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| Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=61533 |
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| Author: | mingle [ Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Hmm... https://m.alibaba.com/product/606602681 ... ifications https://u-boat.en.alibaba.com/product/6 ... 2c54Mbdonf |
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| Author: | Husse0416 [ Sun Sep 17, 2017 11:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Patent infringement? $3000 + shipping costs ~$1000 + VAT/Custom charges ~$1000 (Sweden) makes a total $5000 for the TI clone with no acces to warranty/service/spareparts and as I guess not the best quality. Not very tempting is it? "Interesting" to see that the rudder on the TI clone is mounted backwards!? Intentional or just pure incompetence? 
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| Author: | Jcanracer [ Mon Sep 18, 2017 6:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Does Hobie not have international patents? I mean, this isn't just following Hobie's design, it's a blatant ripoff! |
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| Author: | TI_Tom [ Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Jcanracer wrote: Does Hobie not have international patents? The Chinese don't care about patents. Never have. I mean, this isn't just following Hobie's design, it's a blatant ripoff! Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | Jbernier [ Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Interesting - they have the rudder on backwards on their TI clone... |
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| Author: | Roadrunner [ Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
I doubt these Chinese knock-offs have ever been tested in the water. 1. The backwards rudder is not balanced, would be very difficult to use sailing (weather helm would be unmanageable). 2. Rudder control handle is also backwards, ergonomically poor 3. Boats are made of LLDPE. Drivewell flex would be enormous. Here is a video comparing LLDPE with HDPE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLVxroKhFVs scary!  Caveat emptor!! 
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| Author: | mmiller [ Mon Sep 18, 2017 3:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
I suspect they are all just concepts. They offer and suggest a price at a volume of sale. We do have international patents and pursue them vigorously. |
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| Author: | TI_Tom [ Mon Sep 18, 2017 3:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
mmiller wrote: I suspect they are all just concepts. They offer and suggest a price at a volume of sale. We do have international patents and pursue them vigorously. Sic 'em Matt! Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | stobbo [ Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
It is definitely a case of caveat emptor and a blatant rip off... I bet these boats (if they are in production) do not meet any of the usual standards we in the west expect and good luck when it comes to getting parts, warranty or dealer support. ...in my experience the words "Made in China" translated for a western consumer mean "use once then throw away" |
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| Author: | johnnybravo [ Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
They are already in Europe. It's time for Hobie to trigger his lawyers. https://cambridgekayaks.co.uk/collectio ... ive-system Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | Motorcycle Jack [ Thu May 24, 2018 8:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
I looked at the advertisements for the various Chinese offerings......all seem to feature Caucasian rather than Occidental models? Stolen photos too? But really the rudder in the 1st URL's photo looks correct. The rudder control is in a different location it seems, prompting the different control orientation. Wow - cheap....cheap plastic, cheap manufacturing techniques and cheap mold (look at how many companies share the design). Think I'll NOT buy one. Jack |
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| Author: | johnnybravo [ Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Attack of the Clones:   Something like this:  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | Pescatoral Pursuit [ Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
The gear drive is interesting. |
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| Author: | MIDGET [ Sun Jul 29, 2018 7:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Didn’t the patent run out on the Mirage drive ? There was a kayak vendor at Icast 2018 selling a version but I forgot which one. It’s on YouTube though... Found it Pelican Catch 130 HD. |
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| Author: | ronbo613 [ Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Chinese Mirage drive and T.I 'clones'.... |
Good luck with the "international" patents. If you are a manufacturer or designer, it's pretty much part of the deal knowing somebody will steal your ideas. Patents are only as good as the money you are willing to spend on lawyers to protect them. Attorneys aren't as big on other countries as they are here in the old US of A. |
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