Nothing for sale

[RC-Monster Mike]

I am not getting out of RC anytime soon, Larry - no worries, there. Before RC was my job, it was my hobby. Now that RC is my job, I have simply expanded my other hobbies to keep myself from going off the deep end. As Brian said, what used to be custom stuff is becoming mainstream - at one time I was the only guy making electric conversion stuff but the big dogs are in the mix now(major manufacturers). I am not dumb enough to think I can compete on price with the industry giants (on quality or innovation I try to hold my own, but volume dictates price and I have got nowhere near the volume of the big dogs). I also make my parts here in the USA and therefore pay my help fair wages - it simply costs me more to produce parts. I could go to Asia for parts like everyone else, but I would rather not.
As long as I can stay afloat doing what I like to do, then I am rich(may never be wealthy, but I am OK with that). I may dabble in other areas to stay in business as well as simply expand my knowledge - I have always been into motorcycles(street and dirt) and have always owned at least one motorcycle my entire adult life - this is an obvious avenue to explore, just like RC was 8 years ago when I went into business. :)

BrianG - I agree that a pot is theoretically infinatly variable within its travel, but controlling 35HP in rocky terrain with only 90 degrees of twist can be quite the challenge - remember I am using the same hand to hold on! The controller itself may be part of the problem, too - I just know there has to be a better system than what i currently have. This is not to say what i have isn't good - in fact it is quite awesome in most regards - just that overall control could be improved upon.