I'm so confused right now. Varicom....

[GoMachV]

I have never noticed this until today. Anyone else? Could the makers of the Big Grizzly and Panda be the same makers of Ko Propo?

[Phin]

I believe Varicom was a US importer like Aristocraft(Polk Hobbies) was for Hitec.

[GoMachV]

Ahh ok. That makes sense. I only see them on the ex7

Edit- just a note, this is a listing in Japan if it matters

[Phin]

Did some Googling to confirm it, and Varicom was a brand name used by Hobby Shack that imported/rebadged RC stuff from Asia BITD (e.g. Thunder Tiger, & Mugen). So, yeah, just like Aristocraft, which was a brand name used by Polk Hobbies to resell the RC stuff they imported from Hitec, etc.

KO USA's history page also says from the get go all their stuff was manufactured in Japan...and Varicom/Hobby Shack was located in California.


And now I'm going to waste a bunch more time trying to find who the OEM was for the Big Grizzly.

[GoMachV]

Playtron?

[Phin]

Heh, I think you got it.

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l1004390827