Printed Instruction Manual Or Not

[YoungChazz]

I posted this on RCTech and would like answers from here too:

We work very hard on our instruction manual -- it's one of the most important things we do. We take 8-9 color pix for every one that goes into the manual, and the SCX - 60CF manual will have about 100 pix. No, I haven't actually counted...

Each pic we use gets Cropped, Chopped, and Leveled, then turned B & W, then printed. Because the cars are mostly black, a lot is lost, and the color pix are usually much better. But printing thousands of full color manuals would be far too expensive. Forget it.

We are thinking about putting a CD of the entire instruction manual, Paul's Race Prep, Tuning Section, and all, into every Kit. No more printed inst. manual. You would need a computer when you build your Kit. As usual, all instructions would be on our web site. The CD, of course, would be color -- far better quality. Cost would be only slightly cheaper than now.

We would make a printed book of Paul's Race Prep and the Tuning Section together as one book, about 12-14 pages, that would sell @ $4.99. Hobby stores could carry the books if they wanted to, and this stuff pertains to all off-road R/C cars. They would also be available from us. The idea here is that when I took a manual to the track, I didn't want the instructions -- I know how to build the car -- I wanted the tuning info, and carried around a giant book so I could reference just a few pages in the back.

Because these sections are part of the regular manual, they would be available free for download on our web site. The way we set up the manual on the web site, it's easy to download the instructions for each bag individually, and the Tuning Section is no exception. The CD would be the same way, and of course you could print out what you wanted, in color if you want. In truth, we don't expect to sell many Tuning Sections because you can get 'em from the web site for free and they come on the CD.

I'd like to hear from 20 or 30 guys, Family or not, whether no more printed manuals in the Kits -- CD instead -- is a good or bad idea.

[ianjoyner]

Thanks for asking . I really appreciated the detailed X6 SQ manual and the fact that it is available in colour on the website, it now travels everywhere with me on my phone.

To me, including a CD would be a waste, I would probably have already downloaded the manual while waiting for the kit to be delivered . Are there many people out there now without access to the website? If there are perhaps these people would be better off receiving a paper manual anyway.

I would still probably use a black & white paper manual during the build only looking at a digital version if I needed more detail. But it wouldn't bother me if the a paper one wasn't included, I could always print one if I wanted to. The CD wouldn't offer me anything at all.

[janus_77]

If you want to include a digital manual with a kit, I'd try to go with an USB stick instead. Since a lot of laptops dont accept a CD.

Personally I wouldn't mind if the kit came without instructions, you can always download them. And after the 1st build I normally dont use a manual anymore.

But I think there are a LOT of guys who peek in the manual while at the track to see the length of a bolt, or if they installed the diff the right , so the "online version" does have to be A4-size so it remains easy to print.

So going on the assumption that drivers who order their car's online don't need a CD / USB stick, since they have internet access and can just download it, I wouldn't bother at all with including manual for this market. Just make it VERY clear on the box that you have to get the manual online, before you get a bunch of e-mails with the message " you forgot to include the manual "


That being said, there a still quite a few drivers around who don't know / care anything about internet and computers. But these will also be the drivers who get their rides for their LHS. So for this market printed manuals should at least be available. So a shop can give a manual when someone doesn't have internet / computer access.

Thinking about this, an internet forum is probably not the best place to ask this question. Because anyone on there obviously will have internet access and will be ( a lot ) less likely to care for a printed manual.....

[dale]

I have a PC, access to the internet etc, and I've been racing for about 18 years... but I would still like a printed manual with a kit.

When building a kit it usually requires shock oil, diff grease, threadlock and superglue. I get a fair amount of these on the manual, and wouldn't want my laptop anywhere near my worktable.

I also take the manual to the track when the car is new and I'm still not 100% sure what goes where.

[arransmith27]

Would still like a printed manual.

[Aran]

I find myself using PDF's from the manufactures website and storing it on my phone and laptop, same with any setup.

I do like printed manuals but nowadays there becoming more redundant, if you can save money and trees it becomes positive.

In my opinion a CD or USB would also be a waste for most people, id spend the money in other areas.

[Chippy96]

Personally I like the printed manual-very handy to take along to the race meetings.

[GML]

Paper manuals are becoming obsolete with the Ipad age, books will disappear.

I've for example recently bought a GM charger, a printer, a camera... No manual inside, just a CD, but I never read it and prefer downloading the internet PDF to be sure to being up-to-date

[terry.sc]

Originally Posted by YoungChazz

Each pic we use gets Cropped, Chopped, and Leveled, then turned B & W, then printed. Because the cars are mostly black, a lot is lost, and the color pix are usually much better. But printing thousands of full color manuals would be far too expensive. Forget it.

The ideal way would be to draw the manual pictures, like the big boys do, but that will take time. Doesn't need to be any special software, take photos then tracing paper, pen and ruler to trace the photos will do the job.

If the problem is that the parts are black, why not just paint them a mid or light grey, so the parts can be clearly seen when printed in black and white. I would suggest trying a range of colours, photographing them and and seeing what looks best when printed.

[diggsRC]

I'd agree with terry.. Exploded diagram style manuals are much easier to comprehend, rather than having to read how to do it and look at an undifined picture but any printed manual is better than none. IMO a CD would be a waste of time and money when 99% of people who have a pc have internet access. I like the idea of a separate booklet with tuning option tips and a life size diagram of the screw lengths.

[Timee80]

a printed manual is nice to have but i wouldnt moan if i didnt have one. Id be happy to print one off and use that. Especially if the manual is online well in advance of a kit being released so i could get familiarised with it.
In these hard times you cant blame any company for looking at ways of reducing costs

[YoungChazz]

Thanks for the input so far. Please, more comments from more regular guys, Family or not.

And yes, this is the way we like to do things: get input from real racers, then do what they want.

[YoungChazz]

Started this thread a couple days ago and got a number of good responses above -- thanks for that.

Was hoping for another 20-30 opinions.

[Dazzler]

It simply has to be printed. It's the only way to guarantee ALL buyers of the kit can have access to the information required.

[MikePimlott]

My personal opinion is to put it on all 3.

Put a cd in the box
Have it available to download
And have it available to buy as an optional extra (for the eco warriors)

People who dont want to pay for it will soon find a way to print it im sure.

[/tobys]

A well written and explained printed manual is my preferred option. The X6 manual is one of the best around IMO - well written and plenty of tip and hints throughout the build.

Not keen on using a computer/ipad/etc when I've got greasy/oily fingers from the build!!

[chris_dono]

I think the idea is a good one, although I'm not completely sold on the medium proposed. Many laptops/netbooks/tablets simply won't have a CD/DVD drive available now, so it might be better to include an xfactory branded usb memory stick and a simplified paper sheet showing an exploded diagram ?

For the record, I like using a manual when building a kit, but only the good ones ! Some manuals are simply wrong, so therefore worthless, and having to use an online manual isn't a huge chore, but for me personally it does take away some of the enjoyment of building a kit. I usually have a copy of a manual, tuning tips, setup sheets etc in electronic form with me at the track, but it's always nice to be able to flick through physical pages when at home.

[YoungChazz]

Thanks for the thoughts. Please keep 'em coming! We ARE listening!

[Cooper]

Just for download, put a note in the box with the URL.
Maybe a black/white version and a full color?

Up to you if you want to sell a manual/book or not. I would just print it myself if I want a hard copy.

less paper

No cd, no USB stick. It adds costs, a download is virtually free.

[Getpip]

In my opinion it is one of those things that, if well produced, adds to ones overall perception of quality.

Any xray owner will rave about the great manual that came with the kit.