Simviation Forum - How come all the parts are so expensive?

Jun 15^th, 2008 at 8:26am

machineman9 Offline
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Following from a link I found myself on SimKits again and I was just looking over the controls section for some rudder pedals.

800 euros or so for some rudder pedals?!

Thats £630, for some metals and plastic. Surely the actual cost for making those is more like £200 tops... I am sure if I ever got around to building my own it would cost about £50 for hardware, and perhaps up to £30 for the materials... so £80 for some fairly alright quality and machined parts.

So, why are places charging so much? It seems to be a thing with all the companies.

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Reply #1 - Jun 15^th, 2008 at 1:15pm

beaky Offline
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Those Simkits pedals certainly are expensive, but they are gorgeous, and probably very well-made. I would imagine they base their prices on being practically in the same market as FAA/ICAO-approved sim mfrs; in fact I'd guess many of their products are approved for "real" flight instruction.

If it has anything to do with real flying, it just has to be very expensive, or nobody will take them seriously. Grin

On the other hand, it's not all bad news: companies that are cranking out thousands of less-impressive but adequate units for the "gamer" market are pricing their stuff reasonably, like Saitek, etc... more like 100 euros.

But of course, if you build your own you will save a lot of dough. I got some of the materials for free, but had I bought everything, they would have cost less than $50, not including the old joystick I hacked, which cost about $20.

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Reply #2 - Jun 15^th, 2008 at 1:18pm

machineman9 Offline
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Yeh if I were to make some I would probably borrow the school's CAM machines (my teacher is the sort that is quite enthusiastic about projects lol)

So it's mostly down to the quality and use of them with flight instruction then? Well I suppose the Saitek ones wouldnt give a very realistic feel or look in a 172 pit

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Reply #3 - Jun 15^th, 2008 at 3:34pm

BTilson Offline
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I also think another big part of it is that most people either can't or don't want to make their own stuff. I think this applies somewhat more to premade electronics modules like GoFlight's stuff or Opencockpits hardware. With enough research, ingenuity and trial and error, most "simulator minded" people could probably recreate that stuff, but it's just so much easier to buy it premade, especially when you get into something complex like a big jet's MCP panel.

The first step on the long journey of building a flight simulator has been taken... There is no turning back now!

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Reply #4 - Jun 15^th, 2008 at 3:38pm

machineman9 Offline
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Yeh one of my original assumptions was that it is because people don't really want to go into making their own things, or indeed that it may be a small market and requires higher prices to balance the books.

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Reply #5 - Jun 15^th, 2008 at 5:10pm

beaky Offline
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machineman9 wrote on Jun 15^th, 2008 at 1:18pm:

Yeh if I were to make some I would probably borrow the school's CAM machines (my teacher is the sort that is quite enthusiastic about projects lol)

So it's mostly down to the quality and use of them with flight instruction then? Well I suppose the Saitek ones wouldnt give a very realistic feel or look in a 172 pit

Well, there may be a lot more to it: labor costs, fixed overhead costs, production volume, etc... but the high-end market consists of either pro users or people who are spending a small fortune to build a fancy airliner replica, as opposed to the thousands of casual simmers who are tired of using keys or twist-sticks for rudder control, but aren't looking to spend a lot of money. That market will support high prices- the people who want the best and are willing to pay for it.

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Reply #6 - Jun 15^th, 2008 at 7:43pm

JSpahn Offline
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This is a great discussion!

I agree the market, right now, caters to those who have the income to build an exact replica. Since finding this hobby I have noticed more and more on the low end who want to get rid of the keyboard a stick twist. I think if and when saitek comes out with the LCD gauges the market might shift.

I run 2 sites right now and more frequently I am contacted by individuals who want to build a budget pit.

I have been mulling over the idea of getting an inexpensive CNC and building panels. Generic panels would be OK, its the replica market, I think, where I could see a return. Unfortunately I do not have access to any real aircraft to gain measurements. I sure with some research Ill dig up something Wink

$1,000 to $3,000 bucks for a pedestal panel or overhead set is just ridiculous in my opinion. Im certain it could be done for 200-500 smakers, with the ability to be back lit.

Additionally I would like to see, for example, cockpitsonicusa.com bring out a series of budget hardware for the rest of us. Im not saying on par with saitek's pricing, but much less sticker shock then whats out there now.

Just my 2 cents on this Cheesy

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Reply #7 - Jun 16^th, 2008 at 11:29am

machineman9 Offline
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Yeh a budget (or more budgety) range of products would be nice. Saitek are doing quite well in that sector and their parts look to be very nice for the tag.

Not everyone does want a fully amazing sim pit- I would be happy with getting the right parts in there definately, but the cost for things such as buying licensed and FAA type goods (one of the reasons for the high prices, and I know that the market isnt that huge so prices are affected there too) is pushing it too far. I wouldn't want to use my pit for practising towards my PPL (I would actually go out and do it when I get the time) unless it was just for going back over the controls again and practising what I learnt in the air, on the ground.

Hmmm... "George's Budget Sim Pit Parts Ltd". Well, we have a business and enterprises section at my school which could make that a reality Tongue

. Maybe in a few years Grin

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