[Elecraft] [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

[Don Wilhelm]

James,

The Elecraft KXPD3 is $129.95 as opposed to your "swag" of $170.  
Compare that price to other sets of precision paddles and I would 
believe you will find the price in inline with reality.  Once you touch 
the KXPD3 I believe you would change your mind - it is sweet and smooth 
and quite comfortable to use.

The KX3 is not the "low priced spread", but it offers features no other 
portable, handheld, QRP, small, transceiver has yet offered.  It has 
most all the functions of the K3/10, but at a lower cost and a much more 
portable format.

You pays your money and takes you pick -- beyond that, stop complaining, 
you are getting your money's worth..

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/13/2012 6:49 PM, James Rodenkirch wrote:
> 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!
>   		 	   		
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