[Elecraft] [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

[James Rodenkirch]

Elecraft follows the Apple model - or vice versa...who knows!  Basic "product" is sorta "ok" from a costing perspective but one starts to "cringe" at $60.00 microphones and $170.00 20 watt antenna tuners and $170.00 iambic keys...just sorta seems high end pricing... I could go and price out external versions but that would detract from the Elecraft model - purchase the basic rig and toss in lots of extras that fit into the rig and keep you one of the "Elecraft faithful."
 
Your statement, "Generally, the Chinese versions are reasonable value for money but the equation generally does include a much lower build quality and feature set and a much lower support level" is sorta intriguing....just what is a "lower build quality" and "feature set" and "lower support level" mean?
 
Quote me some numbers and we can chat further....Jim R.
 


From: thomas at horsten.com
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:02:25 +0100
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3
To: rodenkirch_llc at msn.com
CC: km4ik.ian at gmail.com; elecraft at mailman.qth.net; qrp-l at mailman.qth.net; john at ae5x.com

Jim,



What exactly is absurd about the add on costs that Elecraft charges, in your opinion ???


That's the statement that sticks out to me as being absurd in your mail. You buy the accessories you want/need and add it up. The total KX3 price after doing that doesn't seem absurd to me. Not extremely cheap either, I'd agree, but most certainly not absurdly expensive.


There are Chinese knock-offs of many product categories. Generally, the Chinese versions are reasonable value for money but the equation generally does include a much lower build quality and feature set and a much lower support level.


To take the Wouxuns for example, they are great rigs for the price, but the more expensive ones from Yaewoodcom do have a definitive edge on quality and how well they are thought out. It's just questionable if they are worth paying so much extra for, and personally I'm happy with my Wouxun. But for something as primary to my ham operating as my main portable HF rig, I won't settle for such a compromise.


73, Thomas M0TRN


On 13 April 2012 21:55, James Rodenkirch <rodenkirch_llc at msn.com> wrote:

If - IF -  they can produce a similar product at a reduced cost, including the absurdity of the current add on costs that Elecraft charges, good for them!