R/C for a newbie

[ben_h100]

Hi all,

I have a few weeks off work and amongst other things I have been toying with the idea of getting a R/C car/buggy/truck. I like the look of some of the tamiya models; how difficult are these to build?

I would be after something for the beach/field/road so I guess a buggy/truck is the best place to start. I REALLY like the look of the Sand Scorcher but don't think I could do it justice as a first attempt, so what other electric model is a good bet?

[PanzerCommander]

It all depends on how much you want to spend really.

A Traxxas Slash 4x4 or another type of short course 4x4 truck can be had for around £360 plus another £80 or so for a decent fast charger and a second battery pack (for bashing you get around 25-30 minutes out of a 5000mAh NiMH battery or around 12 minutes if you drive it erm... vigorously

The 2WD equivalents are around £250 plus a second battery and decent charger.

I love the Slash 4x4 it is a solid truck and can take the knocks (there are countless videos on you tube of them being abused and coming back for more), I would imagine the 2WD version which costs less is just as tough. And when something does break parts aren't that expensive.

[ben_h100]

Looking at the Tamiya Stadium Blitzer/Beetle Blitzer. Will look at the 2wd Traxxas, cheers.

[PanzerCommander]

ben_h100 said:

Looking at the Tamiya Stadium Blitzer/Beetle Blitzer. Will look at the 2wd Traxxas, cheers.

Ohh and I forgot to mention you will get fractionally more run time out of the 2wd cars as they do have less drivetrain losses.

£225 for the Raptor SVT:
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/traxxas-ford-f-150-svt...

£220 for the Slash 2wd
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/traxxas-slash/rc-car-c...

The only diasdvantage with the 2wd models is that they are not brushless motor equipped! that said neither ar the Tamiya kits

HPI also make good models, though I haven't ahd one for a while and don't know what their electric cars are like. I can't reccomend any other manufacturers because I have only had HPI or Traxxas. My Tamiya model is a 1/16 tank so that doesn't really count - though it was a great quality kit!

I'm sure somebody will be along shortly to advise on the Tamiya cars.

[MBBlat]

I've got the Buggy Champ (same underneath as the Sand scorcher) and its not a difficult build. The instructions are downloadable from the Tamiya USA website
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-... click on product manual

There are only 2 slightly tricky parts - getting the steering aligned correctly & filling the shocks. Everything else just screws together with no filing/machining/drilling required. The whole chassis can be put together in one or two evenings.

The body on these tamiyas is solid & a bit like a big plastic kit. Most difficult part will be properly masking the body for the suggested paint scheme & painting the driver. Expect to spend longer painting the body than assembling the chassis.