While we do deal with BT setups that is not mostly what we do nor do we do any custom tuning. There really isn't much custom anything in this market it is just someone selling you beta software and calling it custom, they are going to sell it to anyone else they can once they perfect it on your car.
We all do stage 1/2 stuff and beyond no one specializes in one part of it more than another. A company cannot survive in this market just doing BT stuff the amount of work involved vs the volume sold doesn't keep the lights on, you also can't really survive without the marketing power of software for upgraded turbos.
All companies talk down to the "Common man" consumer to defend their product, so I knew this post was coming. But thats ok, I shouldnt have posted something that is looked at as subjective.
I'll agree that everyone does the same deal because, lets face it, everyone is held to the same parameters that the other companies are. You can never outsmart physics. But in this industry its about making more power and bragging that said company did so. But using stock turbo software will LITERALLY be the same as every competitor out there (If you're focus is power without destruction). Most companies surge the turbo some to get that extra oomph and advertise they make more, but ultimately you're going to destroy to the turbo quicker.
Another tactic (Which will agree with your last statement), is advertising. I'd say this is about 85% of the competition. ESPECIALLY on the forums. When figureheads, like yourself, defend a product it lets others know they can show support and lend a hand. Mike, Arin, yourself, Todd, Alex, Evan, Chris..........the list goes on. However, the squabble is where people get caught up in.
And even better, is when somebody on a random Car Build thread posts a new product they recently installed, everyone jumps on it immediately because it has a "good review". I read a post about a year ago that had GIAC tuning review. And almost a week after that there had been a GIAC influx of reviews. All because of that one review thread, people jumped all over it. Subjectivity is hard to escape in this world....but thats what selling this stuff is about though.
So if you want to stand out what does a company need to do? Customer service, sponsored events, community outreach (forum support)....etc...etc. However, what I've noticed from my personal professional opinion is that companies who actually offer a wide variety of products (not just tunes) get more attention. AWE and APR. (Even though AWE uses GIAC, its close to exclusivity)
I know a lot about Revo, and I can say they have a good product (better than some) and make a lot of power but its not my first, nor second choice. But thats fine. I'm just 1 consumer out of millions. Revo wont care if they dont get my $500. But they have an established company in this market and thats all that matters.
I chose APR based on:
1) It came with the car when I bought it, but I wouldve gotten it no matter
2) APR HQ is literally 1.5 hours in one of the nicest towns (Auburn) to ever stay in.
3) I like their support and products beyond just a tune.
4) I like their facility
5) I like their motorsports team.
6) I like their focus.
I normally tell people to go with whoever is closest. Thats the best objective way to choose without all the BS behind hearing companies/people argue back and forth. Looking at a map if a Revo dealer is 2 miles closer to a Unitronic dealer, then there you go. If Revo is further away, but next to the bar you always go to, then pick them because of that lol.
Bleh, so wordy.....nothing at work to do because we're waiting on concept evaluation for a new model. MY2015 BABY!
