What is A Hobby-Grade R/C Vehicle???
Hobby-grade RC Vehicles are "always" designed for customization, and can be upgraded with hop-up parts and accessories. If a hobby-grade vehicle breaks or one of its components stops working, you can purchase replacement parts to restore the vehicle to like-new condition.
At one time, most hobby-grade vehicles required assembly and were designed for the higher-skilled hobbyist. Today RC vehicles are available in a variety of formats, and designed for novice through expert hobbyists. Many times the vehicles are ready-to-run right out of the box, and come fully assembled with everything you need to operate the vehicle included.
At one time, most hobby-grade vehicles required assembly and were designed for the higher-skilled hobbyist. Today RC vehicles are available in a variety of formats, and designed for novice through expert hobbyists. Many times the vehicles are ready-to-run right out of the box, and come fully assembled with everything you need to operate the vehicle included.
Understanding Vehicle Scale
R/C vehicles are available in 1/36 (Micro), 1/18 (Mini), 1/10 and 1/8-scales.
An RC vehicle's scale denotes its physical size in comparison to its full-scale equivalent, so a 1/36-scale micro vehicle is 36-times smaller than their full-scale counterparts.
An RC vehicle's scale denotes its physical size in comparison to its full-scale equivalent, so a 1/36-scale micro vehicle is 36-times smaller than their full-scale counterparts.
Understanding The Different Types of R/C Vehicles
Ready-to-Run (RTR) - Vehicles have something to offer both novice and expert RC enthusiasts alike. RTR vehicles come preassembled and often include everything you will need to run the vehicle right out of the box.
A few RTR vehicles require additional items for completion, such as a battery and charger or nitro fuel.
Racing Kits - When you purchase a Racing Kit, you are basically buying a box of parts that will need to be assembled by following an instruction manual. Due to the additional skills required to build a kit, these vehicles are typically designed to be competition level vehicles.
Race Rollers - If you are looking for a vehicle that has the performance-capabilities and customization options of a kit but you do not have the time for assembly, you will appreciate the convenience of a Race Roller. Race Rollers are competition level vehicles that are hand-built and tuned to exact specifications, and are virtually ready for competition as soon as you open the box.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING A KIT OR A RACE ROLLER:
Kits and Race Rollers are designed for customization. Due to their customizable nature kits and race rollers do not include the electronics (radio system, servos, electronic speed control, batteries) or the power system (engine or motor), so these items must be purchased separately.
Kits and Race Rollers require frequent maintenance and fine tuning. Due to their complex nature a kit or Race Roller will need to be carefully inspected and fine-tuned prior to each use. Doing so will ensure that the vehicle will perform at its optimum level.
Kits and Race Rollers are intended for competitive racing. A kit or Race Roller may have performance features that exceed your needs. If you are relatively new to RC, or just getting started, you may not have the acquired skill set needed to fully appreciate and maintain a kit or Race Roller.
A few RTR vehicles require additional items for completion, such as a battery and charger or nitro fuel.
Racing Kits - When you purchase a Racing Kit, you are basically buying a box of parts that will need to be assembled by following an instruction manual. Due to the additional skills required to build a kit, these vehicles are typically designed to be competition level vehicles.
Race Rollers - If you are looking for a vehicle that has the performance-capabilities and customization options of a kit but you do not have the time for assembly, you will appreciate the convenience of a Race Roller. Race Rollers are competition level vehicles that are hand-built and tuned to exact specifications, and are virtually ready for competition as soon as you open the box.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING A KIT OR A RACE ROLLER:
Kits and Race Rollers are designed for customization. Due to their customizable nature kits and race rollers do not include the electronics (radio system, servos, electronic speed control, batteries) or the power system (engine or motor), so these items must be purchased separately.
Kits and Race Rollers require frequent maintenance and fine tuning. Due to their complex nature a kit or Race Roller will need to be carefully inspected and fine-tuned prior to each use. Doing so will ensure that the vehicle will perform at its optimum level.
Kits and Race Rollers are intended for competitive racing. A kit or Race Roller may have performance features that exceed your needs. If you are relatively new to RC, or just getting started, you may not have the acquired skill set needed to fully appreciate and maintain a kit or Race Roller.
Electric vs. Nitro R/C Vehicles
Electric Vehicles - An electric RC vehicle will run on a battery-powered motor and an electronic speed control. Electric vehicles acquire their power from rechargeable NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride), NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) or LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries.
These types of batteries will generally provide 10 - 50 minutes of running time "DEPENDING ON BATTERY TYPE".
Electric vehicles typically offer quieter operation and select models can safely be driven indoors in addition to being driven outdoors.
Nitro Vehicles - Nitro-powered vehicles receive their power from nitro methane-based fuel.
There are a few points to consider before you make a decision to purchase a nitro vehicle.
Nitro vehicles are noisy - If you plan on running your vehicle in an area where noise may cause an issue or disturbance, you may be better off with an electric vehicle.
Nitro vehicles require knowing how to tune an engine - Knowing how to safely and correctly tune an engine's carburetor will ensure optimum performance and prevent the engine from overheating. While most anyone can certainly learn the correct tuning processes, tuning an engine can be cumbersome and frustrating for novice hobbyists.
Nitro vehicles generally require additional maintenance - Nitro vehicles will regularly require a thorough cleaning after each use, due to any unburned fuel that may linger in the engine's pipe or muffler.
These types of batteries will generally provide 10 - 50 minutes of running time "DEPENDING ON BATTERY TYPE".
Electric vehicles typically offer quieter operation and select models can safely be driven indoors in addition to being driven outdoors.
Nitro Vehicles - Nitro-powered vehicles receive their power from nitro methane-based fuel.
There are a few points to consider before you make a decision to purchase a nitro vehicle.
Nitro vehicles are noisy - If you plan on running your vehicle in an area where noise may cause an issue or disturbance, you may be better off with an electric vehicle.
Nitro vehicles require knowing how to tune an engine - Knowing how to safely and correctly tune an engine's carburetor will ensure optimum performance and prevent the engine from overheating. While most anyone can certainly learn the correct tuning processes, tuning an engine can be cumbersome and frustrating for novice hobbyists.
Nitro vehicles generally require additional maintenance - Nitro vehicles will regularly require a thorough cleaning after each use, due to any unburned fuel that may linger in the engine's pipe or muffler.
Popular R/C Vehicle Choices!!!!!
"Stadium" Trucks
The 1/10th scale rc stadium truck is a great truck for both the beginner and expect rc enthusiasts.
There are many options when it comes to choosing your rc stadium truck. You have the option of either electric or nitro powered and 2wd or 4wd.
The Traxxas Rustler is the most popular of all the Stadium Trucks!!!!!!
There are many options when it comes to choosing your rc stadium truck. You have the option of either electric or nitro powered and 2wd or 4wd.
The Traxxas Rustler is the most popular of all the Stadium Trucks!!!!!!
"Short Course / Trophy" Trucks
The 1/10th scale R/C Short Course truck is a great truck for competition track as well as the back yard!!!
There are many options when it comes to choosing your R/C Short Course Truck. You have the option of either electric or nitro powered and 2wd or 4wd.
The Traxxas SLASH is the most popular of all the Short Course Trucks!!!!!!
There are many options when it comes to choosing your R/C Short Course Truck. You have the option of either electric or nitro powered and 2wd or 4wd.
The Traxxas SLASH is the most popular of all the Short Course Trucks!!!!!!