Hobbyking stocking Baja 5b Clones!

I don't want to defend the clones at all (even if it isn't HPI that designed them or HPI don't have exclusive rights to the design like some suggest) but have a look at an original HPI 5B that someone has owned for more than a year. I bet you that there wouldn't be less than 80% of the parts upgraded. I hear it on heaps of forums that the clones are crap quality but these comments come from guys that have changed just about every part on their original HPI to after market hop ups.

So if someone can't afford the original and can spend a little bit of money at a time for a few hop ups then I think that these clones are a good choice. But then while HPI might not have exclusive right to the Baja design I doubt that the manufacturers have paid for their right to use the design.

Anyway I am thinking of buying a genuine 5B ss kit and then sell the engine and all it's ancillaries to to pay for some of the Castle conversion kit.

[reno911]

So if I buy one will I be banned?

Seriously though Hpi is making money off these things in some ways. I imagine if I were to buy one it would be a clone, since it is within my price range, and I would pack it full of HPI parts or hopups of that degree as I progress.

I understand there are a lot here that believe in doing the right thing especially since the RCMonster splipperential has been cloned, but these guys have an advantage. That is price.

I do not own a RCM Slipperential or a copy of it, and I would buy Mikes over the copy to support him and this site since I enjoy his products as well as this community.

This fake Baja on the other hand may make its way into my possession some day. I will most likely be ridiculed for it, but you never know maybe I will just tell you all that it is a used Baja and avoid the criticism. If I never told you would you be able to tell?

Sorry for the slight trolling, but I really bummed out over all the arguments we have regarding laws that are set in place for the rich to stay rich.

Patent laws aren't used today for the same reasons they were created.

[_paralyzed_]

very good point- nobody here leaves anything stock, so why not start with a clone.

I've learned over the years that anything I build turns into 90% aftermarket products anyway, so my e5b build is starting from the ground up. No base car, clone or real.

Whenever I start a build with a base vehicle it all gets replaced except maybe the fasteners.

You guys will LOVE my e5b!