I couldn't control myself any longer. Tower Hobbies lowered the price of their VS Leopard A6 tanks to $79, so I had to get one to see what they're all about. I ordered the winter camo version (I'm pretty fond of that scheme). I've got a AA battery charger, but let go of my rechargeable AAs in a remote by accident in an ebay auction a while back[X(] So, I guess I'll be getting some new ones. I like the idea of the 1/24 scale, and everytime I see one of these with the packaging pictures on ebay, I really want one (I guess that comes from the great packaging of toys in the early 80s, like G.I. Joe and Star Wars -- I was always fascinated by the box art).

My little Leo failed on me a while back and I just don't like using AA batteries (even the rechargable kind) in the Abrams. I was thinking about converting it to use a 7.2v stick battery, but I haven't taken the time yet. It could fry the thing, but I'm willing to take the chance.
If it works, I'll let you know.

Jason

I'm hoping the tanks are pretty reliable, since they are indeed made by the same factory as the Maruis, plus Tower sells them, so they have to be decent.

I don't like the slipper-clutch thingys in the gearboxes. [] They keep you from stripping gears, but the tank does not turn very well in high traction areas and you get a clicking noise as the gears slip. Aside from that and the push-button transmitter, which is not proportional [:-], they really are pretty cool little tanks. [sm=thumbup.gif]

I don't want to seem negative...........you will like it, but I think you will find that the HL tanks drive better, especially outside.

Jason

I think the Leopard is going to be more of an inside tank. I want to buy another one eventually for some "battles." I like the looks of the detail on these tanks, and the size seems pretty cool, too. I trying to decide on my next 1/16 tank at the moment, too.

Hi i have many 1/24 tanks you will like it they are very strong and you can beat the hell out of them and they won't break like how the 1/16 tanks do..

Also the new tiger 1 from VS tank has a new controller much better and it should be able to be used on the older tanks also.

As for the clicking sound this is not a slipper clutch to protect the gears it is a slipper clutch that makes the tanks motors go the same speed so it always runs in a straight line... they use it because there is no trims to control the speed of the motors.

Also you can't put a 7.2 pack in the tanks because they use jumpers across the 8 AA's to get different voltages from them to feed into the electronics so you get different speeds and voltage for the movement of the turret and gun fire and elevation and so forth.

Look at www.toyeast.com look at the new IR tiger it has a sweet controller now and real gun recoil and also better sounds with machein gun fire to boot!!

ToyEast used to have the very best prices for the VsTank PRO SUPER AIRSOFT tanks LAST YEAR.
i bought 20x of the M1A1 for ****$52 each*** and had them delivered to there shop in causeway bay hong kong island as i travel to hong kong for 2-4 months a year from the uk .then shipped them back to the uk using surface mail, very cheap.

this year toy-east almost doubled the price of there VsTank PRO SUPER AIRSOFT tanks which are now $89.99

I'm happy about the recoil and sounds, but even with that controller I would steer clear of their tank. To me, push buttons say, non-proportional! and difficulty making precise movements!.

What in the world is wrong with a simple two-stick transmitter, anyway?!! [sm=confused.gif] Surely it would be easier to create than that complicated transmitter with all of the buttons, right? []

.........it is a good looking tank, though. [sm=thumbup.gif]

Jason

I'm a big fan of the vstank series. Even with the odd controller, these things are just plain fun. I see no problems with the way they handle, sure they're "toy-like" but, that is what they are... and they do take one hell of a beating.

Although I do agree that if they were going to change the controller, you'd think they would use a more traditional 2 stick setup... even the often reviled HL uses it.

If you are getting the IR version, you'll be buying another soon enough. These are a riot when you bring 'em out to an old rutted dirt lot. They'll take on alot more than you might expect out of the little things, although grass is right out.

I wish it would hurry and get here. I ordered it Monday (just yesterday--I'm impatient), and with Tower, it will probably get here Thursday. I have a nice abused "proving ground" in my back yard (where between R/C buggies, trucks, cars, and my dirtbike I destroyed the grass) where I can drive my tank with getting it in the grass. Lots of dirt and rocks to go through.

Could you just swap the crystal into a two stick radio controller? Also the new price is making me wanting to buy one... vspro abram was my first rc tank, and I was impressed with its quality (although engine sound and functions felt VERY toyish). But I hate the controller so if I can't upgrade to two stick, I'll probably wait a bit.

They guy from toyeast said the new radio should work but you won't get 2 speeds in reverse with the older tanks.. This is why i make reverse speed slow down units for us for our tanks
The new radio is way better from what i hear you now can be going faward & rev in any speed and turn without stopping movement.

Guy's a good trick with the old 1/24 tanks is hold down the right and left turn buttons at the same time 1 or 2 speed buttons it works on both and your tank will move straight faward now lift up on one of the buttons and you now can turn while moving faward!! in ruff stuff do this and by tapping one of the buttons on and off you can make the tank turn in bigger turn rather than just turning all the way in a small circle..THIS makes the tanks go through ruff stuff and low grass 100% better and you don't get stuck or blow a track!