An adult wanting to get into RC cars, where to start?
Discussion
As a kid I always wanted one of those cool expensive remote control cars, but alas my poor mother never had the funds to buy me one.
Fast forward 30 years and I now earn my own pocket money and want to scratch that itch of having a speedy RC car that I can preferably build myself. How do I go about choosing the right car and set up, and where do I learn more about this hobby?
Fast forward 30 years and I now earn my own pocket money and want to scratch that itch of having a speedy RC car that I can preferably build myself. How do I go about choosing the right car and set up, and where do I learn more about this hobby?
If it’s a kit build, you’ll probably be looking at a Tamiya or Kyosho. The vast majority of the market these days is ready-to-run (ready built).
If you do build a kit, you will additionally need a transmitter and receiver (the remote control bits), possibly a speed controller (some Tamiyas come with one), a steering servo and a motor (again Tamiyas usually include a basic motor), batteries and charger. That’s as a minimum, before you get into upgrades.
You’ll need to decide what sort of car you want. On road, buggy, basher, crawler etc. where you expect to use it will probably decide that.
There are loads of great FB groups and YouTube channels. Tamiya Club is a great forum. RcKicks, Tomley and Kevin Talbot are YouTube channels I watch.
Have a look on Modelsport’s website to get a feel for what’s available at what price. They stock just about everything. If you have a local RC shop go in, see what’s what and try to support them.
It’s addictive.
If you do build a kit, you will additionally need a transmitter and receiver (the remote control bits), possibly a speed controller (some Tamiyas come with one), a steering servo and a motor (again Tamiyas usually include a basic motor), batteries and charger. That’s as a minimum, before you get into upgrades.
You’ll need to decide what sort of car you want. On road, buggy, basher, crawler etc. where you expect to use it will probably decide that.
There are loads of great FB groups and YouTube channels. Tamiya Club is a great forum. RcKicks, Tomley and Kevin Talbot are YouTube channels I watch.
Have a look on Modelsport’s website to get a feel for what’s available at what price. They stock just about everything. If you have a local RC shop go in, see what’s what and try to support them.
It’s addictive.
Tamiya have re-released a lot of their cars from the 80’s/90’s, so if there was anything you lusted after in Beaties shop window go for that. It’s Tamiya, everything will fit, instructions will be easy to followed.
Kyosho have also jumped on the nostalgia bandwagon, the cars are better than the Tamiya, and have been subtly improved over the original offering, but not as beginner friendly.
If getting a Tamiya then you will need a radio, receiver, servo, battery and charger plus bearings.
Most entry level Tamiya will come with an ESC (electronic speed controller) but do check.
Kyosho have also jumped on the nostalgia bandwagon, the cars are better than the Tamiya, and have been subtly improved over the original offering, but not as beginner friendly.
If getting a Tamiya then you will need a radio, receiver, servo, battery and charger plus bearings.
Most entry level Tamiya will come with an ESC (electronic speed controller) but do check.
Lots of options, but I think if it where me I would look at at 1/8th scale buggy.
I am a bit out of the loop, but out of all the cars I have had (2wd 1:10 electric buggies, classic Tamiya's, Mardave 10th and 12th scale, 10th scale nitro stadium truck etc) the best for general all round fun an flexibility was my Hyper7 8th buggy. They are 4wd and enough ground clearance to tackle most parks/gardens grass, gravel, bare earth. Which also being low enough to have good performance at speed, large enough not to be fiddly and sensitive, and very very durable.
Brushless has become very common in the last 10 years since I was actively involved, but while the 10th nitros I learnt with where a bit temperamental, the the engine in the Hyper7 just ran and ran and ran. Carrying fuel is minor faff, but instant and unlimited refuelling and no battery care is also very handy!
I am a bit out of the loop, but out of all the cars I have had (2wd 1:10 electric buggies, classic Tamiya's, Mardave 10th and 12th scale, 10th scale nitro stadium truck etc) the best for general all round fun an flexibility was my Hyper7 8th buggy. They are 4wd and enough ground clearance to tackle most parks/gardens grass, gravel, bare earth. Which also being low enough to have good performance at speed, large enough not to be fiddly and sensitive, and very very durable.
Brushless has become very common in the last 10 years since I was actively involved, but while the 10th nitros I learnt with where a bit temperamental, the the engine in the Hyper7 just ran and ran and ran. Carrying fuel is minor faff, but instant and unlimited refuelling and no battery care is also very handy!
if you want to dip your toes in, try the Arrma Gorgon. 2 wheel drive monster truck type thing. Very strong and probably the best £150 you'll spend.
Our group of friends has 3 of them and we regularly race round car parks etc. Considering we only bought them to use up charged batteries after a rock crawling day out, the are getting addictive...
Our group of friends has 3 of them and we regularly race round car parks etc. Considering we only bought them to use up charged batteries after a rock crawling day out, the are getting addictive...
RCKicks did a good video on just this subject recently:
https://youtu.be/CokzgTYN_0Q?si=Y_Xr0CYSImYfcv0W
https://youtu.be/CokzgTYN_0Q?si=Y_Xr0CYSImYfcv0W
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