I'm new to the forum, and am looking to improve on my current R/C car. I don't know much about R/C kits and controllers and the like, but would like to learn. My friends who have gotten me into this, already have large cars (2 Marders(sp?) on the scene already), a nitro truck and several racers for an indoor track they visit.
I made my initial venture into the world with an A-Tech BX-01 about 2 years ago. It's great on-road and off, providing the terrain doesn't get too bad. As it is, I'd like to move up to something which can handle much rougher terrain (I normally walk in some woods & fields, where the BX has a little trouble, usually with ground clearance).
As the BX was an off-the-shelf RTR car, I have no idea what I'm looking for. I don't want to spend a vast amount, in-case this is a passing phase, so was thinking of something simple to start with, which I could up-grade as I get more involved (and my skills improve). Question is, where do I start?
Based on the BX, buggies are fun, but don't have the ground clearance that I think I need. Should I be going for trucks, or maybe rock-crawlers? Do I stay with electric, or go to nitro? Should I be thinking about upgrading the BX, and if so, where do I start? (I have thought about this, but can't seem to find anybody who stock's A-Tech parts, and I don't know if it's compatible with other manufacturers.)
Any help, ideas or throughts will be gratefully received....
Cheers
Santiago
__________________
Time flies like an arrow - Fruit flies like a banana.
The universe is not like clockwork. It's like stoats fighting in a sack - bloody & chaotic!
I'm new to the forum, and am looking to improve on my current R/C car. I don't know much about R/C kits and controllers and the like, but would like to learn. My friends who have gotten me into this, already have large cars (2 Marders(sp?) on the scene already), a nitro truck and several racers for an indoor track they visit.
I made my initial venture into the world with an A-Tech BX-01 about 2 years ago. It's great on-road and off, providing the terrain doesn't get too bad. As it is, I'd like to move up to something which can handle much rougher terrain (I normally walk in some woods & fields, where the BX has a little trouble, usually with ground clearance).
As the BX was an off-the-shelf RTR car, I have no idea what I'm looking for. I don't want to spend a vast amount, in-case this is a passing phase, so was thinking of something simple to start with, which I could up-grade as I get more involved (and my skills improve). Question is, where do I start?
Based on the BX, buggies are fun, but don't have the ground clearance that I think I need. Should I be going for trucks, or maybe rock-crawlers? Do I stay with electric, or go to nitro? Should I be thinking about upgrading the BX, and if so, where do I start? (I have thought about this, but can't seem to find anybody who stock's A-Tech parts, and I don't know if it's compatible with other manufacturers.)
Any help, ideas or throughts will be gratefully received....
Cheers
Santiago
What do you want to do? Do you want to bash or race? It sounds like if you are looking for something to take into the woods.It sounds like you mostly bash. If you are looking for a tough truck with good ground celerance the Traxxas Slash would be a good choice. They are tough as nails and also water proof. Trying searching YouTube for Traxxas Slash. You mentioned your friends have a Marder. If so that is a really big jump you would be taking if you went that way. I think the Marder is a 1:6 scale which is crazy big. Which is going to required alot more technical knowledge along with more cash. Which isn't something we all have right now.
As far as nitro vs electric. I am by no means going to pro. From my reaserch nitro is more expensive.More moving parts and what not. Plus with the recent addition of brushless for electric classes. Plus a good Lipo set up you can have all the power and speed of nitro. Minus the headaches of nitro. To be honest I wasn't seeing what the big deal about brushless systems with a Lipo pack was all about.Untill I was at my local track last week and a guy had one. And wow it was like night and day. He and I we on a straight away and he nailed it and was gone. As far as the rock crawlers go it really depends if you like that kinda of stuff. I have noticed that rock crawlers seem to be more into percision and technical stuff along with looking as scale as possible. Again YouTube rock crawlers there are some really good videos on rock crawling. That will show you exactly what I am talking about.
I have never heard of A-Tech BX-01. I think it is a sister brand of Kyosho. Take my advice of choosing a new R/C you can find parts for. I have a Associated T3 which is an old stadium truck. Which is made by Assocaited I still have a hard time finding certain parts. Honestly the cheaper the price isn't always better. Parts avialablity are a huge part of the game. Honestly I don't think you should be spending your money on upgrading your BX when you have a hard time finding parts right now. The main thing you need to decide is if you want to race or bash. Then go from there.
__________________
"You have to race so fast that the thrill of speed,overcomes the fear of death".
First ask yourself where do you want to use it. Sounds like you really want to run on the woods and field. This puts you w/ off road.
Second ask when you want to use it. If you go nitro the noise is a factor at certain times of the day. Another set bask to nitro is the winter - for the most part these can not be run indoors. There are some tracks that do but you need to look in your area. Most indoor tracks are electric only.
Now ask what you want to do with it. Crawlers are great for large rocky areas but are slow. Monster trucks can run on almost any terrain but usually don't handle precisely. Stadium trucks and buggy's are kind of a mix of characteristics. On road racers handle well if you set them up properly but don't do off road.
Now ask if you are interested in organized racing or just bashing around the yard and where ever you feel. If you think you may want to do organized racing then you need to find out what is being offered for races in your area.
Some will tell you to stay away from nitro because of start up cost or a learning curve. Start up is almost the same but nitro requires you to purchase fuel instead of charging batteries. As for the learning curve, you said you were new right? so your gonna be learning anyway.
Good luck, and congrats on doing your research before you buy.
I think I definately fall into the off-road bashers category. I'm not interested in racing, and I know I definately don't want anything as big as the Marder. Plus speed isn't that big an issue, so I'm quite happy to stick with normal electrics (although may think about upgrading to brushless & lipo in the future).
I like the look of the Slash and the fact that it's waterproof will be an advantage for when it gets a bit muddy (plus I can take it to the beach). My only concern is the ground-clearance in the woods. It's definately higher than my buggy, but if I need to increase it, can I do that? To be honest, that's the only thing that made me look towards the trucks & rock-crawlers. May be I just need to see one first hand, as then I'll have a better idea.
Cheers
__________________
Time flies like an arrow - Fruit flies like a banana.
The universe is not like clockwork. It's like stoats fighting in a sack - bloody & chaotic!
For anybody interested, details for the A-Tech BX-01 can be found at modelsport.co.uk. (I haven't reached the number of posts to add URL's to my posts yet.)
I've been having a nose round & the 1/16 E-Revo has caught my eye. Has similar spec to the Slash, but gives that little extra ground-clearance and comes brushless already.
Cheers
__________________
Time flies like an arrow - Fruit flies like a banana.
The universe is not like clockwork. It's like stoats fighting in a sack - bloody & chaotic!
Yeah the 1/16 E-Revo is a good little truck. Wait a little while and the prices will come down. If you a cheaper, larger brushless truck. Look into the Traxxas Rustler VXL, or the higher Traxxas Stamede VXL. The VXL's have a 1/10 scale chassis, and also come stock with larger brushless motors. The Stampede is a wheelie king, and the Rustler is scary fast. They come Ready-to-Run (RTR), with everything you need except a battery and charger--and, they are cheaper than the 1/16 E-Revo.
I've settled on an ER. The only question I have left is do I wait a while for the 1/16 ER VXL to come down in price a little, or do I go for the 1/10 ERBE? Think it's a case of getting over to the local shop & seeing what they've got in, whether they need to order in, and what kind of deals they can do me...
Cheers for the help.
__________________
Time flies like an arrow - Fruit flies like a banana.
The universe is not like clockwork. It's like stoats fighting in a sack - bloody & chaotic!
What's a good starting car/truck?
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