Looking for ideas for an RC Car for a 4 year old <<<<<<<<<<<<
03-24-2007, 10:41 PM
#1
Looking for ideas for an RC Car for a 4 year old <<<<<<<<<<<<
ok guys, need some advice from those of you that have started your kids in RC. Its a long story, but my wife and I do not have kids. We have however become sort of mentors to a single mom with three kids. the youngest is a boy at 4 years old. he LOVES my rc cars. He makes me "chase" him with my LST2 and laughs the entire time around the yard. I about crapped last week when he made a never shown before dead stop and turned around and I kinda hit him with the truck. He went down pretty hard and sat their for what seemed like an eternity but was likely only a nano-second when he got this huge grin and stated - "That was awesome!!!!!!!!!"
well, I want to get him something to try and learn to drive. I know at 4 its going to be difficult. I was thinking along the lines of a Mini-T or a RC18T or something like that but then those dont run in grass very well but they do well in the basement. But then I was thinking something along the lines of an Emaxx or E-Savage so he could get the full pleasure of playing outside and hopefully it would hold up better to a 4 year olds abuse. Of course, I might just get both.
So what do you think for a 4 year old? whats your experience? thanks.
well, I want to get him something to try and learn to drive. I know at 4 its going to be difficult. I was thinking along the lines of a Mini-T or a RC18T or something like that but then those dont run in grass very well but they do well in the basement. But then I was thinking something along the lines of an Emaxx or E-Savage so he could get the full pleasure of playing outside and hopefully it would hold up better to a 4 year olds abuse. Of course, I might just get both.
So what do you think for a 4 year old? whats your experience? thanks.
03-25-2007, 04:33 AM
#9
Darrell,
I started my daughter at 4 with an rc18B. Built a 4 cell pack and put a small piece of foam behind the trigger and just let her have fun with it.
Eventually she got mad and figured out the foam was making it slower and took it off.
About 2-3 weeks ago she told us that she wanted to race the big cars like daddy.
Yesterday we got her a gt2rtr and she is now 5.
i set it up with a Jr radio so the epa is adjustable, broke the motor in and turned the epa down.
You shoulda seen the grin on her face when I handed that radio over.
She did very well for her first time with a 10th scale.
later
Dayton
I started my daughter at 4 with an rc18B. Built a 4 cell pack and put a small piece of foam behind the trigger and just let her have fun with it.
Eventually she got mad and figured out the foam was making it slower and took it off.
About 2-3 weeks ago she told us that she wanted to race the big cars like daddy.
Yesterday we got her a gt2rtr and she is now 5.
i set it up with a Jr radio so the epa is adjustable, broke the motor in and turned the epa down.
You shoulda seen the grin on her face when I handed that radio over.
She did very well for her first time with a 10th scale.
later
Dayton
03-25-2007, 07:49 AM
#10
Since you want something that will do great in the grass (if 1/10 scale won't do great in grass, I don't see how an 1/18 scale will), I would say anything that has some clearance on it would be the way to go.
Since he is 4, I would say go with an electric vehicle unless he pretty much wants to run it when you are around so you can tune it for him. Electric is just much easier.
I agree on the traxxas stampede, its true its 1/10 scale, but, its has that nice ground clearance, has a fairly reasonable price, and is quite durable. I would slap some moabs on it for even more clearance and a 19 turn motor if you need more power to get over the grass and go from there.
That or the HPI wheely king looks like good choices.
Since he is 4, I would say go with an electric vehicle unless he pretty much wants to run it when you are around so you can tune it for him. Electric is just much easier.
I agree on the traxxas stampede, its true its 1/10 scale, but, its has that nice ground clearance, has a fairly reasonable price, and is quite durable. I would slap some moabs on it for even more clearance and a 19 turn motor if you need more power to get over the grass and go from there.
That or the HPI wheely king looks like good choices.
03-25-2007, 10:03 AM
#11
Ditto... stampede with moabs or the wheelie king 4wd....
03-25-2007, 03:29 PM
#12
no offense, but if this is a 4 year old, have you thought about just some Toys R Us RTR?
I just couldn't see getting a hobby grade vehicle for somebody that young who is more than likely just going to bash.
If they are anything like my kid, they will lose interest in a day or two.
Then again, I have heard of 5 year olds racing at the local track.
So I guess its whatever you think they can handle.
I just wouldn't rule out a toy grade at that age.
They are making really nice toy grade RC vehicles now.
I see them every time we go to the toy store.
For Under $60 there is some really good toys out there.
Also, even with the toy cars, a simple motor and battery upgrade makes a huge difference.
Heck, a hobby grade pack alone would make a huge difference in one of those cars.
I just couldn't see getting a hobby grade vehicle for somebody that young who is more than likely just going to bash.
If they are anything like my kid, they will lose interest in a day or two.
Then again, I have heard of 5 year olds racing at the local track.
So I guess its whatever you think they can handle.
I just wouldn't rule out a toy grade at that age.
They are making really nice toy grade RC vehicles now.
I see them every time we go to the toy store.
For Under $60 there is some really good toys out there.
Also, even with the toy cars, a simple motor and battery upgrade makes a huge difference.
Heck, a hobby grade pack alone would make a huge difference in one of those cars.
03-25-2007, 03:39 PM
#13
a couple reasons I dont want toy grade.
1) money isnt really the controlling factor
2) if it breaks I want to be able to fix it, Ive got alot of experience with RC cars so Id rather work on a name brand vehicle than a radio shack
3) if money was an issue, if he didnt like it a month later, a name brand would have some sort of resale value - plus, if its an esavage or emaxx I could always just stick a brushless in it and test it out against the other MT's at the track lol
1) money isnt really the controlling factor
2) if it breaks I want to be able to fix it, Ive got alot of experience with RC cars so Id rather work on a name brand vehicle than a radio shack
3) if money was an issue, if he didnt like it a month later, a name brand would have some sort of resale value - plus, if its an esavage or emaxx I could always just stick a brushless in it and test it out against the other MT's at the track lol
03-25-2007, 03:54 PM
#14
Tech Addict
Originally Posted by mach51
a couple reasons I dont want toy grade.
1) money isnt really the controlling factor
2) if it breaks I want to be able to fix it, Ive got alot of experience with RC cars so Id rather work on a name brand vehicle than a radio shack
3) if money was an issue, if he didnt like it a month later, a name brand would have some sort of resale value - plus, if its an esavage or emaxx I could always just stick a brushless in it and test it out against the other MT's at the track lol
1) money isnt really the controlling factor
2) if it breaks I want to be able to fix it, Ive got alot of experience with RC cars so Id rather work on a name brand vehicle than a radio shack
3) if money was an issue, if he didnt like it a month later, a name brand would have some sort of resale value - plus, if its an esavage or emaxx I could always just stick a brushless in it and test it out against the other MT's at the track lol
This should be another marketing strategy for the manufacturers. They are not only more durable, but totally rebuildable. Sounds perfect for Jr. if he's tough on stuff.
Not to mention great if the 'big kid' wants to play some too.
03-25-2007, 04:05 PM
#15
This is what I got for my 4 yr old. Plenty of speed, hobby grade, replaceable parts, hop ups.
When he masters this, I will consider getting him something bigger and faster.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ3010
When he masters this, I will consider getting him something bigger and faster.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ3010
