More Dig Questions but with research...

[monkeyracer]

Vanquish dig is nearing completion. We should have some with us for the axial west at donner this weekend.

Gunnar you heading up there?

Info to add to the first post?

 

[gunnar]

Thanks for the info, it helps!

I understand that as soon as Gerame found out about the set screw issue, he sent new parts out to everyone that might have had a bad one, without any hesitation. That's great service in my opinion.

What about the cheaper digs, are they just that; cheap? Will I regret saving a few bucks to get one? Any other digs I am forgetting (other than the VP dig?)

The set screw hole on the front plate holding the rod was drilled too big, and he replaced the plate as you said, his customer service is excellent. I tapped the screws holding the hex onto the transmission output from M3 to M4, there is plenty of room to do that, this was my choice, as it kept loosening up on me. So far, after about an hour of hard use, the M4 screws are staying tight.

 

[Vp Monkey]

Info to add to the first post?

We have a dig we have been working on, we are in production atm. Just sending the first parts to plating today. And all the steel components are busy getting cut.

So first finish parts should be back by friday. And hopefully for retail sale by next week. Least that is the goal "thumbsup".

We have a video of some testing on the dig and such on you tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWuJ2MTcp7Y

Pricing we are still figuring out, have to get our cycle times and material costs finished to get a good number.

 

[Vp Monkey]

Wish I was, but I really need to work on the Hobbytown course. I should take time off and try to compete in the Novice class, seems like I do better in that class than using a dig LOL

That sucks was hoping to meet more of the local people. We are heading up for Saturday.

 

[monkeyracer]

We have a dig we have been working on, we are in production atm. Just sending the first parts to plating today. And all the steel components are busy getting cut.

So first finish parts should be back by friday. And hopefully for retail sale by next week. Least that is the goal "thumbsup".

We have a video of some testing on the dig and such on you tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWuJ2MTcp7Y

Pricing we are still figuring out, have to get our cycle times and material costs finished to get a good number.

Interested in seeing what you guys have come up with and how the price compares.

 

[monkeyracer]

One thing I am curious about is that the HR is very similar to the other digs, so which one was first?

If HR did copy the design, why isn't there the same situation as with DNA/S3R?

I know that HR has copied parts before (example, they basically stole the design from StampedeProject Tony's SPV2 Chassis) so it wouldn't be far fetched for them to do something like what S3R did.

Anyone know for sure if this is the case? If it is, then $40 for one is $40 too much to a company like that. If it isn't then how can those digs be so similar and there not be an issue with it?

 

[Tanis]

You should not dismiss the S3R just because they may have hurt DNA's feelings buy taking the same basic style of dig design and completely re engineering and re designing it into a much much better product.


Most of the people that bash S3R have never even seen one in person let alone seen how well they work and the high quality machine work and attention to detail they have.

You're right, I dismissed it because of company ethics. How exactly did they re-engineer and re-design it?

How about this for a reason:
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117750&page=8
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124921

Bingo!

My post was not meant to be a bashing one

That's exactly what your post was.

 

[Tanis]

One thing I am curious about is that the HR is very similar to the other digs, so which one was first?

If HR did copy the design, why isn't there the same situation as with DNA/S3R?

I know that HR has copied parts before (example, they basically stole the design from StampedeProject Tony's SPV2 Chassis) so it wouldn't be far fetched for them to do something like what S3R did.

Anyone know for sure if this is the case? If it is, then $40 for one is $40 too much to a company like that. If it isn't then how can those digs be so similar and there not be an issue with it?

The HR looks nothing like the DNA/S3R.

 

[HiloDB1]

I run an Eritex unit and I also have a HR unit. The Eritex unit is superior in every way to the HR unit. Im looking forward to the VF dig as it looks very promising.

 

[monkeyracer]

DNA is a great company.
The HR dig is suspiciously close to the RC4WD and CKRC digs, not the DNA/S3R digs. That's what I was referring to.

Alright, let's get back to topic...
Basically the question comes to is it worth saving a few bucks to get the cheaper digs, or should we all just spend the extra cash and get the DNA/Eritex/(upcoming)Vanquish digs?

Will the price end up the same since the HR requires a higher torque servo to shift than the Eritex?

 

[JeremyH]

Basically the question comes to is it worth saving a few bucks to get the cheaper digs, or should we all just spend the extra cash and get the DNA/Eritex/(upcoming)Vanquish digs?

That will be a tough call.

I can tell you from past experience that I have broken Hot Racing parts (within 5 minutes of use...a manufacturing defect) and made MANY attempts to contact that company.....all of which failed. No response from them AT ALL.

BTW, RC4WD was the first to create a dig like they have....however, it always comes bolted to their R2D tranny. I don't believe they make one for the Axial tranny...

 

[MtnBkr]

I think the DNA is the safest choice at this point. They have killer customer service and it's been well tested. The Eritex looks like a good unit but I'm still not convinced it's "bind free" after reading peoples posts. (not that the DNA is "bind free" but it works darn well when setup right with a decent servo)

However, I'm impressed with your homemade dig! "thumbsup" I don't think you should give up on it yet even though I saw you were having a little trouble with it binding. You still have 3 weeks until the next Westy comp! Plenty of time to work on it and still buy a pre-fabbed dig if all else fails.

 

[Vp Monkey]

I will only post one time in this thread since this is a legal issue. The DNA DIG DOES HAVE A PATENT! This does not happen over night but the filing was done before all this happened and exactly for this reason. The filing number was posted on RCC once already. Anyone can call and find out for themselves. This was ignored by S3R. The filing does protect the dig until we get a "patent pending" status. That being said, if there is a copy in that time then it violates the patent protection. Then legal action can be taken against the violator at the filing parties request.

One other point, Ford does not go and buy Chevy, change the interior from cloth to leather and paint it a differnt color and call it a F@#*$&^$ing FORD.

It has nothing to do with FEELINGS. Just straight up hard work!

I do not understand, you should have patent pending status the day you filed.

Also, for a note, you are suppose to have patent pending on your packaging if you have filed and plan on protecting your product. Your packaging does not show this btw.

Not that we will or would want to copy your product, just some food for thought for you.

Jim

 

[Eritex Inc.]

Back on topic, eritex and vp seem to have done there own design and research. I am sure they both would have issues if this had happened to them. They also offer good products. It will end up being personal preference. Some will spend more than others. Some will have brand loyalty. Talk to people that run different parts. This question has "who has the best" has been beat to death, and you will never get a single answer. Thanks for taking the time read all this crap!

Thanks and you are right. There is no silver bullet in the dig market. Each has its high and low points. I think you have a good and honest overview of not only the digs in question, but the guys that design, build, and stand behind there products.

Now, go spend some money:mrgreen:

 

[goodoldlevi]

I run DNA with steel internals and love it. My friend runs Eritex and loves it. Six to one half a dozen to another! Eritex and DNA have great customer service! The VP looks promising! I just want to know when I can order another locker set from Bonusline for my sons rig!!!!!!

 

[monkeyracer]

I think the DNA is the safest choice at this point. They have killer customer service and it's been well tested. The Eritex looks like a good unit but I'm still not convinced it's "bind free" after reading peoples posts. (not that the DNA is "bind free" but it works darn well when setup right with a decent servo)

However, I'm impressed with your homemade dig! "thumbsup" I don't think you should give up on it yet even though I saw you were having a little trouble with it binding. You still have 3 weeks until the next Westy comp! Plenty of time to work on it and still buy a pre-fabbed dig if all else fails.

I actually woked on it tonight, and surprised myself and got it working. You'll be able to see it at westy, but I might go to Red Rocks this weekend.

It binds a little, but shifting it back and forth gets it to shift. It only binds every now and then, didn't get to test it out further than my kitchen floor. I still need to fix my TQ3's epa (that broke sunday night when I was trying to get my dig working) and fine tune the epas. I hope to have it all done by tomorrow. I'll post pics and vids for those interested in my Karnage Build thread.

Back on topic, eritex and vp seem to have done there own design and research. I am sure they both would have issues if this had happened to them. They also offer good products. It will end up being personal preference. Some will spend more than others. Some will have brand loyalty. Talk to people that run different parts. This question has "who has the best" has been beat to death, and you will never get a single answer. Thanks for taking the time read all this crap!

I think most of the guys at my local comps run the DNA dig, I think there might be a few other digs, but I haven't really tried to look at everyone's rig.

Thanks and you are right. There is no silver bullet in the dig market. Each has its high and low points. I think you have a good and honest overview of not only the digs in question, but the guys that design, build, and stand behind there products.

Now, go spend some money:mrgreen:

Even though I got my hex/collar dig working, I will probably still save up and buy one. It all depends on how my homemade dig works at the comps.

 

[cruzer971]

Alright, let's get back to topic...
Basically the question comes to is it worth saving a few bucks to get the cheaper digs, or should we all just spend the extra cash and get the DNA/Eritex/(upcoming)Vanquish digs?

I would recommend spending the extra money and getting the top notch digs.

You forgot to mention which digs replace the tranny outdrives with stronger units. With the CKRC FT, you have to add the cost of the stronger outdrives too. If not you will find out right away that the stock outdrives will not hold up. My experience with the CKRC dig (which is similar to others) is that it worked reasonably well. Quick to switch between drive and freewheel, but dig took longer to engage, and sometimes was hard to disengage. The main reason why I went away from the ckrc was from having to replace the stronger outdrives on a regular basis. The screwdriver type engagement holds OK, until it starts rounding off the output, then it starts sucking.
I like my eritex, but that vanquish video has got me hooked and wanting it too.

 

[Eritex Inc.]

Monkeyracer, I think if you can do it yourself and it works pretty good, run it. I was where you are (making parts in the garage) 3 years ago. Modding, fabbing, running, breaking, repeating is one of the awesome things about crawling.


Good luck"thumbsup"

 

[monkeyracer]

Monkeyracer, I think if you can do it yourself and it works pretty good, run it. I was where you are (making parts in the garage) 3 years ago. Modding, fabbing, running, breaking, repeating is one of the awesome things about crawling.


Good luck"thumbsup"

Isn't that what crawling used to be about? Run what you built?
There are plenty of products I'd love to bring to market, but lack of capital and machines is kinda making it hard.

 

[the kil]

i run a S3R :mrgreen: i beat the piss out of it with a jp warrior 40t and 3s lipo. it works flawless and smooth. f all the drama, i am just telling it like it is