Why I don't want a K3
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Ever since the K3 was announced this reflector has been buzzing with questions
and speculation about the K3. It has been dissected, picked apart, put back together, etc. I feel like I know it inside and out and I don't even own one yet! In fact, I'm pretty bored with it. I'm about ready to put my imaginary K3 up for sale. It does all the stuff you guys say it does and even better. So, what's next? :-) Just kidding! We are all like a bunch of little kids about a week before Christmas. I'm still building my K2 and I already want a K3! It will be interesting to see what kind of a ripple the K3 creates in the HF market. Will the other manufacturers respond? When? Will they up the bar a couple of notches? Have they been holding back? Will they re-think their designs? Will they adopt the modular approach? It's going to be interesting. I think Elecraft has really opened up the flood gates and I hope that they are very successful. I know that I will be ordering a K3 for sure. Gary, N7HTS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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One of the beautiful things about the K1 / K2 / KX1 series is that they
assembled kits sell for at or near new kit price. So a schlep like me can buy a K2, assemble it, use it a bit and get my money back out of it. These are the only rigs that allow that sort of return. Enter the K3. It's not really a kit, at least not to the same level. I'm expecting the resale value of a K3 will be similar to the resale value of any other commercially produced ham rig. Pay $2000 for a new rig, sell it 1 year later for $1500. So, the Elecraft entry path will be to start with a K2 (or K1), see if you like their stuff, then, sell it (getting your $$ back) and buy a K3. I also wonder what will happen to the used value of a K2 as we'll see an increase in available rigs. - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Kieth,
Let me speculate a bit on why the KX1, K1 and K2 hold close to the new kit prices - Elecraft has done with those rigs something almost unheard of from manufacturers - every one of those rigs is fully upgradeable to the equal of the very latest level. Oh, yes, there are some differences between the pre 3000 SN boards and the post 3000 SN boards, but all the earlier kits can be upgraded none-the-less. My Field Test K2 SN 00020 is stuffed with all the possible options and is currently at the same electrical equivalent of SN 6000, and to tell the truth, one would have to know where to look to see an obvious difference in the parts placements. Other manufacturers would likely release a new model of the base rig (Omni vs. Omni II for example), and not offer any kind of upgrade path (at any cost). In fact, they often drop support of older models after a few years - no parts available. So since an old K2 is as valuable as a new one (OK, you may have to shell out for some upgrade kits if you buy an unupgraded older K2), I believe that is the main reason the prices stay high. I don't think anyone knows how hardware upgrades for the K3 will be handled, but I expect to see a parallel path to the K2 history. 73, Don W3FPR Darwin, Keith wrote: > One of the beautiful things about the K1 / K2 / KX1 series is that they > assembled kits sell for at or near new kit price. So a schlep like me > can buy a K2, assemble it, use it a bit and get my money back out of it. > These are the only rigs that allow that sort of return. > > Enter the K3. It's not really a kit, at least not to the same level. > I'm expecting the resale value of a K3 will be similar to the resale > value of any other commercially produced ham rig. Pay $2000 for a new > rig, sell it 1 year later for $1500. > > So, the Elecraft entry path will be to start with a K2 (or K1), see if > you like their stuff, then, sell it (getting your $$ back) and buy a K3. > > I also wonder what will happen to the used value of a K2 as we'll see an > increase in available rigs. > > - Keith N1AS - > - K2 5411.ssb.100 - Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hi Don;
I sent my Omni VI in for a "+" up-grade. They couldn't make the changes as there are more up-grade parts (filter boards) in stock. Pete kn6bi -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 1:40 PM To: Darwin, Keith Cc: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 resale value? Kieth, Let me speculate a bit on why the KX1, K1 and K2 hold close to the new kit prices - Elecraft has done with those rigs something almost unheard of from manufacturers - every one of those rigs is fully upgradeable to the equal of the very latest level. Oh, yes, there are some differences between the pre 3000 SN boards and the post 3000 SN boards, but all the earlier kits can be upgraded none-the-less. My Field Test K2 SN 00020 is stuffed with all the possible options and is currently at the same electrical equivalent of SN 6000, and to tell the truth, one would have to know where to look to see an obvious difference in the parts placements. Other manufacturers would likely release a new model of the base rig (Omni vs. Omni II for example), and not offer any kind of upgrade path (at any cost). In fact, they often drop support of older models after a few years - no parts available. So since an old K2 is as valuable as a new one (OK, you may have to shell out for some upgrade kits if you buy an unupgraded older K2), I believe that is the main reason the prices stay high. I don't think anyone knows how hardware upgrades for the K3 will be handled, but I expect to see a parallel path to the K2 history. 73, Don W3FPR Darwin, Keith wrote: > One of the beautiful things about the K1 / K2 / KX1 series is that they > assembled kits sell for at or near new kit price. So a schlep like me > can buy a K2, assemble it, use it a bit and get my money back out of it. > These are the only rigs that allow that sort of return. > > Enter the K3. It's not really a kit, at least not to the same level. > I'm expecting the resale value of a K3 will be similar to the resale > value of any other commercially produced ham rig. Pay $2000 for a new > rig, sell it 1 year later for $1500. > > So, the Elecraft entry path will be to start with a K2 (or K1), see if > you like their stuff, then, sell it (getting your $$ back) and buy a K3. > > I also wonder what will happen to the used value of a K2 as we'll see an > increase in available rigs. > > - Keith N1AS - > - K2 5411.ssb.100 - Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com __________ NOD32 2268 (20070515) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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