How big of a problem is parts availability for you?

[Darkbird]

It isn't the availability that gets me, it the shipping costs. I get frustrated paying $8 shipping when all I need is one $10 part. Even if I get two, that's still a big increase in cost.

[Eric T]

$8 shipping... but how much do you spend on gas on a trip to the LHS, plus how much is your time worth? The only upside to getting the part at the LHS is the instant gratification of it. It's a wash as far as I'm concerned.

[kingmeow]

Originally Posted by Eric T

The only upside to getting the part at the LHS is the instant gratification of it.

And the ability to fondle other stuff!

[ACITceva]

Originally Posted by Darkbird

It isn't the availability that gets me, it the shipping costs. I get frustrated paying $8 shipping when all I need is one $10 part. Even if I get two, that's still a big increase in cost.

Could be worse - you could live in Canada and be ordering most stuff from the US!

Don't even get me started about how our low dollar has dramatically increased the costs of this hobby the last year or so.

[Mr.Andersen]

For me ordering domestic is only an option for one of my helis.
Mikado haev relativly OK part availability in Norway but Compass and KDS have non and i have to order parts abroad for those two helis.
Its OK as i at least have some unusual helis at our club.

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by Eric T

$8 shipping... but how much do you spend on gas on a trip to the LHS, plus how much is your time worth? The only upside to getting the part at the LHS is the instant gratification of it. It's a wash as far as I'm concerned.

No kidding, my time is worth MUCH more than a drive.

My LHS has NOTHING worth fondling and they don't carry anything I could even use.

[Heliiceman]

Since I got rid of my Thunder Tiger E700 I don't have any problems getting part. I own a KDS, Align and 2 Gauis. KDS sometimes doesn't have parts, but 3 other hobby shops carry their parts.

[01ws666]

The only heli I've had issues with is my compass warp 360 which is currently down Since I had to order from 4 different Hobbie shops, 2 of which are over seas.

[shawnlh]

Parts availability is never an issue. Helis are in sig below.

[CrashNburn420]

No concern for my helis, helidirect is my Lhs so parts are easy to pickup!

[Aerotec88]

The biggest thing I've noticed is that usually more availability gives you options to find better deals. For my raptor e550, I'm usually stuck with paying full msrp plus crazy shipping from the one online shop that carries it.

[Jerrymac]

I have owned and flown Gaui helicopters for about 7 years now. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate Gaui parts support in North America at around a 3 to 4.

Although Gaui has now discontinued parts support for their Hurricane series helicopters, which I own 7 of, most parts were always 'out-of-stock' even when the models were still current. I don't know if the problem was with Gaui or Empire Hobby, the N.A. distributor so I won't place blame, but parts support left a lot to be desired.

There were quite a few dealers, like GrandRC, Readyheli, Helidirect, RCDumbthumbs, and Heliflightcenter, but many common parts were always out of stock at all of them.

My last helicopter model purchased was an Align btw........And my first Align helicopter.

[LinusLarsson]

Most exotic I ever owned was the Compass 6HV, and even then there where no problems getting parts although I did planned ahead with some parts on that one.

Nowadays with very mainstream helicopters I don't carry a single spare. And I don't have a problem although I rarely need a spare part. I also have a few helicopters I like so in the case of one being down for a couple of weeks there really is no problem.

[quebuenman]

For us here in Mexico is not easy to get some spares, most of them you have to order overseas paying some times the same money for shippment as the spare cost itself. So when we get a model we have to keep in mind asking for the most posible parts your gonna need so you can fly after a crash as soon as posible, otherwise wait, wait and wait. Local hobbyshops have not always what you need and if so parts are expensive.

[lineus]

I don't have a LHS that stocks much. I can get glue, occassionally maybe a part for a Blade micro. Not even much plane stuff. Most everything I've ever needed is easily found online though.

I have 2 Raptor Titans, and those I'm starting to worry about since TT doesn't do nitro anymore. I've already had to order parts from overseas in the past, and a even my U.S. sources are mostly gone now. Maybe have to convert one to a pile of parts for the other in the end. I REALLY like the Raptors, and was bummed to hear they were discontinued.

My last purchase was a 500L. I've had fantastic luck with parts for my old 'rex 450, and hoping it'll be similar for the 500. Nothing local, but at least online parts are plentiful!

[matt blaisdell]

Never an issue for me , I fly mikado and TSA , when there in stock I buy all the crash parts I can afford . then when there out , I just wait till next shipment and order more parts.

Todays trend it to have tomany helis and not enough parts , I have 3 major helis. and have parts to crash each one many times before I have to order. But when I do crash , I buy parts when i dont need them,

[The Dude II]

With Synergy...either direct or through Experience rarely a part not instock when needed...and that's the point here; I rarely need to put new parts on either the N7(~ 240 flights) or N5c(~500+ flights).

[Corvette & Copter Guy]

All my models are Mikado and parts are not an issue. MikadoUSA keeps a good stock of parts.

[Jmann841]

Mikado USA. Never have any problems.

[cycled]

With my Outrage G5 it's less about part availability and more about finding which trex parts are compatible or converting (I gave up finding spares for the original tail unit). Otherwise, no problem except that blades are cheaper from HobbyKing than most other suppliers.