Anyone here into RC cars?

[oceangal]

Over the years my son has had a few ones from Toys R Us. He really is a great driver and now that he is 10 we are looking at moving up the ladder. I really like the TRAXXAS ones and they have great reviews. We went to the store today and they had a trade in E-MAXX 4wd for $219 or a new TRAXXAS Stampede which is 2wd for $199 (another store has them for $179). I am not sure if the used one is the newer type model or not. The used one doesn't even come with so much as a 30 day warranty but the plastic is not scratched at all. Both are battery as opposed to gas. The 4wd needs two batteries to run it and the Stamped only 1. The batteries aren't cheap! I also want to get a good charger so that it stops when its done etc.



So those in the know which would you go for? My son is 10 and a master with RC cars. At least now if there is an "oops" moment we can get parts :-)

Stampede:
http://www.traxxas.com/products/elec...x_stampede.htm


EMaxx - http://www.traxxas.com/products/elec.../trx_emaxx.htm ( I have to find out if this is the right version of the emaxx of if its an older one)

Here is the charger I am looking at:

http://www.poncinihobbies.com/Dynami...-p/dyn4036.htm

It looks like most places sell the Venom battery so I am guessing thats the brand to go with.

[yellow_2002_germany]

I am an RC fan; however, I do on-road touring cars, I can't help much with the off-road stuff. One suggestion...buy a few RC magazines and read up or call a few hobby shops and ask questions. Traxxas does have a pretty good parts support system for repairs or improvements.

You are right about batteries being expensive and since they are don't skimp on a charger. Make sure you are using the correct kind of charger for the type of batteries you are using.

Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries are old technology but great since they can be recharged pretty much immediately after they are drained as long as they don't get too hot. They should also be stored without a charge because they can develop a "memory" and not take a full charge after a time. They are cheaper than the other popular kind...

Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries are newer technology but are quite a bit more expensive than NiCd batteries, but they have more capacity than NiCd. They do not develop a memory but should be stored with about a half charge or better because if they stay at zero charge for an extended time they will not be able to take a full charge. Another thing to watch out for with these batteries is times between recharges. It is recommended that you wait at least 3 hours between draining a NiMh pack and recharging it so that it can cool. Heat is a major enemy of any RC battery.

As for charging both types, NiCd can take up to 6 amps charge current with no problems as long as they don't get too hot. NiMh can only take about 3 amps, normally and 4 amps max charge current. Ensure any charger you purchase is designed for NiMh batteries if you go that route. I would also suggest that the charger have a peak cutoff so that it automatically reverts to a trickle charge when the pack is fully charged. Overcharging a battery only leads to heat and reduced battery life. With proper care and maintenance batteries can last for hundreds of charge cycles.

One more thing...the Traxxas trucks you are looking at will likely be substantially faster than what he has been driving.

I hope I have helped more than confused!

[wishuwerehere82]

Oceangal,

I got into RC cars about 20 years ago and spent over $600.00 on the car, batteries, charger, spare parts, and enhancements.
I would get the new car as the used one may need to have some "doctoring" done after a few hours of operation.
The gears and drivetrain parts are prone to wear at a faster rate than the rest of it. If your 10 yr. old is a whiz with a screwdriver, then he can fix just about anything on the car if it breaks. They sell all the replacement parts from suspension to antennas for the Traxxas Stampede XL-5 RTR at Tower Hobbies.
The other E-Maxx is not listed any longer, and has been replaced by the T-Maxx so it may be harder to find parts. My guess is it was in the $350.00 range new.

I would get a charger that has a timer and a volt meter so he can peak charge the batteries, instead of trusting the charger to do what it says it does.
Something like this:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&P=9&I=LXJC34
I used to peak charge my NI/CAD7.2 V cells to over 12V by putting them in the freezer and charging them cold, then by the time they discharged they were about room temp. and could still be recharged once without getting too hot. I took my old battery packs out for drive last summer, and 20 years later, they still hold a charge.
I would get at least 3 battery packs, so he spends more time driving instead of charging, and waiting for them to cool down. Heat is what kills them.
Volume discounts get you 3 for about $10.00 each for 1500 Ma/Hr packs.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJA83&P=M
Although, the Venom packs are 1800 Ma/Hr, so they will store more of a charge at a time. They are $13.59 and no volume discount.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHUJ8&P=ML

He will have as much fun with the 2 WD as the 4WD, so that shouldn't matter too much. Just keep it out of the mud and puddles. Water is really bad for the motors and speed controllers. It might launch into reverse at full speed if it goes through a pudlle. Mine did!
30 actual MPH on an RC car is cool, and that's what the Traxxas will do.

[DarkShark]

Wow... nice stuff! The Traxxas trucks can take a beating compared to Tamaya. The vintage Kyoshos were pretty tough too- I had plenty of them from '87-'93.

I think I had about 6 different cars as a kid. Ultima, RC-10, Stinger, FX-10, FXT, Maxxum, and a couple more.

I have several RC cars now that see various levels of use.
- 1/10 vintage Optima Mid SE (pride and joy!- shelf queen)
- 1/8 OFNA Ultra Buggy ($$$ gas car still new & in the box)
- 1/10 Himoto Gas buggy (low dollar high fun gas car- haven't taken it out of the box yet either)
- 1/10 Himoto electric on-road Lamborghini (low dollar high fun electric car)

When my son gets older... we'll have something to do besides the HO / N trains, US-1 Electric Trucking, and the Vette.

IMHO, Tower Hobbies is a bit pricey. Usually, the smaller shops in the RC magazines can sell parts for less.

[oceangal]

Thank you all for your insight!

I am glad I thought to post here - it only makes sense!

I think I might place the whole order with Tower since their shipping is so cheap and I can't get up to the hobby store during the week and they are closed today so maybe I will have it by the weekend.

Wishuwerehere82 - do you think its worth the $ for their membership club?

Thank you!
Lori

[Tuna]

Check out the local hobby shops and find out where the locals race. Go there and watch a few races and then talk to the owners about what they drive and why. Ask questions about parts availability, batteries, chargers, etc.

If your kid really is good, get him into racing - in one of the cheaper classes first - and see how he does and if he really likes it. Then move up if he does.

I spent a few years driving RC off-road and on-road competitively back in the '80s and early '90s. I still have a couple of RC Corvettes but I rarely drive them now. Things have changed a lot since I was in the thick of it. So, check out the local scene and get the kid in the races.

[wishuwerehere82]

Originally Posted by oceangal

Wishuwerehere82 - do you think its worth the $ for their membership club?

Thank you!
Lori

Probably not worth it unless you plan on buying more stuff in the future. But do take advantage of the $15.00 discount on the order.
My friends and I bought at LOT of RC plane kits from them back in the '70s. The local shops just had basic stuff back then. For a kid it is a terribly addictive hobby, and an expensive one.

[oceangal]

well we placed the order tonight and with any luck it will be here before the weekend!

Thanks again for the help and suggestions and for sure a RC club would be fun. For those of you who don't know this is the son who has Aspergers so I have been hoping to find him something that will get him interacting with other kids but not a team type thing. He loves fast cars and rc cars so this might be just the thing. If I had the means I would get him into kart racing but that is an expensive sport....but who knows what awaits around the corner!!

[c5y2k]

Wow sorry I didnt see this thread earlier. I used to work in a hobby shop back in high school building, repairing and selling RC cars some 20 years ago. I used to race 1/12th and 1/10th (on and off-road) scale cars all over the mid-west in regional competitions. What a great time I had with my Dad doing this.

Anyway like others have said the best way to find out what the 'good' cars are is to stop by a few races and see what the majority are driving. Also pay attention to what radios they are using and other equipment like speed controllers, motors and battery brand.

I got into RC airplanes after cars and loved them also but that crowd is tad older . I still have all my cars and airplanes.

Hey DarkShark I still have my Optima Mid SE, RC/10 and a few others. I may still have the original chain drive Optima when the motor was in the rear!

[oceangal]

HE did get the RC truck I posted and basically I am the battery person. I discharge batteries, i charge batteries and install batteries and remove them from the car. 4 yrs of college for this? ;-)

The little guy and the husband are having fun driving RC cars in the yard. The RC truck is really cool. The thing flips over a few times and keeps going. Hubby is reliving his glory days and getting down all his old RC cars and modifying them. The dining room table is now the RC car garage.

[yellow_2002_germany]

I spent a few hours putting upgrades on one of my RC cars just tonight. But, for me, the coffee table is the RC garage. Having 2 cats makes it doubly fun! Have to keep them from chasing the small parts off of the table.

Now, if the rain and cold would stop...