I also noticed that CTI case+reload can be far less expensive than AT case+reload. When did this happen?
CTI, 38-5G, $61.99, J357, 658, $65.99
It always been that way, if you only compare 1 reload pricing.
CTI's cases are simpler, and thus cheaper.
AT reloads have always been, and continue to be, cheaper. Net of the traditional discounts.
I always assumed the lower hardware cost of CTI was offset by the higher reload cost. Not anymore. I am talking retail price comparisons, here.
That's misleading.
AT retail strategy has always followed discounted pricing model.
You can always buy AT reloads at 10-25% off from BMS, or 30-40% from Wildman.
CTI is rarely discounted, and if it is, at most upto 20% off.
Loki is never discounted (it was, once, but the manufacturer had forced the retailer to discontinue discounted pricing), and remains the most expensive of them all.
Wildman discounts on AT are always more generous than CTI, making AT more attractive (usually). I am gonna look more closely at CTI during next year's Black Day sales. Here is one example of retail pricing of two similar motors :
Brand, Hardware, Hardware Cost, Reload, Impulse, Reload Cost
AT, 38/720, $130.00, J340, 652, $73.99
CTI, 38-5G, $61.99, J357, 658, $65.99
The prices you quote are all wrong.
AT's J340 is $73.99 MSRP, but no-one pays that. It is $
55.49 from BMS all year long, or was $48.09 from WM the other week.
J340M is a sparky model, so is priced at a premium to comparable non-sparky motors.
Still a big gap to CTI's J357's $65.99 (retail) or $59.39 (WM discounted) or $61.60 (AMW discounted).
Maybe Loki is the way to go....
It's an option, but remains as the most expensive one out there.
A similar ~650 Ns impulse motor from Loki,
J-396, is priced at $79.95, and is currently out of stock.