Guide me into the world of RC

[JoshT]

The only RC cars I've played with were back when I was a kid. Haven't messed with anything remote control in at least 10 years unless you count the TV. Recently discovered that there's an RC dirt track about 3 miles from my house and a group of guys I work with have cars that they run out there. I watched them run a little last weekend and seemed like something I might want to try.

I think the large 4x4 machines they run are 1/8 scale and bunch of smaller stuff, not too familiar with sizes. I know the 4x4s and larger 2wd buggies were all running 33cc nitro motors, if that means anything.

So if I wanted to jump into this as a hobby what would be a good place to start. Don't want to start out with a machine that I can't handle, but also don't want to have room to grow into a machine. I'm a total newb to the stuff. What should I look to start with gas, electric, nitro. Small scale or large scale. 4x4 dirt truck, 2wd street car. Any brands that are preferred, but not over priced.

Of course a 4x4 truck with a Ranger body would be nice. Probably impossible to find, but nice.

If I try to get into the scene it'll be a few months off. I've got engine work to do on my full scale truck before I can put the time or cash into something like this. Don't mind doing the research, but don't have a clue as to where to start. I don't even have a clue as to where to start getting a clue.

EDIT: Should mention no rock crawling areas. Only dirt track and parking lots, mostly the former.

 

[Lil-Pony]

Traxxas revo to start with second hand to bring the price down and i believe they make ranger shells.

 

[adsm08]

This is just what I understand from talking to my SIL and her husband.

First you have to empty your life savings. Then you have to get a second job.

Next you start calling in sick to both jobs to get more time.

Then you loose all interest in sex, or almost any other activity, because you need to work on your car.

But I haven't actually gotten into it first hand, that's just what I have heard.

 

[JoshT]

First you have to empty your life savings. Then you have to get a second job.

The full scale trucks have already emptied out the life savings. If the feds decide to furlough again this year I'll need a second job any way.

Next you start calling in sick to both jobs to get more time.

Thanks to the dumb #$%!& in management at work I would have taken those days anyway, so that's not an issue.

Then you loose all interest in sex, or almost any other activity, because you need to work on your car.

I wish that were an issue, but there is really nothing there to loose interest in. Most of the time I'm not at work I find myself sitting in front of a computer screen. That's one of the reasons I'm thinking about getting into it. The track is three miles from my house, easy excuse to get out of the house and kill some time.

 

[swynx]

I would recommend an traxxas emaxx its 4x4 big tires. Powerful ttwin motors. Dual shocks all around. They are tough. Fast enough. 400$. Watched a friend beat the piss out of one for a year.finally broke it in half my jumping it 20 ft in the air and landing on a pallet.

If you want nitro get a traxxas t maxx, I own electric and nitro. I don't really like the nitro. There hard to keep running and go through a lot of parts. The electric has 100% power right away. If you go lipo you gain way longer run times and more power.

If you can't afford that then id suggest a duratrax evader. The thing is built to bash. The parts are designed so they bend. Even got a 1 year warranty. NO QUESTIONS asked replacement parts for a year. Does like 20 MPH.if that's not fast enough hook up the lipo batteries you'll get 35 out of it. it flys well. All around great rig. . Ive sseen them at 125.

Also if you go to www.towerhobbies.com you can make 3 payments on easy pay items.

 

[adsm08]

The full scale trucks have already emptied out the life savings. If the feds decide to furlough again this year I'll need a second job any way.



Thanks to the dumb #$%!& in management at work I would have taken those days anyway, so that's not an issue.



I wish that were an issue, but there is really nothing there to loose interest in. Most of the time I'm not at work I find myself sitting in front of a computer screen. That's one of the reasons I'm thinking about getting into it. The track is three miles from my house, easy excuse to get out of the house and kill some time.

Ok. Sounds like you have the basics down then. Good.

Yeah, Traxxis makes good stuff with lots of options. I have a Slash that I run in the yard sometimes. I don't race it or anything, but for a battery powered RC car its pretty kick ass.

 

[JoshT]

Traxxas looks interesting. Especially the motor replacement plan that I saw mentioned the other day. My internet is being stupid slow right now so can't load the sight to look at it more. Past time to hit the sack anyway.

 

[swynx]

Also I have had good luck with nitrorcx products. But I still recommend traxxas. Idk that any body out there will tell you traxxas sucks. And I think the emaxx is water proof

 

[4x4junkie]

The E/T-Maxx is so 1999.

I've had a Traxxas Summit for some years now (they claim its a 1/10-scale but it's very much more the size of a 1/8-scale truck). The Summit is based on the Revo chassis with the cantilever suspension and IMO is just as modifiable as the old Maxx trucks are, if not more so. It's easily buildable for speed driving/bashing (making use of it's Revo DNA), or for crawling (or even both), the possibilities really are endless. It has a 2-speed (Hi/Lo) transmission, and real differential lockers (spool/open), all controlled via the radio controller.
It uses a single brushed motor about twice the size of the E-Maxx motors, so it produces about the same overall power.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXZGR6RR&P=SM

 

[swynx]

I forgot about that toy. That's a nice one too.

 

[JoshT]

Well seems I was a little off on the scale. They run 1/5 scale trucks and buggies from King Motor RC.

 

[4x4junkie]

1/5 stuff is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

(I thought I had a lot of dough into my Summit with a 1/8-scale brushless setup and LiPo batteries... that stuff puts a whole new perspective on cost )

 

[JoshT]

Theirs are apparently 2wd instead of 4wd, but still 1/5 scale. I don't think I'll be starting out with one of those. Might get something like the Revo used to start with. If I enjoy them I'll get the bigger 1/5th scale stuff.

 

[94xlt4.0]

i would start with a short course truck to begin with in th 1/10 scale. electric is the way to go because they are just as fast now as nitro trucks butt you dont have to constantly tune an engine. the traxxas slash is a good platform but most racers do a low c/g (center of gravity) conversion to them as they sit kind of high. the new slash platinum already have the low c/g chassis. you can find used slashes on ebay or craigslist for around $150 to $200. upgrades are endless for them as well. i started with a $100 2wd version and traded for a 4x4 and between the 2 have probably spent near a grand doing little things once i get bored with different setups. if you do get one buy plenty of different gears because different tracks will change what gearing will work best. i fried a speed controller using track gearing in an open field. thats the only problem ive had and it was my fault. if you have any question pm me here ill gladly help

 

[JoshT]

That's kinda what I'm leaning toward, a 1/10 scale SC truck. Will probably go with nitro though. Probably the Slayer Pro 4x4. Got plenty of time to look and think about it before I jump in.