Electric RC buggies
Discussion
I have had one of these for several years and while its still in reasonable condition its not as fast as I'd like Nikko Backfire. Seeing as that seems to be quite surprising money to me for a car that I've had for at least 15-20 years (it was a present) what would the current equivalent be...or something that goes a bit faster?
I'm finding plenty of things on websites/ebay but its easy to be either looking at properly silly money or things that just look a bit well suspect with only the price as a guide between them.
Ideally I'd quite like a buggy style thing to cope with loose surfaces/tarmac(/grass though thats not so much fun) and electric.
I'm finding plenty of things on websites/ebay but its easy to be either looking at properly silly money or things that just look a bit well suspect with only the price as a guide between them.
Ideally I'd quite like a buggy style thing to cope with loose surfaces/tarmac(/grass though thats not so much fun) and electric.
You can't go far wrong with one of these:
http://www.m-k-racing.com/product_info.php?product...
There is an awful lot of choice out there, but this has to be one of the best supported partswise and in terms of advise and setup information.
http://www.m-k-racing.com/product_info.php?product...
There is an awful lot of choice out there, but this has to be one of the best supported partswise and in terms of advise and setup information.
The difference between those is that the Nikko is a toy, and the B4 is a race bred buggy classed as hobby level.
Have a look on some sites like Modelsport and just choose one of the big name brands that you like the look of. All will be faster than the Nikko and upgradeable to whatever level you want.
Have a look on some sites like Modelsport and just choose one of the big name brands that you like the look of. All will be faster than the Nikko and upgradeable to whatever level you want.
Which leads me onto a stupid question..what are the big names?
Also is there any sort of guide as to how fast they are? I'm not particularly interested in racing them and just want to have fun so something basic but but upgradeable would suit me more to start with...£200 seems like a lot for what will pretty much be a toy. Also how much difference does 2wd/4wd make for general messing round?
Also is there any sort of guide as to how fast they are? I'm not particularly interested in racing them and just want to have fun so something basic but but upgradeable would suit me more to start with...£200 seems like a lot for what will pretty much be a toy. Also how much difference does 2wd/4wd make for general messing round?
For messing around there's not a huge difference between 2wd and 4wd, although batteries will generally last longer between charges with 2wd.
The big names are Associated, Tamiya, Losi and Kyosho - Associated and Losi have historically been more race orientated but that breeds robust cars.
There are others to consider for a lot less such as the Thunder Tiger Phoenix and the Ansmann MadRat, both in ready to run versions.
They are all hobby spec, which is an odd way of saying that you can buy spares and the electrics are modular. ie: when it breaks you can replace just the one component, whereas with the toy spec cars you put them in the bin!
It might be easier to suggest something suitable if you had an idea of budget, whether you have somewhere to run a car and the type of space too.
The big names are Associated, Tamiya, Losi and Kyosho - Associated and Losi have historically been more race orientated but that breeds robust cars.
There are others to consider for a lot less such as the Thunder Tiger Phoenix and the Ansmann MadRat, both in ready to run versions.
They are all hobby spec, which is an odd way of saying that you can buy spares and the electrics are modular. ie: when it breaks you can replace just the one component, whereas with the toy spec cars you put them in the bin!
It might be easier to suggest something suitable if you had an idea of budget, whether you have somewhere to run a car and the type of space too.
Edited by PeetBee on Wednesday 21st April 16:49
Do you want ready to run, or build a kit? What is you budget?
If you got a Tamiya kit, they are not difficult to build and it is very satisfying to know all the inner workings. It makes it a lot easier to fix when you crash it too! Bear in mind that you will need to batteries and radio gear separately if you build a kit, but most retailers will do a deal with everything you need.
Have alook here some ready to run models:
http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/index.ph...
or here for kits:
http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/index.ph...
If you got a Tamiya kit, they are not difficult to build and it is very satisfying to know all the inner workings. It makes it a lot easier to fix when you crash it too! Bear in mind that you will need to batteries and radio gear separately if you build a kit, but most retailers will do a deal with everything you need.
Have alook here some ready to run models:
http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/index.ph...
or here for kits:
http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/index.ph...
I can deal with RTR or kit, though I will need to buy all the radio gear unless I strip it from one of my boats (which probably won't be suitable).
Is there much difference between the buggys and the 'off road' style vehicles (and the road ones) or is that largely a body shell at the hobbyist end of things? Should I assume that drifting type silliness is easier with 2wd though there won't be much in it in a straight line?
My budget really is as little as possible, as much as anything I'm wanting to spend as little as possible to get something as fast as possible so will more than likely keep an eye on ebay.
As for places to play for the moment I'll be sticking to empty car parks- theres an dirt car park near me which is ok with what i have but i just hanker for the speed.
Wow...thats a lot of questions, thanks for the help guys!
Is there much difference between the buggys and the 'off road' style vehicles (and the road ones) or is that largely a body shell at the hobbyist end of things? Should I assume that drifting type silliness is easier with 2wd though there won't be much in it in a straight line?
My budget really is as little as possible, as much as anything I'm wanting to spend as little as possible to get something as fast as possible so will more than likely keep an eye on ebay.
As for places to play for the moment I'll be sticking to empty car parks- theres an dirt car park near me which is ok with what i have but i just hanker for the speed.
Wow...thats a lot of questions, thanks for the help guys!
mcdjl said:
I can deal with RTR or kit, though I will need to buy all the radio gear unless I strip it from one of my boats (which probably won't be suitable).
Is there much difference between the buggys and the 'off road' style vehicles (and the road ones) or is that largely a body shell at the hobbyist end of things? Should I assume that drifting type silliness is easier with 2wd though there won't be much in it in a straight line?
My budget really is as little as possible, as much as anything I'm wanting to spend as little as possible to get something as fast as possible so will more than likely keep an eye on ebay.
As for places to play for the moment I'll be sticking to empty car parks- theres an dirt car park near me which is ok with what i have but i just hanker for the speed.
Wow...thats a lot of questions, thanks for the help guys!
This my view as a hobbyist, not a serious racer...Is there much difference between the buggys and the 'off road' style vehicles (and the road ones) or is that largely a body shell at the hobbyist end of things? Should I assume that drifting type silliness is easier with 2wd though there won't be much in it in a straight line?
My budget really is as little as possible, as much as anything I'm wanting to spend as little as possible to get something as fast as possible so will more than likely keep an eye on ebay.
As for places to play for the moment I'll be sticking to empty car parks- theres an dirt car park near me which is ok with what i have but i just hanker for the speed.
Wow...thats a lot of questions, thanks for the help guys!
The chassis are quite different between the different sorts. Touring cars are very low, designed for smooth surfaces. Buggys are designed for for fast, hard packed off road. Monster trucks and stuff are good for long grass and rougher ground.
I'm going to recommend to you the exact set-up I've got. A Tamiya 4wd DF03 or 2wd DT02 buggy (there's a few different body styles for both) and junk the stock motor. Fit a 9T EZRun brushless motor and speed control from Ebay and it'll be very fast indeed.
If you search youtube for EZRun Tamiya you'll see how quick can be. For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPdrJb9bAbY
If you were happy with the 2wd buggy and don't mind scouring the net and ebay you could probably build the 2wd buggy for under £200 all-in or maybe another £50 for the 4wd.
I've had the DF03 in the past and there are couple of hopups I'd recommend, but other than that it's pretty bulletproof.
The EZRun brushless setups are better than you'd expect for the price and fit most cars, including these below.
Couple of alternatives to consider
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/phoenix_bx_2wd_purple_2...
http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/car/item/4000006-...
Or if you fancy something that can handle the rougher ground better then there's the truck versions!
http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/car/item/4000007-...
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/phoenix_st_ii_24ghz_ep_...
I have the Associated T3 which I use to keep my son occupied when it's not racing! The Phoenix ST is a re-released version as Thunder Tiger now own Associated and it's very solid.
And finally, you could consider an 1/18th scale, it's a copy of the Associated RC18T and can be converted to brushless for silly speeds too!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Heng-Long-1-18-Despot-Racing...
The EZRun brushless setups are better than you'd expect for the price and fit most cars, including these below.
Couple of alternatives to consider
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/phoenix_bx_2wd_purple_2...
http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/car/item/4000006-...
Or if you fancy something that can handle the rougher ground better then there's the truck versions!
http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/car/item/4000007-...
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/phoenix_st_ii_24ghz_ep_...
I have the Associated T3 which I use to keep my son occupied when it's not racing! The Phoenix ST is a re-released version as Thunder Tiger now own Associated and it's very solid.
And finally, you could consider an 1/18th scale, it's a copy of the Associated RC18T and can be converted to brushless for silly speeds too!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Heng-Long-1-18-Despot-Racing...
Edited by PeetBee on Wednesday 21st April 21:09
Yeah I have found that already...weaving around things and bouncing over them is more fun which is why I want a buggy chassis rather than a road car. I still want more speed, or maybe just more power to get some drifts going would do.....or 2wd for less front grip 
Oh and on the plus side one of boats which hasn't run in about 2 years has a full ESC and servo set up I can rob from it...I just need to figure out why the thing wasn't going.
Oh and on the plus side one of boats which hasn't run in about 2 years has a full ESC and servo set up I can rob from it...I just need to figure out why the thing wasn't going.
mcdjl said:
I'm based in north Leicestershire (Loughborough) so if anyone knows of any clubs localish I'd be interested in seeing whats out there.
http://www.hinckleyrccc.co.uk/Hinckley usually has a competitive offroad season.
I wouldnt want to buy a 1/10th offroad racer for use at home. I have an RC10B4 and its pretty hopeless on tarmac if there are any stones on the road, plus its too fast and breaks easily on a curb. Offroad its more fun but you really need fairly short grass to make it work properly. As they are quite low it work work well on longer grass.
If you want to get into racing then go for a racing car.
If you want something to play with in the garden or down the local park then get some sort of monster truck like a HPI savage which will work on rougher terrain and will be stronger than a racing version.
All I would say to the original poster is what do you intend to use it for?
Im heavily involved in 1/10th offroad racing and compete in the national series. My cars of choice are the B4 in 2WD and Durango in 4WD.
I enjoy it because of the racing and trying to be the quickest one there. A lot of people get it into their head that they want a RC car to play with in the street/park. They end up spending quite a lot of money getting the car, only to use it a couple of times then get bored as driving it in a park in all fairness, is boring.
Id seriously suggest finding out where your local clubs are and popping along to have a look. Actually racing these cars is a lot of fun and certainly more interesting than playing in the park.
Im certainly not trying to put you off getting one, I just dont like to see people wasting their money for something they use twice.
Send me a message if you want further details
Regards
Im heavily involved in 1/10th offroad racing and compete in the national series. My cars of choice are the B4 in 2WD and Durango in 4WD.
I enjoy it because of the racing and trying to be the quickest one there. A lot of people get it into their head that they want a RC car to play with in the street/park. They end up spending quite a lot of money getting the car, only to use it a couple of times then get bored as driving it in a park in all fairness, is boring.
Id seriously suggest finding out where your local clubs are and popping along to have a look. Actually racing these cars is a lot of fun and certainly more interesting than playing in the park.
Im certainly not trying to put you off getting one, I just dont like to see people wasting their money for something they use twice.
Send me a message if you want further details
Regards
wacattack said:
A lot of people get it into their head that they want a RC car to play with in the street/park. They end up spending quite a lot of money getting the car, only to use it a couple of times then get bored as driving it in a park in all fairness, is boring.
I'd say the best way of avoiding that is to get a simple, robust, electric basher.A lot of people I know spent loads on a nitro or even petrol truck. They take ages to set up correctly, require more maintenance than an 80s Lambo and most importantly - are slower than the equivalent electrics these days.
I recently built a 4wd truggy with a brushless system for under £150 that easily outpaces the petrol FGs and HPis I bash with. For another £50 or so it can be made as robust as those, and if you spend the kind of money they cost on an electric, it would be an absolute beast.
The OP might want to consider "short course" racing also - all the manufacturers are releasing models now and a lot of clubs now run races. They are a lot of fun on a good off-road course but not too expensive.
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?CallFunction...
I'm not affiliated with Modelsport but they do carry models from lots of different manufacturers.
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?CallFunction...
I'm not affiliated with Modelsport but they do carry models from lots of different manufacturers.
Thats my kind of thinking, I want something robust that can take abuse and yet still be fast fun. At the moment I'm veering towards one of the kit 2wd drive things that can be upgraded if i want to race it properly. One of my friends has just got a Savagae nitro which is both out of my budget and patience league...which prompted me to get the Nikko out and be disappointed by how slow it now seems.
mcdjl said:
Thats my kind of thinking, I want something robust that can take abuse and yet still be fast fun. At the moment I'm veering towards one of the kit 2wd drive things that can be upgraded if i want to race it properly. One of my friends has just got a Savagae nitro which is both out of my budget and patience league...which prompted me to get the Nikko out and be disappointed by how slow it now seems.
What is your budget? If you're starting from scratch you're going to need all the radio gear, decent chargers etc. as well. If you want to keep up with a Savage I'd say you're going to need to spend at least £300 on the full kit.Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff