RE: nimh for bandit
you can buy a 2s-5000mah-30c lipo off ebay for $30 shipped. that will be about as fast as any 7-8cell nimh pack.
and you can buy lipo chargers for under $50 shipped now.
if you know where to buy, the cost isnt any more than nimh, but the performance is better.
i have bought lipos off ebay, and off hobbyking.com. both were better than ANY nimh packs i have ever used.
once you go lipo, you dont go back[8D]