Remote Control Toys

[chaos386]

I used to have an HPI Nitro RS4 RTR years ago (1:10 scale AWD road car), but it was so damn expensive (the kit itself was $300, but I ended up sinking about $1,000 into it in total), and the urge to play with it dropped as soon as I could drive real cars, so it languished in the garage for a few years until I eventually gave it away. It was serious fun while it lasted, though, and those things were fast. Supposedly, it could go over 40 mph with the 2-speed gear kit I put on it.

 

[stiggles]

That's going in my signature.

I don't really like the new breed of rock crawlers, I prefer more scale cars, hence the Tamiya XC i'm turning into a Defender. The new (ish) 3-speed Ford is good too.

It has the amazing ability to take off and then immediately autopilot itself into the nearest obstacle...
Out of curiosity, what's the sort of price range on petrol-powered RC cars?

 

[smib]

Pertrol-powered start something up close to 1000USD, since they're all huge, but nitro(which I'm guessing is what you're actually asking about) starts at maybe 350ish. Maybe a bit less than that, but I CBA to check right now.

 

[Peter3hg]

It has the amazing ability to take off and then immediately autopilot itself into the nearest obstacle...
Out of curiosity, what's the sort of price range on petrol-powered RC cars?

I paid ?200 for mine. I will post pictures when I can be bothered/finished exams.

 

[Loop]

Here is also one RC enthusiast . I have had about 5 or 6 cars over 3 years. Found a picture of my old rides. Sadly I have sold both these long time ago.

(Crappy cameraphone pic)

The one in the left is Team Xray T1FK'05. The body is a Proline Alfa Romeo 156 2.0. I used it mainly in winters on a carpet track inside a local school near my home. The one in the right is my dearly missed Team Associated B4. That thing was such a beast with the LRP Vector/Sphere brushless system. Had so much power that I had to limit its power output to about 75% to stop it endlessly spinning its wheels.

I now have a Traxxas Slash with the same LRP brushless system that I used in my B4 and my god it is a tricky little SOB. The power output is just incredible even with my old and worn out battery packs. Being easy on the throttle is vital if I like to keep the car in one piece.

 

[salguod]

^ The Alfa 2.0 used to be my bodyshell of choice for years until they annoyingly stopped producing it so I had to change to a Mazda6. I was do annoyed.

Brief list of cars I have past and present, raced for 6 years, from 2002 up until about March of last year. It was just getting quite expensive. Now just going to rebuild the ones I still have, clean them up and keep them. Still use 1 of them for fun. (List shown in reverse chronological order, so the Kyosho was first in 2002, and the Yokomo was the newest at 2006/7 I think)

Yokomo MR4-TC LCG
HPI Savage .25
HPI Pro-4
Team Losi Mini-T
Team Losi XXX-S
Kyosho Palmrunner
Kyosho Pureten Alpha 2 EP

I'll post some pictures of my Yokomo, Pro-4 and Savage once I've rebuilt them, so hopefully 2 of them by the end of the week.

 

[darkshark0159]

RC Enthusiasts: please help!

I've been curious for some time about the fuel efficiency of these small petrol and nitro engines. I am specifically thinking of RC boats. Flat out, how quickly does your RC device use up fuel? Also, I hear Coleman Lighter Fluid is a good fuel for RC devices, does anyone have experience with this?

 

[salguod]

Finally got around to taking some pictures of the ones I have, or 3 of them at least, now that they have been rebuilt.

This one is the current state of my HPI Savage which I'm in the process of rebuilding. That isn't everything, obviously missing vital components such as the engine and the wheels, but at least that lot is now squeaky clean. Have still got the other half of the components to clean.

This is my Yokomo MR4-TC LCG

My old HPI Pro4, then used by my dad

And bodyshells used, the Lotus's were just for fun as it were, such as when we used them on the local ice rink. For racing we used Mazda6s. Might post the first Lotus one in the Lens Flair thread since I'm quite happy with that one.

 

[Matt2000]

They look great. Is that a Savage 25?

 

[WillDAQ]

This thread has been rather a car fest so far! Nowhere near enough simultaneous controls for my liking.

Anyone got decent sized planes or helicopters?

This is one of mine (well, not this exact photo, but the type)

I have an RC helicopter, mini Chinook, and it is effing impossible to fly! My light-shade is sliced to buggery...

Need to practice more!

 

[salguod]

They look great. Is that a Savage 25?

Yeah, its a Savage 25, everything stock. Might get a new bodyshell for it once I'm finished since the kit one is very very scruffy. Quite tempted by the HPI Land Rover Defender, but money needs to be spent elsewhere before this gets any attention, such as iMac, rent for flat, a couple of things for my camera.

Forgot to add that, I didn't take any pictures of my 3 wheeler experiment, tried to turn one of my old cars into a 3 wheeler a-la-Grinnall Scorpion. Needless to say I was ambitious but rubbish. :lol:

 

[jeffy777]

I'd go with the new Traxxas Rustler or Stampede. Fun, durable, waterproof(I think, I know the new E-Maxx is) and not too expensive. The bandit is good too, but the others are better suited for just blasting around all over the place. They also have a gigantic aftermarket selection.

Apparently the Stampede VXL (one I got) is the best value because it comes straight out of the box with a brushless motor. I paid $300, but if you look online, you will be sure to find it for less. I was looking at the Rustler, but then I saw someone bring one in (that they had gotten recently) with a broken motor. I figured that I might as well pay $100 more to get a car that has the capability to reach 65 mph. I saw the E-Maxx as well, but it didn't appeal as much. And the stampede doesnt require a very large battery to reach 35 mph (I get 45 minutes of run time and a top speed of around 33-35 mph with a $40 battery).


It depends what you are looking for. My car is sheit on the road (it tends to flip if you turn to quickly), but it is an absolute blast on dirt. Haven't run it on grass as yet. I was also looking at the Traxxas Slash when I got mine.

Apparently brushless motor cars require less maintenance as well.

I was going to get the Stampede VXL, but I live on a college campus with a lot of pavement and I want something that is good for both on and off road. From what I've heard, the Stampede isn't the greatest on pavement because it tends to roll a lot when turning.

So I think I'm going to get the Rustler VXL with the brushless motor (it's around $300 as well) since it seems to be a better option for both terrains.

What battery do you guys recommend? Would a VENOM 7.2V 3000mAh be sufficient for starting out or should I go with something beefier?

Thanks

 

[Loz]

I've had a few R/C Cars. My last one was an HPI RS4 3 Evo+. I dare not take it outside though, or the miserable bastards over the road will get the police out. I got a DeTomaso Pantera shell for it, aswell as the Mustang that comes with it.

Something i have allways wanted to do though is build a car from scratch. With a custom sort of engine, like one of those Mini V8's, or that V12 from the YouTube video.

 

[Chaos]

What battery do you guys recommend? Would a VENOM 7.2V 3000mAh be sufficient for starting out or should I go with something beefier?

Thanks

It's sufficient for starting out, but how much are you willing to spend?

I just bought two of these, and they're decent for the price.

http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/rc-batterylipo-yeah-racing-lipo-pack-3200mah-lp0032-p-25829.html?cPath=52_973

 

[nsx_23]

For drift sessions:

Nothing fancy, but they're still fun

 

[ChelsDS]

How did you guys get started in this other than getting in to having R/C cars as kids. I want to get in to this fun world of R/C toys but.. no clue how to get started

 

[nsx_23]

^I just bought a cheap kit I saw when I was little kid.

I didn't start with anything fancy, and to this day I still don't have anything fancy, but doesn't stop me from having fun though

 

[phuckingduck]

How did you guys get started in this other than getting in to having R/C cars as kids. I want to get in to this fun world of R/C toys but.. no clue how to get started

Go by your local hobby shop. And be prepared for standard "OMG ITS WOMANZ" reaction. But the actual staff will be helpful and informative.

Not mine, but took a chance to photograph the owner trying to drift it. Then this happened.

 

[jeffy777]

It's sufficient for starting out, but how much are you willing to spend?

I just bought two of these, and they're decent for the price.

http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/rc-batterylipo-yeah-racing-lipo-pack-3200mah-lp0032-p-25829.html?cPath=52_973

What is the best battery I can get for about $50 or less? This will be for the Rustler.

Also, know of any good deals for a charger? And will I need an adaptor for the battery?

 

[chaos386]

I was going to get the Stampede VXL, but I live on a college campus with a lot of pavement and I want something that is good for both on and off road. From what I've heard, the Stampede isn't the greatest on pavement because it tends to roll a lot when turning.

The 4WD road cars are surprisingly good for mild off-roading, assuming you don't mind removing the bodyshell before you do it and spending hours cleaning it after you do it.