In defence of Bunkerbarge (who, incidentally is perfectly capable of defending himself, should he need to), I don't believe that he was making any attempt to bring unit costs down?
Reading his post carefully, I believe that like me, he was merely indicating that these units in their most basic form are a viable project for a modeller? Manufacturers would need to develop the product, probably by the incorporation of complex electronics, offer a product that the average modeller couldn't build in isolation, and be sufficiently competitive on price to encourage the modeller to buy one, rather than build one for himself? Nothing wrong with that?
samuel15g has very capably demonstrated that these gizmo's can be de-mystified (probably to No mustang Mark's detriment), and Mark has already probably realised that the gains to be made from manufacturing rest in the fact that sales are mostly made to punters who although largely capable of researching, developing and putting a product together, mostly just can't be bothered?
Whilst we're on this subject, and before it starts, I would counsel all concerned not to go down the route of accusations of copying each others designs. The model industry is too small and volumes are too low to support those sorts of histrionics. It is painful if somebody copies your design (Jim Casey will certainly be hurting) , but treat it as imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, improve your own product, make sure that your price is lower than the opposition, and live with it, - life is far too short....
Malc