A New Kind of Portal

[tmason10]

We know the portal debate has gotten hot a few times, but we think they are a fantastic solution to increase the capability of your Bronco. We'd like to see even more portals on the trails, and so we set out to find a way to make them a much more approachable option... and now we're ready to share some pretty cool news!

We'll go over more on tonight's live stream, 5pm CST/ 8pm EST:

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[Fordified1]

Tease

 

[DYak]

Anyone else smell the irony here?

 

[ScLeCo]

TLDW
So what is he importing Chinese made portals now?

 

[DYak]

TLDW
So what is he importing Chinese made portals now?

Hes taking the Tibus design, making it somewhere for cheap (cast housing) and undercutting their price.

 

[FordOwner]

Skipping around but I heard at 6:30 mark - by June 1st a run of 10 sets for around $15k.

 

[tmason10]

We are actively working to bring manufacturing to the USA. While not ideal, the overwhelming feedback we got was that the price had to be lower so this was our option for the time being. More options will be available soon.

 

[KABQ]

We are actively working to bring manufacturing to the USA. While not ideal, the overwhelming feedback we got was that the price had to be lower so this was our option for the time being. More options will be available soon.

I honestly don't know how any manufacturer finds a balance between the forum people who are split between "it's too expensive" and "it's made in China."

I've seriously looked into manufacturing a few parts since my buddy is a project manager with expertise making injection molded parts. It seems the options are to either make it here at a price point that excludes most customers but have my IP/patent protected, or make it in China and have cheaper copies hit the market within a few months.

 

[67BroncoG1]

I honestly don't know how any manufacturer finds a balance between the forum people who are split between "it's too expensive" and "it's made in China."

I've seriously looked into manufacturing a few parts since my buddy is a project manager with expertise making injection molded parts. It seems the options are to either make it here at a price point that excludes most customers but have my IP/patent protected, or make it in China and have cheaper copies hit the market within a few months.

Keep in mind that a patent is only as good as your ability (or at lease the perceived ability) to fund the the defense of the patent. Even I you make a product here someone will make it in China and wait and see if you have the funds to go after them.

 

[KABQ]

Keep in mind that a patent is only as good as your ability (or at lease the perceived ability) to fund the the defense of the patent. Even I you make a product here someone will make it in China and wait and see if you have the funds to go after them.

Yes, you have to have to actively protect both patents and trademarks. But if a domestic company rips you off you have some legal recourse. If you give your drawings to a Chinese company and they make the tooling, it's very difficult to hold them accountable in an American court. Especially if you're just "some guy" with few funds like me.

Edited to add: I'm not disagreeing with you, and your post underscores why I chose not to pursue my ideas further.

 

[Snacktime]

Interesting, things have been a bit boring around here lately. This could be entertaining!

 

[DYak]

You guys act like its his IP to begin with. This guy said he's making the Tibus design but Tibus isn't involved. Buddy threw a fit over someone copying his little bushing but now its OK to just rip off someone's gearbox.

 

[kodiakisland]

I honestly don't know how any manufacturer finds a balance between the forum people who are split between "it's too expensive" and "it's made in China."

I've seriously looked into manufacturing a few parts since my buddy is a project manager with expertise making injection molded parts. It seems the options are to either make it here at a price point that excludes most customers but have my IP/patent protected, or make it in China and have cheaper copies hit the market within a few months.

The issue here is the absolute fit he threw over foreign manufacturing and now he's promoting it. Not to mention copying someone else's design for his own profit.

 

[swamp2]

 

[KABQ]

The issue here is the absolute fit he threw over foreign manufacturing and now he's promoting it. Not to mention copying someone else's design for his own profit.

I forgot that was them, and they're doing the thing @67BroncoG1 and I were complaining about. Now my post looks dumb as hell! This thread will get interesting, and I'll probably get flamed haha

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