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Offroad RC Discussion RC Offroad chat for truggies, buggies, short-course and more. Topics may include brands like Associated, Kyosho, Tamiya, Axial, Traxxas and more. |
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04-14-2015, 11:20 AM | #1 |
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I am: Gary S.
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Location: Whitby, Ontario
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Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Hello all,
As stated in the title, I am getting back into RC after a 30 year hiatus! Long ago I saved my pennies and bought a Tamiya Fast Attack Vehicle, played with it all summer and put it away. Soon after it went missing and I have missed it ever since. (pretty sure my mom had given it away!) So, I need a bit of help narrowing down the choices. There are SO many makes and models now it is pretty daunting to weed through them all. Here is what I can tell you about my preferences: Electric Buggy/Truggy Scale not very important Ok with building, but RTR is ok too Upgradeable around $400 So far I have looked at HPI, Losi, and Thunder Tiger but am open to other suggestions as well. Looking forward to any help/advice i can get. Cheers! Last edited by Pazuzu; 04-14-2015 at 11:49 AM. |
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04-14-2015, 05:28 PM | #2 |
RCC Master Contributor
I am: Greg E.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cambridge, ON
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Spektrum DX7|DX3R # of RCs: ~10
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Do you know what size you want? 1/10th or bigger/smaller? Do you want to race competitively, just bash around or both?
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Current models: Hobbico Nexstar Electric, Parkzone Spitfire Mk IX , several micros/small helis. Nothing nitro/gas. |
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04-14-2015, 07:03 PM | #3 |
RCC Noob
I am: Gary S.
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
I guess somewhere in the 1:12, 1:10 or 1:8 range as a max. Probably just bash around. At least to start, so if there is something that can be upgraded to race, all the better but isn't a necessity.
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04-15-2015, 05:47 PM | #4 |
RCC Master Contributor
I am: Greg E.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cambridge, ON
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Traxxas is one of the most solid brands you can buy. They survive bashing very well and have part support that's one of the best in the business (most hobby stores and Best Buy have their parts at least order-able, if not in stock). What they don't have (without putting a lot of money into them) is the configurability and fine-tuning that would give you more of an advantage on the race track.
Buggies are typically more fragile than the other classes of RCs. On the Traxxas side, I'd look more towards either a Rustler (Stadium truck class) or a Slash (Short Course Truck). The Slash is a great basher due to its closed fenders and wide bumpers. The Stampede is fun as well but hardly any tracks have Monster Truck racing. You'll want to get a brushless motor in your truck (Traxxas names these models VXL) for better speed and motor/esc longevity. Whether you go 2WD or 4x4 is up to you. I like 4x4 for control but they are heavier and have more moving parts to repair if they break. If you want to race from the get-go, then Associated, Losi, Durango, Team-C and others would be more race-worthy. I'd go out to your local track and see what people are running. Also check your hobby store to see what's popular and what vehicles they are stocking parts for. There's nothing worse than bringing home a new RC, breaking a small part and no one having stock.
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Current models: Hobbico Nexstar Electric, Parkzone Spitfire Mk IX , several micros/small helis. Nothing nitro/gas. |
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04-15-2015, 08:18 PM | #5 |
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I am: Gary S.
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Thanks for the info. There is something about the Traxxas I don't like. Honestly, I do not have a definitive reason, other than aesthetics, but you note gives me reason to look past it.
The other reason is I am a bit of a tuning nerd (airsoft rifles, my computer, etc) so something that IS upgradeable has a +1 for me. I was under the assumption they are not very upgradeable. I will do further research on Traxxas though. |
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04-18-2015, 10:10 PM | #6 |
RCC Master Contributor
I am: Greg E.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cambridge, ON
Radio of choice:
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Traxxas models are very upgradable and have a fair number of upgrades, both from Traxxas and third parties. They aren't necessarily designed to win races. Those designed for racing (Associated, Losi, Durango, Team C, HotBodies) aren't typically as good at bashing though.
If you like tinkering, getting a racing kit might be your best bet. This way you assemble the vehicle and learn all about its assembly and how to repair it.
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Current models: Hobbico Nexstar Electric, Parkzone Spitfire Mk IX , several micros/small helis. Nothing nitro/gas. |
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04-18-2015, 11:07 PM | #7 |
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Thanks,
I do enjoy the tinkering, so I am strongly leaning that way. But, that leaves my original question, what is a good started kit that is $400-500? |
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04-19-2015, 09:22 AM | #8 |
RCC Expert Contributor
I am: Paul F
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
I think that staying within the $400 max is what will be tough to do. You may want to consider a few of the cars from Hobbyking. Two years ago I wanted to get two of the Turnigy Rumble nitro cars for my sons. For some reason, only one got shipped and it was too close to Christmas to get the second one in time. I bought an HPI Trophy 3.5 for twice what the Rumble cost, even with shipping. The HPI is a higher quality car, but the Rumble outperforms it every way. We just bought a LOSI, I think it's called an SC10, but I didn't pay much attention. Nice car, but still no match for the Rumble.
So, some of the turnigy cars may be something to consider? |
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04-19-2015, 01:55 PM | #9 |
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Ok, I will check them out again. I was on their site a while back but was unsure of the quality of them.
Their is no have a "max" budget per say, but would prefer to stay under $500. I don't really want to drop $1200 on a first car either! IF there is something that is a great starter kit and goes over $500, that's ok. I do have a large variety of lipo's and a good balance charger from all my airsoft gear, so there is some cost savings there. Perhaps I should rephrase the question. What $$$ amount am I looking at spending to get into RC with a reliable, upgradeable electric car? Any input here is helpful at this point as I truly am a "noob"! |
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04-26-2015, 11:40 PM | #10 |
RCC Noob
I am: Ian N
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Location: Nanaimo BC
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Re: Getting back into RC after 30 years and need help!
Traxxas! Super tough, great cust support, excellent resale value. Most Traxxas cars/trucks have tons of up-grade options. They are also easy on the wallet. You may find that what you think is good for you won't hold your interest, in that case you want some thing that'll sell easy to help finance the next project.
Personally, I have run the gambit of RCs until I found my desire. Lots of $$$$ spent, thank god it was mostly done while I was single.(My ex-wife didn't need anouther excuse. LOL) I did 1/10 elec and nitro, off road and on road, F1 and rally. 1/8th truck, buggy, and monster. Also dabbled in the smaller scales. Nothing grabbed my attention for long. I am now deep deep deep into 1/5 scale and I doubt I'll ever see the light of day again. Spend some time at the local hobby shop and/or RC track, talk to other RCers, most of us that race also bash. And above all, have fun with it. |
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