G9X v4.2 controller boards now in pre-order phase (and more)
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Bryan
Jul 30, 2012, 1:56:53 AM7/30/12
to gruvin9x...@googlegroups.com
Hello all. It has been some time since my last general update on the gruvin9x project. I hope it has been worth the wait ...
Now accepting pre-orders for fully assemvled G9X v4.2 boards (2 to 3 week shipping lead time expected)
The gruvin9x online store is now accepting pre-orders for the latest G9X v4.2 fully assembled, controller board.
There are currently 45 (incomplete) controller board kits in stock, with five having already been ordered by store visitors. I expect to have the kits fully completed for shipping by mid-August, latest and things do seem to be well on track.
Price for the main board this time around is just $89 plus shipping, which is from New Zealand only at this stage at around US$45 (with tracking) or about a quarter that by standard post (no tracking.) This is down from the first test-run at $139 -- a significant improvement, I'm sure you'll agree.
There's also a combo kit available, where you can get the hand built gPROG and RTC/SD-card boards along with the v4.2 main board, for a total of $147, plus shipping. I think this is about $30 cheaper than getting those separately. I'm basically off-setting my own hand-build labour against a desire to get as many complete systems out the door as we can. On that note ...
Why such high gRPOG and RTC/SD-card board pricing?
There is no argument from me that the retail price of the assembled gPROG and RTC/SD-card boards from the gruvin9x store is way higher than ideal. The problem is simple -- volume of demand. Actually, there seemingly just isn't much of that, at all.
PLEASE ... if you have wanted to buy these boards from the gruvin9x store, only to be shocked at the price -- or otherwise want to get your hands on pre-made units -- please don't be shy! Let me know, so I can get a better idea of demand.
What do you think is a fair price for each of the two auxiliary boards? I think about half their current price would be much more reasonable. But can I risk ordering 200 of each from China to obtain that pricing?
Until then, I'm afraid you'll either have to continue building your own boards using the $5 blank boards we offer (they're a fairly easy build -- especially the RTC/SD-card board) -- or pay for my expensive Kiwi hands to hand-assemble and test them for you. (That's not exactly 'fun' either, just for the record. :P)
Open9X Supports RTC/SD-card Model Backup and Restore
Did you know that open9x now supports the SD-card? Personally, I just love being able to backup and restore my models tot he plug-in card. Very cool. Thanks Bertrand! I am told that more features are on the way, too. Nice.
gruvin9x Store Stock Levels
One last thing -- from now on, I have every intention of never running out of stock of anything -- especially the main board from China.
I know there was a really long delay between the first test batch of main boards and this 2nd lot of 50. There was a lot of learning involved for me. But I'm now hoping I have a good enough handle of how all this online sales store and Chinese factory stuff works -- so I can better keep up. The better I do and the more boards go out the door, the cheaper we can make everything for all. So wish us all luck! Thanks.
Gruvin's lament; cheap Chinese manufacturing is not quite what you might think ...
You may be interested to learn that, due to the low volumes and price targets involved, the Chinese are only blind building these boards for us. They have no data for powering up or testing the controller board at their end, what-so-ever. So when the boards arrive, there are always an expected 20 percent of so that do not test OK -- with missing parts, wrong parts, dry solder joints and more, all on the list of possible flaws in such 'blind' manufacturing. In fact, most factories will not even risk their reputation in this way in the first place. So we count ourselves fortunate to have found one that will -- allowing small volume production at close to big volume pricing.
Once the boards arrive in New Zealand, I then have to do all the final electrical testing, MCU flashing, system functionality checking -- and therefore quite a lot of fault remedying, myself. This is obviously much (much!) quicker than hand-building every board and we welcome it with open arms.
This has all been a huge, kind of, 'shot in the dark' learning experience for me, having had no previous manufacturing or retail experience at all. Luckily, I am enjoying it -- and with the ongoing help from other gruvin9x team members and supporters, I look forward to doing even better in the future.
OK. Enough babbling. Thank you for your time!
--
Bryan.
Now accepting pre-orders for fully assemvled G9X v4.2 boards (2 to 3 week shipping lead time expected)
The gruvin9x online store is now accepting pre-orders for the latest G9X v4.2 fully assembled, controller board.
This is only a very small mail list and I don't like to post about such things on forums personally. So this will be the only notification from myself. By all means, please feel free to help spread the word yourself. Thanks. :-D
There are currently 45 (incomplete) controller board kits in stock, with five having already been ordered by store visitors. I expect to have the kits fully completed for shipping by mid-August, latest and things do seem to be well on track.
Price for the main board this time around is just $89 plus shipping, which is from New Zealand only at this stage at around US$45 (with tracking) or about a quarter that by standard post (no tracking.) This is down from the first test-run at $139 -- a significant improvement, I'm sure you'll agree.
There's also a combo kit available, where you can get the hand built gPROG and RTC/SD-card boards along with the v4.2 main board, for a total of $147, plus shipping. I think this is about $30 cheaper than getting those separately. I'm basically off-setting my own hand-build labour against a desire to get as many complete systems out the door as we can. On that note ...
Why such high gRPOG and RTC/SD-card board pricing?
There is no argument from me that the retail price of the assembled gPROG and RTC/SD-card boards from the gruvin9x store is way higher than ideal. The problem is simple -- volume of demand. Actually, there seemingly just isn't much of that, at all.
PLEASE ... if you have wanted to buy these boards from the gruvin9x store, only to be shocked at the price -- or otherwise want to get your hands on pre-made units -- please don't be shy! Let me know, so I can get a better idea of demand.
What do you think is a fair price for each of the two auxiliary boards? I think about half their current price would be much more reasonable. But can I risk ordering 200 of each from China to obtain that pricing?
Until then, I'm afraid you'll either have to continue building your own boards using the $5 blank boards we offer (they're a fairly easy build -- especially the RTC/SD-card board) -- or pay for my expensive Kiwi hands to hand-assemble and test them for you. (That's not exactly 'fun' either, just for the record. :P)
Open9X Supports RTC/SD-card Model Backup and Restore
Did you know that open9x now supports the SD-card? Personally, I just love being able to backup and restore my models tot he plug-in card. Very cool. Thanks Bertrand! I am told that more features are on the way, too. Nice.
gruvin9x Store Stock Levels
One last thing -- from now on, I have every intention of never running out of stock of anything -- especially the main board from China.
I know there was a really long delay between the first test batch of main boards and this 2nd lot of 50. There was a lot of learning involved for me. But I'm now hoping I have a good enough handle of how all this online sales store and Chinese factory stuff works -- so I can better keep up. The better I do and the more boards go out the door, the cheaper we can make everything for all. So wish us all luck! Thanks.
Gruvin's lament; cheap Chinese manufacturing is not quite what you might think ...
You may be interested to learn that, due to the low volumes and price targets involved, the Chinese are only blind building these boards for us. They have no data for powering up or testing the controller board at their end, what-so-ever. So when the boards arrive, there are always an expected 20 percent of so that do not test OK -- with missing parts, wrong parts, dry solder joints and more, all on the list of possible flaws in such 'blind' manufacturing. In fact, most factories will not even risk their reputation in this way in the first place. So we count ourselves fortunate to have found one that will -- allowing small volume production at close to big volume pricing.
Once the boards arrive in New Zealand, I then have to do all the final electrical testing, MCU flashing, system functionality checking -- and therefore quite a lot of fault remedying, myself. This is obviously much (much!) quicker than hand-building every board and we welcome it with open arms.
This has all been a huge, kind of, 'shot in the dark' learning experience for me, having had no previous manufacturing or retail experience at all. Luckily, I am enjoying it -- and with the ongoing help from other gruvin9x team members and supporters, I look forward to doing even better in the future.
OK. Enough babbling. Thank you for your time!
--
Bryan.
Firmansyah Dhardani
Apr 3, 2013, 5:27:48 AM4/3/13
to gruvin9x...@googlegroups.com
I use the remote control Turnigy 9x no problem with this remote. I have my remote problem battrei lipo installed incorrectly, causing a short circuit to my remote causing transistor burning and pathways in the pcb. do i have to replace the total for pcbnya or can be fixed?? Please give suggestions on. where i can buy a Turnigy 9x tx pcb his
My Name is Firman from Indonesia.
Firmansyah Dhardani
Apr 3, 2013, 6:12:27 AM4/3/13
to gruvin9x...@googlegroups.com
Jadi menurut anda gimana saranya buat saya. tks
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