Pilot-rc PREDATOR 2.2m Sport jet / full composite
11-04-2018, 08:17 AM
#301
in my option, this is quality issue:
the following is quality issue if it is inside the varnish.
other photos you show me, as I post. I am sorry that I can not warranty no that kind of issue for a large batch factory handmade product which sell at only 1649USD. I am sorry that I can not do it as the high level which you want. Lyman had talked with you by call. but you insist to say this predator is with serious paint quality issue. that is why I say the best way is that you return the predator to me. I refund you. we do not want to sell a product to the customer who feel unsatisfied.
the following is quality issue if it is inside the varnish.
other photos you show me, as I post. I am sorry that I can not warranty no that kind of issue for a large batch factory handmade product which sell at only 1649USD. I am sorry that I can not do it as the high level which you want. Lyman had talked with you by call. but you insist to say this predator is with serious paint quality issue. that is why I say the best way is that you return the predator to me. I refund you. we do not want to sell a product to the customer who feel unsatisfied.
Thanks,
Tone
11-04-2018, 08:34 AM
#302
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: zhongshanGuangdong, CHINA
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I do not reply your email is because I told Lyman to talk with you. I can not reply all the email. tons of email from all over the world. usually I will have local dealer to handle it.
Is it really that much of a chore to replace it with a better finished product rather than sending me to another manufacturer that would cost us both time and money? : as I said, I can not finish the level which you want.
Most of the servos may fit in another model but the large turbine is not returnable and too big to fit in something like a T one.: all your items can fit to many similar size jet in the market. include T one. you will not loose anything after you return the predator. your servo can fit to most similar size other brand name jet.
Is it really that much of a chore to replace it with a better finished product rather than sending me to another manufacturer that would cost us both time and money? : as I said, I can not finish the level which you want.
Most of the servos may fit in another model but the large turbine is not returnable and too big to fit in something like a T one.: all your items can fit to many similar size jet in the market. include T one. you will not loose anything after you return the predator. your servo can fit to most similar size other brand name jet.
11-04-2018, 08:46 AM
#303
Tone
11-04-2018, 11:36 AM
#304
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: beachpark,
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Thanks for the picture's.
I was just about to order one, but now, I will look at the T1 Don't want to take a chance on the paint.
Pilot-RC should look at there quality problem on matter the price.
I was just about to order one, but now, I will look at the T1 Don't want to take a chance on the paint.
Pilot-RC should look at there quality problem on matter the price.
11-04-2018, 01:30 PM
#305
I purchased a T1 last year and I received my Predator a couple of days ago. Overall I'm very satisfied with the finish on my Predator. It's not perfect but for $1695 (no retracts) I'm a 100% satisfied. My Predator did not have as many paint defects as in the photos above. Before I purchased my Predator my choices were 1. another T1 for $2500 with retracts, 2. Aspire, also at $1695 no retracts and 3. The Predator. If I had to do it over again it would be a tough choice between the 3. My flying buddy has an Aspire it's a beautiful plane but it has other issues. T-1 was great ...oops did I say WAS great? Paint finish was very very good and the plane flew extremely well. I haven't flown my predator yet but if flies as well as the TI my choice would be between the Predator and Aspire simply because of $1695 versus $2500.
11-04-2018, 04:40 PM
#307
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: zhongshanGuangdong, CHINA
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I accept there are some minor fault and Lyman had talked with you about the compensation. but you do not accept and require for a replacement predator.in fact, it is no problem to rebuild one and send you. but I saw that you can not accept even a small spot on the paint. I know that I can not produce at such a high level. so I say the best way is return the jet and refund the money.
Last edited by Pilot-RC; 11-04-2018 at 04:44 PM.
11-04-2018, 05:19 PM
#308
I accept there are some minor fault and Lyman had talked with you about the compensation. but you do not accept and require for a replacement predator.in fact, it is no problem to rebuild one and send you. but I saw that you can not accept even a small spot on the paint. I know that I can not produce at such a high level. so I say the best way is return the jet and refund the money.
Thanks,
Tone
11-04-2018, 05:55 PM
#309
Join Date: May 2014
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i love your screen name..
maybe they will have another color scheme that is better finish i predict that one guy does the same color paint and if you choose another scheme you may get a better painter
maybe they will have another color scheme that is better finish i predict that one guy does the same color paint and if you choose another scheme you may get a better painter
11-04-2018, 06:34 PM
#310
Join Date: Jun 2008
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My problems was never a small spot in the paint. There are multiple spots on multiple areas of the model. Your representative Lyman offered me a free wing bag which I personally did not consider adequate compensation. I would rather have another jet without so many imperfections rather than a wing bag. The reason I selected the predator is because it looks well built and everyone seems happy with it. The jet has many good features, is a solid design and I would like to have kept it. If there was just one or two small spots or areas in the paint then it would not have been an issue. I am not trying to be unreasonable and I do not expect perfection, I just want a new jet with a finish to be halfway decent or fixable. I just requested a replacement jet that does not have so many areas or that you be willing to compensate me for repainting this one. Others that have posted have stated that their jets do not have as many issues as the one I received. I would have been happy with a spot here or there. I did not request or expect a perfect jet, just a replacement that did not have so many obvious issues. I am willing to work with you but I was told to return the jet and buy from another manufacturer. I am still willing to work with you. Its up to you how to proceed.
Thanks,
Tone
Thanks,
Tone
your require is reasonable. I would like to work with you too. the problem is my production engineering can not get to the level you want. the level you want, which I understand is like the car paint. it need a very good dust free workshop. and paint only one color. it is impossible for me to produce such a product because I do not have good dust free workshop and usually jet is not with only one color. paint the jet with different color/ scheme is too difficult to produce it without small spots. this kind of small spot can not see when you stand in front of the jet. only can see when you find it carefully. if there is lots of spots in one area, it is the quality issue. if there is some small spots in different area of the whole plane. it is acceptable for my QC.
for example, the following photos show there are some small spots in different area, this is what you can not accept, and it is what I can accept. so that is why I can not offer you a new replacement because it is impossible for me to produce the level as you want.
11-05-2018, 02:39 AM
#311
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Wickford, UNITED KINGDOM
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I have 2 new predators here, one mine and the other is a friends, we were generally impressed with the quality, I must say that my mates red scheme is close to perfect mine has a couple of little imperfections here and there oh and the live hinge’s are a bit jagged cracked paint close up, but we were generally pleased with the deep shine and glossy paint work.. for the money the kit fits together nicely and fly well..
Last edited by Mart (Ham); 11-05-2018 at 09:55 PM.
11-05-2018, 07:12 PM
#312
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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I am really happy with the quality of mine and consider it perfectly acceptable for the price. It may not be a BVM but it’s a fraction of the cost and definitely one of the best flying jets I have experienced. I absolutely love it and will probably end up buying a 2.7m version.
11-06-2018, 09:52 AM
#313
My Feedback: (13)
If they are only charging $1695 how much would they charge for a "good" paint job? Why can't they meet a standard? Is there is no QC in China? I have a Japanese made car and the fit and finish is beautiful AND it was several thousand dollars less than a comparable domestic car. It can be done. We just have to stop saying what do you want for $1695 because it doesn't stop there. Ask people at the events I would estimate a large number of pilots will tell you stories of poor finish or build quality on airframes much more expensive. Things have improved many manufactures stand behind their products without attitude, seek them out. It will force the competition to improve.
11-06-2018, 10:56 AM
#315
Join Date: May 2013
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Well my two cents, the quaity of the scheme 3 the blue one its very very well made, and yes have 3 or 4 details over the varnish and i remove them with some liquid, remover, and i have and top rc aspire, and i can say that the quality of this jet its more more better than top rc, and for 1700 usd its, and yes mine came with 3 o 4 details that i could fix them.
11-06-2018, 11:32 AM
#316
Well my two cents, the quaity of the scheme 3 the blue one its very very well made, and yes have 3 or 4 details over the varnish and i remove them with some liquid, remover, and i have and top rc aspire, and i can say that the quality of this jet its more more better than top rc, and for 1700 usd its, and yes mine came with 3 o 4 details that i could fix them.
Tone
Last edited by Agrav8ed; 11-06-2018 at 12:13 PM.
11-06-2018, 11:59 AM
#317
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I would have been happy with only 3-4 areas over the varnish. Unfortunately I have much more than that and they are all UNDER the varnish. Not an easy fix without repainting and re-clearing. Which I should not have to do on a new jet. I also would have been happy replacement with less issues, or easily fixable one. I was even willing to change my color scheme to something less noticeable, but Tony has requested that I return it and by from another manufacturer instead.
Tone
Tone
11-07-2018, 06:01 AM
#318
well i will make the same thing and ask for a replaplacent if mine have the problems your jet have, and to be honest it have to much bad details your jet, i think tony thought you were looking for a awsome and perfect painting and he its honest tell he can not control that the way he think you wanted, but i think your jet its the bad one of the batch and changing it it will fix the paint problem. so just make clear tony undestand that you dont care 2 or 3 paint details but not 12. and replacement its the way to go.
Tone
11-10-2018, 11:03 AM
#319
Very happy to report what I thought was a paint blemish on the underside of my fuselage was easily removed with isopropyl alcohol. So I didn't have any paint defects at all, just 1 minor scratch on the bottom of the fuselage. Thanks for the great paint job Pilot-rc. I have been slowly working on the plane for a week and a half now, I'm still very satisfied.
11-10-2018, 12:52 PM
#321
Very happy to report what I thought was a paint blemish on the underside of my fuselage was easily removed with isopropyl alcohol. So I didn't have any paint defects at all, just 1 minor scratch on the bottom of the fuselage. Thanks for the great paint job Pilot-rc. I have been slowly working on the plane for a week and a half now, I'm still very satisfied.
Tone
11-11-2018, 03:20 PM
#322
I'm all built, ready for maiden. Took it out today and gave the k140 its first start, taxi tested, checked the brakes...is everyone using the ABS option? AUW with UAT filled was 27.25 lbs. Using the balance jig supplier, my nose still drops a bit. From what I saw in the video, that seems like how the plane in the video balanced. Curious to hear what others experiences were.
11-11-2018, 03:48 PM
#323
My Feedback: (1)
I'm all built, ready for maiden. Took it out today and gave the k140 its first start, taxi tested, checked the brakes...is everyone using the ABS option? AUW with UAT filled was 27.25 lbs. Using the balance jig supplier, my nose still drops a bit. From what I saw in the video, that seems like how the plane in the video balanced. Curious to hear what others experiences were.
Regarding balance: it was suggested to me by another Predator owner that the factory specified C/G was too nose heavy, requiring quite a bit of up trim and landing a bit fast. So I balanced mine so that it just drops the tail a bit on the jig. I did this with a full UAT and about an inch of fuel in the main tank. This seems just about perfect to me but still indicates nose heavy on a 45 degree inverted up-line. I’ve got about 40 flights on mine and will probably leave the C/G where it is now. Good luck on the maiden.
11-12-2018, 06:16 AM
#324
FWIW, I am not using the abs brake feature I’ve had no issues with braking without it. I just modulate the brakes myself with the slider on my transmitter.
Regarding balance: it was suggested to me by another Predator owner that the factory specified C/G was too nose heavy, requiring quite a bit of up trim and landing a bit fast. So I balanced mine so that it just drops the tail a bit on the jig. I did this with a full UAT and about an inch of fuel in the main tank. This seems just about perfect to me but still indicates nose heavy on a 45 degree inverted up-line. I’ve got about 40 flights on mine and will probably leave the C/G where it is now. Good luck on the maiden.