Well, to be fair this so-called "right answer" stated that the only way to get the recoil function is to borrow the parts from Tamiya. This is incorrect as there are ways to get a recoil function by using servo motors and the like. If a person is willing to do the scratchbuilding and fitting out it can be done quite inexpensively. I've seen it done on the 1/6 M5 Stuart for instance. If you didn't care about retaining the airsoft function, the airgun motor could be modded to make the barrel recoil using a cam and linkage to hook to the firing motor.

Again you fellows resort to snide remarks alluding to the opinion that the only way to get barrel recoil is to have purchased a Tamiya tank from the get-go. Now maybe you guys just build the tanks out-of-the-box and cannot perform modifications of this nature, and that's fine but to say the only way to get a certain functionality out of a tank is to throw "Tamiya dollars" at it or do the old "you should have bought a Tamiya" routine is really getting old.
I'm all solution oriented folks and in that regard, I am not prejudiced.
Love Tamiya and Heng Long. Fortunately, the HL is the one getting a lot of the attention because there seems to be no end to the modifications one can make to it, especially without fear of ruining a costly item.

-Harq

1. even before the tamiya released full option King tiger, I modified a Porch king tiger to full function, with gun recoil and gun flash. and it is not cheap to do that interm of time and cost. I did use servos, one for gun elevation and one for gun recoile(hacked servo).

2. if you want to use servo, you have to use at least 5 channel radio, two for tow tracks control, one for gun elevation, one for turret rotation and one for gun recoil and gun flash. how much is a basic 6 channel radio system, it is over the HL tank itself, right? plus if ou want to keep the HL bb shooting and sound and smoke, you have to sync two control system together, either have to use servo-micro switch combo or e-switch or new control board, how much are we talking about here?

3, it will need lots of modification, I am sure how the new comer can jump on such complicated modification. is it a good idea to spend lots of money before making sure it will be successful?

4. tamiya parts is sure working parts, it is much relatively cheaper if considering time and effort of modification.

5. NO body said Only way is to use tamiya parts, you can design your own multifunction unit and recoil unit, you even do not have to use servo. how much?

6. whole henglong tank copied tamiya, if you want to make henglong tank work better, it is easier just to copy what tamiya did, use tamiya parts.

7. really, do it yourself and prove it is succesful before throw "ideas" arround to new people.

I am still waiting for your photos of your nicely painted or modified tanks.

Hen Long maybe copied off from Tamiya (but I would like to know why you are keep accusing them of such thing... if anything, they probably copied off Tokyo Marui) and it maybe a company that should be avoided at all cost, but that alone cannot justify Tamiya's price. Tamiya's lucky that current rc tank market is small and they are almost without a single worthy competitor. $1500 MSRP for rc vehicle that is electric and is mostly built of plastic?

Gaizokubanou
wheather HL copied tamiya, you really have to open your eyes. evidence includes commander figure and packing art work.

For the tamiya price, you have to understand how price was determined.
before any product produced, manufacture had to invest in market research. then send design team to measure tank itself, plan how mold and process to assembly, record real tiger sound and design full option electronics. all those cost has to be paid and of course buyer will evetually pay.
and liek you stated, this rc tank market is exetremly small, production amount will determine the big share of research and design cost on each item sold.

as our buyer can do to help reduce price:
1. more people buy and play rc tanks.
2. competitor manufacture start compete.
3. buyer encourage original designer and discourage copier.

do not buy a tiger for $1500, I can sell you one for $530. how can you justify to buy a rc truck for multi thousand dollars with after makret parts?

If you think you have to pay $1500...I have a harbour bridge for sale...interested?

I don't think it's fair to say that the Tamiya's are a ripoff. Price is determined by what the market will bear, by how much people are willing to pay for them. The Heng Long tanks offer a lot of bang for the buck. The same could be said with the Tamiya's, just at a different level of sophistication and quality. Unlike the Tamiya, Heng Long tanks are not targeted to modelers. As they improve and come with more features and accessories, their prices may well go up. If Tamiya sees that they're losing $$ to the modelers who buy HL tanks, then they may adjust their pricing.

Two different products with a segment of the market that overlaps. Can't we all just get along?

Makes sense, Swath. I don't see the Tamiya price coming down too much, though. Would be kinda' nice.

This whole deal reminds me of model railroading. Some people start off the hobby by purchasing a cheap ready to run set with minimal detailing, etc, that can be quickly put together with just the minimum of effort. This does one of two things. They either get hooked and start a lifetime hobby of research and emulation, or they get bored watching it go around in circles and put it in the attic (or sell it on E-bay to the next guy ). The interest is there and that first impression is everything. If the locomotive starts smoking (and not because it was meant to!), chances are that interest will be short lived. If it runs pretty good, it just might get them hooked and purchase more expensive stuff detailed to the Nth' degree. Or they take the decent running equipment and upgrade it with details themselves. Just depends on interest, budget, etc. The main thing is they have fun in the hobby. Some manufacturers that started off making these starter sets are actually pretty decent ones today. Others are mere "also rans" that faded into obscurity......

Keyword was MSRP. I'm SO glad that most retailers (I mean ebayers lol) will charge half of that, but even so I feel that quality of the product just does not justify the price.

I don't own Tamiya's Tiger I so I'll just have to take your word for it.

The $1500 MSRP was directed at Tamiya's Leopard 2A6, so perhaps I should've clarified that (I just thought it was kinda obvious). I'm not sure what you mean with the rc truck example, but I've seen $300 rc trucks that would blow anything these tanks has to offer as far as build quality and performance goes.

I've tried to make myself feel better using this exact reasoning, but I just can't convince myself with it. I'd have to agree with you if we narrow the market down to RC tank and RC tank ONLY, but with very similar markets (rc truck, cars, jets, etc.) getting WAY better deals, I can't just deny that pricing on Tamiya feels like a ripoff. And Henlong tanks offering such low quality products doesn't make it any better for me.

Perhaps I might feel better about Tamiya tanks once I finish building my Leo 2A6 and give it a good off road experience, but as of right now it doesn't justify $792 I've paid for it.

And my apologies to Booty for participating in the hijacking of this thread. I've said my piece and will say no more on the subject. I recently took that turret apart and the spring is rather easily put back in its place if you have not done so already. I'd be careful of the wires in that they are fragile it would seem.

My only comment on this thread would be RC trucks don't get to shoot at each other. As for are Tamiya tanks worth the $800.00 to get them battle ready (including radio kit, TBU). Thats something each will have to answer for themselves. If your interested in RC tanking Find a club in your area that fights with the TBU and go and watch. Most will be glad to have you there. Then make your decision. Most hobbies I have found wind up costing several thousand dollars to get into and be competitive - RC tanking is no differant.
FYI my last Pershing kit cost 560.00 plus 155.00 for TBU, idler upgrade, bearings, and gearbox plate. Yes its expensive but I have since run 8 days hard "fighting" at Danville without a single breakdown or problem. (over 60 battles) Driving around your yard is one thing it's another beast to have 4-8 other tankers shooting at you and a whole lot more fun. (IR, bb's, or paintballs does not matter)

Regards,
James

Hi Gorehound
I had a go at moving the gun as you said . It was solid so the tank is on it`s way back . I paid £92.00 for it. I could of had a go at the problem but i would rather start with a working tank before i start any up grades Thanks for the help
A T B Booty

Hi

Probably the best way forward as it sounds like it was more than the spring. You can also pick them up a lot cheaper on ebay in the UK. I just bought one of the new smoke and sound ones off ebay for my friend at the local model club and it cost £65 delivered. It has worked perfectly so far but he is about to pull it apart to detail it up like my ones. If you decide to go for another one best of luck and I hope your experience so far does not put you off RC tanking. I have four HL tanks and so far only one has been a problem and it was self inflicted although I know others have not been as lucky.

If you do decide to go for another you can always come here for help.

cheers

Gore