Discussion
Hi all, I am pushing 40 and my son is nattering about getting a first 'decent' RC Car.
Now ''when I was a lad'' everything was battery, I think I had amongst others a schumaker cat?
It's 20+ years since I had one last, and I went to the model shop today to be told "They're all pre made nowadays!". I remembered making up the gearboxes and suspension, etc, etc.
So my questions are......
1. Can you get cars to be built up still? I think it taught me a lot (engineering wise)
2. Are there any recommendations for them? (money not as important as it was 20 years ago!)
3. Is battery still the thing to get? Bloke in shop was trying to sell me a nitros one!
I would like a car (rather than jeep type) and it must be outdoors (not slick tyres).
Thanks in advance!
Now ''when I was a lad'' everything was battery, I think I had amongst others a schumaker cat?
It's 20+ years since I had one last, and I went to the model shop today to be told "They're all pre made nowadays!". I remembered making up the gearboxes and suspension, etc, etc.
So my questions are......
1. Can you get cars to be built up still? I think it taught me a lot (engineering wise)
2. Are there any recommendations for them? (money not as important as it was 20 years ago!)
3. Is battery still the thing to get? Bloke in shop was trying to sell me a nitros one!
I would like a car (rather than jeep type) and it must be outdoors (not slick tyres).
Thanks in advance!
There are more RTR models than there used to be, however there are still plenty of manufacturers that produce models in kit form. I think that building the model is half the fun.
Most Tamiya models are sold as kits, and Schumacher are still making models in kit form too.
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher/rc-car-manu...
Re. nitro v electric, nitro models sound good, refuelling is faster than recharging and it's always nice to have an engine rather than a motor. The disadvantages are that it can be messy, and the fuel is pretty nasty stuff.
Brushless electric models are now probably faster than nitro on average, there is less fuss involved running them IMO but you have to take care of LiPo batteries as they can be dangerous if misused.
If the car is not going to be raced, it's probably best to go for something like a basic Tamiya, otherwise look at something like a Cougar SV2 or a Cat SX3.
Oople is a good resource for RC info.
http://www.oople.com/rc/
Most Tamiya models are sold as kits, and Schumacher are still making models in kit form too.
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher/rc-car-manu...
Re. nitro v electric, nitro models sound good, refuelling is faster than recharging and it's always nice to have an engine rather than a motor. The disadvantages are that it can be messy, and the fuel is pretty nasty stuff.
Brushless electric models are now probably faster than nitro on average, there is less fuss involved running them IMO but you have to take care of LiPo batteries as they can be dangerous if misused.
If the car is not going to be raced, it's probably best to go for something like a basic Tamiya, otherwise look at something like a Cougar SV2 or a Cat SX3.
Oople is a good resource for RC info.
http://www.oople.com/rc/
Nitro is often regarded as slower than electric now, with brushless motors and lipo power.
You can buy cars to build, i made an Associated B44 a while ago.
They are generally more expensive than rtr and quite a bit more than rtr once you add a controller/reciever combo, motor and batteries etc.
However you get to choose the components you want, what motor you want etc...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher-cat-sx3-pro...
They do a cheaper non CF one
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher-cat-sx3-s1-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/nosram-pure-evolution-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/core-rc-code-2.4ghz-3-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/orion-carbon-pro-5500m...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/core-rc-uac50-charger-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/power-hd-digital-metal...
You'd need a suitable speed controller, as well as paint and spare tyres etc.
You can buy cars to build, i made an Associated B44 a while ago.
They are generally more expensive than rtr and quite a bit more than rtr once you add a controller/reciever combo, motor and batteries etc.
However you get to choose the components you want, what motor you want etc...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher-cat-sx3-pro...
They do a cheaper non CF one
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher-cat-sx3-s1-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/nosram-pure-evolution-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/core-rc-code-2.4ghz-3-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/orion-carbon-pro-5500m...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/core-rc-uac50-charger-...
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/power-hd-digital-metal...
You'd need a suitable speed controller, as well as paint and spare tyres etc.
Sounds like you went to a rubbish model shop mate.
Nitro has the advantage of being able to run longer but thats about it. They are a pain in the backside to get running correctly the temp affects them a lot so one day can be fine the next might not start.
Battery is the way id go but get a few packs of batts.
If you get a kit to build its better i think as you or he will then no how to fix it when it breaks.
Models depend on if you want on / off road and if you want to go racing or just bashing about.
Good makes are Schumacher, Hot bodies, Associated, Xray and Yokomo. All make very good cars and you will be able to get spares easy.
Nitro has the advantage of being able to run longer but thats about it. They are a pain in the backside to get running correctly the temp affects them a lot so one day can be fine the next might not start.
Battery is the way id go but get a few packs of batts.
If you get a kit to build its better i think as you or he will then no how to fix it when it breaks.
Models depend on if you want on / off road and if you want to go racing or just bashing about.
Good makes are Schumacher, Hot bodies, Associated, Xray and Yokomo. All make very good cars and you will be able to get spares easy.
ive been re-bitten by the bug and am doing now what i should have done 20 years ago... first stop oople as has been said already!
dont buy an RTR! a colleague recently did and he regrets not building one up from scratch either from kit form or otherwise
i wanted to get 2 old rollers and then spec them with modern parts including brushless and lipo
there is a big diff between the low and mid end and high end but generally you will come across losi, associated, durango, schumacher, tamiya, kyosho etc
make sure its 2wd as they are much more fun and demand much more skill to drive at pace
ive been able to get everything i needed from oople and ebay but note that if you end up the vintage route that parts supply is an issue esp if the distribution is US based
dont buy an RTR! a colleague recently did and he regrets not building one up from scratch either from kit form or otherwise
i wanted to get 2 old rollers and then spec them with modern parts including brushless and lipo
there is a big diff between the low and mid end and high end but generally you will come across losi, associated, durango, schumacher, tamiya, kyosho etc
make sure its 2wd as they are much more fun and demand much more skill to drive at pace
ive been able to get everything i needed from oople and ebay but note that if you end up the vintage route that parts supply is an issue esp if the distribution is US based
Some good advice here guys thanks!
I'm looking at the Schumacher SX3 but am I right in thinking that the £325 kit doesn't include motor, radio, speed controller, Servo, tyres and battery?
I know I said earlier that money wasn't as important as it was then, but this looks to be VERY expensive (over £750?) once all in?
I have a 2 channel radio already (given from a mate, looks good) so am I going to be able to get everything else for under £400?
I like the style of the SX3 and I'd prefer a 4WD I think.
I'm looking at the Schumacher SX3 but am I right in thinking that the £325 kit doesn't include motor, radio, speed controller, Servo, tyres and battery?
I know I said earlier that money wasn't as important as it was then, but this looks to be VERY expensive (over £750?) once all in?
I have a 2 channel radio already (given from a mate, looks good) so am I going to be able to get everything else for under £400?
I like the style of the SX3 and I'd prefer a 4WD I think.
Soemthing like this associated 4wd would be a good base to build from
http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98338...
includes what you need to run save for charger and tranny and receiver and batts
note however that you may not find your tranny compatible if its a 27 or 40
http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98338...
includes what you need to run save for charger and tranny and receiver and batts
note however that you may not find your tranny compatible if its a 27 or 40
RC944 said:
Soemthing like this associated 4wd would be a good base to build from
http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98338...
includes what you need to run save for charger and tranny and receiver and batts
note however that you may not find your tranny compatible if its a 27 or 40
Again looks good, but I want him to build the thing from scratch (like I used to). So I guess new is the only way forward?http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98338...
includes what you need to run save for charger and tranny and receiver and batts
note however that you may not find your tranny compatible if its a 27 or 40
Now i get it!!!
Well you could or you could snag a pre built roller, tear it down and build it up again!
As you will have seen already going the classic route of buy new and build will cost you the best part of 1000
there will be folk on oople that will be sitting on unbuilt kits from sponsors etc so if you are serious about getting into RC might be wise to register and post an ad in their wanted....
ive had fantastic response there to some very esoteric requests!!
good luck but keep the updates coming!
Well you could or you could snag a pre built roller, tear it down and build it up again!
As you will have seen already going the classic route of buy new and build will cost you the best part of 1000
there will be folk on oople that will be sitting on unbuilt kits from sponsors etc so if you are serious about getting into RC might be wise to register and post an ad in their wanted....
ive had fantastic response there to some very esoteric requests!!
good luck but keep the updates coming!
Have a look at Stadium trucks. They are bomb proof! Something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HPI-E-Firestorm-10T-1-10...
which can be taken apart and rebuilt from the box.
Spares also available at most decent model shops (and Apex is a good one)
audi321 said:
Hi all, I am pushing 40 and my son is nattering about getting a first 'decent' RC Car.
Now ''when I was a lad'' everything was battery, I think I had amongst others a schumaker cat?
It's 20+ years since I had one last, and I went to the model shop today to be told "They're all pre made nowadays!". I remembered making up the gearboxes and suspension, etc, etc.
So my questions are......
1. Can you get cars to be built up still? I think it taught me a lot (engineering wise)
2. Are there any recommendations for them? (money not as important as it was 20 years ago!)
3. Is battery still the thing to get? Bloke in shop was trying to sell me a nitros one!
I would like a car (rather than jeep type) and it must be outdoors (not slick tyres).
Thanks in advance!
As another poster has said, that shop you went to, might be a good idea not to go there again. "They're all pre-made nowadays!" Yeh right!!! They have no idea about the hobby me thinks...Now ''when I was a lad'' everything was battery, I think I had amongst others a schumaker cat?
It's 20+ years since I had one last, and I went to the model shop today to be told "They're all pre made nowadays!". I remembered making up the gearboxes and suspension, etc, etc.
So my questions are......
1. Can you get cars to be built up still? I think it taught me a lot (engineering wise)
2. Are there any recommendations for them? (money not as important as it was 20 years ago!)
3. Is battery still the thing to get? Bloke in shop was trying to sell me a nitros one!
I would like a car (rather than jeep type) and it must be outdoors (not slick tyres).
Thanks in advance!
In terms of what you need, it all comes down to what you want to do. Play in the back garden, local park, or race with others. If the latter then my advice to you is simple:
DO NOT BUY ANYTHING YET.
Find local clubs near to you, go along to as many meetings as possible, chat to the drivers, see what people in your area are into - Touring Cars, Mardaves, On-road/Off-road. I took a 10 year gap from the sport and came back to it 4 years ago now. In those 10 years away it had completely changed. LiPo Brushless was not even on the radar back in the good old days.
When you do decide to buy, you really do get what you pay for. Those who say it must be Tamiya probably are not genuine racers - there are some stunning kits on the market these days from the likes of Xray and Durango at the top end and HPI for the more entry level stuff.
At the end of the day, go and visit clubs. You'll save making a big mistake in the long run, and to be honest running in your local park is fine for a few times, but nothing beats racing against 30-40 people week in week out
HereBeMonsters said:
I only have one thing to say.
Tamiya.
+1Tamiya.
My son wanted a car for christmas, I decided (after asking on here iirc) to go for a tamiya lunchbox.
Huge fun for me building it prior to christmas day, giving it a couple of test runs around the lounge. Letting him choose a colour from Halfords christmas week .... then fun spraying it, giving several coats. Breaking something on the differential and having to repair ...
Endless fun
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