Model 997 Update (8/25/09)


As many of you know, the Outlaws have been working with our design and manufacturing partners at Sherwood to jointly develop a single hardware/software platform that they will sell as the R-972 audio/video receiver while we create the exclusive processor-only version of the platform, our Model 997. The plan had been for the Model 997 to be ready for production approximately sixty days after the first mass production release of the R-972.


There are a number of key hardware and software differences between the two products, so when you hear news of the Sherwood R-972's introduction, consider it a sign that the Model 997 is moving forward, but not the start of a precise "60 day countdown clock". Before production of the Model 997 starts we need to verify that the Outlaw-specific changes have been properly implemented. We'll ship it as soon as possible, but not until it meets our quality standards.


Given a choice between an introduction date that is a bit later than we'd like, or having the Model 997 be less than perfect, we'll choose the delay. We will continue to provide periodic updates, but to be pragmatic we have to say that the first shipments of the Model 997 will probably not occur until late this year.


With that in mind, we will continue to offer the Model 990 and Model 970 while inventory is available. Our current processors are great values, and remain so, but we know that some of you simply cannot wait for the Model 997.