youngs_modulus wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 5:31 am
TobinHatesYou wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 2:09 am
Like you said, it's absolutely the pennies...for the port, for the cable... Also the cost of micro-USB is going down still today, and will continue to do so for the lifespan of any Wahoo product being released in 2021.
You've edited this considerably since you first responded. I gather you reconsidered your blithe comments about EOL'd components.
No, I didn't say it was the pennies that would cause Wahoo to go with micro-USB. I said it would be penny-wise and pound-foolish to do so.
I don't even think we disagree. I'm just wondering why you're so certain that Wahoo will go with micro-USB instead of USB-C. If I were Wahoo's product manager, I'd definitely go with USB-C to avoid finding myself in 2023 trying to sell a bike computer with an outdated interface. Why do you think Wahoo would ignore this inevitability? I'm not saying they won't, but you seem certain and I'm wondering why.
I think the cost is in the small volume/high labor. They're going to sell 25,000 of these? It probably takes 3-5 engineers to bring together all that, get the build detailed/tested, get the custom enclosure mold built/encloursed sourced, test builds/certification/rework, factory time scheduled/parts on hand, and then they spend a bundle on packaging. They then have software/support work up the wazoo (2 engineers?). So that's probably $40/unit in upfront fixed cost to absorb.
As far as economics go, for something like this product cost is 20-25% of full retail. They need to make money, they've got a distributer, and the end retailers expect this to sit on their shelf for 90+ days. They're not using the cheapest part, they need to use 'stable' spec parts so they can use them for the next 3yrs, so that adds cost. With upfront dev cost, parts buys, factory miniums, factory wait, shipping , customs clearing / bonded warehouse space, distribution payment cycle.... There's a lot of delay in their cash cycle, so that costs a lot in interest. In any case, I'd think any unit they market with this complexity less than $200 has to be something they put out there to keep retail doors open/ to meet some factory minimum/ a 'factory' provdied item of convience, as it's not a money maker.
USB-C - I don't think they care here, whatever is smaller/more water proof/cheaper - USB micro serves them fine. I've got rats next of micro already for my front and rear lights.
; Anvil Custom steel Etap;1996 Colnago Technos Record
