-Your PC analogy is incorrect, the clones weren't built "around" the HPI Baja, they blatantly ripped it off.
-You actually admit that purchasing a clone is a "risk" due to poor quality control.
-"Let's not forget that HPI branded ones are made in China"...not sure what that means, HPI designed, and put the R&D into it. Where it is made is irrelevant. It's the material it is made of and the support you receive by aftermarket manufacturers and by the manufacturers themselves. I see HPI sponsoring race events all over the world. I haven't seen any of these "clone" companies sponsoring a thing except sending trolls out to forums to "talk up" their shoddy products.
-You get a poor unit from HPI, it is supported, warrantied for a year.
-Who sells parts for these? Aside from HPI supposedly working on every piece on the clones. Just curious, never have seen any of these parts on any site that sells these aside from clone pipes.
-The sponsors are SPONSORS, meaning, they help out the forum, they pay for a good chunk of money each month to keep this forum and HBF going. They have a true interest in the hobby. They can hate clones, many of them have had their parts copied from Integy. If I was able to make parts as they do, it would be specifically for the HPI Baja. If someone that owned a clone asked me if it would work, I'd tell them to buy it at their own risk. Why? because there are many versions out there, each with possibly different and subtle changes from HPI. Who would know what is accurate and what is not?
Honestly who cares if there are clone haters? I hate them myself. If someone wants one, they can buy it. But please, don't come whining on here because an aftermarket part does not fit or an HPI part doesn't fit or there is no good support.
And yes, I have a clone, it's a Firehammer MT/Smartech clone. Do I like it? I think it could be loads better. In retrospect, I should have gone with an FG with all the money I have sunk into it thus far. So please, anyone that is thinking about buying some sort of knock-off, save a little more and go with the real McCoy, be it an FG or HPI. You'll be a lot happier down the road.
I have also have an HPI Baja, I wouldn't buy a clone version or let a friend purchase one. I'd suggest that they save longer or buy a great used one from one of the two forums (LSF or HBF).
