so.... who's boss in the real world of RCs? nitro or battery power? I know a few of you are/were into RCs, so which did you like more and why? I like the sound/look of nitro, and the fact there are no batt to charge all the time, but I've heard some ppl say that in the real world elec ones are more practical, not to mention less costly. But I would think the cost of 3-4 battery packs for extended running would even out the cost, no?

I'm looking at the HPI Super Nitro Rally Impreza and a Duratrax Street Force GP (just cuz it's way cheaper, but had good reviews still, and it's RTR). Any comments?

 

I've owned both, this is the way I see how it breaks down.

Nitro- Cheaper initial startup fee BECAUSE, when you buy RTR all u need is some nitro and a glow plug ignitor. Some engines are finicky and hard to tune, you gotta tune it every time you run it. But once it gets running, it'll run for the whole day nonstop if you don't break anything (doubt you wont tho lol)

Electric - Higher start up cost because you gotta buy all the electrics seperately if your buying a good car ie. ESC, receiver, controller, charger and a few battery packs (which are pretty pricey for a high MaH battery). Plus you gotta charge batteries, which takes like 20-40 minutes per pack. But they're a lot easier to tune, and are easier to just pick up and play with.

In the end, I still like nitro better just cause when you get it running, its sooo much more fun, no losing power when the pack dumps on you. But when you crash a nitro, a lot breaks cause theyre sooo fast out of the box.

I'd buy the Super Nitro Impreza cause its rally and it can take more rough conditions than the duratrax street force. Plus i've seen a super nitro go to speeds of over 100mph woot. Lemme try to find that video now.

 

haha, don't worry about the vid, I won't be able to watch it...

thing is, I can buy a used (but new in box) Impreza and Futaba 2PH controller for $360USD (which over the border and all is about $540-560) or a used (havent' seen pics yet) turnkey Duratrax for $150 USD... it's a pretty significant price difference, and for a first gas RC, I don't wanna buy something that I'll be afraid to crash. Ideally I'd buy both and race one and show the other, but... that's a bit too much cash.

 

I would advice not to go RTR. Yes its more convenient, but if you need to take things apart it's easier to build things back together. Plus building your own kit and seeing it run for the first time is the best part about the hobby.

Don't have a whole lot of experience with nitro cars, but like what you said..., in the long run electric could be more expensive, depending on how serious you end up taking this hobby.
Basic start up cost for electric car would be R/C kit ($150-$700), Radio ($75-$800), ESC ($125-$250), 1 batterry ($30-$200), charger ($40-$500), motor ($40-$150). You could easily spend less than $600 for a good electric kit and basic equipment. But start adding more batteries, better equipment and other little things and you could see yourself spending more $$$.

I'm guessing the cost of Nitro would be R/C kit with engine ($300-$1000+), FM Radio ($120-$800), fuel ($15-$30).

Other things to consider are: do you plan on racing? Is noise a conern with your area? If you do plan on racing, stick to 1/10 scale cars it's a more popular class to race in, 1/10 scale also has more bodies to choose from.

Electric +
quiet, can run indoors, easy to clean up, fool proof, better scale looking bodies.

Electric -
cost $$$ to go really fast, mod motors needs lots of rebuilds, can only run up to 5-25 mins a pack.

Gas+
often faster out of the box, long run time, no charging batteries

Gas-
messy to clean up, might be too loud for neighbours, can't run indoors.

 

I'd buy the new car because when your getting a second hand engine, if the person didnt tune it properly, they prolly ran it too lean and burnt up the piston and sleeve and rebuilding it is almost the same as buying another engine.
A new engine runs like 60-200 US depending on size, contruction and HP numbers. But a decent .7-1hp motor runs like 100 bucks US (megatech .16).
I started out with a traxxas nitro rustler, a blast to run super fast with a few mods and an awesome jumper.

Buy new, save yourself the headaches later.

 

I really don't think it would matter if you start with a RTR or not, if you can take apart the car once and put it back together (I'm positive bruno could lol) you'll know how to fix anything that goes wrong with it.

 

true... I guess I'll buy new cuz I know how I treated my first RC car way back in the day. I still have it, but I'm not even sure it's able to run anymore. I took it apart like a 100 times, and I used to run it in wet conditions (it was electric) too.

 

The first time I ran my car through a puddle, my ESC got destroyed, costed me $170. Atleast it was a good excuse to upgrade to a race spec ESC.

 

haha... now... what's an ESC LOL

 

Another reason I would buy a kit over RTR is you could choose the parts you want. Why spend the exra money on a RTR that has a crappy motor and radio, then end up spending more replacing it for a better motor and radio.

 

I think HPI puts out a race worthy kit as it stands, and it's a rally edition, so it's tough. plus, it'll only see the best of conditions, and be kept mainly for show/display in my collection (I collect die-cast 1:18)

 

ESC Electronic Speed Control. It controls your throtle, and braking. Some ESC have ABS, traction control, and different racing profiles.

Also if you are getting a Nitro car make sure to get an FM radio.

 

OK cool... I'll consider getting this HPI Impreza kit then, we'll see how it turns out.

 

Ok, well i've been in the hobby for over 7 years and i've owned over 25 rc/s, still have 2

Anyway, I used to race electric and it's a very very difficult competition to compete in. It's very hard, you need lots of money and most importantly you need lots of time at the track to practice. Gas is also the same.

Anyway to get to the point of the topic, gas is great!! Both have their ups and downs. Gas cars are amazing especially if your into tuning them and rebuilding them and doing them up, it's very fun to have, you can make them very powerful with the motors other companies make like nova rosi. They are very convenient b/c u just fill up and go lie u said, instead of waiting for battery packs. What I hated about gas, you always have to have the setting right, they change on their own sometimes and it's a bitch getting the gas mixture to lean and rich, u have to fool around, I broke dozens of pull starters on my gas car, glow plugs burn out a lot and your stuck and so does the ignitor from time to time. Plus gas costs $$$.

Electric you just plug and go, it can be very expensive to buy, I spent on one $400 for chassis, $250 on electronic speed controller, $200 on an FM radio system, $100 on a motor, $100 per battery pack X 3, $250 on a Tekin charger.
You can always recharge the packs instead of buying gas all of the time, they're quieter if u drive in a neighbourhood b/c when I had my gas car my neighbours wanted to call the cops when I ran it outside b/c it was too loud. Most importantly, reliabilty. Electric rarely break, maybe the brushes wear out in the motor after quite a bit of runs and you should change the commutater or get it relathed from time to time but not much. Other than that you must watch puddles and water/snow b/c it can mess up the electronics. Other than that the only case scenario it will break is if you break physical chassis and suspension parts but the same applies with gas cars.

Bruno if your seriously into an rc car, drop by the hobby show in Novemeber. I used to race at the show but not so much anymore b/c im outdated on parts. I can also meet you there if you need help picking something b/c im familiar with these things good. The hobby show is also once a year and most hobby shops are there and you can probably get an r/c car for a good deal b/c they have show specials and it's great to browse around dozens of stores instead of dribing around the world going to each one individualy.

Buying used is ok, or it's not. If it's gas your not sure what the motor has been threw, if it wasn't properly worked it you'll cause damamge to it and it can get to you down the road or if he never properly maintained it. Or it could be build unproperly especially adjusting diffs and installing everything properly, yes u can rebuilt an entire used car to make sure it's built right and rebuild the motor of buy a new one b/c it's not much to buy a brand dew motor, you can get one for $100.
Buying electric isn't too bad either, I bought a few no problems. As long as it's running fine, check for slippage in the diff, check for blown shocks, bearings, etc etc.

If you need anything let me know

 

HPI cars are built like tanks. Have a RS4 Pro 2, ran that thing hard, hit almost everything you could imagine, only thing I had to replace since was the rear drive belt and the upper A-arm. Now my TC3 on the other hand......

 

Used to go to the Hobby show, I find it only worth going if your planning on buying, otherwise theres not much to look at. Bought my Pro 2 for $220 reg $320, TC3 $180 reg $240, Cyclone ESC $190 reg $220, bodies $25, tires $40, Mod motors $90, etc..

 

Ya it's good for buying, good deals on stuff to buy or it's fun to watch the carpet races too if your really into it. Those are nice cars you got, the TC3 is widely used in 1/10 scale touring car races where I used to race in, great cars for the track. I like it how it's shaft driven but a lot of people complain about the belt driven but I never had mine snapped or get grime in it to tear them apart so they're not too bad. I have Yokomo MR4TC, great car but the composite can't handle too many bumps and hits on the track so it always used to break and I would get disqualified or I would buy the part right away and re enter it for the next race. Theres special tricks racers use to hold the parts much more stronger but I never tried it yet.

But ya, I would hit the Hobby Show and you came at the right timing Bruno b/c it's coming up.

 

When is the Hobby Show? Think it's the first week of Nov? Gotta go there and look for graphite parts and bodies, or maybe a Micro RS4 kit.

 

ok MBSi, then maybe I'll come up in Nov to check out the RC show... it sounds like a good time to buy!!!

I'll come Sun, Nov 9th, as I assume the prices will be best on Sun when everyone wants to get rid of their inventory

 

No prob, thats good thinking but also keep in mind all of the good **** can be sold on friday and saturday and you'll be left with trash, but it's up to you. Im sure you'll find something on Sunday.


Show Hours

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Fri Nov 7

12 PM - 9 PM

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Sat Nov 8

10 AM - 8 PM

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Sun Nov 9

10 AM - 6 PM