1st RC Car

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My 3.5 year old enjoys a cheap no brand McLaren sports car RC car. It just a cheapo thing that takes 3 AA batteries. Trouble with it is the radio range is really short and it gets stuck on the slightest spec of gravel. It’s really slow too. But the good thing about it is the transmitter is small enough for his little hands.

Any recommendations for something that can handle a bit of rougher terrain, is a little higher quality, doesn’t cost the earth, but still has a smaller controller? I almost bought an FTX Hooligan JNR, but I think has a full size adult size transmitter.

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Bit more that i was planning on paying, but I'll take a look. Was he ok with the size of the controller at that age?

No shortage of good terrain here, I've collapsed drystone wall that would make a good crawler course.

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That looks pretty awesome. I'd not really thought about a crawler before this thread, bit on reflection it is a good idea, as something fast like a truggy or rally car will just get smashed to bits against the nearest wall.

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Thanks all for your sage advice, a crawler is no doubt the best option for young 1st timer. So I’ve totally ignored it! I got to thinking that my own RC car is a brushless buggy and I’m thinking of building a dirt buggy track, so I thought maybe he would want something that could do similar things even if it’s a bit slower. Plus I had a Jadlam £5 voucher that I needed to use before the end of the week.

So I’ve bought an FTX Tracer 1:16 Monster Truck. It apparently has some sort of speed reduction switch for learners so hopefully all good. Loads of spares and hop-ups available it too.

https://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/ftx-tracer-1-16...

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I'd recommend Jadlam to anybody, used them numerous times now. I ordered Sat morning and it arrived 10am today. I didn't choose express delivery either.

For purely selfless reason I charged it up and gave it a quick run to be sure all was working. It's nippy.and seems a sturdy little thing. Needs better shocks. My only concern is weather the transmitter is going to be too big for him.

The boy has been a bit of a challenge the last few days so it may be a while before he gets his hands on it, but will report back how he finds.it.

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And I can't report back on the Tracer yet, as he hasn't, managed to behave himself for long enough Good to know others are liking it.

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Update on the Tracer now it’s had a couple of charges through it.

It’s actually really good. Loves jumps. We’ve being going off a foot and a half high ramp tonight without really bottoming the suspension. And that’s with nasty friction shocks it comes with, an upgrade to the optional oil ones and it would be really superb I reckon. Motor has more than enough speed it can spin the wheels taking off on tarmac. You can balance it in flight on throttle too. It would be insane with the option brushless system and LiPo pack, plus it would lose its budget bargain nature I think. Run time is surprisingly good, I was a bit worried the little 800mah Lithium Ion pack was going to die in no time, but it doesn’t. It’s still a bit of a shame the pack isn’t bigger as I think it’s just 2x 18650 cells which are inexpensive. I will get a 2nd standard pack as charging is quite slow.

With the speed turned right down it’s nearly the perfect 1st RC. The only real negative is the size of the transmitter. It’s a bit too big for a not-quite 4 year old, it would be fine 5+ though. He can accelerate no problem, but he can’t stretch his finger far enough to brake/reverse yet. He’s getting to grips with steering, it would be easier if there was more range of movement in the transmitter wheel, as it only moves through a small arc which has the consequence of making the steering very sensitive.

All-in-all, my son and I are both very happy.