to use Powerbox Spark switch on 100cc and up. I do use the TBM IBEC and RCEXL IBEC on smaller gas Planes.
It's not as much about the weight but rather on keeping it simple and less things to go wrong. Think about it. From the batt (LIPO) to a power switch, then to a REG, then to a kill switch and finally to the receiver and ignition moduale. Have fun trouble shooting that at the field it one fails on on you. NO THANKS I'll take an IBEC any day over all that and save some money and keep it simple.

-I would also like to see end loading systems from you to keep installs neater and have a LCD meters/read out. It's Nice to push a button and have critical info at you fingers like voltage,amp draw,batt status. for peace on mind.

Keep up the great work.

I understand Mr. Ritchey's concern with IBEC. But if today's smarts cars with all their electronic wizzardy function just fine on one battery, surely our toy airplanes can fly on one battery?

I use the tech aero ibec on all my planes. No problems at all and way cheaper than powerbox.

Originally Posted by rrritchey

Hi,
Problem is, I could not continue Smart-Fly as is selling low end products like those... I also just cannot sell things I don't believe in. I'd rather go back to consulting work than sell junk for a profit. Thanks.

Stick to your guns. I appreciate not wanting to compromise when it comes to quality. I'm a professional craftsman, and if people can't appreciate what I do, then they can't afford what I'm selling. Quality.

I'm still running a 6 year old EQ10 I bought used five years ago. You replaced a button on it for me last year when it got fuel or something inside. You once replaced a faulty receiving unit for me free of charge that came in a plane I bought used. Your customer service is excellent- and your products are built to last. I know there are many used Smart-fly products out there that will keep working for years to come, and that is the peace of mind your company gives to it's customers.

Smart-fly may slow down, but you will always have a proven customer base that will continue to support you, and your products.

For me the EQ10 seems like the best peoduct out there. I believe the EQ6 ,EQ6Turbo to be equally good. I suggest a EQ3 supports 9 channels has servo matching on three, ailerons, rudder, elevator. Can you do on board telemetery were you can check all parameters after you land, via an onboard screen?

i have no complaints i live by ur product in all my planes..