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Fast Lad Performance . Ace Hobby . Esprit Model

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Compass Knight 50 > Compass Knight 3D-Performance Still a Secret?
 
 
RAK402
Veteran
Location: Alhambra, CA

I spoke to a dealer today and, in passing, asked if he was selling many Knight 3D's. He said no, and that he had sold far more TREX 600N's.

This is the answer that I expected, given Align's reputation and marketing might, but those of us who have flown both (most of us anyway) seem to be pretty firm that the Knight 3D is a far better performer than the 600N, and also holds up better over the long run.

Am I off base on this?

I would have thought that, given the performance, people would start noticing the Knight and we would start seeing more of them showing up (there are two Knights that show up at my field, and I own both of them).

If I am correct, then I am wondering when the rest of the world will catch on?

Even with Knight topics on several of the main forums, and some pretty spectacular flying videos, it still seems like the performance of the Knight 3D is one of the best kept secrets in the hobby.
04-24-2008 10:41 PM
 
 
Dood
Elite Veteran
Location: America's Dairyland

I guess Align's investment in advertising and marketing really pays off.
And the consumer is the one that pays for it.

Compass Models seems to rely on word of mouth, and stand behind a less expensive, higher quality kit. (I've owned both).

Quote 
seems like the performance of the Knight 3D is one of the best kept secrets in the hobby.

I'm totally OK with that. Aren't you?

Im not Mr. Lebowski, YOU'RE Mr. Lebowski. I'm the Dood! So thats what you'll call me
04-24-2008 11:29 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
GScott
Key Veteran
Location: Lewis Center, OH

It's all about marketing. Look at the people flocking to the 700n and it's not even out yet. Maybe it's just me but the thought of an Align 90 with their quality control just scares me. Align is the flavor of the week like Raptor was a few years ago. It's also hard to find any negative posts/reviews of the heli because anything negative is automatically drowned out by all of the cheerleaders.
04-25-2008 12:13 AM
 
 
2Pac
Senior Heliman
Location: KC, MO. USA

I guess its the reason that I can get 300 bucks brand new Trex 600N but cant get 300 bucks brand new Knight...What you think?..
04-25-2008 02:41 AM
 
 
PatrickXtreme
Heliman
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

In marketing term whatever you do regarding 4Ps, it will all come back to the first P which is Product.
Align strategies are somewhat huge investment in advertising, sponsoring lots of wellknown pilots, building up image & reputation 'cause they are so rich.
Compass builds fliers by word of mouth, listening to fliers' opinions, and giving us chance to get quality things at reasonable price as well as keeping development all its heli to match fliers' requirement.
What I'm talking about is that size is a matter; Compass is a small company and this strategy is suitable to their financial back-up. However, I think they are walking towards right direction.
04-25-2008 04:20 AM
 
 
Brovic777
Elite Veteran
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Plus there's only like two main online companies who sells parts.

I know guys who will ONLY own heli's in which parts are available at their local hobby shop, and will NOT own a heli that you need to wait a week for parts to arrive.

So no matter how HOT the Knight flies, many people won't flock to it because of this.

Whats a guy to do when he likes to fly 3-4 times a week, then crashes, and have to wait a full week for parts? He's go crazy.

When I had my Knight, I didn't mind waiting since I only flew maybe once a week, or every two weeks. Then again, I never even crashed it once.

Killer Beam E4 450
Check out my HD Gallery
04-25-2008 06:53 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
karman
Senior Heliman
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

LHS

Its always funny how people say buy heli that is supported by LHS.

I fly mini titan, lhs supports it.. only problem is, they never have stock, to many people fly's them.. so i normally have to wait about 2 -4 weeks for parts.

The knight is still very new in ZA, apparentley only 6 in country, and the supplier has spares available. 1 email, and next morning goods on my desk, i don' even need to drive... thats why i'm flying a knight.. well, for the obviuos performance build quality etc as well

L:
04-25-2008 07:37 AM
 
 
Adey_Law
Senior Heliman
Location: Bournemouth, UK

its of a catch 22. shops wont stock the bits because not many fly them and people wont buy them because the shops dont have the bits!

im a fan of flying what i want to fly and get the bits online. Support the forward looking shops. In the UK most will ship same day and you will have it next day anyway.

Ade
04-25-2008 07:47 AM
 
 
Jon the Rooster
Elite Veteran
Location: Johns Island, Charleston, SC

We'll have to see what happens after IRCHA this year. I belive their WILL be a Strong Knight group represent'n!!

and one more thing "DON'T BE AFRAID!"
04-25-2008 12:03 PM
 
 
SteveH
rrProfessor
Location: Texas

Where I live there is no LHS that stocks any current parts for any helicopters save some small fixed pitch electrics. You would think a city of over 1,300,000 would have a well equipped shop. So, I'm accustomed to ordering parts on line, and because of the wait, I always keep at least two helis flying at a time. That way, if I dork one, I have a backup until the parts arrive. Even if I flew the current "rage", the parts problem would still exist.

I'm flying the Knight 3D's because I love the way they fly, they stay together, and they are a good value.

SteveH
Magnum Fuel
AMA76186
04-25-2008 01:31 PM
 
 
Adey_Law
Senior Heliman
Location: Bournemouth, UK

knights were very well represented at charmouth a few weeks back and number of knight pilots out numbered the align pilots at the 3dx training day last week.

reason i say pilots is one poor misguided fool brought 7 align helis... buy the man a foil hat!

Ade
04-25-2008 02:20 PM
 
 
RAK402
Veteran
Location: Alhambra, CA

Ade,

"buy the man a foil hat!"

ROTFLMAO



Victor,

Excellent point on the parts support.

I am weird, but I usually by a crash kit and anything else that looks like it might be damaged in a crash or a consumable, when I buy a new machine (assuming parts are available). That was how I happened to have a spare spindle for my Knight 3D (replaced before ever flying the machine), which appeared to have been produced during the time when the spindles were soft.

Availability of parts at the local shop is important. Fortunatly, my travels often take me near MTA in Torrance.
04-25-2008 03:39 PM
 
 
GScott
Key Veteran
Location: Lewis Center, OH

I don't care so much about the LHS support. I get great service from Chris at RC Heliworkz and can go to several others including Heliproz if he doesn't have something in stock. For the summer I usually keep 2-3 of the major crash parts (booms, skids, spindles, flybars, main shafts, etc...) so downtime is not an issue for me. Plus I can also fly my Synergy in a pinch
04-25-2008 04:16 PM
 
 
Rodney
Veteran
Location: Tavares,Florida

Well we need to work on getting more people to fly them so more shops will carry parts. There are more shops coming on board.
So in turn that will make the heli more popular. It is a good flying machine at a very good price. Infina Models is doing all we can as far as getting the product seen by the public.
Compass like Infina Models doesnt have 100's of thousands of dollars to give to the pilots and advertising. So we do what we can.
And yes there will be a good showing of Compass helicoters at Ircha this year. There are more flying here in the US this year than all combined in the last 2 years.
We have more shops coming on all the time. The more the better for Compass. So lets keep up the good post and let the world know what is out there that compares to the the others.
Compass will soon be releasing the Knight 600E in a 6S version, the Odin 90 is coming soon as well as the Atom 500.
Then Compass will have a full line of helis to advertise.

Dx7 With Ion Power Supply. Why use anything else.
04-25-2008 04:56 PM
 
 
eyeflyhelis
Elite Veteran
Location: charlotte nc

i think if the oden and the 500 are out before ircha it would be even more of a clincher to improve our market. since there was 750 pilots alone last year at ircha, most likely more this year and there was only 1 or 2 knights there that i saw. this year i know of at least 5 pilots that definatley will be there flying them, maybe not the best pilots but they will be a stronger present. im sure that if some of us get a tent close to center stage there will be lots of interest in the helis and hopefully more sold. remember the more sold the better off we all are.
hopefully HC will be doing a midday demo with his night - that alone would sell a few!!

only you have the power to make no difference!
**Modefo's Heli's**
04-25-2008 10:28 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Dood
Elite Veteran
Location: America's Dairyland

Quote 
this year i know of at least 5 pilots that definatley will be there flying them

Make it 6.
I plan on being there with this one, and hopefully a second one.

You'll always know which one is mine, cuz I have a thing for orange tape on my tail booms.

As far as I know, I'm the only guy in the state of Wisconsin with one of these. I could be wrong, though.

I'm trying my best to show this thing off, and so far everyone has been really impressed.

It flies as smooth as I want it to, and I try to make it look pretty.
I'm no 3D guy or anything... 'aggressive sport' I call it.
So far everyone has commented as to just how fast it is.
Funny thing is I have the cyclic on my swash mix turned WAYYYY Down!


Im not Mr. Lebowski, YOU'RE Mr. Lebowski. I'm the Dood! So thats what you'll call me
04-25-2008 11:50 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Jim-bob
Senior Heliman
Location: Little Hocking OH USA

Count 2 more Knight 3D's at IRCHA. We already have our hotel rooms booked and the trailer is being set up right now.
As far as parts support it has never been an issue with us to order parts online. There are few shops close and they mostly cater to cars and some 450 size electrics. RCHeliworks has everything you need for the Knight and Chris is ready and willing to answer questions. Between them and Heliproz I have no worrys about parts.
04-26-2008 01:05 AM
 
 
SteveH
rrProfessor
Location: Texas

I was at IRCHA last year with three Knights...a 3D, Sport, and Pro, but because of travel costs, sorry I won't make it this year.

SteveH
Magnum Fuel
AMA76186
04-26-2008 01:10 AM
 
 
beavis1
Veteran
Location: New York state

Catching on here

Yea we got a little group growing here. After people try mine they seem to realize how much better they fly than a conventional CG heli.

It is just hard to exsplain how they roll like a pattern airplane right on center and flip so easy and tight.

The guys that have them just know what they have. I know I have no reason to ever go back to a low CG heli ever again.

Holo foil power !!! Magnum fuel
04-26-2008 02:11 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
raspeitia
Heliman
Location: US - WI

Dood, I have one in Milwaukee and I like it!

Ray A.
04-26-2008 02:23 AM
 
 
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Compass Knight 50 > Compass Knight 3D-Performance Still a Secret?
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