We run up to 6 in 1/18 and 4 in 1/14. We will try more when we race the Recoils. I disagree with regard to cost of batteries... Most 1/12 racing is pretty battery intensive and to be competetive, one must buy from the top of the heap in matched packs. A good 6 cell 2/3 A pack is $20, and you only need a couple. They don't get hot on the charger and you don't get them hot in the car, so they don't require as much rest as the 1/10 & 1/12 packs.
You need a min of 6 packs for 1/12. And if you want to power-up, a LiPo for the Recoil will run from $32 - $40 and a brushless system will be less than $150. They will be to big for the RCP tear down tracks, but so is 1/18.
I think something no one has brought up is the price point of the new Recoil and how it can help a hobbyshop with a 18th scale track of the size Duneland mentions.
It sounds like a great "newbie racer" kind of vehicle at a price point that is attractive. And if it handles as well out of the box as it's cousin the Carisma it will be popular.
I ran a 99 dollar 1/14th Carisma at Duneland's track and it handled great, had good speed and handling box stock. I race Xray for 10th scale. I don't make the A main race in 10th scale but I have a blast just racing. The 1/14th scale gave me the same kind of feeling and it's WAY cheaper. It's the same feeling I have when on the same night as stock rubber 10th scale sedan we also run Tamiya Mini Coopers using TCS rules. the Mini is just plain simple fun.
I think anything that gets new people into racing is to be commended and encouraged. Especially if it's kids.
where did you get a recoil for $99? I'd like one for that price!!
Ahh - sorry - just saw you said Carisma - not Recoil.
You're thinking of the wrong Carisma. The one he is talking about is widely available under the Carisma name, the Recoil is considerably different from those.
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Racing: Ultima RB5 / Lazer ZX5 SP / Mini Inferno ST / E-Revo / M1B Turbo
We have a club of 12 that races the Carisma cars and now that I have the Recoil and have been able to compare it to the Carisma, I can tell you that stock out of the box the Recoil is faster and better handling than the Carisma. No contest. Also the Carisma cars are prone to brief thermal shutdowns in a 5 minute race due to inferior esc/receiver unit. The Recoil has no such problem as the esc/receiver unit supplied is of much better quality and has heatsinks built in. Far superior!
I have found that some of those gorgeous Carisma bodies such as the Ford GT and the Audis will fit on the Recoil which widens body choices.
All in all, I highly recommend the Recoil; for $170 you will be getting an excellent product that is raceworthy out of the box!
Few points of contention. I was comparing Matched 2/3 A's to Matched sub C 4 cell.
Current Brushless 1/18th systems will be underpowered for the Recoil. YOu will need larger 300 size motors.
$40+ lipo minimum for the recoil since you will need a larger pack since the recoil will be drawing more amps. A 1320 mah in example wont cut it.
RCP is 1/18th fitting. They offer extensions.
I have found ZERO benefit to use of mateched 2/3 A packs. Intellect 1200 & 1400 packs from Integy have given excellent results. 1/12 scale requires top of the heap matched sub-C packs (at least 6 of em). Way more expensive for 1/12 batteries. I know the matched 2/3 A packs are more than un-matched, but no benefit that I have seen. Even compairing matched packs, a 6 cell 2/3A pack goes for around $30. Can't touch a competetive 4cell 1/12 pack for that.
The brushless 1/18 systems are more than enough for the Recoil. The ones I suggested are the ones that work in the Vendetta and Mini Quake, which are larger/and have more torque. Such as the GH Airpower. So basically 300 to 400 size bl motors. Cost on most of those motors is less than a Mamba anyway. Any of the brushless escs we now use in 1/18, will be fine (especially the Quark33).
For those that have the car or knows more about it, is the car fully equipped with ball bearings? Looks like there are bushings in the steering assembly in one of the pictures. Second question, does the car use standard or mini servo?
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Racing: Ultima RB5 / Lazer ZX5 SP / Mini Inferno ST / E-Revo / M1B Turbo
The car does have ball bearings everywhere except the steering. The optional bearing set for the steering is available now and it is only $9.
The Recoil uses a mini/micro servo. Standard parts and option parts are very inexpensive! Most are available right now! Unfortunately the foam tires are on backorder, but should be available in February sometime.
Hi, I've been monitoring this thread for awhile and just registered so I could participate. In Tekin's website there is a section where someone has pictures of a 1/12 pan car powered by a Rage 8000 KV system (4 cell). It is competitive against 540 size 8T powered 1/12 pan cars. IMHO Rage and Mamba "200" size systems will work fine in a Recoil. Don
Hey we never have enough folks from Rantoul around here!
Welcome aboard Don.
You are oh so close to Horizon and Great Plaines. Can you just go to etiher location and buy stuff retail out their backdoors? That would be neat if you could.
Sorry Kenji, no walk-ins at either place.
With regard to Mini-Rage in 1/12, I am VERY scepticle. I have found that the Mamba and Tekin 8k motors are suited only to the lightest weight 1/18 cars. Won't get a Mini-Quake or Vendetta moving well at all. Don't see how they could get a much heavier 1/12 going.
My shipment arrived a little while ago. I took one for myself & charged the battery to give it a try. Very nice! Stock tires provide plenty of grip on my track. Performance is OK. I am used to running classes with far more power available, so I may not be the best to judge the stock performance. It handles very well right out of the box. Steering servo is a bit sluggish for my taste, but everything worked properly. Good brakes, lot's of adjustments for camber links, ackerman angles, shock angles, wheelbase, etc.
Anyone have any tips for paint removal? With only 2 colors available, race night could be a bit confusing .
I will be gutting mine shortly, to see what happens when a LiPo bl system is introduced into the mix. Will find a higher performance servo to stick in it too.
I may try a couple of different brushed motors to see if something with a little more zip will work without problems. I think a 380 is more appropriate in this size car. In any event, we will be running them in 2 classes; stock (stock motor/battery/tires--unless the racers want a faster motor for this class), and an open class.
Wheels are a unique disign. No hex or pin drive. Wheel has half the stub axle incorporated into it.
At $169.95 it is the most impressive package so-far in the micro scene. If one can consider it a micro.... Whatever you call it, it is a nice size! I have a pretty tight lay-out on my track at the moment, and it handled the infield with ease. As a matter of fact, I had to dial some steering out. I think it is going to be a big hit!
speaking of hits, if you went full throttle into that corner there on the right side of your straightaway how do you think it will hold up damage wise?