So I was thinking about getting the Noch Gras-master, it was like $139+ buck and thus a stretch, but found recently that it was hard to find. I saw that they were "discontinuing it" which I thought odd since I had heard excellent things about it. Now I found out why - they have a new one out and it's $190+ ! I thought that as a product got more established and broadened its distribution volume, prices whent down. What they heck - it was already a reach, why did they make it more expensive?
Does the new version offer some huge capability leap, a transformational technology - I mean c'mon, we're talking about laying flock grass on its end. It's just nutty.
I think I'm going to homeshop one of these things out of a flyswatter like some have done, and hope I don't cattle prod myself in the process.
Note to manufacturers - make things more affordable, not less. Broaden your market, rather than limit it, especially in this already rather narrow field.
Maybe some entrepreneur out there will come to market with a $50 version, it's hard to believe that the technology for the Gras-master is so elevated or high tech that it's a $200 plateau.
End of rant.
David, if that's the case why hasn't everything else that Noch, Faller or Busch offers gobe up by the same extravagant amount?
Supply and demand. I am sure they won't keep the price at $190 if it is not selling, and maybe it was flying off the shelves at $130. And yes, the weak dollar may have a lot to do with this, if it is imported (not sure if Noch has a USA manufacturing facility). jamie
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shawneeI think I'm going to homeshop one of these things out of a flyswatter like some have done, and hope I don't cattle prod myself in the process.
Took me 20 minutes and cost $5 to build one.
Works just fine.
And the Dollar has gained a fair amount of ground vs the Euro. It's currently
1 Euro(s) = 1.27698 US Dollar(s)
It was 1.5 last year at this time when I was in Germany.
I'm planning on making the flyswatter version myself.
I'm trying to model 1956, not live in it.
Joe Fugate made one that looks and works identical for $30. I think he has a how to over on his forum.Tower-$165. Due early Nov.http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLSR6The new one comes with a $20 spot point adapter. (which was an option before.) So you can blame that 50 cent plastic adapter for the $30 price increase. Plus the heavy endorsement by most of the model train publications probably went to their heads too.I have to question the long term durability of that grass on a layout. Might be fine for a layout that lives in sterile conditions. Doubt that it would last long on mine.
davidmbedard Note to the American Economy "Stop messing with everyone else's dollar" David B
Note to the American Economy "Stop messing with everyone else's dollar"
David B
You guys trade in beaver pelts anyway so what's it to you?
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
shawnee David, if that's the case why hasn't everything else that Noch, Faller or Busch offers gobe up by the same extravagant amount?
Have you priced Preiser figures lately?
I'm sure all of the manufacturers are in turmoil over the drop in the dollar. Remember, though, that most of these delivery contracts were negotiated many months ago, all the way down the supply chain. In part, that delays price increases, but it also helps smooth out the bumps when the dollar drops drastically, but recovers a bit over a few weeks.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Geared Steam davidmbedard Note to the American Economy "Stop messing with everyone else's dollar" David B You guys trade in beaver pelts anyway so what's it to you?
Mr.Bedard, I'm surprised you didn't blame the price increase on that wicked MRC.
Joe Fugate made one that looks and works identical for $30. I think he has a how to over on his forum.
I noticed that when I was roaming through Joe's website the other day. I think it is in his scenery clinic section.
The new one comes with a $20 spot point adapter. (which was an option before.) So you can blame that 50 cent plastic adapter for the $30 price increase. Plus the heavy endorsement by most of the model train publications probably went to their heads too.
Also, I wouldn't be suprised if part of the price increase is the mfgr setting aside a pile of money to be used for when some idiot using their product seriously zaps themselves and decided to sue the company for everything they have!
I have to question the long term durability of that grass on a layout. Might be fine for a layout that lives in sterile conditions. Doubt that it would last long on mine.
Good point! I think it would be diffucult to clean once it got dusty and would be easily damaged in the day to day operation of anything other than a dedicated photo diorama.
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
George - excelent point about cleaning!! Has anyone on the forum used it & vacuumed it? What were the results? Bare spots?
davidmbedard CellarDweller Mr.Bedard, I'm surprised you didn't blame the price increase on that wicked MRC. Tis possible. Wait, your RIGHT! Tis MRC's fault for the crisis!!!!! Down with MRC! I smell something.....something that has been lurking 'round these forums for a while.......I think it rhymes with bowl......the facts....one post....new identity.....hmmm.....what could it be? David B
CellarDweller Mr.Bedard, I'm surprised you didn't blame the price increase on that wicked MRC.
Tis possible. Wait, your RIGHT! Tis MRC's fault for the crisis!!!!! Down with MRC!
I smell something.....something that has been lurking 'round these forums for a while.......I think it rhymes with bowl......the facts....one post....new identity.....hmmm.....what could it be?
David,
I'm not even going to tread in these waters...lol
well it's time for me to get back under the bridge and take my meds.
Yeah. I think I'll pass on electrostatic grass applicators of all kinds. This fairly modern invention wasn't even around when some of the best layouts I've seen were built. I'll be able to get along without it. I'd rather spend that kind of money on trains.
shawnee So I was thinking about getting the Noch Gras-master, it was like $139+ buck and thus a stretch, but found recently that it was hard to find. I saw that they were "discontinuing it" which I thought odd since I had heard excellent things about it. Now I found out why - they have a new one out and it's $190+ ! I thought that as a product got more established and broadened its distribution volume, prices whent down. What they heck - it was already a reach, why did they make it more expensive? Does the new version offer some huge capability leap, a transformational technology - I mean c'mon, we're talking about laying flock grass on its end. It's just nutty. I think I'm going to homeshop one of these things out of a flyswatter like some have done, and hope I don't cattle prod myself in the process. Note to manufacturers - make things more affordable, not less. Broaden your market, rather than limit it, especially in this already rather narrow field. Maybe some entrepreneur out there will come to market with a $50 version, it's hard to believe that the technology for the Gras-master is so elevated or high tech that it's a $200 plateau. End of rant.
Mr. Bedard, I showed you the upmost respect by referring to you as Mr., and you return the favor by calling me names. If you ever wondered why there are over 50,000 members on this board and only a handful of posters maybe name calling is one of the reasons.
Let's quit complaining. One can build a really good static grass machine for under $40, if you want to do some work. I built mine for under $30 and use a 9v battery to power it. Here is how you do it:
http://www.ztrains.com/pages/tech/grassinator/grassinator.html
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
CellarDweller Mr. Bedard, I showed you the upmost respect by referring to you as Mr., and you return the favor by calling me names. If you ever wondered why there are over 50,000 members on this board and only a handful of posters maybe name calling is one of the reasons.
I disagree entirely with your explanation. You singled out an individual with your first ever post (apparently), to raise a matter entirely irrelevant to the original poster's question...which made it a directed attack in my books. Couching it in the terms you do above doesn't dignify your approach at all. Please abide by the rules of the forum and desist from using other people's posts for your own purposes.
If you have a bone to pick with Mr. Bedard's views on MRC decoders, it ought to have been raised long since, or else done privately...not as you have done.
-Crandell
jrbernier Let's quite complaining. One can build a really good static grass machine for under $40, if you want to do some work. I built mine for under $30 and use a 9v battery to power it. Here is how you do it: http://www.ztrains.com/pages/tech/grassinator/grassinator.html
Let's quite complaining. One can build a really good static grass machine for under $40, if you want to do some work. I built mine for under $30 and use a 9v battery to power it. Here is how you do it:
I'm book marking that. It should come in handy whenever I buid a layout.
I'm suprised no one has came out with mats of flock grass yet.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
loatharGeared Steam davidmbedard Note to the American Economy "Stop messing with everyone else's dollar" David B You guys trade in beaver pelts anyway so what's it to you?
Not anymore! Greenpeace put an end to that and Seal Skins...
But we have oil
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Hmmmmmm rhymes with bowl.......POPTARTS??
Kenfolk Yeah. I think I'll pass on electrostatic grass applicators of all kinds. This fairly modern invention wasn't even around when some of the best layouts I've seen were built. I'll be able to get along without it. I'd rather spend that kind of money on trains.
Midnight RailroaderKenfolk Yeah. I think I'll pass on electrostatic grass applicators of all kinds. This fairly modern invention wasn't even around when some of the best layouts I've seen were built. I'll be able to get along without it. I'd rather spend that kind of money on trains. What train will you buy for $5?
Not much! I should have clarified my response was regarding the expensive (at least to me) commercial applicator.
Do we really NEED this device? Didn't our predessors do fine modeling without it? What about us guys who are building moderately small layouts? Just how can I justify a 200 United States Dollar purchase of a device that will only be used for maybe 20-30 square feet of the layout and then sit in a box for decades? Perhaps a good hobby dealer might rent one out for a dollar a day.
HEdward Do we really NEED this device? Didn't our predessors do fine modeling without it? What about us guys who are building moderately small layouts? Just how can I justify a 200 United States Dollar purchase of a device that will only be used for maybe 20-30 square feet of the layout and then sit in a box for decades? Perhaps a good hobby dealer might rent one out for a dollar a day.
No, you don't need this device.
But it makes very realistic-looking grass. If you want to stick with dyed sawdust and zip-texturing, like "our predecessors," that's your choice.
If, however, you want model grass that looks like real grass, then the device can help you do that.
For $5 (or $30, for the high-tech version), you can build one yourself, so buying the Noch version is not necessary.