Discussion
My 3.5 year old enjoys a cheap no brand McLaren sports car RC car. It just a cheapo thing that takes 3 AA batteries. Trouble with it is the radio range is really short and it gets stuck on the slightest spec of gravel. It’s really slow too. But the good thing about it is the transmitter is small enough for his little hands.
Any recommendations for something that can handle a bit of rougher terrain, is a little higher quality, doesn’t cost the earth, but still has a smaller controller? I almost bought an FTX Hooligan JNR, but I think has a full size adult size transmitter.
Any recommendations for something that can handle a bit of rougher terrain, is a little higher quality, doesn’t cost the earth, but still has a smaller controller? I almost bought an FTX Hooligan JNR, but I think has a full size adult size transmitter.
What about a crawler? I bought my lad an FTX Outback at that age and he loved it. Doesn't go fast so less likely to damage it, himself or property, but can go through deep puddles and over all kinds of terrain.
The only caveat is make sure that you do have some decent terrain to drive it over, as just going round on tarmac or gravel is a bit dull.
The only caveat is make sure that you do have some decent terrain to drive it over, as just going round on tarmac or gravel is a bit dull.
My daughter (4) has an MN99s land rover defender.
Was about £40. Good fun for rock crawling, not that quick, pretty robust and more than capable on grass and around the edges of the garden. Lots of upgrades if you want to.
Included rechargeable battery too.
Plenty of sources and vids on YouTube.
Was about £40. Good fun for rock crawling, not that quick, pretty robust and more than capable on grass and around the edges of the garden. Lots of upgrades if you want to.
Included rechargeable battery too.
Plenty of sources and vids on YouTube.
blueST said:
Bit more that i was planning on paying, but I'll take a look. Was he ok with the size of the controller at that age?
No shortage of good terrain here, I've collapsed drystone wall that would make a good crawler course.
Sounds ideal terrain, and yes, absolutely fine with the controller. I would say that the Outback 2 is very much in starter "model" territory, with really great performance right out of the box. I must admit, I'm a bit out of crawling these days (I have a TRX4 too) but the Outback 2 will "grow" with him, and in the club I used to go to, there were some super serious models that were heavily modified Outback 2s with different bodyshells, motors, axles, gearboxes etc. If anything breaks, parts are available, and it's designed to be taken apart, serviced etc, so there's some potential to learn about mechanics etc too. As it's 1/10 scale, there's a huge amount of accessories and upgrades available from various manufacturers. Annoyingly, the Outback would do an anwful lot £600 of TRX4 would do, and seemingly roll less too!No shortage of good terrain here, I've collapsed drystone wall that would make a good crawler course.
With respect to the MN99, I have one of those too (long story but I was sent one as a scam thinking I was buying something much better, needless to say eBay refunded the money and I kept the MN99), but it's very much a toy, cheaply made, poor battery life, undamped suspension, a lot of bump steer, hard tyres, and as it's smaller than 1/10th scale you are way more limited in terms of upgrades and accessories.
I built this last year for my 4YO neice. It's still being used on nearly a daily basis 1year later.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Inexpensive rc crawler. Even came with two batteries!
It's pretty sturdy and fast enough to use outdoors, but not fast enough to cause any damage if used inside.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Inexpensive rc crawler. Even came with two batteries!
It's pretty sturdy and fast enough to use outdoors, but not fast enough to cause any damage if used inside.
Thanks all for your sage advice, a crawler is no doubt the best option for young 1st timer. So I’ve totally ignored it! I got to thinking that my own RC car is a brushless buggy and I’m thinking of building a dirt buggy track, so I thought maybe he would want something that could do similar things even if it’s a bit slower. Plus I had a Jadlam £5 voucher that I needed to use before the end of the week.
So I’ve bought an FTX Tracer 1:16 Monster Truck. It apparently has some sort of speed reduction switch for learners so hopefully all good. Loads of spares and hop-ups available it too.
https://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/ftx-tracer-1-16...
So I’ve bought an FTX Tracer 1:16 Monster Truck. It apparently has some sort of speed reduction switch for learners so hopefully all good. Loads of spares and hop-ups available it too.
https://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/ftx-tracer-1-16...
I'd recommend Jadlam to anybody, used them numerous times now. I ordered Sat morning and it arrived 10am today. I didn't choose express delivery either.
For purely selfless reason I charged it up and gave it a quick run to be sure all was working. It's nippy.and seems a sturdy little thing. Needs better shocks. My only concern is weather the transmitter is going to be too big for him.
The boy has been a bit of a challenge the last few days so it may be a while before he gets his hands on it, but will report back how he finds.it.
For purely selfless reason I charged it up and gave it a quick run to be sure all was working. It's nippy.and seems a sturdy little thing. Needs better shocks. My only concern is weather the transmitter is going to be too big for him.
The boy has been a bit of a challenge the last few days so it may be a while before he gets his hands on it, but will report back how he finds.it.
Just reading this thread and I was going to recommend the FTX Tracer. I got 2 last year for the kids and they have been fantastic, they have been taken to the skate park lots of times & never broke a thing, well apart from the shells, they have lots of cracks, but are cheap enough to replace.
Beware, in that year I have bought myself 5 RC cars, spent loads fixing up and old RC car from my teenage years and have started doing a bit of RC racing
Beware, in that year I have bought myself 5 RC cars, spent loads fixing up and old RC car from my teenage years and have started doing a bit of RC racing
Its great fun, especially for the money.
As I'm already looking at an X-Maxx to go with it, lol
Update on the Tracer now it’s had a couple of charges through it.
It’s actually really good. Loves jumps. We’ve being going off a foot and a half high ramp tonight without really bottoming the suspension. And that’s with nasty friction shocks it comes with, an upgrade to the optional oil ones and it would be really superb I reckon. Motor has more than enough speed it can spin the wheels taking off on tarmac. You can balance it in flight on throttle too. It would be insane with the option brushless system and LiPo pack, plus it would lose its budget bargain nature I think. Run time is surprisingly good, I was a bit worried the little 800mah Lithium Ion pack was going to die in no time, but it doesn’t. It’s still a bit of a shame the pack isn’t bigger as I think it’s just 2x 18650 cells which are inexpensive. I will get a 2nd standard pack as charging is quite slow.
With the speed turned right down it’s nearly the perfect 1st RC. The only real negative is the size of the transmitter. It’s a bit too big for a not-quite 4 year old, it would be fine 5+ though. He can accelerate no problem, but he can’t stretch his finger far enough to brake/reverse yet. He’s getting to grips with steering, it would be easier if there was more range of movement in the transmitter wheel, as it only moves through a small arc which has the consequence of making the steering very sensitive.
All-in-all, my son and I are both very happy.
It’s actually really good. Loves jumps. We’ve being going off a foot and a half high ramp tonight without really bottoming the suspension. And that’s with nasty friction shocks it comes with, an upgrade to the optional oil ones and it would be really superb I reckon. Motor has more than enough speed it can spin the wheels taking off on tarmac. You can balance it in flight on throttle too. It would be insane with the option brushless system and LiPo pack, plus it would lose its budget bargain nature I think. Run time is surprisingly good, I was a bit worried the little 800mah Lithium Ion pack was going to die in no time, but it doesn’t. It’s still a bit of a shame the pack isn’t bigger as I think it’s just 2x 18650 cells which are inexpensive. I will get a 2nd standard pack as charging is quite slow.
With the speed turned right down it’s nearly the perfect 1st RC. The only real negative is the size of the transmitter. It’s a bit too big for a not-quite 4 year old, it would be fine 5+ though. He can accelerate no problem, but he can’t stretch his finger far enough to brake/reverse yet. He’s getting to grips with steering, it would be easier if there was more range of movement in the transmitter wheel, as it only moves through a small arc which has the consequence of making the steering very sensitive.
All-in-all, my son and I are both very happy.
Also had a tracer for the last year or so and the kids have loved it, it’s been out in the mud and snow and never had any issues with water resistance even with rinsing the muddy bits under the kitchen tap!
As you say, would greatly benefit from the optional oil shocks but even without I’d say performance bests my grasshopper and lunchbox at a third of the price of them.
As you say, would greatly benefit from the optional oil shocks but even without I’d say performance bests my grasshopper and lunchbox at a third of the price of them.
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