Horizon Opinions

[sherbs]

Is it just me or does Horizon Hobbies seem a bit on the cheezy sleazy side? Take their shipping, charged $3 to ship 2 bags of 3mmx8 screws, they used Fed Ex and the ship time was 10 days. Really, under one ounce could have went US mail for under $2 and arrived in 3-4 days. There second best radio, DX5 Pro you have to remove 2 screws and remove the battery to charge it for the transmitter. I had a 1972 "Hobby Lobby 5" that was a plug in to charge, so the technology is available. I have found myself buying from others just because of the way they conduct themselves and some of their products are less quality than others offer.. Maybe their shortfalls are the reason they are still going. I do not hate them just think they could do better in a few areas.

[JatoTheRipper]

I'm a huge fan of Horizon. I've found that they have the absolute best customer service in the industry. They also have the ability to make everything from top level racing kits to low end, entry level bashers.

Look what they've already done with Axial. They took Axial's junk plastics and improved upon those in the Capra kit.

What don't you like about how "they conduct themselves"?

[sherbs]

Well to start shipping, Amain and RPP gets me orders in 3 days, Horizon 8 to 10 days and at a higher price. They changed the Tower membership perks in mid stream. Paid for multiple years when Horizon took over then they downgraded the coupons and shipping perks with no offer to opt out with a refund. All little things but they add up. I bought their charger and battery for the DX5 Pro, never was it mentioned when I called that you have to remove the battery to charge, Just a cheap way to offer a rechargeable system'.

[Panther6834]

Don't get what your complaining about. With most (probably all) quality Txs, you remove the battery to charge it. Yes, they're are usually me costly chargers that can plug directly into the Rx...but, again, those teams to be more costly. Even my 7PX...Futaba's top-of-the-line surface Tx...you remove the battery to charge it (once again, unless you purchase the more expensive charger specific to that unit).

As for their customer service, it's just as outstanding as Amain's, and I typically recover shipments almost as far as today from Amain & RPP. I say "almost as fast" only because I'm in California, where Amain & RPP are located, whereas Horizon is shipped from out-of-state.

~ More peace, love, laughter & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[Xx Losungen xX]

Built in charging usually sucks, takes my heli radio 20hrs to charge, I'd rather take it out and use a proper charger myself.

[Panther6834]

Originally Posted by Xx Losungen xX

Built in charging usually sucks, takes my heli radio 20hrs to charge, I'd rather take it out and use a proper charger myself.

Which is exactly what I do. I've got ² adapter cables for my Futaba LiFe batteries, plus 3 adapters for my Typhoon H batteries. Between my iCharger 406 Duo, and my Hitec X2 AC Black, I can charge up to 4 batteries at the same time (tho, I haven't needed to charge 4 at once...yet).

~ More peace, love, laughter & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[sherbs]

Originally Posted by Panther6834

Don't get what your complaining about. With most (probably all) quality Txs, you remove the battery to charge it. Yes, they're are usually me costly chargers that can plug directly into the Rx...but, again, those teams to be more costly. Even my 7PX...Futaba's top-of-the-line surface Tx...you remove the battery to charge it (once again, unless you purchase the more expensive charger specific to that unit).

As for their customer service, it's just as outstanding as Amain's, and I typically recover shipments almost as far as today from Amain & RPP. I say "almost as fast" only because I'm in California, where Amain & RPP are located, whereas Horizon is shipped from out-of-state.

~ More peace, love, laughter & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

Never had any trouble with their actual customer service. When I asked about the plug in the transmitter shown in my radio manual for charging Horizon said they opted out of putting that in after the manuals had been printed. But just never bothered to include a small upgrade sheet of the difference. RPP and Amain are double the distance to me than Horizon, but Horizon orders take double the time to arrive.

[HumboldtEF]

I would just say ordering direct from many manufactures in general sucks. Not all are bad but most are slow to ship and shipping and products are usually priced higher than distributors.

The only times I order from Horizon is when RPP or Amain doesn't have the item I need.

Their customer service has been great from my experience.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by sherbs

Never had any trouble with their actual customer service. When I asked about the plug in the transmitter shown in my radio manual for charging Horizon said they opted out of putting that in after the manuals had been printed. But just never bothered to include a small upgrade sheet of the difference. RPP and Amain are double the distance to me than Horizon, but Horizon orders take double the time to arrive.

With RPP I've always been forced to pay extra for that fast shipping. I believe it's recently changed, but in the past they only had expensive shipping options.

[sherbs]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

With RPP I've always been forced to pay extra for that fast shipping. I believe it's recently changed, but in the past they only had expensive shipping options.

That has happened to me also, then it's Amain. Now one issue with Amain and Horizon is NY sales tax, they charge it. So at 8% tax RPP ends up being less $$ in the long run most of the time because so far they do not.

[Xx Losungen xX]

Side note: Amain is great for us Canadians. Read on here about a year to keep it under $50 and use the free or $1.99 shipping.

I've pushed $80-$90 USD on orders and never been charged taxes or customs, takes a couple weeks though.