Talk R/C to me...

[Slide Panda]

So the other day a coworker stumbled into a place with an indoor, offroad R/C track looking for robot parts. This got my juices going again.

Waaay back when the RC-10 was king, Team Losi was newer and Traxxas had just started I 'raced' 1/10th off road. Batteries were Ni-Cad and motors had brushes. 

So I started looking over current stuff.... and seems I need a primer on the current tech. Lots of different battery chemisty. Different motor set ups. And now it seems like you don't buy a kit, but everything comes preassembled - with radio gear even!

So anyone currently play with overpriced toy cars  ?

[Triple J]

Great...this thread is going to make me want an R/C car!  Back in the day I was into Kyosho stuff, and my buddy was die hard RC-10. Good times! 

[Slide Panda]

Good times indeed - probably where my mod bug really got it's start.

Dad helped me drill out the AL chassis of that RC-10 to shave weight.

[zooom]

sounds like you need to drive to your nearest Hobby Works and get some learning in person on hand...

http://www.hobbyworks.com/default.cfm/Content/Stores
Fair City Mall
9650-42 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: (703) 426-8600
Store Manager - Courtney
Hours: Monday - Friday (10:30am - 8:00pm); Saturday (10:00am - 7:00pm); Sunday (12:00pm - 5:00pm)

[kopfjäger]

Kamaz truck.


http://youtu.be/82xrP47sNaA

[scduc]

I dabbled with battery power way back when traxxas first started. Year after I went gas so all the battery I use is for controls. The hobby has come a long way. Now battery is just a fast if not faster than gas. Doesn't sound or smell as cool though. The technology is just crazy. Super light, super strong and extremely fast. Be prepared to open your pocket book. Top end kits still come unassembled with out electronics or motors/engines. 1/8th scale is all Balls but pricey.

[Timmy Tucker]

Kamaz truck.


http://youtu.be/82xrP47sNaA

That was cool as shit!

[Slide Panda]

sounds like you need to drive to your nearest Hobby Works and get some learning in person on hand...

http://www.hobbyworks.com/default.cfm/Content/Stores
Fair City Mall
9650-42 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: (703) 426-8600
Store Manager - Courtney
Hours: Monday - Friday (10:30am - 8:00pm); Saturday (10:00am - 7:00pm); Sunday (12:00pm - 5:00pm)

They don't have a track... at least they didn't last time I went by. Well they did, for 1/16th road i think.

The one with the off road seems to be up your way in Gbergistan.

Top end kits still come unassembled with out electronics or motors/engines. 1/8th scale is all Balls but pricey.

For example? Seems everyone has got 50 different models these days that are only slight variants. I'm getting a bit lost.

[zooom]

The one with the off road seems to be up your way in Gbergistan.

well....I guess that gives opportunity to stop by for beers and whatnot then....and there's a couple spots in the open around my hood where you can throttle and open it up for sure!

[yamifixer]

Funny you bring this up. I have mine hanging on the wall like art (Kyosho O/R truck and Bo-link Graphite pan car) I figured I would get some new batteries and take them out about 2 months ago. The helper-bee at my local hobby store looked at me like I asked him to explain Lady Gaga when I asked for 7 cell battery packs. He said if it isn't gas it isn't worth the effort.

They are still on the wall.....

[Slide Panda]

Ha yeah... in looking at new batteries 2-cells? 3-cells? Wait what?

Wonder why folks are so down on electrics.

[IZ]

My dad had an electric sandrail that he used to race in Tucson about 20 years ago. I haven't had any interest in them until I saw one about 2 months ago at the park. It looked similar to the new Batmobile and a lot faster than the sandrail!  I don't recall the specific term the guy used when he said what type of electric R/C it was though? 

[Slide Panda]

probably describing one of the new battery chemistries. 20 years ago, Nickel Cadmium, NiCad cells where the thing. Now there seem to be a few. LiPo and NiMH

[IZ]

probably describing one of the new battery chemistries. 20 years ago, Nickel Cadmium, NiCad cells where the thing. Now there seem to be a few. LiPo and NiMH

Right.  We were talking about battery life and how fast it went which seemed ridiculously high.

[scduc]

I suggest picking up an issue of rc car action, they promote both gas and electric equally. Run times tend to be shorter with electric and there is the re-charge issue, so many packs are needed to stay running. Gas is more expensive to start. engines are big money and fuel isn't cheap. Most gas racers dont use pull start, so a starter is also needed. start hitting the manufactures web sites. Losi, Associated, Traxxas, Kyosho, Mugen, etc. They all list thier kits and RTR's. FYI, I run a Losi XXT Drake 2 with an O.S. 12 engine. She'll pull wheelies on smooth surfaces and in the grass, I do all I can to keep the front wheels down. On concrete with slick tires, it will do about 35mph. There's quite a bit of people who modify engines and get big power. Then theres the up keep. Repair parts aren't cheap. Its a great hobby, just be prepared to spend $ and time learning.