DB-01 or B44..?
Discussion
Hi all
After getting on with life, marriage, setting up businesses, buying houses etc.. I'm another 30 something returning to my life long obsession with all things radio controlled!
My earlier years from the ages of around 8 to 25 were spent tinkering around with some buggy or other, Tamiya Holiday buggy, Kyosho Optima's, Rocky's, a Shumacher Cat , the list goes on. I'm now considering getting back into pottering around with a new RC buggy but have a dilemma as to what to buy. I like the look of Tamiya's DB-01 (Durga), but do I go for an Associated B44 instead?? then when I do make my mind up, do I go 'brushless', if so what motor esc combination? things seem to have moved on quite a bit in the last few years.
If any one out there has either of these kits up an running let me know your suggestions, in the mean time i'll get back to the 'rest' job on my Holiday Buggy!
J
After getting on with life, marriage, setting up businesses, buying houses etc.. I'm another 30 something returning to my life long obsession with all things radio controlled!
My earlier years from the ages of around 8 to 25 were spent tinkering around with some buggy or other, Tamiya Holiday buggy, Kyosho Optima's, Rocky's, a Shumacher Cat , the list goes on. I'm now considering getting back into pottering around with a new RC buggy but have a dilemma as to what to buy. I like the look of Tamiya's DB-01 (Durga), but do I go for an Associated B44 instead?? then when I do make my mind up, do I go 'brushless', if so what motor esc combination? things seem to have moved on quite a bit in the last few years.
If any one out there has either of these kits up an running let me know your suggestions, in the mean time i'll get back to the 'rest' job on my Holiday Buggy!
J
Best bet is to get yourself down the local club and see what people are racing.Then take it from there.
i am selling a load of gear and would do a deal on the lot.
Kyosho zx5-sp,brushless system, charger e.t.c all in good condition.
www.oople.com User name 90dug.
i am selling a load of gear and would do a deal on the lot.
Kyosho zx5-sp,brushless system, charger e.t.c all in good condition.
www.oople.com User name 90dug.
Either are a good choice - I currently run a B44 but a friend has the DB01.
With the Tamiya, you HAVE to buy the optional slipper clutch or the rear diff will be toast. Other than that you can add other options as you go along, CVD, ally shocks, carbon fibre shock towers, etc. With the B44 all of that is included and it needs no upgrades.
But.... the DB01 does take stick packs which are generally cheaper than saddles.
With the electrics, definitely get brushless (sensored) and lipo cells. It makes life soooo much easier.
And finally, check out www.oople.com it is great for 1/10 off road and as you've seen from 90dug, there's a good secondhand section!
PS - holiday buggy - good choice - I'm currently restoring one!
With the Tamiya, you HAVE to buy the optional slipper clutch or the rear diff will be toast. Other than that you can add other options as you go along, CVD, ally shocks, carbon fibre shock towers, etc. With the B44 all of that is included and it needs no upgrades.
But.... the DB01 does take stick packs which are generally cheaper than saddles.
With the electrics, definitely get brushless (sensored) and lipo cells. It makes life soooo much easier.
And finally, check out www.oople.com it is great for 1/10 off road and as you've seen from 90dug, there's a good secondhand section!
PS - holiday buggy - good choice - I'm currently restoring one!
Edited by PeetBee on Sunday 23 November 20:48
I can't stress enough how simple life is now with Brishless and LiPo. It doesn't matter if you are racing ata club ar just with friends at a park. Brushless and LiPo is now the only option.
It's cheaper too.
No maintenance worries, just charge and go
If like me you've been away from the hobby for 12+ years, you'll probably find all your old gear a little worn out. Sell it on ebay (I made a few £100 out of selling my old gear) and start afresh.
Once you own a brushless and LiPo set, you'll never go back kto cells and brushes - that's a gaurantee.
It's cheaper too.
No maintenance worries, just charge and go
If like me you've been away from the hobby for 12+ years, you'll probably find all your old gear a little worn out. Sell it on ebay (I made a few £100 out of selling my old gear) and start afresh.
Once you own a brushless and LiPo set, you'll never go back kto cells and brushes - that's a gaurantee.
Thanks for all your advice so far!
The B44 is very tempting, seems perhaps better value to begin with as there would be quite a bit of spending on a basic DB-01 to get it up to the same sort of spec. I'm still undecided though! i'll probably not be taking which ever car I buy racing, it will be more of a hi spec garden/car park bashing buggy.
I'll definitely be going down the brushless/LiPo route, I can't believe how things have moved on technology wise, awesome stuff! anyone got recommendations on motor/esc combinations? nothing too daft, but quick enough
thanks for the heads up on 'Oople.com' wicked website, managed to loose a few hours trailing though all that
PeetBee: you'll have to fire me some pics of your Holiday Buggy, and let me know if you need decals, i'm currently recreating some for mine (got a graphics business) just done some for someones Sand Rover and they came out really well!
The B44 is very tempting, seems perhaps better value to begin with as there would be quite a bit of spending on a basic DB-01 to get it up to the same sort of spec. I'm still undecided though! i'll probably not be taking which ever car I buy racing, it will be more of a hi spec garden/car park bashing buggy.
I'll definitely be going down the brushless/LiPo route, I can't believe how things have moved on technology wise, awesome stuff! anyone got recommendations on motor/esc combinations? nothing too daft, but quick enough
thanks for the heads up on 'Oople.com' wicked website, managed to loose a few hours trailing though all that
PeetBee: you'll have to fire me some pics of your Holiday Buggy, and let me know if you need decals, i'm currently recreating some for mine (got a graphics business) just done some for someones Sand Rover and they came out really well!
Jez Thain said:
Thanks for all your advice so far!
The B44 is very tempting, seems perhaps better value to begin with as there would be quite a bit of spending on a basic DB-01 to get it up to the same sort of spec. I'm still undecided though! i'll probably not be taking which ever car I buy racing, it will be more of a hi spec garden/car park bashing buggy.
I'll definitely be going down the brushless/LiPo route, I can't believe how things have moved on technology wise, awesome stuff! anyone got recommendations on motor/esc combinations? nothing too daft, but quick enough
thanks for the heads up on 'Oople.com' wicked website, managed to loose a few hours trailing though all that
PeetBee: you'll have to fire me some pics of your Holiday Buggy, and let me know if you need decals, i'm currently recreating some for mine (got a graphics business) just done some for someones Sand Rover and they came out really well!
I'll dig out a link to a US retailer where I got my Brushless and ESC from - still works out cheaper with delivery than from a UK source. As to the LiPo and charger, these are the ones I got:The B44 is very tempting, seems perhaps better value to begin with as there would be quite a bit of spending on a basic DB-01 to get it up to the same sort of spec. I'm still undecided though! i'll probably not be taking which ever car I buy racing, it will be more of a hi spec garden/car park bashing buggy.
I'll definitely be going down the brushless/LiPo route, I can't believe how things have moved on technology wise, awesome stuff! anyone got recommendations on motor/esc combinations? nothing too daft, but quick enough
thanks for the heads up on 'Oople.com' wicked website, managed to loose a few hours trailing though all that
PeetBee: you'll have to fire me some pics of your Holiday Buggy, and let me know if you need decals, i'm currently recreating some for mine (got a graphics business) just done some for someones Sand Rover and they came out really well!
TrakPower Bc6 Charger/Balancer Charger and TP32002S/30 LiPo
Both from: http://www.modeltech.co.uk/
Edited by motormania on Wednesday 26th November 13:23
If you're not going to race, then I'd be tempted to go for the DB01, you'd only need to get the slipper clutch, the rest are only 'essential'* once you go racing plus you can get stick pack lipos, far more available and cheaply than the saddles you'd need for the B44. If you do decide to go racing the DB01 is a perfectly capable car.
With esc and motor, I've gone for the Novak GTB & Velociti motors, but LRP, SpeedPassion & Nosram are all good. I would suggest a 7.5 motor for a good mix of speed and duration.
Also if you have two of the rectangular spotlights spare, I'll take them!
I'll have to post some pics one day of the HB once I get it finished.
Motormania, I'm not sure that there's the bargains to be had anymore with the current exchange rate, especially as my last few overseas purchases have been caught for VAT, plus Royal Mail's admin fee. And that's the ones that avoided import duty!
With esc and motor, I've gone for the Novak GTB & Velociti motors, but LRP, SpeedPassion & Nosram are all good. I would suggest a 7.5 motor for a good mix of speed and duration.
- They're not really essential, but they do improve the car.
Also if you have two of the rectangular spotlights spare, I'll take them!
I'll have to post some pics one day of the HB once I get it finished.
Motormania, I'm not sure that there's the bargains to be had anymore with the current exchange rate, especially as my last few overseas purchases have been caught for VAT, plus Royal Mail's admin fee. And that's the ones that avoided import duty!
PeetBee said:
If you're not going to race, then I'd be tempted to go for the DB01, you'd only need to get the slipper clutch, the rest are only 'essential'* once you go racing plus you can get stick pack lipos, far more available and cheaply than the saddles you'd need for the B44. If you do decide to go racing the DB01 is a perfectly capable car.
With esc and motor, I've gone for the Novak GTB & Velociti motors, but LRP, SpeedPassion & Nosram are all good. I would suggest a 7.5 motor for a good mix of speed and duration.
Also if you have two of the rectangular spotlights spare, I'll take them!
I'll have to post some pics one day of the HB once I get it finished.
Motormania, I'm not sure that there's the bargains to be had anymore with the current exchange rate, especially as my last few overseas purchases have been caught for VAT, plus Royal Mail's admin fee. And that's the ones that avoided import duty!
I guess with the current exchange rate your probably right. Luckily I've never been hit by VAT or Import Duty on anything I've purchased from the states or HK. maybe the guys sending me the stuff were clever in making the goods look like 'gifts' on the declaration documentation.With esc and motor, I've gone for the Novak GTB & Velociti motors, but LRP, SpeedPassion & Nosram are all good. I would suggest a 7.5 motor for a good mix of speed and duration.
- They're not really essential, but they do improve the car.
Also if you have two of the rectangular spotlights spare, I'll take them!
I'll have to post some pics one day of the HB once I get it finished.
Motormania, I'm not sure that there's the bargains to be had anymore with the current exchange rate, especially as my last few overseas purchases have been caught for VAT, plus Royal Mail's admin fee. And that's the ones that avoided import duty!
motormania said:
I guess with the current exchange rate your probably right. Luckily I've never been hit by VAT or Import Duty on anything I've purchased from the states or HK. maybe the guys sending me the stuff were clever in making the goods look like 'gifts' on the declaration documentation.
I think it just depends on what sort of mood the guy in customs is in. I've had some stuff from the states get just VAT when it should have had import duty and it's arrived with another cheaper item that's been hit! Anyway, support your local shop if you can!
Edited by PeetBee on Wednesday 26th November 23:41
I'm all for supporting local business, especially at the moment! I'm fortunate to live about 20 mins drive from ModelsportUK in Otley so what ever I end up buying i'll probably pop over and see them.
The more i read into things I think a DB-01 Durga or Baldre will be more suited to what i'm looking for. Probably along with some better shocks and slipper to begin with and then add bits as I go along. Seems people have been having problems with the 'kit' screws on that chassis so I may try and source something better.
PeetBee, i'll let you know if I come across any spare HB lights, missed out on a load of spares on Ebay recently so if I get any extra i'll pass them on. Mines just about getting there now, going to spray the shell and sort these stickers out, then apart from some new rear rubber it's done
The more i read into things I think a DB-01 Durga or Baldre will be more suited to what i'm looking for. Probably along with some better shocks and slipper to begin with and then add bits as I go along. Seems people have been having problems with the 'kit' screws on that chassis so I may try and source something better.
PeetBee, i'll let you know if I come across any spare HB lights, missed out on a load of spares on Ebay recently so if I get any extra i'll pass them on. Mines just about getting there now, going to spray the shell and sort these stickers out, then apart from some new rear rubber it's done
Thanks Jez, that would be appreciated!
Personally, I'd leave the kit shocks on there, the Tamiya shocks (whilst excellent) are pricey and are also a fraction too long on the rear. A guy at one of my local clubs has DB01s for 3 of his kids and they handle the bumps ok with the plastic fantastic kit shocks.
Spend the money on a screw set instead, lots of handy build tips here:
http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/reviewtamiyadurga/
Jimmy loves his Tamiyas!
I've used both Modelsport and Fusion Hobbies and both have been good, you'd get free postage on the kit, etc so that's worth factoring in.
Personally, I'd leave the kit shocks on there, the Tamiya shocks (whilst excellent) are pricey and are also a fraction too long on the rear. A guy at one of my local clubs has DB01s for 3 of his kids and they handle the bumps ok with the plastic fantastic kit shocks.
Spend the money on a screw set instead, lots of handy build tips here:
http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/reviewtamiyadurga/
Jimmy loves his Tamiyas!
I've used both Modelsport and Fusion Hobbies and both have been good, you'd get free postage on the kit, etc so that's worth factoring in.
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