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Forums - News / General |
For General modelling or hobby-related topics that are not covered by any other specific forum. Please keep to topics concerning the hobby. |
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| Messages | 23120 |
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| Subject: | Photo etch......Value is relative |  |
| Date: | Sep 13, 2006 |
| From: | Nemanja Pavlovic | |
Allow me to weigh in on this topic, though some of my comments can apply to most all aftermarket products.
First of all, the value or utility of a PEM set is relative; some people are more enamoured with PEM while others are put off by it, everyone knows generally where they fall.
Some kits are perfectly good OOTB while others absolutly NEED the PEM to make them decent. A personal example for the former is Tamiya's T-55A, an excellent kit despite all the aftermarket items available for it. I am building one OOTB and will do one with all the trimmings and will let you know if there really is a difference.
As for a kit that does need PEM, I offer the Dragon/VM kit of the Valentine. Many of the details are VERY basic and the addition of Eduard's PEM set was truly needed. The Eduard set itself was appropriate; i.e. just enough details and not overdone. I also added Ultracast's 2-Pounder gun barrel.
Now some issues that can affect the appeal of PEM include ease of use, utility and cost.
EASE OF USE - Many people, especially those who are just starting, are obviously put off by the daunting prospect of tackling an ABER PE jungle or working toolbox (coolness factor notwithstanding). Admittedly, some of the new PE tools (i.e. Hold and Fold, Etch-mate, etc.) are making it easier, but some people just cannot handle or see some of the smallest bits.
UTILITY - Those who've only used half a PE set know that sometimes the manufacturers seem to make parts just for the sake of offering 'completeness' even though the parts are unnecessary (flat grab handles or light guards anyone?) plus do we really need all those PE bolts and wingnuts? Eduard has realized this somewhat by providing basic sets that have, for example, just engine screens.
COST - Another, and for some the most important, factor. If the kit is only $30-$50, do we really need to spend another $25-$90 on PEM, turned barrel, Friuli tracks, etc? I mean really? Again a hobby is partly what you are willing to spend on it, but at what point do we draw the line?
At this time the best compromise I've seen is Dragon's Tiger 1 kits where for a decent price you can build an accurate kit OOTB either all plastic, or adding an "appropriate" amount of PE as included in the kit without the need to pull out your hair.
For those of you who are happy putting together plastic and that's it, more power to you.
For those of us who suffer from AMS, god help us (and our wallets).
But the worst is encountering the "Model Snob" who insists that a kit (even an excellent one such as the aforementioned Tamiya T-55A) is not properly done without Aluminum barrel, 2 PEM sets AND Fruili tracks. They deserve to be mugged (or at least made to shell out the $$$ to pay for the accessories they insist are required).
Regards,
Nemanja. |
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 | Photo etch......how important is it really? - Glenn Bartolotti - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Philippe Blumenthal - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Domagoj Kamenjarin - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . can't live without it - Mike Bedard - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Re: can't live without it - R.C. Hill - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Re: can't live without it - Mike - Sep 12, 2006 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: can't live without it - Eric Scurlock - Sep 13, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Paul A. Owen - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . All things in Moderation - John F. Steinman - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - "panzers" koenig - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Al Crawford - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Damon Agretto - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Al Crawford - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . It really depends on the subject matter - Roy Chow - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Gary Cooper - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Gary Cooper - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Before Eduard - Roy Chow - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . . . . More Before Eduard - Saul Garcia - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Brian Bocchino - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Satisfied - Mike Tittel - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Depends on the kit... - Bob Muckley - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Re: Depends on the kit... - Damon Agretto - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: We hates it we does.... - Eric Scurlock - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Paul, looks like we need a new forum.... - Glenn Bartolotti - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . Re: Photo etch......how important is it really? - Tim Streeter - Sep 11, 2006 |
| . . . lost parts - Mike Bedard - Sep 12, 2006 |
| . . . . . . Re: lost parts - Philippe Blumenthal - Sep 12, 2006 |
| . . . Photo etch......Value is relative - Nemanja Pavlovic - Sep 13, 2006 |
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