Dissecting an Autostop Eliminator

[TXRaptor]

You’re using the internet right now...99% of every component and system that goes into that glorious thing granting you unlimited, instantaneous access to mail order brides, Raptor ****, and regular **** comes from China. /endpointlesspoliticaldebate

I think your a bit off on your estimate of what equipment runs the Internet. More than 70% comes from a single US-based company and another 10-15% comes from other US-based companies. Unless you live in China, not much of your traffic runs over non-US equipment.

 

[Deleted member 12951]

I did find a promo code of F150FORUM or WELCOMEBACK for 15% off. For me, I am getting one.

Not sure I want to keep something plugged into to ODB port so for $76.50 doesn't seem that big of a deal for what it does. Guess I don't get it, we drive $70k truck but bitch about something under $100. I have no issue supporting someone who comes up with something that people want, makes it work with quality and turns it into a family business but instead we would rather give his USA company shit and would jump to someone out of China if you could have a knock-off for half the price. Most of you are embarrassing if that is how you think about a solution.

I don't know the guy but his name is Travis Lambert and owns an F-150 and is active on F150FORUM.COM. I found him because I like to research something that I am not familiar before I buy. If you look at this guy's story and just read some of his post in threads there, you will see that $77 shipped is nothing.

Here is his process and yes he wanted to charge less but at the end of the day he couldn't make it happen in the batches he is making for a single market item.

The process goes something like this:

• I send the printed circuit board layout to a US PCB manufacturing company. They review the design, provide UL approval, and manufacture the boards in large panels. These panels are sent to TRL Automotive.
• I then ship the circuit board panels and components to another US contractor to be assembled by robots. After assembly, each board is inspected once again and shipped back to TRL Automotive.
• The wiring harnesses are made by a US tier 1 automotive supplier (tier 1 meaning they also supply harnesses directly to automotive OEMs) and shipped to TRL Automotive.
• My family and I perform the microcontroller programming, final assembly, final test, packaging, and shipping.

It's a huge effort to manufacture a batch of these devices.

 

[isis]

I did find a promo code of F150FORUM or WELCOMEBACK for 15% off. For me, I am getting one.

Not sure I want to keep something plugged into to ODB port so for $76.50 doesn't seem that big of a deal for what it does. Guess I don't get it, we drive $70k truck but bitch about something under $100. I have no issue supporting someone who comes up with something that people want, makes it work with quality and turns it into a family business but instead we would rather give his USA company shit and would jump to someone out of China if you could have a knock-off for half the price. Most of you are embarrassing if that is how you think about a solution.

I don't know the guy but his name is Travis Lambert and owns an F-150 and is active on F150FORUM.COM. I found him because I like to research something that I am not familiar before I buy. If you look at this guy's story and just read some of his post in threads there, you will see that $77 shipped is nothing.

Here is his process and yes he wanted to charge less but at the end of the day he couldn't make it happen in the batches he is making for a single market item.

The process goes something like this:

• I send the printed circuit board layout to a US PCB manufacturing company. They review the design, provide UL approval, and manufacture the boards in large panels. These panels are sent to TRL Automotive.
• I then ship the circuit board panels and components to another US contractor to be assembled by robots. After assembly, each board is inspected once again and shipped back to TRL Automotive.
• The wiring harnesses are made by a US tier 1 automotive supplier (tier 1 meaning they also supply harnesses directly to automotive OEMs) and shipped to TRL Automotive.
• My family and I perform the microcontroller programming, final assembly, final test, packaging, and shipping.

It's a huge effort to manufacture a batch of these devices.

If this is truly the process my $25 estimate is a massive lowball. I didn’t consider the wiring harness either.

 

[realjones88]

So it costs a lot because he's outsourcing nearly all of it to five different companies. Obviously there's a market for it because people keep buying it yet not enough of one for some other company to make the same thing in China for 1/4 the cost.

He's still probably making $20-40 profit for each one (depending on sales) since they're very active in expanding the lineup of cars available. Let's not pretend he's doing all this as a service to the community just to clear $4 a connector...it's a business.

 

[richnot]

I agree there. shit, I've blown a lot of money on that hobby too. At least high end watches don't lose value, lol.

I hear you on that!

When you have to pay $50 for a screw that you can barely see with your eyes and is only available through a Rolex dealer, but I would not want to be the one making that screw or any of the other parts for a watch.

I guess it all boils down to what you want, what you need and everyone else can do what works for them. No Haters

Now here`s how you can spend some serious coin on a Rolex watch............

https://auctions.fortunaauction.com/lots/view/1-2U42Y8/rolex-daytona-paul-newman-ref-6239-in-steel

 

[smurfslayer]

He's still probably clearing $20-40 profit for each one (depending on sales) since they're very active in expanding the lineup of cars available. Let's not pretend he's doing all this to clear $4 a connector.

Good on him if he is. If he comes out with a last drive mode memory module, I’ll gladly buy it from him.

Full disclosure: I have one of these. I like it. I like that it’s USA made and not Chinese like Covid-19. it works, does exactly what it says it will do, and if i get the inclination to turn auto stop start on, I can. I do use it sometimes when I am about to sit in a bunch of traffic or at long lights, etc.

I have no issue supporting someone who comes up with something that people want, makes it work with quality and turns it into a family business but instead we would rather give his USA company shit and would jump to someone out of China if you could have a knock-off for half the price. Most of you are embarrassing if that is how you think about a solution.

I go to supporting vendors first, all the time, every time. Next I look to something like this; an enthusiast / supporter. I’ll gladly pay this guy or one of our vendors more, for a better and preferably American product.

 

[Chiefapple]

So it costs a lot because he's outsourcing nearly all of it to five different companies. Obviously there's a market for it because people keep buying it yet not enough of one for some other company to make the same thing in China for 1/4 the cost.

He's still probably making $20-40 profit for each one (depending on sales) since they're very active in expanding the lineup of cars available. Let's not pretend he's doing all this as a service to the community just to clear $4 a connector...it's a business.

And his profit is an issue for you?

Go make it for the same cost and sell it at cost. Oh wait? That doesn’t sound like a good idea. ***.


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[PNW_AJ]

Worth it got it for my raptor and my friends as a gift

 

[realjones88]

Oh wait? That doesn’t sound like a good idea. ***.

Whoa there chief I think you completely misinterpreted the tone of my post. I was saying "yeah it costs $100 because he outsources it but I also think he's making money off it or else he wouldn't be doing it" not "F this guy for charging $100 bc no one else wants to make it..."

 

[isis]

Whoa there chief I think you completely misinterpreted the tone of my post. I was saying "yeah it costs $100 because he outsources it but I also think he's making money off it or else he wouldn't be doing it" not "F this guy for charging $100 bc no one else wants to make it..."

20-30% margin is right in line with a tier 1 automotive electronics supplier.