| Author | Message | ||
     Toona |
I went to Motorama in Harrisburg, PA yesterday with my 14 year old son. We watched the r/c races. They had 2wd and 4wd electric stadium trucks running on a fairly large track, complete with doubles, triples, tabletops etc. While watching the races, my son said it would be fun to have one. I've always liked them and can remember my dad having an electric r/c car back when I was in high school. I've said all that to say this, anyone have one? Pros/cons? gas/electric, Brand preference?-Traxxas, Losi, HPi, Team Associated? If I do this I'd like to get something that may be upgradeable, easy parts availability etc, because I know it will be crashed. Not really knowing much about them, I figured I'd come to the group that seems to know something about everything  I'm looking for info about cars/trucks more so than airplanes/heli's. I've already ruled out the Walmart style r/c cars because I think they are cheap and you can't get parts for them. | ||
| Svh |
I have been out of it for about 5yrs so my info may not be completely up to date. You have already made the best decision to NOT get one from a department store. Next you and your son have to determine what type of racing you have available in your area and which you want to do. Gas is almost strictly outdoor only racing where electric is both outdoor and indoor. The costs are nearly identical between the 2. Some tracks have beginner cars for rent to try out before you buy. Be prepared it can and probably will get pricey. I always liked Associated and HPi but you really can't go wrong. Best thing to do is go to your local hobby store and see what they stock. Much like moto parts you can get r/c parts very quickly online. Should even keep a small inventory of the more common broken parts for racing. Have fun with it. I miss it as it was a lot of fun and met some great people. | ||
| Jaimec |
I used to race Tamiya models. Somewhere I still have my two (buried deep). My mom was so excited I finally found a hobby that didn't put my life at risk! It was fun, I won a few trophies, but it did get more expensive than I planned. The stock series I ran the "car" in only allow plain-bearing engines, but you could still spend a FORTUNE on suspension upgrades, wheel bearings, servo units, etc. My "truck" ran in the "unlimited" class, and the motor allowed ball bearings and bigger battery packs. That got even MORE expensive as the high performance electric motor burned through brushes like nobody's business. It was fun, but the races were always held on Sundays, when all of my friends were on their motorcycles. I only did it for a couple of seasons and then that was it. I suppose I should look into some of the indoor tracks for the winter... that might be a possibility. But I'm sure my cars are obsolete now, so I'd PROBABLY have to start all over... | ||
| Jerzydevil |
The costs are nearly identical between the 2. Not really with all the new electric stuff out there. Traxxas is more widely known, and slightly less expensive, so most of the small rc shops carry their parts in excess. HPI, Associated, and Losi usually run a bit higher. I have a HPI savage X nitro, and a HPI savage xs electric. The X takes a beating and crashes like a Buell.Hard to brake, easy to fix. There is also the savage flux, for those that dont like/want the nitro experience. It all depends on the all mighty $$$$$$$$$$ | ||
| Skntpig |
I just got a thunder tiger desmosedici nitro bike for xmas and have only used it twice. Pretty cool but you need a large area. I also have a beat up Revo that needs some attention before the next bash session. | ||
| Spikey |
I work in a hobby shop, our supplier is Horizon hobby, for a beginner I think that Traxxas is the way to go, they are affordable, upgradeable and the parts are readily available, and cheap. I have a Traxxas slash 2wd with the brushed motor that I use as a loaner when I go out bashing to let people get a feel of what it's all about, nothing has broken on it yet and I've had it for over two years! Most of the Traxxas stuff is also waterproof so snow and water puddles are not a problem, and who don't like going through a puddle now and then! | ||
| Timberwolf211 |
I just got back into the hobby about a month ago after being out for a decent time. I am personally a fan of Team Associated. They can be bashed and raced and thrashed. Traxxas has been doing their thing for a while and are really good at it. Can not deny their part support and every hobby shop carries parts. The AE stuff is a little harder to find. But there is always the interweb!! Also with the addition of brushless motors and lipo batteries it has made electrics do things that was only dreamed of years ago. I would reccomend this truck if you both want to start out and see where it takes you. These are Ready to Run and have brushed motors and a battery pack. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=L A3447&P=1 I would also suggest this if you want to have brushless. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=L A3449&P=1 This one has everything and is brushless. IMHO is the way to go. Not sure what your budget is but this gives you 2 ways to look at it. | ||
| Toona |
Thanks all for your input! I knew you guys would come through I'm leaning more elec than nitro. It seems what few tracks that are "close" (90-100 miles) run electric. There was one outdoor track local (12 miles) but it looks like the management screwed up and lost the lot lease that the track was on, didn't pay the electric bill and ticked off all the local racers. Hmmm, maybe I should turn my 1800sf upstairs at my shop into an indoor carpet course.....  There is a side room around 800-900sf that we could use as a "pit area".... I was figuring it would be in the $500-$750 range for both my son and I to get into it, based on the prices I saw at the show over the weekend. Maybe I'll peruse CL and see if I can score a package from someone looking to get out of the hobby.... It looks like I have a little time before the summer/outdoor race season starts here in PA. Please keep the input coming, I've got a lot to learn! | ||
| Tq_freak |
Dan, I never bit the bullet and got into the hobby (yet) but have done a ton of research also since I would love to. I am sure some day when my Boy is the same age as you. I like the Traxxis stuff, I did have one in collage but the school owned it (my engineering final project) and it was virtually indestructible, Now I am sure a 12 year old Boy will prove me wrong on this. Plus like everyone else has said easily upgradeable and repairable if something does happen Years ago you had to run Nitro for the speed but electric is very fast now and a lot of people I talk to run nitro only because they like it. If/When I buy one I am going to go electric. when I get time to play I want to play and not spend have the time tinkering with jets and trying to get it to run right I want to throw a battery in it and go. | ||
| Jaimec |
Oh, trust me... there's PLENTY of tinkering you can do with electric motors too (within the rules of course). | ||
| Tq_freak |
hahaha, well wanting to tinker and needing to tinker are do different things. | ||
| Toona |
http://traxxas.com/products/models/electric/6407xo 1 0-100mph in under 5 seconds.... running car to smashed bits and pieces... .2 seconds.... hahahaha and it's ONLY $1,100! | ||
| Preybird1 |
I have 3 helicopters and 1 truck. I like the old ones from when i was a kid. I got a toyota hilux kit and it took my 13 hours to build it. It has real 4x4 and a 3 speed tranny and 4 wh steering. It is heavy but that is what i liked when i was a kid. | ||
| Gschuette |
I have always loved my Traxxas stuff and had great luck with it. Parts are readily available. Gas trucks are really really fun... for a while. Then you have to tune the carbs, the fuel is crazy expensive, everything gets coated in greasy two stroke smoke. So I would really try and resist the urge to get a gas truck. The sport will be a lot less expensive with fewer headaches with electric. Speaking of a brushless Traxxas Summit can go just about anywhere including swimming pools. | ||
| Timberwolf211 |
In the end it all comes down to price and what you are willing to spend. Also parts support is something to consider. I personally like going to hobby shops but sometimes find their knowledge suspect and their attitude can be 50/50. But remember the customer next to you can be your best friend. Nothing like them hearing you explain a problem and helping you fix it. Setting up a indoor carpet track would be a killer experience for the both of you. Also you can invite friends over and that sometimes(most of the time) is a ton more fun than racing at a track. I have a friend that has 2 outdoor tracks on his property and there is nothing like the racing that goes on there and the amount of fun. Sounds like you have the right plan. Enjoy it. | ||
| Buellfighter |
Have a few around the garage. A 1/8 Ofna for terrorizing the neighborhood, a 1/10 Traxxis for exercising the dog (loves to chase it) and a 1/10 Losi for big air!! If you've never had one...you should treat yourself!  | ||
| Preybird1 |
Love these toys.......They were just getting really nice when i was a kid and now the technology is awesome compared to what we had. This is right after i finished building it.   New bead-lock wheels and knobby tires  | ||
| Trojan |
As others have already said, this is a great hobby but costs can be really surprising if you start getting competitive. Many years ago I decided to start racing indoor electric RC cars as a cheaper alternative to the Kart racing I had been doing before. I bought what at the time was a pretty good setup (Schumacher chassis and matched nicads & motors etc) and duly turned up at my first club meeting. Imagine my horror whenI found out that everyone else had massive choices of tyres, motors, batteries etc...huge pit boxes and hundreds of pounds worth of spares, tools and tuning bits. I later found out that most of the top guys owned or were sponsored by model stores and money was pretty much no object when it came to racing. It made my puny setup look very flat and poor indeed! I spent most of my first few months trying to saty out of their way and remember how to turn right and left when the car was coming towards me! The costs involved in trying to be comptitive duly spiralled until I just gave up entirely  As a plaything they are great. As a sport they are expensive! | ||
| Jaimec |
Matt, you echo my experience. I used to show up on Race Day with my car, batteries, charger and radio all stashed in the saddlebag of my BMW K100. The others were in vans that would do the FBI proud in terms of electronic equipment, tools, spares, etc. I still managed to have fun and even take home trophies... but there was no way in hell I was ever going to leave that "Novice" class with my setup... | ||
| 86129squids |
A buddy of mine has a cigarette boat with a nitro motor- lots of shits and giggles to be had with it in the harbor, as long as the water's smooth- and he points it to dock just before the gas runs out... Enter the paddleboat then.  | ||
| F22raptor |
I would still rather go flyin!  | ||
| 01_turbowolf |
i've heard alot lately that nitro is a dying breed with all the electrical progress. most of the race classes around here are 1/10 and 1/8 scale buggies and s/c. traxxas is a good brand i started with hpi and now all i run is traxxas. the mini revo is a blast but no racing classes for it. oh and probably double what you spent on the car for parts and accs. most of the racers here run ofna buggies and asociated and traxxas for s/c. | ||
| Badrap |
I used to race RC cars and trucks. I even have a 1st place state title under my belt. It was expensive, between the tires, motors, batteries, etc... I warn you now, you will spend more time wrenching on them than driving them. They can be fun if you have the disposable income and time to be competitive. | ||
| M1combat |
I'll never have a state championship... Cavalieri and Maifield both run in my state... | ||
| Jaimec |
As expensive as it is, it's STILL cheaper than racing a real motorcycle... | ||
| Toona |
Wow, you all have some nice cars/trucks/planes! My dad had a Piper Cub that he built up from a kit, gluing all the wooden bits together to make the wings, fuselage etc. He had fun with it until he crashed it on the railroad tracks... wasn't much left of it then... I still remember the "Hot Stuff" super glue that he used, and the hot iron to heat/shrink the skin on the wings. | ||
| Jaimec |
Oh... and it hurts a lot less when you crash, too... | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
For a beginner... go electric, it's a bit simpler and much cleaner (no fuel, glowplugs or starting troubles and no cleanup). A four wheel drive stadium truck would be my choice. They handle pretty much anything and still handle well (on and off pavement), monster trucks... not so much) Associated, Tamiya and Traxxas would be my choices for brands (in that order too!) Two or three battery packs, a quality radio, a decent charger and you're ready to play. Don't get a 'Ready To Run', as building them is a great chance to learn how it all works and fits together. Get the full kit of ball bearings as its easier to do it right when initially assembling them. OR... pick up a pair of Tamiya GrassHoppers... bone simple and durable, then 'race' them together. I was racing way back when my Tamiya Super Champs were made of aluminum and fiberglass... then Associated made the RC-10 and I was left in the dust.... Preybird... I haven't seen a 'Bruiser' (that's what they were called back when) since the eighties... did they start reproducing them? I do miss that 3 speed, 2 and 4 wheel drive 'ankle breaker'. | ||
| 86129squids |
I just noticed something... Prey, to keep things "real", let's see the ramp you used to load that 1125 into the bed of that truck... Seriously, yours and everyone else's toys here gots me a little jealous- looks like too much fun! |
