Originally Posted by NovakTwo (Post 117493)

You probably shouldn't bring up "passion" for the R/C industry. Bob got involved in R/C planes when he was a young boy and spent his entire working career in the industry. Novak has been around for 30 years, so the company has had years of involvement in the industry. We even know all of the people who have sold their companies---Losi, Associated, Orion/Peak.

But, I think what you mean by passion is, why doesn't Novak make some of the cool products that posters here want. Making a few, hand made products to be sold to a select group of customers is easy. Manufacturing the products to be sold to thousands of users at prices buyers are willing to pay is another matter.

There is also the matter of service. As mentioned above, some companies (such as Aveox) are not reliable when it comes to servicing their products. Therefore, Novak products have to be designed and manufactured to minimize potential service issues. Those "layer cake" controllers, while cool, are just not feasible for mfg or sale to most customers---too much potential for mis-use, damage or sub-standard performance.

For every product a manufacturer replaces, or gives away, free, the company must sell 5-8 new items to recover the parts/labor/overhead costs of that free item.

Bob, Adnan Khan (Novak's Senior Designer), and the entire tech staff are definitely well-informed about comments on various forums---both the complimentary ones and the not-so-flattering. So keep the ideas and comments flowing.

Originally Posted by rotary rocket (Post 117530)

Hello Gang,

It is good to see a lot of "familiar" names still on this forum. I have not posted in a real long time and came back to see if there was any progress in the BL world.

Unfortunatly I see the market has actually regressed rather than going forward (MM not handling as many cells as before). I get it that it is always about making money, as it should be. If there is no profit then the company will eventually go out of business (passion or not...), I get it! This is not a good enough reason to not develop what the market is asking for. I think a lot of the RC manufactures are missing the boat.

I can't believe non of the 1/8 buggy companies have put out an electric buggy. I can't believe the BL companies do not have systems to handle 1/8 buggies, 1/8 monster trucks, 1/5 buggy/truck/cars.

There is plenty of money out there...just not enough business creativity to harness it. I guess I'll take my money and spend it on other things while I wait for the RC market to get off of its A**. (See attached pic).

Sorry for the rant, but I have been in the hobby for over 26 years and it is such a shame that it can't keep up with today's technology.

Originally Posted by NovakTwo (Post 117577)

I think items designed and produced by individuals for these niche markets are a wonderfull way to go. Novak was a garage/kitchen table operation for quite a few years in the seventies---it was in the right place, at the right time, with the right resources. That's how new companies are born.

Little guys with no payrolls or overhead can take the chances that larger companies can no longer risk. After all, Novak has about 45 employees, who expect to be paid on a regular basis! Best wishes to Lutach and Griffin-RU---it's interesting to see what inventors can come up with. There is some guy in Thailand who has stacked Novak power boards---we can't read the copy, though, because it's in Thai....

At heart, Bob Novak has always been a "tinkerer" and, if you could see his office, you would know that his heart is still in tinkering. We just wish he worked a bit faster! Fortunately, Adnan has taken over the electronic and motor design for @ the last 20 years.

The whole brushless technology revolution is exciting for electric R/C cars---if the industry can be revived, BL will do it. Nitro RTRs have really taken a huge share of the market. Maybe BL 1/8th scale products can help revive electric and bring back some of the excitement.

Originally Posted by NovakTwo (Post 117493)

You probably shouldn't bring up "passion" for the R/C industry. Bob got involved in R/C planes when he was a young boy and spent his entire working career in the industry. Novak has been around for 30 years, so the company has had years of involvement in the industry. We even know all of the people who have sold their companies---Losi, Associated, Orion/Peak.

But, I think what you mean by passion is, why doesn't Novak make some of the cool products that posters here want. Making a few, hand made products to be sold to a select group of customers is easy. Manufacturing the products to be sold to thousands of users at prices buyers are willing to pay is another matter.

For every product a manufacturer replaces, or gives away, free, the company must sell 5-8 new items to recover the parts/labor/overhead costs of that free item.

Bob, Adnan Khan (Novak's Senior Designer), and the entire tech staff are definitely well-informed about comments on various forums---both the complimentary ones and the not-so-flattering. So keep the ideas and comments flowing.

Originally Posted by lutach (Post 117659)

If Novak comes out with a system that will fulfill our requirements which is good for most 1/8 racers and bashers, I'll buy one. Just make a sensored system that handles up to 10 or 12S lipos and design a 2 and 4 poles motor to fit the bill. It should be easy for you guys. Now if you say it is not easy, then I guess there is some trouble within the company.

Castle seems to be having their fare share of troubles. I know CC has engineers and I'm pretty sure Novak does as well. Put them to work. Novak makes a profit on current products and why not use some of the profit to design new products. It might not be a big gamble if you listen to us users. Now if you guys at Novak need help procuring the electronic components, for a price I can share my secrete.