kit or rtr?
 

im am really new to this hobby and i am wondering if i should get a kit or a rtr. i want to get either a rc10gt or a evader(heard good thoings bout both) but how much cheaper is a kit than a rtr and how long does it take to build one up? im sry if this had been covered before but im too lazy to look around (at least i speak the truth) thats for yur time
-cookies

RE: kit or rtr?
 

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2698760]Here's a link to a good size debate about kit vs. RTR entitled "RTR's are Evil"[/link]
If you need any clarity on what's being said, just respond back in this(your) thread.

RE: kit or rtr?
 

now thats was nice of you but do all the parts come w/ a kit right away or do u buy them all seperate?

RE: kit or rtr?
 

most kits come as a rolling chassis(no radio gear, motor, or electrics) with a body. Some have wheels and tires, others don't. With a kit, you get to choose your own electrics combo. RTR's usually have entry level electrics and radio gear. If you're willing to shell out a little more cash and take a little more time finding the right parts for you, build it yourself, and paint the body yourself, you'll probably be happier. On the other hand, you might wanna start with an RTR because of their cheaper entry price, slower speeds so you can get used to a hobby level RC and upgrade as you go, they generally come with everything already installed where all you have to do is charge and go(or fuel and go with a nitro, which I wouldn't reccommend to a beginner), and they're quicker and easier to get running cause they are prebuilt. Unfortunately, they can get pricey when you try to upgrade as your skills progress and you get a desire for more speed(I'm guilty of this myself, putting about a grand into an rtr Losi XXX-T, but looking back, I still would have done the same thing again). Hope this helps you out more.

RE: kit or rtr?
 

Much as I hate to say it I'd suggest a RTR for the average beginner. The main reason? Price.

I don't *think* the Evader is available as a kit, so I'll use the GT as an example since it's what I'm most familiar with. The cheapest kit available is the Team version, at about $245. Now, it does come with several parts that are improvements over what you get with the RTR, but to complete it, you'll have to buy an engine and radio equipment which will probably come out to at least $150 or or so. With the RTR, you pay $270 and get an adequate radio and equipment and a pretty good engine. For most new guys, I just don't think you can beat that deal.

Now if you have the money and are will to put it into it, I'd completely recommend getting a kit. You learn how your car is put together, which is nice knowledge to have since you will have to work on it sooner or later. Plus, you can go ahead and put it high(er) quality radio gear and etc from the start.

RE: kit or rtr?
 

To add a little to the price comparision, let me say this. Earlier today I was pricing what it would take for me to build a good Team Losi XXX-NT Adam Drake 2. Granted, I was setting up for a pro radio(Futaba 3PK PCM) and I didn't include the price of the radio because I want to set up my other cars for the 3PK and buy the radio first. I also included digital high speed/torque servos and a Sirio Adam Drake engine. I priced all of the equipment and just under a grand before the radio. You can buy a XXX-NT RTR II for just over $350.

RE: kit or rtr?
 

Well, since we're into comparisons and I'm bored, I got this stuff on Tower to give you a decent idea what the cost would be for a kit.

RC10GT Team kit: $244.99
Futaba 2PL* w/ 1 S3003 servo: $69.99 (this will also include a reciever; standard servo is for throttle)
Futaba S3305 high torque metal gear servo: $37.99 (for steering)
OS .15 CV-X w/ pullstart: $89.99
Total: $442.96

*The 2PL is a computer radio, but IMO it would be worth going ahead and spending about $20 more to get one for things like the digital trims.

RE: kit or rtr?
 

If you're interested, here's the parts list for a high end nt ad2 that i was talking about. This time with the radio and synth. tx module.

[ul][*] Part Desc. Part # Qty. Supplier Cost Ea. Tot. Cost[*]Team Losi XXX-NT Adam Drake 2 Kit LOSA0846 1 Horizon $349.99 $349.99[*][*]Futaba S9451 Servo Digital LXCTS2 2 Tower $79.99 $159.98[*]Futaba R113iP 3-Channel PCM Reciever LXAKL2 1 Tower $89.99 $89.99[*]Futaba Reciever Crystal FM 75mhz LXBFK4** 1 Tower $14.99 $14.99[*]Trinity 5C Receiver Pack;NiMH;Hump TRIRC5304 1 Horizon $37.99 $37.99[*]Sirio .12 Adam Drake Engine TRIS12SE 1 Horizon $199.95 $199.95[*]Fantom Racing .12 Tuned Pipe FAN20002 1 Horizon $107.99 $107.99[*]Futaba 3PK 3-Channel PCM/No Servos LXCML5** 1 Tower $319.99 $319.99[*]Futaba PK-FSM75 3PK 75mhz Synthesized
Tx Module LXGCY9 1 Tower $79.99 $79.99
Total $1,280.87

[/ul]

RE: kit or rtr?
 

KIT > RTR

Kits are more fun.

RE: kit or rtr?
 

yeah well if u think about getting the evader im in the saem boat as u. well for me i think it will be cheaper to get the kit (and mroe fun :D). beacuse i have a futuba 2pl radio and a pair, never used s3003 servo, so all i need is the car and a night torque servo.
ok lets see rtr = $259 + $40 (high torque servo with MG) = $300
or i can get kit = $180 + $40 (servo) + reciever $30 + cyrastals $15 = $265

what u guys recon ?

RE: kit or rtr?
 

I bought my N-Evader off of eBay as a brand new truck, but with no wheels, tires, body, electronics, or engine. I paid 89 bucks for it, cause the guy just buys new Evaders and then sells the main things seperately. I liked the idea of doing something like this because I really liked the Evader platform better than all the other st's (looked easy to work on, and it is) and I wanted to get the truck built to the way I liked it before it even saw its first run. It did cost me a bit more, but it saved me in the long run because I would have just changed the stock parts anyway. Plus, I already had an engine I wanted to run.


Building a kit is not hard by any means, especially with the simple design of nitro stadium trucks, but it does take patience, cause sooner or later you are going to run into a problem that will stump you for a little bit. My first kit was a Traxxas Stampede, and it was a pleasurable build. I like kits a lot better than RTR's, it is just so much more satisfying when you run the truck the first time, knowing that just a couple days ago it was in little pieces in a tiny box, and that you built it up yourself. It really adds another dimension to the hobby, and makes the driving experience more a lot more satisfying as a whole. Not only that, but if something was to break, you are already very familiar with how everything works.;)

RE: kit or rtr?
 

yeah both may cars i had to build. my first one i was like 10 so my dad helped :eek:, me tt-01 i did all by my self ! [>:]