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PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:26 pm 
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
Hmm...

https://m.alibaba.com/product/606602681 ... ifications

https://u-boat.en.alibaba.com/product/6 ... 2c54Mbdonf


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 11:36 pm 
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Location: Sweden, sjöbo
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?
:mrgreen:

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Last edited by Husse0416 on Mon Sep 18, 2017 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 6:22 am 
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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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PostPosted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:25 am 
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Jcanracer wrote:
Does Hobie not have international patents?
I mean, this isn't just following Hobie's design, it's a blatant ripoff!
The Chinese don't care about patents. Never have.

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PostPosted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:54 am 
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Interesting - they have the rudder on backwards on their TI clone...

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PostPosted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:54 pm 
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Location: Escondido
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! :o

Caveat emptor!! 8)


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PostPosted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 3:12 pm 
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Location: Oceanside, California
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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PostPosted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 3:29 pm 
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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!

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:26 pm 
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Location: Auckland NZ
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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PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:05 am 
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Location: Bulgaria
They are already in Europe. It's time for Hobie to trigger his lawyers.
https://cambridgekayaks.co.uk/collectio ... ive-system


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PostPosted: Thu May 24, 2018 8:28 am 
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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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PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:19 am 
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Attack of the Clones:

Image
Image

Something like this:
Image


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PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:16 pm 
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Location: Orlando!
The gear drive is interesting.


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PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 7:43 am 
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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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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:04 am 
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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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