The Heng Long product get progressively better. If you go that route make sure you buy a S&S (smoke and sound) minimum. That SHOULD ensure the 10 step ESC as opposed to the on/of of the earlier tanks. Better yet if it has the RX-18.

The Tiger I was their first tanks so is still possible to find some real electronic dogs out there. The early Panther (Pan-Tiger) was just a Panther inspired upper hull stretched to fit the Tiger I lower hull (look for the Tiger I spare track and incorrect glacis angle at the front of the tank). The later Panther (G??) gets much better reviews.

The HL Tiger I also suffers from numerous scale inaccuracies you did say you were a "scale nut". The main gun in too short (aftermarket barrel). The Pistol Port is upside-down (rotate it). The Turret is the wrong shape (major surgery). A lot of the tools are molded in. Moving or upgrading requires scraping them off and replacing with aftermarket. I sure there is a thread listing all of them and how to rectify them.

Attached are some picts - First is a stock HL Tiger I (S&S) Second is my 5 year old Tamiya Tiger I that is ready for a re-build all the deck items have been removed)