Radio Controlled Hobby Discussion Thread

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networkn

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Topic # 183701 27-Oct-2015 11:46

Hi There!

I thought I'd start this thread because I recently became interested again, in getting a radio controlled car..

Initially I'd like to limit my investment to $250. Hopefully that gets me something reasonable.

Based on reading, my likely type is a "truggy", something with decent off road and on road performance.

I am not much for "fixing" nor maintenance, really want something ready to run.

I have heard Brushless is better, but seems out of my budget, I'd like at least 2 batteries and a decent charger (LiPO seems ideal, but again potentially out of my price range). Traxxas look awesome, but too expensive, at least in NZ.

I'm open to second hand, the issue being I am unsure what constitutes a good price, or a good purchase as yet.

I am not interested in racing as such. Mostly weekend warrior type use, something I can take my 6 year old out with and have a little fun in an open space (so a way to calm the unit down to a tolerable speed).

Will need something pretty robust etc, easy to find, inexpensive spare parts...

Am definitely thinking electric in case that wasn't obvious. I am in Auckland. Anyone recommend a good Hobby shop? There used to be one on New North Road in Grey Lynn, but I think it's gone now.

E3xtc

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Reply # 1414637 27-Oct-2015 13:26

I think Hobby City used to be in Quay St (Auckland) too - but I see they are no longer there - seems they are now in Mt Wellington....I have an old Tamiya RC car (was a Celica WRC 4WD model), have a new body for it, but need some wheels and spacers to fit them up...but no idea where to go to get the parts :\

Am going to try and get it up and running for when my son (currently 20mths) gets interested....it's pretty old, so wont be too traumatised when he add's it to his list of things he has demolished :\

linw

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Reply # 1414640 27-Oct-2015 13:31

I'm replying as an RC electric plane flyer.

Don't know where the idea of brushless being expensive comes from. Surprised anyone sells brushed motors anymore (maybe cars are different).

Also don't know where the Lipo battery is expensive came from, either. For example, a 3 cell 2200 lipo is $AU6.44.

Have a good look around HobbyKing.com as that is where all us flyers buy our stuff from. There is an HK Australian warehouse that will ship Lipos but Lipo shipment is an ongoing problem due to fire scares.

networkn

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Reply # 1414641 27-Oct-2015 13:32

I have a friend in the USA at the end of the year, wondering if I should research and get him to bring one back for me.

askelon

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Reply # 1414666 27-Oct-2015 14:03

Stuff is all relative price wise to what you want. Brushless is fine, the motors shouldnt really be any more expensive but you'll also need a speed controller for them. I have a collection of lipo's and think they are superior to the old batteries at this stage. Id be inclined to look on trademe for a second hand car - you can get some fantastic deals on there from time to time. A friend of mine got a full setup Tamiya TT-01E for under a couple of hundred - less than I paid for my one on its own. I picked up a Hobby King 2.4ghz controller and 3 receivers for around $100 new in the box from Trademe as well.

For me I prefer the building to the driving so mine really just sit on my desk looking pretty but Im weird so my girlfriend keeps telling me :P

I buy a fair bit off rcnz.com They have pretty good prices and good service so far.

networkn

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Reply # 1414671 27-Oct-2015 14:04

askelon: Stuff is all relative price wise to what you want. Brushless is fine, the motors shouldnt really be any more expensive but you'll also need a speed controller for them. I have a collection of lipo's and think they are superior to the old batteries at this stage. Id be inclined to look on trademe for a second hand car - you can get some fantastic deals on there from time to time. A friend of mine got a full setup Tamiya TT-01E for under a couple of hundred - less than I paid for my one on its own. I picked up a Hobby King 2.4ghz controller and 3 receivers for around $100 new in the box from Trademe as well.

For me I prefer the building to the driving so mine really just sit on my desk looking pretty but Im weird so my girlfriend keeps telling me :P

I buy a fair bit off rcnz.com They have pretty good prices and good service so far.

heh I am the opposite, I can't stand the building, fixing, maintaining side of things, I just love to drive them! :)

I guess I need to do more research, but it's knowing where to start, it's like a rabbit hole.

askelon

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Reply # 1414679 27-Oct-2015 14:11

Seriously I know the feeling.. All I originally wanted to do was get my old offroader going again. I bought a lipo battery. It was too big for the chassis so 3 cars later :P The main problem I always found with most of the ready to ride ones are they dont have parts available and I can guarantee you'll break something :) If you get something based on the TT01 chassis you'll get something thats pretty basic, pretty easy to fix and a crapload of spare parts available.

networkn

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Reply # 1414683 27-Oct-2015 14:13

askelon: Seriously I know the feeling.. All I originally wanted to do was get my old offroader going again. I bought a lipo battery. It was too big for the chassis so 3 cars later :P The main problem I always found with most of the ready to ride ones are they dont have parts available and I can guarantee you'll break something :) If you get something based on the TT01 chassis you'll get something thats pretty basic, pretty easy to fix and a crapload of spare parts available.

Aren't the TT01 pretty much onroad only?

Just did a google, it looks remarkably like the radio controlled car I have in my closet from a few years ago, it still runs, but needs repairs. Didn't handle off-road.

askelon

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Reply # 1414687 27-Oct-2015 14:20

Not sure whats what in offroad sorry. Yes the tt01 is onroad only.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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Reply # 1415369 28-Oct-2015 11:21

This deal isn't too bad.

http://www.modelcraftsandhobbies.co.nz/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=21789&category_id=8febe5819c0638c1eb11fd4bd0f172c4&

TAMIYA 1/10 MIDNIGHT PUMPKIN 'METALLIC'

Package Deal includes:

Midnight Pumpkin

2 channel remote control

7.2V 1800 mAh battery

charger leads

Then, you'd need to hunt either Trade Me or rcnz for a Main charger for the 7.2v battery

WyleECoyoteNZ

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Reply # 1415389 28-Oct-2015 11:26

Another option, this time from Bay Hobbies in Tauranga
http://bayhobbies.co.nz/collections/radio-control/products/tamiya-blitzer-beetle-20011-1-10-kit

Would then require:
- Controller
- 7.2v Battery
- 7.2v Battery charger

networkn

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Reply # 1415428 28-Oct-2015 12:02

WyleECoyoteNZ: This deal isn't too bad.

http://www.modelcraftsandhobbies.co.nz/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=21789&category_id=8febe5819c0638c1eb11fd4bd0f172c4&
TAMIYA 1/10 MIDNIGHT PUMPKIN 'METALLIC' Package Deal includes: Midnight Pumpkin 2 channel remote control 7.2V 1800 mAh battery charger leads

Then, you'd need to hunt either Trade Me or rcnz for a Main charger for the 7.2v battery

Thanks, this seems a little high centre of gravity, and slow for what I had in mind.

networkn

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Reply # 1415429 28-Oct-2015 12:03

WyleECoyoteNZ: Another option, this time from Bay Hobbies in Tauranga
http://bayhobbies.co.nz/collections/radio-control/products/tamiya-blitzer-beetle-20011-1-10-kit

Would then require:
- Controller
- 7.2v Battery
- 7.2v Battery charger

This is interesting, though it doesn't seem as "capable" as a traxxas though admittedly probably $100-150 cheaper.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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Reply # 1415442 28-Oct-2015 12:30

I'll admit I don't know a lot about the traxxas RC stuff, but one thing I'd say for the Tamiya kits is that there are plenty of 'hot up' options.

Different wheel rims \ more powerful motors.

Changing a motor is usually a case of unscrewing the standard one, take the cog off, put the cog on the more powerful motor and screwing in the new motor.

Geektastic

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Reply # 1417980 1-Nov-2015 07:39

I always wanted to build one of those Tamiya RC tanks when I was a teenager but never quite got round to it. I'm 50 soon so maybe I'll do it as a midlife crisis thing!

driller2000

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Reply # 1417986 1-Nov-2015 08:00

quadcopters are my thing at the mo.....

started with a syma x5c 10 months ago - cheap durable good starter
next was a cheerson cx20 - again economical for the features - good aerial video platform once i added a walkera g2d gimbal and sj4000
next was an emachine h8 - little micro quad inside flyer for windy / wet days
latest is an emax nighthawk 280 pro fpv racer - which is way faster than i can currently handle :) - and loads of fun (need goggles next!)

am in fact enjoying all of the above :)

have brought mine via gearbest and banggood - slow with fee shipping, but all have turned up and at very good prices i.e. approx 60% of local?

locally i have sought assistance from hobby station who have been great to deal with

http://www.hobbystation.co.nz/