Why is some Kato stuff so much cheaper?

[scott]

It seems like, at least with some of the local/express EMUs (not so much LEX or shinkansen) that I've been looking at, the Kato models are much cheaper than an equivalent set by Tomix, never mind Micro Ace. This struck me odd, since when I first joined the forum, I had the idea that Tomix models were of lower quality than Kato. (Maybe it was just the DCC problems people were reporting,  plus the dying drive unit in my Tomix 115.)

 

Anybody know why the prices are so different? Are the Kato models made in China while the others aren't, or something like that?

[CaptOblivious]

Just a guess: Tomix is the dominant force in the Japanese market, and so Kato is pricing some of their less popular models (i.e., not the super new flashy stuff, or models only Kato makes) competitively.

[ToniBabelony]

Same here. I'm interested as well. The latest release of the 165 Series and 115 Series made me consider buying 'em both, but due to a change in interest I didn't. They were/are pretty pretty cheap in comparison to their rival releases.

 

I've been a Tomix man, as Kato didn't really appeal to me due to their 'plasticy' looks mainly in comparison to Tomix. However, the motor units of Kato are of a much higher quality than Tomix'. They run smoother, are less noisy and cab be used without maintenance whereas Tomix units, from what I've experienced with my JR Central 373 Series and JNR KIHA 183 Series (albeit the latter one being made in the '80s) is that they are pretty noisy and more prone to run less smooth.

 

MicroAce motor units are very touchy when it comes down to cleanliness and stuff like that. My new DD51-1 began to run pretty badly after a few weeks. I guess some dust got between the sprockets or something like that... But still, the running quality in the beginning (before the dust attacked) was very good indeed.

[scott]

Kato is pricing some of their less popular models (i.e., not the super new flashy stuff, or models only Kato makes) competitively.

 

That fits--I've been looking at 115s, 455s, 475s, stuff like that.

 

However, the motor units of Kato are of a much higher quality than Tomix'. They run smoother, are less noisy and cab be used without maintenance

 

This was my impression, too, and since that means less frustration and wasted time, I came to think of Kato as the better manufacturer. But I guess that's not necessarily true in every way.

 

MicroAce motor units are very touchy when it comes down to cleanliness and stuff like that.

 

This may explain why our Gakunan "Akagaeru", which I bought because it seemed good for our ptp line, but before I realized it was "out of area" for me, ran so nicely for a while, but barely runs at all.  I'm afraid I'm never going to be able to provide a sterile environment for finicky trains.... :-/

[jappomania]

Just a guess: Tomix is the dominant force in the Japanese market, and so Kato is pricing some of their less popular models (i.e., not the super new flashy stuff, or models only Kato makes) competitively.

 

maybe, can be...

but if you compare the last release Kato price is better everytime

for example (list price) the new NEX 259 from Kato is around 17000JPY, the new Microace 23000 around 20000JPY, the future Tomix 183 OTOHSK (HG release) around 19000JPY and this is not a new model like the other (just to compare a 6 cars set not replicated from other)

you know my collection, I can compare a lot of different trains and I can compare the same train released from different factory, for me Kato have the best quality/price value, Tomix is the best in the japanese market with the biggest catalog, Microace is strange with their "one shot" release policy (the number of re-release is very low compared with Kato and especially with Tomix with monthy re-release calendar), maybe that's the reason for her high price policy (but is all made in China and quality result unstable)

Maybe the reason of lower price is because Kato is a family factory, the core business is only the train models, they work not only for Japan but for USA and european distributors, a better project staff and a better product industrialization, a better end quality (so they don't need warranty management and DOA addictional cost)

and a better selection of reproduced models (without big unsold stock, different livery production and re-run request)

 

ciao

Massimo

[David]

Anybody know why the prices are so different? Are the Kato models made in China while the others aren't, or something like that?

 

I believe it's likely the opposite.

 

A good question is, what generation is being compared? Older designed Kato sets being rerun seem to cost less, probably because they have fewer parts and are easier to assemble. The fact that the original research and tooling have been paid off probably helps too. I tend to identify them by coupler - the oldest still in production Kato sets have rapido couplers (i.e. Hankyu 6300), middle era ones have truck mounted Scharfenberg type couplers (i.e. 787 Relay Tsubame), while the newest have complex body mounted elastic couplers (i.e. E531).

 

The oldest sets (again using the Hankyu 6300 as a example) also tend to have more primitive motors without flywheels (these tend to have no such thing as "low speed") and primitive lights that need full power to be seen, while the newest sets are often DCC ready with Kato's drop in decoders, with bright DCC ready LEDs. If you compare pricing across these generations you'll notice a consistent price difference.

 

Another thing to consider is set size - while Kato has gone the same route in offering small initial sets to keep the entry price down, they have kept a limit of at least 4 cars for the basic set (and will often still do 5 or 6) as well as making the add-on sets fairly large in most cases. By comparison Tomix has made a run to the bottom, making 3 car basic sets the norm and often making small add-on sets (blue train sets are especially easy targets for 1 car add-ons). My guess is that while these small sets allow for a lower initial sticker price, the costs associated with breaking them up that much (remember things like having to stock all these seperate SKUs when sales of SKU b depend on sales of SKU a) probably adds up.