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RC Electric Off-Road Trucks, Buggies, Truggies and more Discuss electric RC off-road, buggies & trucks here. Also discuss brushless motors, speed controllers aka ESC's, brushed motors, etc

Want to start in RC Cars.

Old 08-15-2014, 10:22 AM
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zarnold16
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Default Want to start in RC Cars.

I want to start in RC cars but dont know what car to get. I want a 4WD and brushed but upgradeable later on to brushless. I have $400 to spend on a RC car. I want to drive it in my backyard. Also want it to be 2.4 gHz controller. Also would like to buy on Amazon. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Last edited by zarnold16; 08-15-2014 at 10:26 AM.
Old 08-15-2014, 12:15 PM
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SyCo_VeNoM
 
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If you buy on amazon you will more then likely spend a quite a bit more on it. Also most parts I've not seen on amazon(and when I have they are almost 2X more then ebay, or hobby shops)

As for what you want what size, on-road/offroad, style, what kind of punishment are you planning to put it through, and what kind of terrain will you drive it on.
Old 08-15-2014, 08:29 PM
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zarnold16
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Originally Posted by SyCo_VeNoM
If you buy on amazon you will more then likely spend a quite a bit more on it. Also most parts I've not seen on amazon(and when I have they are almost 2X more then ebay, or hobby shops)

As for what you want what size, on-road/offroad, style, what kind of punishment are you planning to put it through, and what kind of terrain will you drive it on.
My nearest LHS is 1 1/2 hours away and amazon isn't a necessity. Size doesn't matter, offroad, buggy, drive it around, grass and driveway.
Old 08-15-2014, 09:14 PM
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http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LWG706&P=7
coupon 410YF for $33 off (no idea when it will be in stock though should be any day by their estimation)

This seems interesting
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEDYL&P=ML
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihirljzh0J8 there is a review (note same coupon I put above would work)
other reviews I read said it can take a beating
Old 08-16-2014, 03:55 AM
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These things are brand new and look very promising... Axial Yeti.... But it's $429

it's what I would call a "jack of all trades" and it's not small... And defiantly not slow.... Wheelbase 360mm

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEJRP&P=ML

http://youtu.be/f7GA7XcaH0Y
Old 08-16-2014, 05:51 AM
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zarnold16
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Originally Posted by SyCo_VeNoM
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LWG706&P=7
coupon 410YF for $33 off (no idea when it will be in stock though should be any day by their estimation)

This seems interesting
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEDYL&P=ML
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihirljzh0J8 there is a review (note same coupon I put above would work)
other reviews I read said it can take a beating
Is Ofna a good and reputable brand? Have you owned a car from this brand?
Old 08-16-2014, 05:59 AM
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zarnold16
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Could I go cheaper with a kit? I want a brushed car, but I want it to be upgradable in the future with brushless.
Old 08-16-2014, 06:39 AM
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Yeah, you could go kit, but most 4x4 brushless ones are out of the budget, once you get all the electronics.

Truck; http://www.amain.com/OFNA-TS4SC-1-10...-Truck/p263331
Battery; http://www.atomikrc.com/collections/...-with-uni-plug
Charger; http://www.amain.com/EcoPower-Electr...5A-50W/p217519
Old 08-16-2014, 06:58 AM
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zarnold16
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I guess 4WD isnt needed if im getting a kit. Wait, a kit is the one you build right?

Last edited by zarnold16; 08-16-2014 at 07:01 AM.
Old 08-16-2014, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by zarnold16
Is Ofna a good and reputable brand? Have you owned a car from this brand?
I own 5
Over the years I bought a Jammin X1x CR(nitro 1/8th scale buggy), Jammin X1 CRT(1/8th scale truggy), 2X Jammin .5 CRT's, and most recently an Nexx10SC SCT. Still own em all actually.

Ofna is the US importer for RC's by HongNor, and Hobao 2nd one I linked is based on their Hyper line(made by Hoboa) which has a real good rep for being tough as hell. The ones I named were by Hongnor. Ofna don't even hide who manufactured the vehicles as they just ship you the Hobao box with an ofna sticker on it


and yes kits you build(there are not too many left though)

Last edited by SyCo_VeNoM; 08-16-2014 at 11:18 AM.
Old 08-16-2014, 11:32 AM
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josh h
 
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That ofna is pretty sweet and at a good price. But he would still have to buy 2 batteries and a charger. I was thinking the 4x4 stampede. Seems like a good durable basher to get started with that has everything included. And at 300 dolars, that leaves enough for a decent charger and maybe another pack. It's brushed like he wants, 4x4, 2.4, and parts/hop ups are easily bought anywhere.

Last edited by josh h; 08-16-2014 at 11:36 AM.
Old 08-16-2014, 11:32 AM
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http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXDZWK**&P=7
Old 08-16-2014, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by zarnold16
Is Ofna a good and reputable brand? Have you owned a car from this brand?
Absolutely. While Ofna doesn't actually make the cars (most are made by HoBao and Hong Nor) they are known to be of good repute and good build quality.
I own a Ofna/HoBao Hyper 10TT electric truggy. Much like the Hyper SSe, but smaller. I have a dirt track, so the smaller size works for me. The 1/8th scale of the buggies suggested might suit you better, if you're going to be running it on grass. (Make it short grass, most RCs don't like it, but the bigger ones can) I am really impressed with the quality of the car I got. I did find that it needed a good front and rear bumper, to keep it from breaking suspension arms, but that is fairly typical. Especially in 10th scale. So if you go 8th scale, you'll do even better.

Don't forget to include the other stuff you'll need in your budget. A Charger for one. Here's a good one: http://www.hobbypartz.com/73p-ac680-accharger.html under $70 Holy Crap! It's ON SALE now for $49!! Jump on this!! And you'll need a couple of these http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-40c-50...se-direct.html

And you will need diff fluid, I suggest 5000wt front and middle, 3000wt rear. And you will need tools. Bearing lube.

So you see, you may want to up your budget a bit, or aim a little lower on the car. But those Ofna's are a good bet. Nitrohouse.com has a good selection of Ofna parts, quick shipping too.
Old 08-16-2014, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by josh h
That ofna is pretty sweet and at a good price. But he would still have to buy 2 batteries and a charger. I was thinking the 4x4 stampede. Seems like a good durable basher to get started with that has everything included. And at 300 dolars, that leaves enough for a decent charger and maybe another pack. It's brushed like he wants, 4x4, 2.4, and parts/hop ups are easily bought anywhere.
He would still need a battery and a charger as NiMh suck, and the charger is junk in RTR's
Also Titan 550 motors are crap(well 95% I'd say he might get a fluke that works for more then 2 packs) too so it would more then likely need replacing

Batteries for the 1/8th buggy would run $45 or so for 2 2S from hobbyking, and a charger is $45 or so.
Old 08-16-2014, 12:18 PM
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Here is the route I went:

Hyper 10TT http://www.nitrohouse.com/Hyper-10TT...it_p_5060.html
Says "kit" but is really 90% built. You add motor system and radio system and battery, you paint the body. EEk, it's gone up, was $189, now $209.

EZrun brushless motor system: http://www.hobbypartz.com/ezrun-35a-9t-3650-motor.html WITH programming card $77

FlySky 2.4ghz 3ch radio system: http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-fsgt2b-2ch-car.html $24

Just about $300. But you still need batteries and charger, right now, another $100.

Oh, shoot. Forgot, need a steering servo too, so figure another $50 for a good Hitec. I've had good luck with $15 servos on lightweight 2wd cars, but this 4.5lb 4wd car needs a strong servo. And you'd need these bumpers: http://t-bone-racing.net/Hyper-TT-c275/

Last edited by EXT2Rob; 08-16-2014 at 12:22 PM.
Old 08-16-2014, 12:21 PM
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Well, he wants a brushed truck that's 4x4 and he can upgrade later. And I don't see nimh being bad for someone first starting out. And like I said. Still has 100 bucks left to buy a charger and maybe another pack from tower. Then he don't have to wait 3 more weeks for his battery and charger from HK before he runs his truck.

Last edited by josh h; 08-16-2014 at 12:34 PM.
Old 08-16-2014, 02:54 PM
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Yeah, the Stampede probably would be a good pick. IF that ESC can do Lipo (has an auto-cutoff),and I think it does, then I'd say yea to it. And would use that remaining $100 to get that charger and two Lipos from HPz. They're in stock and ship out of LA, get it in a few days. But yer right, too, the XL-5 would have no problem with NiMhs.
Zarnold, for future reference, when you do go brushless, only use Lipo batteries. Trust me. So you see, I'm suggesting you invest in Lipo now, so you will have them when you switch to Brushless later. That way you don't have several Nimhs lying around that you shouldn't use with you new brushless system, or you run the risk of damaging your ESC, and certainly will kill the Nimhs in the end anyway. Do yourself a favor: Buy Lipo and a Lipo charger now. Use what comes in the box till the new ones get there, then pitch the old stuff in the bin.
Old 08-16-2014, 03:06 PM
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Just looked it up. Does have lvc.
Old 08-16-2014, 04:37 PM
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I am seriously considering an off road vehicle.have and still fly rc and have a good lips charger.the track I would be on is a great dirt track with just ps and sharp turns.i was told a good beginner car is usually 2 wheel drive but not fast.flying electric planes I definitely want brushless.and 4dis more competitive speed wise?? I anticipate some hard use.i am thinking of using lbs as they have parts.i want quick repairs.willing to start with a beginners vehicle that I can hop and upgrade as skill gets better.even then I see I will likely drop 300.00 open for for advice and which brands are reliable
Old 08-16-2014, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by cloudancer03
I am seriously considering an off road vehicle.have and still fly rc and have a good lips charger.the track I would be on is a great dirt track with just ps and sharp turns.i was told a good beginner car is usually 2 wheel drive but not fast.flying electric planes I definitely want brushless.and 4dis more competitive speed wise?? I anticipate some hard use.i am thinking of using lbs as they have parts.i want quick repairs.willing to start with a beginners vehicle that I can hop and upgrade as skill gets better.even then I see I will likely drop 300.00 open for for advice and which brands are reliable
First thing, make your own thread, and don't be a threadjacker....

Second thing, to this threadjacker, go with the OFNA TS4 I specified above.
Old 08-17-2014, 12:46 PM
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zarnold16
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Okay thanks for the replies, I'll look into the stuff suggested tomorrow when I have time.
Old 08-17-2014, 02:12 PM
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zarnold16
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How would I be able to make my car waterproof? So I can drive it in snow.
Old 08-17-2014, 05:43 PM
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The stampede is waterproof from the factory along with most other traxxas vehicles.
Old 08-18-2014, 11:24 AM
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zarnold16
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I'm gonna buy the Ofna 1/8 Electric Hyper SSe Brushless RTR Orange it seems like a good choice for me. I has a color scheme I like, looks cool, and looks like good quality, but I have one question what lipo battery do you recommend and what charger.
Old 08-18-2014, 02:33 PM
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Good choice. You won't regret it.

You're going to need TWO Lipos. OR one 4S Lipo. This is your first RC, right? So there's no reason that you couldn't just get one (or two!) 4S packs, if you've got the scratch. That way, you'd only have one pack to charge, to run your car, instead of two 2S packs. If you got two 2S packs, you'd have to charge one, then charge the other, which takes 30-75min each depending on battery's charge state. You could get a charger with dual ports, but they're more money than a single port charger.

Again, this is your first car, right? An 8th scale buggy usually uses a lower-RPM-per-volt (kv) motor, but higher-voltage batteries to get their speed. 4S is the car's max, for racing. You might want to consider getting a 3S Lipo to use while you learn to drive that fast buggy, and get a 4S later, when you've gotten to be a good driver and not hit stuff. 4S is a LOT of power. Just giving you some things to consider in making your choice.

So, if you decide to go with a single pack instead of double-pack lipo, I would get the Thunder AC680 charger at HobbyPartz.com . Less than $70 (I think it's on sale for $50 right now) and can charge single pack lipos up to 6S at 80W. That is probably more than the cheapest dual-port AC-powered charger you'll find, and the dual port splits that total power between the two ports, so you'd only be charging at 40Watts per pack, if you went dual-pack. http://www.hobbypartz.com/73p-ac680-accharger.html

HEY! They've got 3S packs on sale for $50! http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-40c-50...se-direct.html
Here's a 4S http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-40c-50...se-direct.html

Whatever battery you choose (and I do recommend those two above) I highly suggest staying with lipos rated 40C minimum. That rating is indicative of how much current (amps) the pack can supply. If a motor system tries to draw more than the pack can comfortably deliver, the pack can heat up. A little is ok, but too hot, and they can puff, or swell. In which case, the battery is suspect. So don't be tempted by the less expensive packs that are only 25C.

NOTE that you will have to change the battery connector to match the Deans connector on the car. If you don't know how to solder, get someone to do it for you.

Last edited by EXT2Rob; 08-18-2014 at 02:36 PM. Reason: typo

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