ASC1 Positioner Controller - End of Production Notice

[dl76]

Recently I have discussed the future of the ASC1 DiSEqC positioner controller with our resellers and have had to make the difficult decision to end production. After a very successful run of over 5 years and over 3K units sold, I have decided to not manufacture another batch. The current stock will likely be exhausted in July, 2019. We will continue to provide the same high level of technical support and bench service for the ASC1 and have ample components and resources to continue to provide service for many years.

This decision did not come easily. Due to a significant increases in both manufacturing and shipping costs during the past few years and the continuance of the 25% tariff that we have been paying on electronic imports for the past 8 months, it no longer makes business sense to distribute the ASC1.

Shopped the ASC1 build to many North American shops and without exception, the manufacturing cost bids far exceeded the estimated cost of importing at current cost and tariff. Was hoping that the 25% tariff would be only a temporary tax that would end before we ran low on stock, but the tariff war has now escalated and it has been suggested that the tariff on electronics will likely increase. With the minimum production quantity exceeding over a year of sales, it is far too risky to manufacture. With the ASC1 cost already at the high end for most hobbyists, raising the price to offset these increases isn't a realistic option.

Thank you for your support of of the ASC1. I thoroughly enjoyed and have been blessed and honored with the opportunity to provide a quality DiSEqC positioner that filled a niche in our hobby!

Please email or call me directly if you have any questions or concerns.

About how many do you think you have in stock? I may buy another for a spare. In case mine gets hit by lightning or something like that.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Titanium]

There is ASC1 inventory at amazon.com and in our warehouse. A few of the resellers also hold a few remaining units. Quite a few units were purchased after the announcement, so I estimate that inventory should last through June.

Titanium Satellite - Store
The Ti store listing displays the approximate quantity available in our warehouse.

 

[dl76]

There is ASC1 inventory at amazon.com and in our warehouse.A few of the resellers also hold a few remaining units.

Titanium Satellite - Store
The Ti store listing displays the approximate quantity available in our warehouse.

Thank you

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[dsmith0429]

Has the possibility of obtaining components from other countries besides China that do not have tariffs or low tariffs been explored?

 

[Titanium]

Yes, every option explored resulted in a significant cost increase.

I am not only a satellite hobbyist, but also am a fan of making an adequate profit to afford lights, electricity, telephone and maybe even the luxury of running water and a flushing toilet... LOL

If it made any financial sense to continue ASC1 production, I certainly would.

 

[arlo]

Coffee. More coffee!
It's strange that a business owner such as yourself wouldn't have a venue to get a govt. subsidy to offset the fact that your product made in China couldn't be brought home for mfgr. and remain competitive. But then again, the ASC1 is a 'niche' product.
I'm not even aware of how many ASC1's you sell in a year. Heathkit was a blast back in the day.
I like the kit form idea. Many of us are hobbyists just like you.
Hell. Throw in a bit of code and make it a solar tracker with the option to point a dish. Same function.....with a twist.
I get 30% fed credit for my solar purchases. Sell a solar tracker, provide a downloadable.....errr....'oscam' for it.
And in true Titanium spirit as for the SR 71, have a proxy purchase them and divert them here.
Just like when I was pondering purchasing a receiver from a UK reseller....we're in good with the Brits.
I'm certainly not qualified to delve into the whole trade war/tariff stuff. But it's supposed to help us and hinder slave labor countries.
I hope you have the Gerbers for your components.
Fatso's site is poison. When confronted with facts for false claims instead of admitting what their sponsor was touting of the things they sell, he chose to eject me like a bad chinese dinner.
I like the truth. Makes my hard earned bucks go further. Thanks, Brian!
....back to that coffee.

 

[dl76]

Had my spare ASC1 delivered today. Got the 3 year warranty thru amazon as well. We get alot of pop up thunder storms here in South Carolina. Normally I look at radar and see what weather is like. Usually I unplug coax from 10 foot dish on back of postioner. When we expecting bad weather. But here storms will pop up on a moment's notice. Anyways enjoy your memorial day weekend guys and or gals. Suppose to be 100 degrees here by Friday for 3 days.

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[thedishking]

Very sad yet I understand where you are coming from. I have had nothing but great luck with your ASC1 units. The last firmware update took the reliability up to where I would expect it. For those of you having issues, update the firmware if you have not.

Anyway, thanks for making such a nice product for us. Glad to have a few extras on the shelf in case I ever get the dish farm going...

 

[Vintagesports]

Very sorry to hear about this. I hope things change in the future and we can see the ASC1 back into production in the future! This is the best C band mover out there. At least for me it has worked exceptionally well. A combination of legacy and modern technology. Thank you for creating this product.

 

[raydio]

We will definitely continue to manufacture LNBFs. Have thousands in stock.

Dr. HD meters are available through international resellers. A great product, but my landed wholesale cost is about the same as the retail cost by any other off-shore reseller!

I am currently working on several new models that will address potential interference issues if a portion of the C-band downlink frequency range is used for 5G. Time will tell if they will be needed.

Yes I have looked at the HD through international dealers but the shipping charges are quite expensive -

 

[raydio]

I don't even have a BUD but I think I will buy an ASC1 just for the hell of it...May get C-Band one day -

 

[truckracer]

Sore loser. I voted for him and I'm not dumb. You spelled 'hope' wrong.

Hey, it's time to start making everything here in USA we use. He's got my next vote too. Maga!

Sent from my SM-G955U using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[VictoriaFTA]

Hey, it's time to start making everything here in USA we use. He's got my next vote too. Maga!

Sent from my SM-G955U using the SatelliteGuys app!

...Yeaaah. That's gonna be a no from me, dawg.

Hope you're part of the 1% because otherwise you're gonna go broke. Everything will be 10x more expensive if it's not built by exploiting third world slave labor. That's the fun little fact of your western lifestyle. It requires exploiting people from a poorer nation in order to fuel it.

And no, your boss is not going to give you a 1,000% raise to compensate for the increased cost of living.

 

[Magic Static]

Since this thread was meant as an announcement and not really a discussion it has become stuck in political quagmire. Thread Closed