Returning to R/C
03-31-2009, 02:20 PM
#1
Returning to R/C
Hello all. After about a six year hiatus, I've decided that I may return to r/c. These past few days I have been reading up on what has changed; and wow is there a lot. Somewhere in my shed I have a first edition Stampede, two tamiya Blackfoots, a Clodbuster, a Bolink Legend, and a few other no named cars. Upon my return, I've noticed all the top items from when I was into the hobby are looked at as "outdated". I mean, a 3300 mAh battery for $20?! 6 years ago an 1800 mAh cost close to $30.
Now, I have been doing some thinking on whether to update my existing arsenal or just pickup a new kit. I had always loved my Stampede so I intend on sticking with Traxxas. So far I have decided that I'm going to stick somewhat "old school" in today's standards. A DuraTrax Onyx 210 Charger and three Trinity 3300mAh batteries to start me out. As for a new car or rebuilding me old one I have no idea what I should do. The transmission in my Stampede kept blowing the gears when I was in the hobby. In fact, the cost of replacing the busted transmission was one of the factors that led to me leaving the hobby. So, I need deciding if I should upgrade the old Stampede to an updated setup or purchase a new vehicle altogether. I'm thinking a new vehicle may actually just be cheaper to do.
In the end, this is what my initial plan was going to be:
TRA5805 - Traxxas Slash Short-Course 1/10th Off-Road Race Truck - $194.99
DTXP4210 - DuraTrax Onyx 210 AC/DC Peak Charger w/LCD Display - $49.99
Trinity Reference 6 Cell Performance Pack w/ Tamiya Connectors (7.2V/3000mAh) x3 - $59.97
Totaling ~$255 before shipping. I know there's big debate on the Slash, but I'm really only interested on going down to the beach with some paddle tires and making some rooster tails. No plans on racing at all. Any thoughts or suggestions on another vehicle or option of using my old vehicles is greatly appreciated. Just looking to start off "cheap" and see where it takes me. If I still have the same interest now that I did 6 years ago I'll invest more into it. Thanks again.
Now, I have been doing some thinking on whether to update my existing arsenal or just pickup a new kit. I had always loved my Stampede so I intend on sticking with Traxxas. So far I have decided that I'm going to stick somewhat "old school" in today's standards. A DuraTrax Onyx 210 Charger and three Trinity 3300mAh batteries to start me out. As for a new car or rebuilding me old one I have no idea what I should do. The transmission in my Stampede kept blowing the gears when I was in the hobby. In fact, the cost of replacing the busted transmission was one of the factors that led to me leaving the hobby. So, I need deciding if I should upgrade the old Stampede to an updated setup or purchase a new vehicle altogether. I'm thinking a new vehicle may actually just be cheaper to do.
In the end, this is what my initial plan was going to be:
TRA5805 - Traxxas Slash Short-Course 1/10th Off-Road Race Truck - $194.99
DTXP4210 - DuraTrax Onyx 210 AC/DC Peak Charger w/LCD Display - $49.99
Trinity Reference 6 Cell Performance Pack w/ Tamiya Connectors (7.2V/3000mAh) x3 - $59.97
Totaling ~$255 before shipping. I know there's big debate on the Slash, but I'm really only interested on going down to the beach with some paddle tires and making some rooster tails. No plans on racing at all. Any thoughts or suggestions on another vehicle or option of using my old vehicles is greatly appreciated. Just looking to start off "cheap" and see where it takes me. If I still have the same interest now that I did 6 years ago I'll invest more into it. Thanks again.
03-31-2009, 02:32 PM
#2
Look like a good start to me. I would look for some batteries with the Traxxas high current connector to match the ESC, or just convert over to Deans plugs perhaps.
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/20362
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/20362
03-31-2009, 02:38 PM
#3
03-31-2009, 03:53 PM
#4
There is no real debate on the slash as to if it is a good car or not. The debate is over what some people want it to be and the fact it came from Traxxas. I can guarantee you that if it was made by a company that "racers" approve of there would be no debate.
The car you have picked out is great all the way around, as a car you can take to the beach and run all day long you could not make a better choice. The thing is "water proof" but I think I would keep it away from salt water if your beach is near the ocean. And if sometime in the future you want to give racing a try, you would be hard pressed to find a off road track anywhere in the country that does not have a slash class.
Good choice.
The car you have picked out is great all the way around, as a car you can take to the beach and run all day long you could not make a better choice. The thing is "water proof" but I think I would keep it away from salt water if your beach is near the ocean. And if sometime in the future you want to give racing a try, you would be hard pressed to find a off road track anywhere in the country that does not have a slash class.
Good choice.
03-31-2009, 04:21 PM
#5
There is no real debate on the slash as to if it is a good car or not. The debate is over what some people want it to be and the fact it came from Traxxas. I can guarantee you that if it was made by a company that "racers" approve of there would be no debate.
The car you have picked out is great all the way around, as a car you can take to the beach and run all day long you could not make a better choice. The thing is "water proof" but I think I would keep it away from salt water if your beach is near the ocean. And if sometime in the future you want to give racing a try, you would be hard pressed to find a off road track anywhere in the country that does not have a slash class.
Good choice.
The car you have picked out is great all the way around, as a car you can take to the beach and run all day long you could not make a better choice. The thing is "water proof" but I think I would keep it away from salt water if your beach is near the ocean. And if sometime in the future you want to give racing a try, you would be hard pressed to find a off road track anywhere in the country that does not have a slash class.
Good choice.
Yea, this beach is on a lake and regardless of being "waterproof" I'm going to avoid it when I can. Right now my hobby is PC gaming and I just moved so I figured getting back into the hobby may help me find some new people to hand out with as for the people I meet through my PC I'll never meet. =P
As for mods, I have a few motors hanging around. I think I had a 9 Triple if that sounds right. I'll have to dig it up when I go visit my parents to confirm. I know I have some paddles and a Novak Rooster as well as a Super Rooster. Not sure how up-to-date those are but I figure they worked then so why not now.
Thanks for the input. I'll check around for prices and just give it a few more days before I decide to make the purchase. =]
03-31-2009, 04:25 PM
#6
Tech Regular
iTrader: (9)
I think that the slash is a good choice but I would not waste money buying a NiMh battery or charger.
I recently got back into the hobby after a 7.5 year break and the biggest changes out here are lipo batteries and brushless motors and speed controls.
Going to lipo batteries is worth every penny to switch. With a nimh you have to run it, discharge, wait for it to cool off, then recharge.
With a lipo you can run it, throw it back on the charger to top it off, then run it for the next heat.
Further, the performance is much better than the older batteries.
You can get a nice lipo charger for $37 from www.hobbycity.com. I have the Tunergy charger which it appears many other brands simply repackage and sell for over $100.
I recently got back into the hobby after a 7.5 year break and the biggest changes out here are lipo batteries and brushless motors and speed controls.
Going to lipo batteries is worth every penny to switch. With a nimh you have to run it, discharge, wait for it to cool off, then recharge.
With a lipo you can run it, throw it back on the charger to top it off, then run it for the next heat.
Further, the performance is much better than the older batteries.
You can get a nice lipo charger for $37 from www.hobbycity.com. I have the Tunergy charger which it appears many other brands simply repackage and sell for over $100.
03-31-2009, 04:41 PM
#7
I think that the slash is a good choice but I would not waste money buying a NiMh battery or charger.
I recently got back into the hobby after a 7.5 year break and the biggest changes out here are lipo batteries and brushless motors and speed controls.
Going to lipo batteries is worth every penny to switch. With a nimh you have to run it, discharge, wait for it to cool off, then recharge.
With a lipo you can run it, throw it back on the charger to top it off, then run it for the next heat.
Further, the performance is much better than the older batteries.
You can get a nice lipo charger for $37. I have the Tunergy charger which it appears many other brands simply repackage and sell for over $100.
I recently got back into the hobby after a 7.5 year break and the biggest changes out here are lipo batteries and brushless motors and speed controls.
Going to lipo batteries is worth every penny to switch. With a nimh you have to run it, discharge, wait for it to cool off, then recharge.
With a lipo you can run it, throw it back on the charger to top it off, then run it for the next heat.
Further, the performance is much better than the older batteries.
You can get a nice lipo charger for $37. I have the Tunergy charger which it appears many other brands simply repackage and sell for over $100.
03-31-2009, 04:47 PM
#8
I went through something similar to you just a year or two ago.
I rebult my old favorite, then ended up buying a new one any way.
My .o2 is keep your old stuff to tinker with later down the road, and rebuild when your ready to. If you had tranny trouble before you put it away, your going to still have it.
Start out with a good RTR such as the slash. If your looking for something to put paddle tires on, I dont know if they make them for the slash. Ask your LHS or your on line store to see if any fit this truck.
Second buy a hard cased lipo battery. Your plan to buy three stick NIMH is a good one and I know where your coming from. Charge one and use one while the other is cooling off.
By the time you buy three NIMH batteries you could get one lipo, and charge and reuse as much as you want. Charge the lipo once use it two weeks later and it still has a full charge.
There is a little more to a lipo but its simple and if your interested the information is here and others will help you too. I just dont want to bore you with info if your not interested.
I rebult my old favorite, then ended up buying a new one any way.
My .o2 is keep your old stuff to tinker with later down the road, and rebuild when your ready to. If you had tranny trouble before you put it away, your going to still have it.
Start out with a good RTR such as the slash. If your looking for something to put paddle tires on, I dont know if they make them for the slash. Ask your LHS or your on line store to see if any fit this truck.
Second buy a hard cased lipo battery. Your plan to buy three stick NIMH is a good one and I know where your coming from. Charge one and use one while the other is cooling off.
By the time you buy three NIMH batteries you could get one lipo, and charge and reuse as much as you want. Charge the lipo once use it two weeks later and it still has a full charge.
There is a little more to a lipo but its simple and if your interested the information is here and others will help you too. I just dont want to bore you with info if your not interested.
03-31-2009, 04:54 PM
#9
Tech Adept
Hey, thanks for the link. As for now I may just get that charger instead and the 3 Trinity batteries from A-Main. I figure with 3 or 4 batteries I'll be able to rotate them and in the future I'll just pick some nice batteries up. I mean, NiMh batteries worked fine back then so I just get them again. =P
03-31-2009, 05:05 PM
#10
dont waste your time with nimh batts. they are outdated. people only run them because they have them, lipo's are the way to go. you can charge them as many times as you want per day, nimh 1 or 2 per day or you start to ruin then. lipo's will out last a nimh several times over. lipo put out more consistent power for a longer period of time giving more consistent lap times. at some point you will want to change so dont make the mistake of buying nimh!
03-31-2009, 05:08 PM
#11
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/30548
You can also buy one with a Dean's plug as well.
I am getting ~30 minutes off of a full charge with a VXL brushless system.
You can also buy one with a Dean's plug as well.
I am getting ~30 minutes off of a full charge with a VXL brushless system.
03-31-2009, 05:17 PM
#13
Tech Adept
https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/c...s&pn=SMC6028LT
https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/c...n=THP32002SPRD
the 2nd one is the one id get its a very good pack. make sure to check the C rating its important.
https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/c...n=THP32002SPRD
the 2nd one is the one id get its a very good pack. make sure to check the C rating its important.
Last edited by backyardracer; 03-31-2009 at 05:19 PM. Reason: add info
03-31-2009, 05:17 PM
#14
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/30548
You can also buy one with a Dean's plug as well.
I am getting ~30 minutes off of a full charge with a VXL brushless system.
You can also buy one with a Dean's plug as well.
I am getting ~30 minutes off of a full charge with a VXL brushless system.
03-31-2009, 05:21 PM
#15
Tech Initiate
if your going with the slash smc makes i nice back for the slash the already has the plug you need on it