Would I Buy an SBS-3?

[Anmer]

He does have a job to do, servicing the hundreds of paying customers first.

They're the ones asking the questions. 

[Anmer]

I'm off to find that claim.

Found it in the Radio User article:

"A final point worth mentioning is that the SBS-3 will be supplied with software for both Apple Mac and Microsoft Windows based computers"

I also recall a Kinetic employee saying something similar last year.

But now I see Kinetic is only claiming:

"It provides a true Real-Time Virtual Radar display on a PC or MAC screen (requires Parallels on Apple Mac) showing Mode-S/ADS-B equipped aircraft and AIS equipped vessels immediately around them."

One might argue both statements are correct but if I were a Mac user the first might be interpreted as being "native" Mac OS?

[MIXISM]

They're the ones asking the questions.

cheers Anmer!

[viking9]

They're the ones asking the questions. 

So why don't they ask the supplier by phone/email?

Do you ask questions about your new car on a forum?

I've always found Chris to be helpful when I phone or email him direct.

[Anmer]

They're the ones asking the questions. 

So why don't they ask the supplier by phone/email?

Do you ask questions about your new car on a forum?

I can't afford a new car. 

In all seriousness, surely it's more efficient to address recurring issues via the forum rather than answer the same question every time the phone rang?  I'd also be concerned about the negative impression these unanswered posts create.

Chris has made only 10 posts on the Kinetic forum in January, none of which addressed the outstanding questions about the SBS-3 SDRs.  And since these are the "new" features, surely the reported issues need  addressing?

I suppose I'll now be accused of working for AirNav. 

[MIXISM]

Chris was rolling out the information fairly well, and where the product was going in the forum. You know he was telling you what he saw was happening. This time frame was before he worked for Kinetic directly up his first couple weeks working for them.
  Maybe your right Viking maybe there is a change back to the older days of Kinetic where you did not know if the lights where on in the office during the work day. I hope this is not the case.

I bought my sbs-3 not just for all  the new features, But I believed that Kinetic was heading in the right direction and where responsive to there customers. I know it take money and support to push a new advance product forward. I believed that people that buy a first gen product with its bugs and problems are big supports of the company. I hope the people at Kinetic start releasing information again soon!

Later

[viking9]

Well, I bought the -3 at this time because Kinetic has always given me the best support of any of the VR vendors and I believe they will come up with the other features that they promised soon. In the meantime the  -3 in its present configuration is a highly useable receiver which to me is well worth the price even in its current configuration.

Tom

[Anmer]

In the meantime the  -3 in its present configuration is a highly useable receiver which to me is well worth the price even in its current configuration.

On this we agree Tom.  I just hope Kinetic will respond and resolve the reported issues.  The silence is my worry.

[BigRed]

Agree everyone has they're opnions - the sudden change of 'business' behaviour lets say was strange.... I think we would agree on that.

From what your saying Tom seems to suggest they're might be now be a reverting back to the previous Kinetic code of business practice??

Just a thought. 

[mhm]

April 4th is the next holiday in the UK, maybe we will here something by then. They always seem to let us know something at a bank holiday. 

[viking9]

Agree everyone has they're opnions - the sudden change of 'business' behaviour lets say was strange.... I think we would agree on that.

From what your saying Tom seems to suggest they're might be now be a reverting back to the previous Kinetic code of business practice??

Just a thought.

Indeed. I think the recent difficulties were understandable; SBS-3 is a major upgrade of the SBS-1er and, as usually happens in these cases, Kinetic have had some problems. But I am confident that they will soon be back to normal and Chris will be a regular on the forums again with his usual mix of help, advice and banter. 

Tom

[Anmer]

SBS-3 is a major upgrade of the SBS-1er and, as usually happens in these cases, Kinetic have had some problems.

Not helped by what appears to have been a rushed release without adequate testing and user documentation.  Then exacerbated by a deafening silence in response to the early customers posting valid questions.

Maybe a lesson to be learned?

AirNav Systems would have been castigated.

[BigRed]

Agreed Mike, and this is where this forum becomes so vitally important, and where people like you give good and indepth perspectives which I for one appreciate.

[viking9]

AirNav Systems would have been castigated.

I would imagine that Kinetic are very concerned and have worked to get the software sorted out. AirNav? Can you really believe that castigating them would yield anything? They don't give a monkey's. As you well know, they haven't sorted out bugs in their software that have been there for over five years.

There's absolutely no comparison between Kinetic and AirNav when it comes to listening to their customers, as you and I and many other former AirNav forum members taking refuge here know to our cost.

Tom

[Anmer]

I totally agree Tom and, as I mentioned in my piece, Kinetic has a fine reputation.  However, everything about the SBS-3 release was so out of character especially the silence and reputations that take years to build can be lost so quickly.

In drawing the comparison to AirNav I'm only suggesting that Kinetic should know better.

Having said that, the release of Basestation 165 demonstrates that David, Chris et al do respond - eventually. 

The SBS-3 promises much and every product has a life span.  Clearly the SBS-1 has run its course.