Thoughts on this RC Car for a beginner?
Discussion
Similar to another recent poster, I am starting to research a Christmas present for my 9 year old son. I'd like to buy him an 'entry level' ready to run, hobby grade, car that can be used on tarmac or short-ish grass. I don't think at this point scope for improvements is that important, just something that will be fun, sturdy and reliable.
I found this car, the Carisma GT16MT Monster truck, http://www.modelsport.co.uk/carisma-gt16mt-monster... that appears to be good value, with a brushless motor and 4WD, while also being less than £150 including radio, battery and charger. Although it is 1:16 scale so a little smaller than I was originally considering.
The alternative is the Maverick Strada which was recommended on another thread, http://www.modelsport.co.uk/maverick-strada-xb-evo... . This is 1:10 so I assume will deal with grass a little better, but has a brushed motor.
Any thoughts, guidance, advice on these two options, or something completely different, would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
I found this car, the Carisma GT16MT Monster truck, http://www.modelsport.co.uk/carisma-gt16mt-monster... that appears to be good value, with a brushless motor and 4WD, while also being less than £150 including radio, battery and charger. Although it is 1:16 scale so a little smaller than I was originally considering.
The alternative is the Maverick Strada which was recommended on another thread, http://www.modelsport.co.uk/maverick-strada-xb-evo... . This is 1:10 so I assume will deal with grass a little better, but has a brushed motor.
Any thoughts, guidance, advice on these two options, or something completely different, would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
As posted in another thread. The Traxxas Rustler.
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/traxxas-rustler-xl-5wp...
Slightly more money, but it's a better RC IMO and worth it.
If it'll be lots of tarmac and little grass use, then you could look at a smaller RC such as a 1/18th or something. These are great fun if space is a bit limited and it's on something like a playgournd or large driveway. You'll also get a bit more vehicle for your money.
But they won't run on grass really, would have to be very short.
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/traxxas-rustler-xl-5wp...
Slightly more money, but it's a better RC IMO and worth it.
If it'll be lots of tarmac and little grass use, then you could look at a smaller RC such as a 1/18th or something. These are great fun if space is a bit limited and it's on something like a playgournd or large driveway. You'll also get a bit more vehicle for your money.
But they won't run on grass really, would have to be very short.
The Traxxas stuff is pretty bombproof, spares are easier to obtain these days too. HPI offer some great models too, I was very impressed with the Mini Recon which performed great on both grass and tarmac. It has the added advantage of being small enough to live in the boot of the car, fast enough to not be boring and is upgradable if one desired. For it's size it certainly punches above its weight.
When I was 11 for Christmas. I got my Lunchbox
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-lunch-box/rc-ca...
Sitting with my Dad the following Boxing day with all the parts laid out, assembling it. Is something me and him hold dear 25 years later! A real father son bonding moment. Don't underestimate that!
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-lunch-box/rc-ca...
Sitting with my Dad the following Boxing day with all the parts laid out, assembling it. Is something me and him hold dear 25 years later! A real father son bonding moment. Don't underestimate that!
Similar to OP, I'm looking for advice regarding RC cars as an Xmas present for my Son. He's 7 and suggested he might like a better RC car (he's currently got a Nikko which is slow and boring). I've done a bit of googling and entry level Tamiya's; Rising fighter, Holiday Buggy, and to a lesser extent Lunchbox seem to be recommended, along with a 380 motor to slow them down a bit. I've also seen the Maverick Strada models get some positive reviews.
The thing is our garden isn't huge and is mainly lawn so whichever would need to be able to cope with grass, so I though something like the Lunchbox would be perfect, or maybe a Truggy (Subaru Brat, Maverick MT?). Although I guess a buggy would cope with shortish grass ok?
It would also be nice if it could handle getting wet also, as the lane which provides rear access to our house has a loose broken surface which would be awesome for RC cars although puddles do form.
Some recommendations for each type of car would be great as you can be sure he'll want what he wants, not necessarily what is the best car
Are Maverick, manufactured by HPI or just distributed by them? I have an HPI Nitro (RS2?) which I think is great, but I haven't used for years
The thing is our garden isn't huge and is mainly lawn so whichever would need to be able to cope with grass, so I though something like the Lunchbox would be perfect, or maybe a Truggy (Subaru Brat, Maverick MT?). Although I guess a buggy would cope with shortish grass ok?
It would also be nice if it could handle getting wet also, as the lane which provides rear access to our house has a loose broken surface which would be awesome for RC cars although puddles do form.
Some recommendations for each type of car would be great as you can be sure he'll want what he wants, not necessarily what is the best car
Are Maverick, manufactured by HPI or just distributed by them? I have an HPI Nitro (RS2?) which I think is great, but I haven't used for years
Mr Yogi:
In a similar position I bought a Maverick Ion buggy (1:18 scale) for my 7 year old son on the basis that a smaller car can do less damage to legs and scenery. It does struggle on long grass, but handles short-medium grass with ease, and any hard surface.
It has been very reliable to date, although the front suspension hanger has broken (and been replaced) twice due to a 5 year old child enthusiastically driving it towards a wall (with a specific overhang which misses the front wheels and allows the suspension hanger to take the full force).
I discounted Tamiya immediately, as I don't have the time and a 7 year old doesn't have the patience, to build from a kit. RTR is the way to go!
I would have perhaps bought a Maverick Strada (and to heck with the damage) if budget permitted (my wife wasn't even keen to spent the £70 on the Ion!)
The key benefit I found of the Maverick (Ion and Strada) over competitors is that the handset has a throttle control pot meaning that it can be wound right down to manageable levels for small children, then back up as confidence/competence grows. Also they are waterproof.
In a similar position I bought a Maverick Ion buggy (1:18 scale) for my 7 year old son on the basis that a smaller car can do less damage to legs and scenery. It does struggle on long grass, but handles short-medium grass with ease, and any hard surface.
It has been very reliable to date, although the front suspension hanger has broken (and been replaced) twice due to a 5 year old child enthusiastically driving it towards a wall (with a specific overhang which misses the front wheels and allows the suspension hanger to take the full force).
I discounted Tamiya immediately, as I don't have the time and a 7 year old doesn't have the patience, to build from a kit. RTR is the way to go!
I would have perhaps bought a Maverick Strada (and to heck with the damage) if budget permitted (my wife wasn't even keen to spent the £70 on the Ion!)
The key benefit I found of the Maverick (Ion and Strada) over competitors is that the handset has a throttle control pot meaning that it can be wound right down to manageable levels for small children, then back up as confidence/competence grows. Also they are waterproof.
Edited by schmunk on Friday 13th November 13:52
Edited by schmunk on Friday 13th November 14:44
After the advice I received to my original request above, I ended up buying a Traxxas Rustler XL-5. I can't yet provide first hand experience of it as it is a Christmas gift. However, it certainly looks the part and judging by the youtube reviews I found, it is waterproof and very sturdy, so should be good for a beginner (in one video the adult reviewer stands on it totally, and it doesn't suffer at all).
I'm was tempted to get my self the vxl brushless version as my xmas gift to myself so we could race......but then I considered that might piss on his chips a bit so will wait a while!
I'm was tempted to get my self the vxl brushless version as my xmas gift to myself so we could race......but then I considered that might piss on his chips a bit so will wait a while!
Thanks for the replies.
The little dude is currently flitting between buggies and truggies (buggies for the last few days
) and after researching the things for I'm very tempted to get one myself.
The brushless models look like great fun, but obviously way too fast for a little beginner, however I would love one. I have seen the Maveric Strada XB Evo S (brushless) for £150, which looks like an absolute bargin, but as RV mentioned I wouldn't want to piss on the little lads chips come Xmas morning.
Schmunk: You mentioned the dial on the Maverick's which can dial back the power, how much does this effect the speed? In it's most limited setting how slow does it make the car? Because if it could tame the Strada Evo S, enough for my lad to use, I'd get 2
The Strada's look great on You Tube.
Does anyone have experience of the Strada's, and opinions on how they compare with the Tamiya buggies? I've always wanted a Hot Shot (and my son likes the look of it) and the thought of getting the little lad a Hot Shot with a lower powered motor, and myself another or a Super Hotshot is very appealing too. The problem with this is the Tamiya cars don't appear any different to how they were in my childhood (appart from ESC being standard) and they are expensive. The other thing from watching videos, the Hot Shot and even Super Hotshot don't look that fast, or look as capable as even the brushed Evo's (at half the price) let alone the brushless.
One last thing if a car (such like the Stada Evo S) can take a LiPo battery, can you still continue to run the Ni MH battery that comes with it or do you need to change plugs and holder fittings etc.?
The little dude is currently flitting between buggies and truggies (buggies for the last few days
) and after researching the things for I'm very tempted to get one myself. The brushless models look like great fun, but obviously way too fast for a little beginner, however I would love one. I have seen the Maveric Strada XB Evo S (brushless) for £150, which looks like an absolute bargin, but as RV mentioned I wouldn't want to piss on the little lads chips come Xmas morning.
Schmunk: You mentioned the dial on the Maverick's which can dial back the power, how much does this effect the speed? In it's most limited setting how slow does it make the car? Because if it could tame the Strada Evo S, enough for my lad to use, I'd get 2
The Strada's look great on You Tube.
Does anyone have experience of the Strada's, and opinions on how they compare with the Tamiya buggies? I've always wanted a Hot Shot (and my son likes the look of it) and the thought of getting the little lad a Hot Shot with a lower powered motor, and myself another or a Super Hotshot is very appealing too. The problem with this is the Tamiya cars don't appear any different to how they were in my childhood (appart from ESC being standard) and they are expensive. The other thing from watching videos, the Hot Shot and even Super Hotshot don't look that fast, or look as capable as even the brushed Evo's (at half the price) let alone the brushless.
One last thing if a car (such like the Stada Evo S) can take a LiPo battery, can you still continue to run the Ni MH battery that comes with it or do you need to change plugs and holder fittings etc.?
Mr_Yogi said:
Does anyone have experience of the Strada's, and opinions on how they compare with the Tamiya buggies? I've always wanted a Hot Shot (and my son likes the look of it) and the thought of getting the little lad a Hot Shot with a lower powered motor, and myself another or a Super Hotshot is very appealing too. The problem with this is the Tamiya cars don't appear any different to how they were in my childhood (appart from ESC being standard) and they are expensive. The other thing from watching videos, the Hot Shot and even Super Hotshot don't look that fast, or look as capable as even the brushed Evo's (at half the price) let alone the brushless.
One last thing if a car (such like the Stada Evo S) can take a LiPo battery, can you still continue to run the Ni MH battery that comes with it or do you need to change plugs and holder fittings etc.?
The reason that the Tamiya Hotshot and similar look like they did when you were a child is that they are re-releases (sometimes called re-re's) of the originals with a few tweaks like coming with ESC's. They also do retro bodies on modern chassis like the Wild Willy 2 & Sand Rover.One last thing if a car (such like the Stada Evo S) can take a LiPo battery, can you still continue to run the Ni MH battery that comes with it or do you need to change plugs and holder fittings etc.?
Tamiya's generally are not the fastest, most capable or cheapest in any category, where they score is in the quality of their instructions, spare parts availability and upgrade-ability.
For batteries - as long as the connector on the battery and ESC match then the battery type doesn't matter, but be aware of running LiPo's with an ESC that doesn't have a battery low voltage cut off. If the connectors do't match then for low power usage there are adaptors available http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/465__85Batteries_Accessories-Battery_Adapters.html or learn basic soldering and make up the connectors to fit.
Mr_Yogi said:
.
Schmunk: You mentioned the dial on the Maverick's which can dial back the power, how much does this effect the speed? In it's most limited setting how slow does it make the car? Because if it could tame the Strada Evo S, enough for my lad to use, I'd get 2
The speed differential between high and low is large (N.B. it's a potentiometer, so infinitely adjustable). I can't comment on the Strada Evo S, but on the Ion it's definitely very controllable at the lowest speed (albeit still much faster than a crappy Nikko toy).Schmunk: You mentioned the dial on the Maverick's which can dial back the power, how much does this effect the speed? In it's most limited setting how slow does it make the car? Because if it could tame the Strada Evo S, enough for my lad to use, I'd get 2
schmunk said:
The speed differential between high and low is large (N.B. it's a potentiometer, so infinitely adjustable). I can't comment on the Strada Evo S, but on the Ion it's definitely very controllable at the lowest speed (albeit still much faster than a crappy Nikko toy).
Thanks for the reply Thought I would update this thread with the outcome. Decided against the Maverick Evo S in the end, because from the videos on YouTube they look too fast to be fun. Also I kind of fell in love with the Super Hotshot
So providing the little lad has been a good boy he should be getting a Tamiya Dark Impact, and I'll be getting a Super Hotshot
I found the Carson Reflex Wheel Pro 3 transmitter, which has the dual rates on the throttle (the same as Maverick), allowing the max throttle to be reduced.
I also think he'll really enjoy helping me with the build.
Roll on the 25th
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