Vario versus?????

[Jack3M]

Okay, let's keep this civil as often this type of thread can get out of hand. Please express your opinions without bashing someone else.

I am very familiar with Vario products in the helicopter line. Great stuff. In some cases the only place something is available. But after many years and learning as much as there was to learn, I saw that yes, Vario is the caviar of the bunch, but at Dom Penignone prices.

For example I could buy the mechanics for a helicopter from Vario...size X and pay about 3-4 times more than a similar set from a Chinese mfg.

Of course the Chinese is not as tough, but if taken care of and not abused, it is durable enough. Crashes are expensive, but again replacement parts were 3 times more expensive. So by purchasing the cheep Chinese stuff, I was able to have more helicopters. If set up properly there is no way I could tell the difference between a Vario and any other if I did not know, they all flew the same.

The slip ring is one of the biggest differences I see,lucky I stumbled over that. I realize we are talking hydraulics and my knowledge is limited at this point, so pumps could be far superior or exactly the same, the data seems impossible to find and compare so one can make an educated judgement.

And, before I close out the thread intro here, another example would be at current prices I could purchase 3 of the Eagle XL's plus have enough $ left to buy 3 pump setups.

So, if I was a millionaire and money was no object, of course the Vario would be my choice. But I am not with unlimited funds, retired, blah, blah, blah. Convince me.

[JAMMER]

You have answered your own question. Ed

[bigford]

brand a,b,c or d it all depends on your budget and what you
want to do with the hobby. i like m y china kat just fine. is it better
then the rest??? h€ll no!! but i want to load my trailer i can...

[Jack3M]

Originally Posted by JAMMER

You have answered your own question. Ed

Maybe, Ed. Maybe someone knows something I don't know. Before I spend on something like this I need info and it just isn't puttin' the right food on the plate for me to make any decision. Many a time I have made a mistake going for the less expensive version. Getting good info on Vario products sucks. Feedback is the only way, with the caveat of making most of it subjective info.

Anyone....
Weight of Vario excavator?
Amount of down force?
Pump output, volume and bar or psi?

[Rimrock]

Hi,
The Vario is the largest 1/14 RC excavator on the marked weighing in at 70-80 lbs (a 80 ton machine in 1:1). Same people behind the Vario and Fumotec construction machines, high end brands coming as unpainted assembly kits. THS and Premacon have more details for the looks, pre-assembled and ready to go, more expencive stuff. All those mentioned are supplied with pumps from a industrial manufacturer, Jung, in a couple of volumes sizes all according to machine size. Pressure is typically set to 25-30 Bars and gives around 1 liter/min (can be adjusted to a certain degree). Generally speaking all the high end brands have plenty of hydraulic power and speed compared to the machine size, it's more a matter of what size, weight, colour one wish, kit or pre-assembled/painted.
When it comes to chinese machines like Eagle XL and KAT, there are plenty of threads on the forum) The conclusion is in many cases 'low initial cost but more hours on the work bench + putting down some additional $$$ in order to get things going'

[Lil Giants]

I've had both the Vario & the Eagle Machinery XL, got them both in 2011... the XL went up in smoke inside of a month, didn't get any tech support nor any warranty from the company for defective parts... had some troubles getting the Vario working to my liking, but tech support was very good at Vario and some warranty too, the model is still going strong 5yrs later with well over a 1000hrs run time with 95% of it's original parts.

I live far away from any large city; no easy access to parts, tools, cnc services, ect; everything is mail order & often times small part orders the shipping is more expensive than the part itself! I prefer to pay more for a quality item, do it right the 1st time & get many hrs of enjoyment from it.

It's your money Jack, spend it how you wish... I have no affiliation with any model company, I don't care what you buy... Rimrock's last sentence sums it up best "The conclusion is in many cases 'low initial cost but more hours on the work bench + putting down some additional $$$ in order to get things going"

Have a nice day.