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Kobis controllers


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#1 Phil Beukema

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Posted 08 July 2018 - 07:03 PM

Does anyone have an opinion on the $1,000 Kobis controllers?
 
Kobis Racing
 
I remember when I was a kid, I went to the hardware store and got a two-wire door bell... $0.29. That was my controller.
 
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#2 Benno - SAC

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Posted 09 July 2018 - 12:56 AM

Never heard of them, do you have a link?

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#3 idare2bdul

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Posted 10 July 2018 - 12:22 AM

Not sure I have a $300 finger.


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#4 Zippity

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Posted 10 July 2018 - 12:53 AM

Try here.   :)


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#5 Tim Neja

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Posted 10 July 2018 - 12:22 PM

I"m just not serious enough to spend ANYTHING like that on a slot car controller!! I've got a LOT of other things I'd rather spend $1000 on!! :)  :)


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#6 tonyp

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Posted 10 July 2018 - 02:36 PM

When it comes to needing a thousand dollar controller to race I’ll find another hobby and have enough left over for cigars.


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#7 Benno - SAC

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Posted 10 July 2018 - 02:40 PM

Thanks for the links!

I'm also very interested in any experiences with this controller.

Though reading the manual, I'm still wondering what should make this controller worth 830 €.
After developing and building the fourth electronic controller by my own right now, I can tell that it is hard to bulid more than 250 € of hardware into a controller!? :mega_shok:

So are there any functions in this controller, others don't have? :unknw:


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#8 CDavis7

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Posted 10 July 2018 - 07:34 PM

The kobis adds the ability to adjust the gap between the next to last band and full power. Most transistor based controllers, such as the kobis have a built in 1.5 volt gap to full power, the kobis allows the user to increase that gap which is useful for some racers in certain conditions. FET based controllers, such as 3rd Eye and Carsteen, have nearly 0v gap between last band and full power. FET based controllers dont require a mechanical relay either.

I still say it comes down to feel and what works for you.
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#9 NSwanberg

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Posted 11 July 2018 - 01:41 AM

Maybe we need to stop racing controllers and go back to resistors in order to support our hobby/sport?


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#10 swodem

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Posted 11 July 2018 - 03:45 PM

Thanks for the links!

I'm also very interested in any experiences with this controller.

Though reading the manual, I'm still wondering what should make this controller worth 830 €.
After developing and building the fourth electronic controller by my own right now, I can tell that it is hard to bulid more than 250 € of hardware into a controller!? :mega_shok:

So are there any functions in this controller, others don't have? :unknw:

So you can make a controller for €250 of parts
Great.
How does a business make money without charging for their time and making a profit on parts?
Or do you think people should design, manufacture and sell at their nett cost?

Business is business and the market dictates the value

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#11 Benno - SAC

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 03:10 PM

Hey Steve,

 

sorry, but I think you missed my point (maybe I was to unprecise).

I didn't say the controller must not cost more than 250 €.

 

I'm just searching the reason, why it is so much more expensive than a Carsteen, ACD or ThirdEye. I didn't find any feature at the Kobis, which other controllers don't have.

And the hardware parts, well I think it is even not more than 100 to 150 € if you buy parts for maybe 50 to 100 controllers (what you should do, if you run a buisiness).

 

So what do you think is the reason it is more expensive than the other top controllers?


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#12 swodem

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 03:12 PM

Send me the link to it


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#13 MSwiss

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 03:28 PM

http://slotracingsho...controller-2018


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#14 swodem

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 04:17 PM

http://slotracingsho...controller-2018

Hmmmm not much detail there - not sure how it differs from my Kobis

There is the ability to control wheel spin via their traction control method of having some adjustability of the last band before full throttle

It’s so long since I used mine I can’t recall exactly

I don’t use it as it is like a DiFalco with a dead band right off the start which I don’t like


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#15 bbr

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 05:30 PM

I've seen one in person, it is a very well made controller, many of the components are surface mounted.

But too many knobs... more knobs equals higher price, LOL


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#16 Half Fast

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 05:36 PM

The bells and whistles of controllers like the Kobis are designed to cater to high end Eurosport racing on flat tracks, such controls are unnecessary for Wing, flexi and retro slot cars as run in the US.

 

Cheers


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#17 swodem

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 10:25 PM

The bells and whistles of controllers like the Kobis are designed to cater to high end Eurosport racing on flat tracks, such controls are unnecessary for Wing, flexi and retro slot cars as run in the US.
 
Cheers


Not sure that’s perfect advice

I’m sure any cars raced ‘on the edge’ can benefit from the controllers ability to change the delivery of power in difficult sections of the track

They might just be going faster if the track is banked...


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#18 Tim Neja

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 12:07 AM

And this is what's WRONG with slot racing.  This should NOT be a hobby that only those with UNLIMITED budgets can compete in!! It's what has DESTROYED Open wing car racing--these super-expensive controllers will CONTINUE to drive people out of the hobby!  

Someone mentioned we shouldn't be racing "controllers"!! And we shouldn't' be racing with unlimited expenses either! 
FWIW


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#19 swodem

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 12:13 AM

And this is what's WRONG with slot racing.  This should NOT be a hobby that only those with UNLIMITED budgets can compete in!! It's what has DESTROYED Open wing car racing--these super-expensive controllers will CONTINUE to drive people out of the hobby!  
Someone mentioned we shouldn't be racing "controllers"!! And we shouldn't' be racing with unlimited expenses either! 
FWIW


Happens in any sport....

You can spend $500 on a set of darts if you wanted to

It’s called competition!




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#20 tonyp

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 04:19 AM

It’s called competition until there is no one to compete against.


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#21 bbr

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 11:31 AM

Who said racing was ever fair, lol.
Some have more talent
Some have more money
Some work harder
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Mike Low
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#22 MSwiss

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 11:54 AM

Like the one slot car manufacturer said "Cubic $$$ wins races".

 

Tim's dream of  "This should NOT be a hobby that only those with UNLIMITED budgets can compete in!!"This should NOT be a hobby that only those with UNLIMITED budgets can compete in!! It's what has DESTROYED Open wing car racing--these super-expensive controllers will CONTINUE to drive people out of the hobby", while noble, is virtually impossible to police.

 

And if you could, where do you draw the line? $300? $400? $500? $600? $700? $1,000?

 

There would be too much "My $600 Third Eye is fine.....but OMG, that $1,000 Kobis is outrageous".


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Mike Swiss
 
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder

17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)

Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559


#23 Racer36

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 12:55 PM

Odd that controllers for open wing car racing is identified as a problem when open wing cars themselves could be "the problem". I can afford an expensive controller, but my budget would not allow me to go wing racing these days. Best wishes to those who can and do.


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#24 Half Fast

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 02:29 PM

But....

 

A lot of wing car racers have switched back to resistor controllers (albeit fancy ones) for the reliability and since they are mainly used as an on/off switch at King tracks,

 

cheers


Bill Botjer

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#25 zipper

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Posted 17 July 2018 - 03:28 PM

At least for me the most important is a suitable choke function + bypass for ~ zero resistance for qualifying. No need for $1000 controller, my DiFalco is really old.
Pekka Sippola





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