RC cars

Hello guys,

My nephew loves cars, it's all he plays with. He keeps going on that he wants a 'jeep' and my sister mentioned he'd like a remote control car. Now he's 3 and I'm not sure if he'd be able to control a full on RC Car.

Can anyone recommend something?

I was thinking about a Maisto R/C Rock Crawler....
 
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For a 3 year old it has to be something small & relatively cheap. My 5 year old is just getting used to his car and I think he could now handle something with a brushed motor but anything more is going to end in bits.

Whether you spend a hundred quid on a Tamiya Lunchbox or thirty quid on a Baja 1/32, he is 3 and won't know the difference in quality (probably not the best examples but you get the idea). He'd just love to play with it in the car park with his uncle. :).

Either way, have a look at www.modelsport.co.uk or wonderlandmodels.com.
 
Anyone seen the new X-Maxx from Traxxas?

Thing looks like a beast.

X-Maxx-Intro-Capability.jpg


TRX77076-4-11-zoom.jpg
 
Skidder said:
Have just started getting the bits to convert my old t maxx to brushless. I have a single speed conversion and forward only kit. Have located a motor mount and just deciding on the motor/esc combo. I find nitro a bit of a faff so it hasn't had use for years. Next up associated rc10gt conversion.
Click to expand...

Finally got around to ordering the motor for this conversion. Watch this space. ;)

Also have a hobby king rock crawler waiting for me when I get home tomorrow
 
Drollic said:
What kind of run time does that give roughly do you know?
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it will depend on you driving, the surface you run on etc. can be anywhere from 10 mins to 30mins :) The packs normally take a few runs to get upto full capacity. once you have used batteries a few times you will know if you want 6000+ packs or if 4000+ would be ok. i have 2x 4500 18.5v packs for speed runs and a 5000 and 7200 14.8v packs for just general messing around, thats for a hyper st truggy so mine is heavier.
 
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Jumper118 said:
it will depend on you driving, the surface you run on etc. can be anywhere from 10 mins to 30mins :) The packs normally take a few runs to get upto full capacity. once you have used batteries a few times you will know if you want 6000+ packs or if 4000+ would be ok. i have 2x 4500 18.5v packs for speed runs and a 5000 and 7200 14.8v packs for just general messing around, thats for a hyper st truggy so mine is heavier.
Click to expand...

I presume the extra weight of a 5000 compared to 3000-4000 makes little difference? Also, when you say 35c, I presume that's a minimum ideally as on say a 4000 that would be safe up to 140A? It seems like its worth spending more for 5000 and 45c+ as the battery is under less strain able to give 225A even though it's not all needed by the motor? Is the only penalty in picking something higher spec cost and weight?

Also, is it 2s2p I need *2 or just 2s *2?
 
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i'm thinking of going electric as i have just broke a piston on my HPI 3.0 engine

£40 for the piston and rod
£80 new engine

Hopefully the nitro car my mate is giving me runs so i can do an engine swap.

When i was first looking at off road electric trucks i liked the look of Axial
 
Used to race 1/10 Electric Touring years ago, then moved onto bashing with a Hot Bodies Lightning Pro II and a HPI Savage. Still got them in the garage, will dig them out for the little fella when he gets a bit older.

I moved onto planes after them.
 
Just gave my son an FTX Hooligan for his birthday. We've run a good few packs through it and very impressed with it. For £159 RTR with a Lipo and charger it is good value. Quick without being too fast for him to handle (his only other RC car is a Lunchbox and he is 8.)
 
My two boys wanted a RC Monster Truck each for Christmas and I've spent last couple of weeks doing some research. My brother and I used to have Tamiya RC Cars when we were teenagers my first one was a Holiday Buggy. So I do have some experience. I also used to work in Hamleys years ago when one of the high street brands to go for was Nikko RTR but Tamiya were still in the main kit type to get.

As I see it RC Cars fall into two camps. I`m just looking at Electric for the moment. Those that are considered as Toys and you can buy them in Argos, Toys R Us. RTR. Mostly have one speed (not proportional) and often are pretty rubbish. The other type are the "proper" RC Cars. Proportional steering, often built from kits, speed controllers, crystal receivers etc.

I've also found a bit of a cross between the two. Neither look like toys or completely RC Cars but do have the full suspension etc. There is one particular generic series doing the rounds consisting of buggy's and Monster Trucks, you can spot them easily as they have a feature where the doors open by remote. They look pretty good but my Dad ordered one and they are utter rubbish. One speed, slow, poor steering.

So my choices. Do I keep searching amongst the "toys" till I find one that is pretty decent for under £70 or do I dig deep and get one of the proper RC Cars around £100+. Basically just wondering if there is anybody on here with some recommendations. I have been looking on the bay plus Hobbyking, Modelsport and a few other sites.

Our Current crop of RC delights, mostly toys includes

Mickey Mouse RC Buggy
Spiderman Monster Truck
Nikko Off Road Motorbike (always wanted one of this its quite old)
Batmobile
Lightning McQueen RC with missile firing sidepods never sold in the UK still in its box.
1:10 scale Ferrari F1 car
Nikko Velocitrax x 2 on there way from Santa

so nothing spectacular but seriously considering getting a couple of decent RC Cars.

Finally can anyone tell me why o why do most RC Cars now come with the trigger type steering wheel controller. I HATE THEM !!!! This is also seriously hampened my quest for two RC Monster Trucks. I just can't understand why these are popular. I prefer the two stick type controllers, call me old school, but so do the kids plus with arthritis creeping in they are easier for me. This is also why I`m starting to lean towards RC Kits because at least I can choose the radio gear.

Any comments or advice most appreciated or just tell me to go away back into my box...........

:D
 
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The ready to run proper rc kits offer good value these days especially compared to Tamiya. I like Tamiya (I only buy Tamiya) but a Helion or FTX are much better vfm for c£100. No need to go brushless. Trigger radios are much easier especially for kids. Stick types are often 4-6 channel now so not ideal for cars due to multi axis.

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/rc-electric-models/rc-car-categories/9900/990010&ManufacturerID=1099

http://www.goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/mobile_product_info.php?products_id=56426
 
If it was me:

Losi mini range
Hobbykings Turnigy 1/14 range

I have had
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/1-16-brushless-4wd-mini-rally-extreme-edition-rtr.html
and
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/losi-1-14-4wd-mini-8ight-t/rc-car-products/389415

got the Losi 2nd hand but is a quality bit of kit.

Can be run of Lipos so longer running times.

Easy to maintain and parts available to upgrade or repair.

Dont buy Tamiya, if you just look at them wrong they break :D (although I have had the original Frog, Lunchbox and Clodbuster)

You could also check out the MSUK classifieds
 
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Thanks will have a look. Trigger controllers are definitely not easier for kids. Give one to mine and they struggle, give them stick type and away they go. Who on earth would make a controller with a little steering wheel where forward goes right and backward goes left!
Why didnt they put the wheel on the back, would make more sense.
 
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