[ICOM] Re: IC-7800 vs. Orion

[Eric Dobrowansky]

I would think the Ten-Tec would sell a lot better if they only put a little
more effort into the design of the front panel. The power switch and meter,
just to name a few, look like they belong on a kit.

While performance is a factor, a lot of hams buy radios based simply on
ergonomics and appearance. At the performance level today of even the
cheapest HF radios, many will never appreciate the fact that one radio
performs better than another in a test lab . If the radio is not appealing
to the eye, it wont matter how good the performance is over the competition.
Does anyone actually like the looks of the new FT9000?  Can you say fugly? I
wonder if that has anything to do with the delay in delivery...

 Not to change the subject, but just look at the latest Car & Driver mag,
where the new Mustang is compared to the new Pontiac GTO. The GTO is one
heck of a performer, yet the Mustang is a much better looking car. It is
winning over the fans in this class, even though it is still slower and
could use a more powerful drive train.

I think this is the real reason the Orion hasn't been more popular. A friend
recently bought a 7800, and when the Orion/7800 conversation started, this
issue was the first thing mentioned.

Eric
KE2D