Using the old or new ignit,,,. um, starters?
Using the old or new ignit,,,. um, starters?
Yep; nose cone, short body tube, 3 fins, launch lug, 3 strips of balsa (for looks?), some bits of copper foil or something for weight. $11.99.
Okay, fair enough...but Maybe they could make some more offerings (for 2020) for the 29mm black powder motors. Maybe make a reasonably priced Pro-Series kit/line...I think most folks DONT purchase kits at SRP..Maybe a good, fairly priced Pro-Series kit/line on 29mm BP motors or dual 24mm D12's can do well. I am just saying that there could be a market for larger rockets for Estes, more than a Big Bertha and Star Orbiter....I think the climate has changed considerably and there are folks who would purchase them....IMO. When you got a guy cloning the Pro-Series II kits and selling them on the internet.....I think this could be a sign that larger kits can sell and make Estes money....and us happy!
BTW....There are companies that make rockets that that they don't sell motors for....and still generate a profit. What if Estes made some good 3" and 4" pro series kits and then let the customer get their own 29mm motors? I bet if they had some style and flew well they would sell. See...LOC, Mad Cow and others who sell larger kits.
Andrew
One thing to keep in mind: Estes has different volume expectations vs. other vendors. A volume that may satisfy other vendors might not be enough to support the business at Estes.I also just got to say......and this is just my opinion here...Aerotech has a line of kits that are really expensive for what you get...and somehow they have been selling them for years. If they did not make money on them....why continue selling them? I am sure they are still not on their first lot of molded components.
Wow, if Estes had a Pro-Series line with some real style and value...and sold them for less than a $80.00 $100.00 Aerotech kit. I bet they would do well. Anyway...there is always Loc Precision...they take my money just fine
Maybe an upscale of the Fatboy on a BT-101 or 3 inches. Big Daddy upscale?
One thing to keep in mind: Estes has different volume expectations vs. other vendors. A volume that may satisfy other vendors might not be enough to support the business at Estes.
Just think of the thousands of people who have, are currently doing, and will do an upscale......of an Estes rocket.
Small. It has a twin engine pod on under each wing - not shown in the photos. This is to balance out the drag. Even more airplane like than the Conquest ! Happy times for the upper skill levels!The Low Boom SST is my favorite of the new ones. Is that the small or large Interceptor NC?
I'm in for everything on this table at least! Some cool looking stuff! And although I'm not really into the plastic snap-together stuff, I might have to get an Octavius just for the nose cone!
Just think of the thousands of people who have, are currently doing, and will do an upscale......of an Estes rocket.
I would like to see some "real" scale rockets. Can Estes not make any current production or just retired rockets like RSR did? Delta II, Atlas V, Delta IV or even a Proton, Soyuz or some ESA rockets? Someone fill me in. I'm sure someone knows why not.
Support the PSII business. Each product must justify its existence.
One thing to keep in mind: Estes has different volume expectations vs. other vendors. A volume that may satisfy other vendors might not be enough to support the business at Estes.
That said, I don't know how they modeled their PSII business, or where the numbers fell.
I also just got to say......and this is just my opinion here...Aerotech has a line of kits that are really expensive for what you get...and somehow they have been selling them for years. If they did not make money on them....why continue selling them? I am sure they are still not on their first lot of molded components.
Wow, if Estes had a Pro-Series line with some real style and value...and sold them for less than a $80.00 $100.00 Aerotech kit. I bet they would do well. Anyway...there is always Loc Precision...they take my money just fine
>> I find the LEO Space Train interesting - does that rail and pod structure slide forward to change the CoG so the whole thing glides for recovery?
Did Scott just volunteer for a new project? I think he needs to find out if his hypothesis is true or not?
I guess I missed that thread. Maybe you needed a slightly beefier carrier and an F engine:Though the attempt to lift my X24 Bug with a 24mm motored Quest Big Betty was at least entertaining if not (even slightly) successful.
Support the PSII business. Each product must justify its existence.
You know what....that is a cheap shot.
I have supported Estes in purchasing their Pro-Series Kits. I have and have had I bet close to 25-30 of them in total. I currently have a closet full of Estes kits and have supported and promoted their products to others and on this forum. Like others I have spent thousands of dollars on Estes kits alone not to mention the mountain of motors I have purchased over the years. I am extremely active (as you are too I am sure) in this hobby and one of the few people I know who regularly travel to other states around me, not only for high power but also for low power launching. To quip that I should support the Pro-Series II is a cheap shot. I have, along with many others HAVE done just that. And showing enthusiasm for an idea to people to whom I would give more of my money is called a "supportive customer base". I too see what people like and pay attention to when things are being launched. I also see what folks like as well. It seems like the "old guard" of model rocketry like to put down enthusiasm for certain things if it does not fit their view of what is proper and successful in model rocketry. All I see is "we tried that once before and it did not work so forget it".....
I see in others and personally have, enthusiasm for the idea that if Estes produces some larger model rockets with style and value there could be a market for it. This is based on real world observations. There are many ways to do this and it would be unprofitable....but there also could be a way to do it where it could work....I have run a successful business for over 14 years and even did well during a recession. I am not an idiot. I know some products make more money than others and I also know some products serve to get the company exposure even if they break even on a particular line.
What is depressing is the lack of "Gee....maybe this could work" or "you know, it would be cool if" ...THAT kind of attitude generates IDEAS and enthusiasm. Ideas that could make things work if approached with a fresh set of eyes, ideas and enthusiasm. Something missing in many business models. Instead all we get are wet blankets.
Also...Initiator001. I DID purchase one of your Aerotech Initiators for $76.00 it had two warped fins (plastic) a decal that was creased and dried out and did not stick..I also purchased a G-Force with a bent nose cone and centering rings that where the shape of potato chips. I spent $93.00 on that "piece of value". Never heard back from them...Now that's value and money well spent. I also did not know you still work for Estes and Aerotech.
I will take my enthusiasm for the possibility of what the hobby can do elsewhere.
good day all.
Andrew
You have grossly misunderstood my meaning. At no point was anyone discussing *your* support of Estes (where did you get that idea?), I'm talking about the *products*. The PSII products must sell in sufficient quantities and generate sufficient revenue and profit to justify their existence in the product line. They don't need to support all of Estes, but they need to support themselves.You know what....that is a cheap shot.
I have supported Estes in purchasing their Pro-Series Kits. I have and have had I bet close to 25-30 of them in total. I currently have a closet full of Estes kits and have supported and promoted their products to others and on this forum. Like others I have spent thousands of dollars on Estes kits alone not to mention the mountain of motors I have purchased over the years. I am extremely active (as you are too I am sure) in this hobby and one of the few people I know who regularly travel to other states around me, not only for high power but also for low power launching. To quip that I should support the Pro-Series II is a cheap shot.
You know what....that is a cheap shot.
...
I will take my enthusiasm for the possibility of what the hobby can do elsewhere.
good day all.
Andrew
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