Entry level RC car?

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

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I was thinking of getting my son an RC car for his (6th) birthday.

I played with my friends a few times, but never owned one, as a result I don’t know too much about them.

I was thinking something like this:

https://www.timetunnelmodels.com/li...undle-deal-everything-just-58346-p-56420.html



but would prefer to pay a bit less. What is the lowest price you need to pay for something that is not entirely useless?
Any entry level car you could reccomend?

My criteria, would be that it is straightforward to use/ assemble and wont stop working after it crashes into a wall!
 
Grab a wltoys a979. Plenty of cheap spares if you do break something but they are pretty tough to start with.
 
EdwardTeach said:
I played with my friends a few times,
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What did/does you mate have?

Hobbyking.com have plenty of choice at reasonable prices... Post a few up if you want and I'll take a look.

I have two Tamiya 1/10th models that are old NiCad models that I really want to convert to LiPo but lack the time!
 
Sega Mega Dave said:
It's been a few years since I've had any rc stuff but can you get brushless for around £100?
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A brushless system to put in a car, sure. A brushless RTR, no, or at least, not one worth having.

EDIT: Seems that's changed. https://hobbyking.com/en_us/quanum-vandal-1-10-4wd-electric-racing-buggy-rtr.html

The Quanum Vandal is essentially a rebadged FTX Vantage anyway, so spares are accessible.

I've got a Quanum Vandal here as a bash around car (though mine wasn't the RTR it's the upgraded alloy/carbon kit), Decent enough.
 
paradigm said:
A brushless system to put in a car, sure. A brushless RTR, no, or at least, not one worth having.

EDIT: Seems that's changed. https://hobbyking.com/en_us/quanum-vandal-1-10-4wd-electric-racing-buggy-rtr.html

The Quanum Vandal is essentially a rebadged FTX Vantage anyway, so spares are accessible.

I've got a Quanum Vandal here as a bash around car (though mine wasn't the RTR it's the upgraded alloy/carbon kit), Decent enough.
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Is this a car that you would recommend?
 
EdwardTeach said:
Is this a car that you would recommend?
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Definitely, plus Hobbyking have good CS. A colleague at work had issues with his cars electronics, they sent him a full new system as part of the troubleshooting!

EdwardTeach said:
Also what does brushed/brushless mean?
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Brushed motors are old-hat. Cheap ones like the stock 540 in that car linked above will be sealed, run on copper bushings rather than bearings, and likely won’t have removable brushes either. They are also inefficient, so drain batteries far quicker. Brushed motors are essentially a technology that requires a decent amount of maintenance to keep running sweet, and with the sealed can on that stock one, you can’t even do the maintenance!

Brushless is just better in almost every way (with the exception of drag brakes, but you won’t know or care about what that is if you aren’t racing!)
 
Just remember if you go brushless then you need a proper storage case for the LIPO batteries or at least a LIPO pouch and read up about charging and storing them, they need to be stored at the correct voltage. They are better for speed and will last longer but bear in mind this is for a 6 year old, you don't want it flying off into something and breaking in first 5 min. I use LIPO batteries in all my electric cars now but to be honest there is still a place for brushed and NIMH, it is cheaper and the batteries safer and easier to handle. You could always start with an FTX Brushed and if your son sticks with it just upgrade the buggy in the future to brushless.

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-rs-540-sport-tuned-motor/rc-car-products/1474

That is a brushed motor that I used to run and its plenty fast enough for a 6 year old.

If I was getting a 6 year old an RC car it would probably be something like this -

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/ftx-ed...wd-electric-buggy-blue/rc-car-products/383073
 
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Brutal biff said:
I'd stick with brushed and nihm for now if it's for a 6 year old to be fair if it's just for bashing and not racing
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To be fair, it is for a 6yr old but probably a little bit me as well! I will certainly help with things like battery maintenance.
Could someone recommend a battery to go with the vandal that Paradigm recommended.
If I need a storage pouch then recommend one of those to. Do I need extra kit to charge the battery?
 
get a traxxas. Cos you need the backup of being able to get any spares you can when things break. plus they have their own forums. Batteries, check out LiPo and you can get them for not too much from China / hobbyking. Start off with an inexpensive brushed setup, and if you find yourself addicted, move up to a brushless setup with fast charger etc..
 
How much would you mind building from the ground up? You could go for a micro electronic street racer and buy all the parts on ebay used. Cheap and pretty indestructible. As an added bonus, you'll very quickly learn about the electronics and all the mechanical parts. As well as gaining a car to mess around with at the same time. Start out buying a 'floor' and go from there. Central hub, shafts, motor, servos etc etc
 
It's a 6 year old kid. It's not gonna be steering a 40mph RC car with any precision. It's gonna be spare parts within a week.
I'd I't the cheapest possible and at least 3 batteries or a fast charger.

It was the worst feeling ever when your battery was dead but your mates still had power and spares.
 
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