was EtronX technically successful ?

[ghermitage]

Was the Remington EtronX trigger system technically successful?

Was it safe? For example, was there ever a report of static electricity setting off an EtronX primer at an unsuitable time?

Was it reliable? For example, with enough battery power remaining, would the system set off the primers regardless of the presence or water or oil?

 

[Savagetactical]

I never heard of any reports going off on it's own due to static. The biggest problem was that it was too radical an idea for a small arm, at least at this time. The concept and use of such is old really and has been used in the M61 Vulcan Canon and the 25 mm Bushmaster as well as a few other military chain guns for a long time. I know that I do not like the idea of batteries in my shootin iron and I think a lot of other people felt the same way. What killed Etron X was poor sales. Sometimes things are ahead of their time. I am sure one day it will resurface and be a resounding success. On a side note I think the idea is great, you basically would have the best lock time possible and a awesome trigger. Just my two cents.

 

[ghermitage]

The real killer of the Etronix system was the price of primers.

The research having been funded by tax dollars, it doesn't seem likely the high price was due to high cost of production. The odd thing is that Rem didn't see the unnecessarily high price was killing the product, and lower the price.

 

[ghermitage]

the single LED that, according to Remington, "tells you everything you need to know" doesn't really tell you all that much.

Some display of how much battery time was left before the system no longer operated would be nice.

The trigger is one of those things you really like or really hate. It's not really a trigger, it's a push,actually pull) button, and it's fairly sensitive but sure not a Jewell. It feels kind'a mushy. If you don't like it the way it is, tough 'cause that's the way it stays.

It seems a pity they didn't exploit the opportunity to do better than all-mechanical triggers.

Guess these things could be addressed in a "EtronX II".

One thing that could be done is to make the trigger not move at all but sense the force applied and when that force reached the programmed level the shot fires. The owner could safely program the level to the force of their choice, which could be down to target trigger forces. It would give a completely unfamiliar feel, but what is familiar isn't necessarily best. We got familiar with all that could be done at the time.

 

[billmo]

EtronX one, two, or however many. That just seemed like it was very much off the beaten path from anything a target shooter or a hunter would desire and gunamonth said what I expected him to
say about dependability. Bad idea for Rem and wasted money. Just my opinion. Bill

 

[ghermitage]

Guess these things could be addressed in a "EtronX II".

The odds that there will be an "Etronix II" is a negative number...

It really is "EtronX" not "Etronix", since we are being particular about names.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/special_runs/past_special_runs/model_700_etronX.asp

... Remington may be dumb, but they're not stupid - and the new owners/management will never throw more money down that hole.

There is no way we have seen the last of this kind of system, though it may not be Remington to try it again.

 

[ghermitage]

That just seemed like it was very much off the beaten path from anything a target shooter or a hunter would desire

Being freed off having to scrape metal over metal, the potential is there to create a better trigger.

dependability

The one dependability issue seems to be knowing how much battery you have until the system no longer functions. There needs to be an indication of how long to go before power is insufficient.

 

[rbertalotto]

I have three of them. All bought for under $600. One is a test bed for a BR rifle type varmint rifle. The biggest issue is moving all the digital electronics that is located in the stock to another stock. This electronics package is there so the gun will not fire from a static charge or such.

I have thousands of primers that I bought for $75 a K. Sure they are expensive, but still cheaper than Deep Sea fishing, motorcycles and women!

All three of my rifles shoot far better than any Remington 700 I ever owned. They shoot like 40X rifles.

One huge advantage to electronic ignition is there is ZERO lock time, No 12-20 pound spring slamming a firing pin forward before the bullet even leaves the case, the trigger is infinately adjustable and could even be remotely mounted on the ground or on the bench if you wanted to totally isolate it. Ignition is perfect. A bit of lube on a firing pin on a cold day won't effect ignition.

And opening and closing the bolt is a breeze and doesn't upset the bags like you do when you are cocking a typical action. There is no caming of the firing pin. You can do it with the tips of your fingers...

I'm sold on the technology...If the IBS allowed electronic ignition, the BR guys would have been all over this thing!

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Have to agree with rbertalotto on accuracy, trigger etc. I have a 243 and haven't shot it much but groups I shot using 70TNT were easy .5moa and better. No clunky trigger pull on mine either. Have considered selling it as finding primers in northwest SD and not having to pay hazard fee is near impossible.

Suggested retail was $1495. Think most are getting the EtronX confused with the carbon wrapped barrel introduced a yr or so later which had a suggested retail of $1995. Both too expensive and out of the main stream for all but a few. The EtronX I have and have seen are surely well machined etc. Before I found primers I put barreled action into another stock with conventional trigger etc to test fire. Rem I am sure for liability reasons 'forgot' to machine about .080 from where a conventional safety lever fits as it won't go forward on mine far enough to fire. Had to remove safety lever to function and test fire. Just wished I could find some cheaper primers locally than $14 hundred 200 miles away!!!

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Well gunamonth good on ya for putting me in my place with your sarcastic and chest thumping "correct" info on the EtronX.

I sincerely apologize for being stupid in that my reference to $1495 was more then likely the wholesale price and NOT the suggested retail price.

Thank You 'gunamonth' for so eloquently pointing out to me what is on Gunbroker. Geez, I had never knew such a site existed or that the EtronX was such a "dead horse" until you made me aware!!!!!

Yes, I was testing the barrel for accuracy BEFORE I bought primers. I apparently don't have your expertise but didn't see much point in buying a new saddle if the horse was crippled from the onset. Sure apologize also for posting my findings/views.

Cannot recall ever jerking your panties into a wad but understand that "A Keyboard" can/has made many "Ballistic Rocket Scientists" who get off on being a rude a** because their entitilement mentality associated with post count. I have 35+ yrs experience shooting and gun work and find your obnoxious comments much uncalled for but also assume you more than likely don't feel you have done anything wrong. Most like you have a narcissistic personality and find no faults with your 'put down' mentality.

Again I apologize for my incorrect price quote and trying to add information to this thread on the EtronX. Gunamonth has made it clear how little I really know.

Respectfully,
Dennis

 

[Tommie]

Take it out back, guys. Let's return to the subject at hand.

To answer the original question, first we need to define "success".

1) Did the EtronX successfully reduce lock time and other vibrations associated with traditional trigger/striker systems? Definitely.

2) Did the EtronX answer a question that many people were asking? Apparently not.

3) Did the EtronX produce large net revenues for Remington? Quite doubtful.

From an engineering standpoint, the EtronX system was successful. From a sales perspective it was a failure. Somewhat like a better mousetrap that weighs 300 pounds and costs $1000 - yes it works better, but who's really going to buy one?

There's no dodging the fact that the EtronX had an incredibly short life span, produced miserable sales and has been abandoned by Remington. Current ExtronX owners have been forced to become hoarders of primers,reminiscent of the 5mm rimfire). If this is a "success" I don't know how many more successes Remington can afford.

Tom

 

[ghermitage]

Let's return to the subject at hand.

To answer the original question, first we need to define "success".

The subject at hand is technical success.

2) Did the EtronX answer a question that many people were asking? Apparently not.

Sales is an unreliable guide to technical success.

Also, it appears EtronX didn't make the most of the technical opportunity this kind of system presents to make a better trigger.

3) Did the EtronX produce large net revenues for Remington? Quite doubtful.

Not relevant to the subject at hand.

 

[Tommie]

Catshooter:

I do stand corrected. When I read "Was the Remington EtronX trigger system technically successful?" I took the word "technically" to mean:

technically,adv)
Synonyms: strictly, in principle, in theory, theoretically, officially, precisely, to be precise, exactly, to be exact.

Now that I've re-read the original post, I see that the question asked whether or not the EtronX firing system operated and performed as advertised. So technically, the EtronX was a success.

Tom

 

[AlNyhus]

I'm sold on the technology...If the IBS allowed electronic ignition, the BR guys would have been all over this thing!

Hi Roy. Actually, electronic triggers are specifically allowed by the IBS in all classes with the exception of the Hunter and Varmint Hunter classes. In Hunter and Varmint Hunter, the rule book specifies "special triggers allowed"...which doesn't really address the issue of electronic triggers...since it doesn't specifically rule against their being used.

The biggest reason the EtronX technology wasn't embraced by BR shooters is the 'single source' primer issue. Primers can be useful tuning aids...and no BR experimenter is going to limit himslef to only one primer. Backing yourself and your project into a corner right from the start is self limiting. If you can't experiment with components, your results are limited before you start..so how can we determine with any certainty that a new approach is beneficial if we've eliminated the use of a valuable piece of the puzzle right from the start? The answer is...we can't. And that's why nobody experimented with it.

Stan Ware and I had a chance to shoot a couple of prototype EtronX rigs several months before they were released to the public. I like the idea and the technology....if the electronic package could be made in such a way that it could be easily transfered from stock to stock and a wide variety of primers were available,despite the cost)....I'd be shootin' that system or a variation of it right now.

But like Yoda said in Star Wars: "There is another". Nudge, nudge...wink, wink. Work continues in this area..in some of the most unlikely places.

Good shootin'. -Al

 

[rbertalotto]

Thanks Al,

I did not know there were areas of IBS where electronic triggers are allowed.......But I agree with you on primer selection being "one"......

And you should see what I've gone through to make large rifle primer 6PPC and 6BR cases!........But I find it incredibly fun, even if it turns out to be a total waste of time.........Just check out my web site for lots of "projects" that have zero merit to anyone but me!
,Tension barrels, Tube Guns, Rubber bedded rifles, etc, etc, etc)

Stuff like electronic primers are just too damn interesting to ignore!

Later!

 

[Tommie]

Today #19
Catshooter:

"I do stand corrected. When I read "Was the Remington EtronX trigger system technically successful?" I took the word "technically" to mean:

technically,adv)
Synonyms: strictly, in principle, in theory, theoretically, officially, precisely, to be precise, exactly, to be exact.

Now that I've re-read the original post, I see that the question asked whether or not the EtronX firing system operated and performed as advertised. So technically, the EtronX was a success.

Tom"

Oh, I should include a PS:

P.S. I wouldn't have an EtronX up my A$$ even if I had room for a boxbar.