Usually when an item goes up in price, the price increase is "masked" by some improvement. "but not always".
You see it in cameras alot, DVD's, TV's, computers, etc etc.
Once the effectiveness of marketing runs out for a given product, the way the manufactures stimulates new interest is to add a new feature or improvement and raise the price "or sometimes even keep it the same".
However I have seen products just put on a new "skin" and throw on a different model number to make the customer "feel" like they are getting an upgrade when they are not. I noticed this with mens electric shavers over the years.
There is something missing here I don't understand and maybe I don't need to.
But if I were saving for the Helios and it went up in price without warning with no improvements over its predecessor.. I would be inflamed... that while other products of electronic nature drops in price, this one went up?
With my limited vision and limited understanding because I don't have all the facts, it would make me feel uncertain about whats up.
If production cannot keep up with demand... you either increase production "more sales = more profit" or if the quantity of production is limited, you increase the price of the existing "higher price = more profit. The latter is more lucrative because you can do it without an increase in staffing.
However, the problem with increasing the price due to not enough production, you could be killing the goose that lays the golden egg and cause the attention of the consumer to turn elsewhere and so "loose" all the momentum you had for sales.
Its quite a delicate balance.
If I suddenly had to pay 500.00 more dollars for the same product, I would feel cheated if I hadn't gotten a major improvement.. like a bounce up to 50 watts, or even 75 or an increase in battery size for longer runtime? "or both".. but we got nothing?
I would be trying to figure out a way to get one if they did both.
This will only make the competition look more appetizing. Marketing stategies that get your product to agencies that will spend the money works for a while, but the word of mouth of the competition soon catches up.
When there is a lack of interest, many strategies are to gender controversy.
Controversy actually can help a product become more noticed and increase sales. A trick Hollywood as picked up on. Free publicity!
Prices of HID's have been falling as the technology becomes cheaper, better and more plentiful.
Do we really think we are going to drive the prices back up to the days when you had to spend "two thousand dollars" for a nice HID light?
If so, you better look again.... its all around you.... pretty only last so far....
Like Ken said, ultimately the market makes the decision.... so if they can sell at that price, then more power to them... But I would expect its about the marketing... I see in pharmacy drug items as well as medical, its the salesman that gets his foot in the door first and wins thier attention first that gets the contract, not the one with the best product for the price....
Many governmental agencies don't do any homework to see what the competition holds because they have blank checks at thier disposal... so they don't care if they spend 500.00 for a hammer, or 1500.00 for a 60.00 chair.
Have you heard about this "tagging" of funds?.. almost like an unlimited account to buy what you want... "as we pay"
Its true, its ashamed our government is not more conciencious with our money, but If I could tap that market with my product I would too.
I still stand with my past convictions, the Helios is a beauty and many will pay based on beauty..... you throw in ruggedness too... the two are a rare combination.. people will pay more for that too.. but for the practicle power, runtime and features of manipulating the beam, the competition is better and better for a lower price.
I know this inflames some to hear this... its merely my viewpoint.. I make no profit, nor do I know anyone in the field so my viewpoint is objective and unbiased. This was my stance before I bought my light "which now makes me biased"
I did "allot" of digging and research before I made my purchase. If I had a nice expense account where money is no object, or if I was filthy rich, I too would go for the light that "looks" like no other... its indeed is a piece of craftmanship.
We are dealing with people.. people with different needs, motives, and purposes for owning a light.. to many folks, the Coscto is the only thing that makes sense, to others,
they will spend 2000.00 for a tiny litte rock that was mined out of a cave somewhere in Brazil that does absolutely nothing but sit there and sparkle.
Finding what people will jump for and then determining how 'High" they will jump and providing that is the key to success. The Polarion folks obvious are betting the public will "now" jump "higher" for the same product...... So be it!
I have yet to see the perfect light, and when I find it, I won't be able to afford it anyway.....