rolib24

I am new to the RC Forum's. I figured that i would ask this question in the Nitro and Electric section. If there is a better place to move this post, please do Mod's.

I am very new to the RC thing. About a year ago I got a really good deal on a RC package with a few Traxxas trucks. I ended up with a 4x4 brushless Slash that I claimed for myself. As I have been breaking things on that truck I have been upgrading parts.
Then a 2wd Slash that my 9 yo son claimed. After about a month's use he ended up killing the brushed motor and I upgraded his truck to brushless and Lipo. He loves the thing.
In the package I also got a basic Slash. My 11yo daughter claimed that one. She just recently has gotten into RC and joined a RC club at her school. I upgraded her car to Brushless and got her a Lipo and she now has a car that she liked to a car that she absolutely loves

At this point me and my kids are into bashing cars and my wife is feeling really left out. She is wanting something to just bomb around with, but my son is wanting something more than his 2wd Slash. He gets quite jealous when my 4wd Slash can do a lot more than his 2wd. (I have a sand pit that we do a lot of bashing in and he gets jealous of my 4wd.)

Long story short, our family is looking for another truck. We dont race, just bash. Primarily in our yard, sand pit and bashing around at campgrounds while camping.

I am quite curious about Nitro cars. I do love tinkering and am very mechanically inclined so working on a engine does not scare me away at all.
With that being said, what are the benefits from Nitro vs Electric.
Also, seeing that I am about to buy a new car is there any other recommendations besides Traxxas, either Nitro or Brushless? I am only familiar with Traxxas because that is all that my LHS sells

1/8 IC Fan

iTrader: (102)

Well one thing to keep in mind that Electric will be easier to get up and running, as well as cleaner (chassis and components). If its a Family hobby Electric power makes it easier for all to have an easy access to get running. Nitro on the other hand require a little more support equipment, but in the end is very rewarding as well, the sound, smells and tinkering makes it so much fun.

Its a hard choice, id recommend going to a local track and watching a Nitro and Brushless race, to see perhaps what looks to be more fun for all, you will be able to see the pits and such as well, to get an idea of support equipment.

In the end you can not go wrong with either.

jgil089

In that scenario I would stick with electric, it is so much easier. Nitro is heaps of fun but the noise would attract unwanted attention (people telling you to move on since its so noisy). I don't think theres much in it now as far as performance and runtime, as batteries are pretty affordable so its as easy to swap in a new pack as it is to refuel.

I run electric at home, in parks etc, and only run my nitro buggy at tracks. If I lived in a rural area then I would conisder a nitro basher, but it wouldn't work around my home.

It sounds like traxxas is your only real option too. I have a range of Tamiya, Kyosho and Hot Bodies cars and buggies, all have their strengths and weaknesses. Any race level kit is generally really good these days, I don't know anything about RTR basher cars though.

Furadi

The only real benefit to nitro is continuous run time aka pit stops in racing. Stick to electric. It's easier, cleaner and better for bashing due to the instant torque. As far as good bash brands check out Arrma and Losi.

frewster

iTrader: (1)

I agree with IC. If there is an 1/8th scale track anywhere close find out when the next race is and check it out. You'll probably be surprised by just how loud nitro cars are. Where I live I can only drive my nitro buggy at the track due to the noise, so that's something to keep in mind.

rolib24

Thanks

I'll look for a track. I am not aware of any, but there has to be one around. I do live in a rural area, so noise is of zero concern except when we are at a campground.

One of the biggest reasons I am considering Nitro is because I love tinkering with things.

Micah78

robracing

iTrader: (16)

Micah78

HaulinBass

iTrader: (16)

hate to say it but if you like to tinker and are not racing but a 1.9 crawler/scaler would probably be the best option. Just beware I know probably 50 local guys that have so much $ in there scaler/crawler they could have bought an xj,4 inch lift and a set of 33s and went wheeling for real

cornonthecob

Truer words have not been spoken lol. Honestly think im in for somehwere around $800-1000 and I went for cheap upgrades.

cornonthecob

Depends on what type of tinkering you like to do to be honest. I just recently purchased my first nitro(8ight t 4.0) and its a whole different animal from electric. Personally I love it, breaking in the motor has been a learning experience but I am also mechanically inclined and was able to figure it out with the help of info from this forum and youtube etc. Many changes can be made to the slash 4x4 as well to fill that tinkering need. I constantly change my slash back and forth between MT, SCT and buggy depending on how I feel like driving.

The biggest thing I have noticed is the increased maintenance required for the nitro but if you like to tinker that could be right up your alley. Also dealing with the lack of a reverse function takes some getting use too.

rolib24

Like I mentioned, I am new to RC. What kits are out there?

I would much rather build something from a kit than buy something prebuilt.


Say what? Nitro does not have reverse?

I never thought of that, but it does make sense that it wouldnt.

Cardiak

iTrader: (1)

Not having reverse isn't a big deal.

frewster

iTrader: (1)

A kit will be much more expensive. $600 for the chassis, $150-200 for the engine, wheels and tires, $100+ for servos, $60-150 for the radio...If you can afford all of that a kit will be much better but if not a RTR won't be bad.