| Author | Message | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 3354 Registered: 6-2001 |
Mine is electric 1/10th, not gas or the micro. I know what carbon fiber looks like. | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 547 Registered: 4-2003 |
Tim... RS4's had aluminum chassis last time I checked, enless your talking about the RS4 Micro... I have an RS4 Nitro MT. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 3352 Registered: 6-2001 |
These arent radio controlled cars you buy in KMart. They are FAST. When i say fast i mean 30+mph. its nothing yo wont be able to get the hang of in 3 minutes though. If you find its too fast, most ESC's are adjustable so you can slow it down. they arent hard to build. I built an HPI RS4 when i was 12. Total pirce came out to maybe $400. This thing was top of the line back then, and still is one of the better ones. its full carbon fiber with full ball bearings, which not all kits have. Main costs after you buy the kit are the radio and the electronic speed control. You would probably want an FM radio, because AM is more likely to recieve intereference. A good radio, which includes a radio, reciever, and 2 servos, of which you will only use one, will probably run about $150. JR and Futaba make good units. The ESC will be about $100 for a good one. Generally the more expensive the ESC, the more radical motor you can run because it can handle the additional current without overheating. If that kit includes a motor, i would suggest replacing it after you get the hang of the machine. Stock motors are crap and hi performance replacemens can be had for like $50. | ||
| Jeremy Lawrence (F512m)
Junior Member Username: F512m Post Number: 182 Registered: 1-2002 |
I built the Tamiya 1/10 412T2. All together it cost me about $500. Speed controller, battery, radio... it all adds up. It will fly though. I beat a friends nitro truck in the parking lot one day. He was talking smack so I had to school him. JL | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 670 Registered: 4-2002 |
FYI: Mini Z is a bit less, includes radio and is basically assembled. Simply add batteries and off you go :-) | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 925 Registered: 8-2002 |
The Tamiya F2001 1:10 car sells for $169 in kit form including everything except your batteries and 2-channel radio-controller with electronic speed control. Price is even less on eBay. 1:10 Tamiya Enzo kits are about the same. http://gigahobby.com/rc_car_itemDetails.cfm?itemNumber=TAMC0288  | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 669 Registered: 4-2002 |
PS: the Mini Z is deceptively fast out of the box and can be made faster with "turbo" and motor upgrades. IMPORTANT: the smaller scale allows you to enjoy it in a smaller area. A larger scale car means you need A LOT of room to really have fun IMHO. The Mini Z traction can be VERY good too, very "flickable" with the right tires/suspension spring setup. Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
Member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 306 Registered: 8-2001 |
I also recommend the Mini-z for a novice. It's fast & can be played in-doors. $150 for the car & another $40 for rechargable batts & you're set. Start off with Mini-z's and move up to 1/10th scale if you want more speed & if you're ready to spend more $$$. Good luck. | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 667 Registered: 4-2002 |
Rob, The new trend is the Mini Z by Tamiya. PLENTY of tweaks, different tyre formulations, etc. You can get better motors, "turbo" them... but avoid the traction control as it is said to be not so good. By the time you fully tweak a Mini Z the basic $150 turns into $500+ (know this from personal experience). For about $350 you'll be all set with the good basics (this includes batteries and radio Shack charger). Some good links: http://www.formula1-rc.com/Forums/Default.aspx http://www.draconious.com/Mini-Z/_NewsUpdates.html http://mini-zracer.com/ The tweaks are nearly endless, yes you can go carbon fiber, precision ball bearing motors, get ball bearings for the tyres... As i said, the "basic" $150 can easily turn into $500+. Lemme know if you go Mini Z and i'll gladly help you through the pit of "needed" upgrades versus "money pit"... BTW, the Mini Z Enzo is out in Japan, will be available in the USA in November or so. The Enzo in 4WD and very well designed for weight/balance. Probably is better than the F1 if you plan on racing, yet do not have the Enzo here to compare :-( Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| James Angle (Jimangle)
Junior Member Username: Jimangle Post Number: 74 Registered: 9-2002 |
Rob, I would say yes, it's probably fast. Probably around $500. The radios get expensive. I know some of the porsche lemans r.c cars do about 50, so I don't see why that couldn't. | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 543 Registered: 4-2003 |
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBUB7&P=0 You would need a radio and some other stuff too. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5975 Registered: 12-2000 |
I don't know anything about remote controls. How much would this cost? Would it be pretty fast? http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/rc/electric/110scale/f201/58288.html |