Foxy
Posts: 17187
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Joined: 3/23/2005
Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
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ORIGINAL: Dads like rc too
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ORIGINAL: Foxy
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ORIGINAL: big JC
Redcat has really stepped up their game since around 2008. Especially in the 1/5th scale where they are regarded as top quality product rtr in the $550 range where their competition can coast 2k+. Parts support is there now and several after market hopup companies are popping up. A great place to buy redcat is rampagehopups.com he has crazy deals also checkout redcatrampageforums.com.
Redcat 1/5th are not 'quality'. They are good for the price, but they are still cheap. There is absolutely NO comparison between redcat (sic: Himoto) 1/5th cars and the much more expensive cars. None whatsoever.
This undeserved reputation they have is a phenomenon caused by a small group of people who control and manipulate discussion around these vehicles, quickly stamping out anything negative anyone has to say. You get precisely what you pay for nothing more, don't be fooled by the fanboy rhetoric (it's amazing what people will accept as the truth from parties with a clear vested interest in promoting something). It's a marketing game that they have played very well. Kudos to them.
Don't think I'm bashing, I'm not. I never said you don't get your money's worth with a Redcat, on the contrary, you do, but this crazy situation of them being compared to much more expensive cars which are much better has got to be brought under control, it's ridiculous. Let me put it in perspective for you... If I said to you, which is better, a Redcat or an HPI Baja...you'd rightly say the HPI Baja, and then cite the fact that it costs nearly twice as much, and you'd be right. Consider then that the HPI Baja is at the bottom of the pile of 'quality' large scale radio control cars, and you begin to see what I'm saying. When you've seen what else is out there, you realise that redcat is what it is, a well priced entry level car.
wow...you say your not bashing Redcat but it sure sounds like you are. First off in all fairness to you, you spoke of 1/5 scale but it sounded to me like you meant the complete line up as a whole.
To call forum members ''fanboys'' is kind of funny. I mean aren't most of us on this blog fans of Redcat? Sure some people come on here and post about how bad they think the company is, but in general most of the posts I've read have been positive about the product.
You said they are not quality, good for the price but still cheap. Well what determines quality? My $150 Redcat Tornado is of much better quality than my HPI Nitro MT2 which retails for $340. I have repaired my front and rear diffs on the HPI with the Redcat diff gears-same parts...$20 dollar difference. The Redcat came with aluminum threaded shocks that don't leak like the plastic HPI shocks. The Redcat came with pivot ball suspension, the HPI came with the standard plastic steering knuckles that strip at the control arm screws after a few jumps. The Redcat came with a polished aluminum pipe that looks and sounds good, the HPI came with a quiet plastic pipe. I realize the MT2 is at the lower end of the HPI pole, but either way according to your definition of quality, it should be a better quality car because it costs more and came from a better recognized company.
As far as comparing them to more expensive cars, why not? Are you saying that an 1/8 scale Redcat ''pick your model'' won't compare at all to a lower end 1/8 scale Losi 810 or Traxxas slayer? After your done modding or repairing either of the two you'll still be $100 ahead with the Redcat even after your done tweaking it.
By the way, I'm not a party that has a clear and vested interest in Redcat. I'm just a dad that likes RC too! I am not a dealer and I don't sell parts on ebay, but I am very happy with what Redcat has to offer. I honestly think a lot of their bad reputation is because their products are so inexpensive, that young kids get these cars as gifts and don't have a clue about break in or adjusting things mechanicaly. The end result is after learning a few things, they toss the Redcat and buy another companies car which seems to work better after their school of hard knocks with their first car, the Redcat.
OK, one point at a time.
How did it sound like I spoke about the lineup as a whole, when I specifically spoke about 1/5th and nothing else, responding to a post talking about 1/5th and nothing else... I have EXTENSIVE experience in the gas world, I have currently 4 1/5th scale models, ranging from the sordidly expensive to the cheap and nasty. I do know what I'm talking about. At one time I had 8 with $15,000 between them! I don't own any redcats, nor ever would (they are not in the market segment that interests me), but I have seen plenty of the himotos up close and personal.
Regarding 'fanboys', perhaps you haven't heard this term before. A fanboy is someone who thinks that their brand is the be all and end all, and will not accept any other opinions. I did not refer to anyone in particular so don't make assumptions. Those of us who know this market for years know exactly who these people are and where to find them, however, they can and do pop up anywhere. The fanboys I refer to are well known in the 1/5th segment, you would not believe the shenannigans that go on in the 1/5th market, it's positively Machiavellian (and this is NOT exclusive to Redcat, nor did I suggest it was). With all due respect you don't know what you're talking about in regards to this. I most certainly am not referring to you, or anyone else who doesn't have a vested interest in the success of these particular models. I believe you are a novice RCer who has found happiness in the Redcat lineup getting decent models for cheap prices and I praise you for having done so and standing up for what you believe.
As for comparing them to expensive cars... Take my HPI Baja example in the post above, read it again, t makes sense. The 1/8th models you refer to are irrelevant to this discussion, but since you brought it up, yes, the racing models are generally are worth their extra money, but of course this is to varying degrees. Do they represent the same VALUE for money as the Redcats? In most cases, probably not. Some do though... Do yourself a favor one day, spend $500 on an Xray XB808, you will very soon understand the difference and why Xray has a reputation for the highest quality cars in the hobby. I wouldn't touch the other cheap cars either, it's not a Redcat exclusive thing, but that's fine, because they are not aimed at people like me either.
You need to step back and take a more objective look at the REST of the market to understand what I'm saying. I am sure you are very happy with your redcats, and you should be, most of them are good cars, but please understand there is MUCH better stuff out there, and Himoto is NOT trying to compete with them, to suggest they are is just wrong, the manufacturer themselves will say "We are aimed at the low cost segment". The better stuff is much more expensive as it should be, and as such is not comparable. Value for money does not directly correlate to quality. Having said that, of course there are exceptions (such as your HPI, and one or two Associated models I could name). The major manufacturers make horrendous design errors sometimes.
You have judged me unfairly. Read my post above again with a more objective eye, think about what I'm saying, because I am not saying anything bad about Redcat. In their market segment they are fine vehicles. What gets my goat is when people compare them to my FG, or my MCDs, because there is literally no comparison, which is why those models are twice or three times the price. It's frankly insulting having spent $3000 on a top of the line gasser to have some redcat fanboy say that their $600 car is 'comparable', when it simply isn't. That is all I was trying to say.
For what it's worth Dad, I completely agree with your opening sentiment that there are too many RC snobs who just don't 'get' what Redcat is all about. You really are trying to preach to the converted here. I completely 'get' what Redcat cars are for, and think they are great for what they offer for the money, I can't overstate the value for money that Redcat offers.
< Message edited by Foxy -- 11/24/2011 11:01 AM >
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All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> Redcat Racing Support >> heard lots of bad stuff about Redcat....BUT 
heard lots of bad stuff about Redcat....BUT - 
