Newbie Help Needed
 

Hi, stone cold newbie here. I would like to buy a Heng Long Tiger but am a bit confused by the upgrades I should look for. I don't and will never be able to make many modifications to a tank, so I would like one as ready to run as possible. What is the difference between the super series offered by RC Command for $164 with metal upgrades and the tiger sold by Mato Toys with metal upgrade? I want to get one as reliable as possible right from the get go. Thanks.

http://www.matotoys.com/canada/produ...roducts_id=257

http://www.rccommand.com/German%20Tiger%20I.php

RE: Newbie Help Needed
 

Hi Dave,

The Matorro version has a scale length barrel, but I don't know how good the electronics are - but if they are based on the electronics and gearbox of their king tiger you may be in for disappointment (I have 2 plus their SturmTiger, all of them have have issues!). The battery is also too small for a tank with metal tracks.
If anybody here has one already, feel free to set me straight on these points...?

If you don't want to mess around inside I'd recommend the Heng Long from RCCommand. Its more money but the internals are much easier to get spare parts for (rccommand stock them all) and you'd be happier with how it runs. The only downside is that the gun barrel about an inch too short and the mantlet is flipped 180 degrees from where it should be - neither of which really detracts from having a (reasonably) robust rc tank. The only drawback to having the metal tracks and gears is that you'll need a cooling fan on the control board if you want complete peice of mind when running around outdoors - there are plenty of tutorials around here on how to do that.

Hope this helps?
Mart

RE: Newbie Help Needed
 

I hate to disapoint you but if you plan on ready to run dont buy a tank with metal tracks as there are major mods to be done to make it reliable as the rear idlers dont like metal tracks on the tiger they have a habit of breaking of go with the s&s version and buy the metal sprockets they are easy to replace and the plastic tracks make the tank more reliable as they dont apply the strain to the rear idlers as for supplier go with rc comand he will give you the service you need being new at the tank crazzz and you wont have to pay the higher shipping when buying out of canada and the tariffs custom applies to your purchase for england and canada mato is the place to buy for some parts and rc comand is better for other parts so it is a tossup as to where to buy but you are in the US so buy from a local to save money

RE: Newbie Help Needed
 

Thanks for the replies. I guess I will buy from RC Command. Exact detail is not crucial. I am surprised that the metal tracks are not the way to go. But if it means less down time I am all for it.

RE: Newbie Help Needed
 

Hi Dave,

Its not so much that metal tracks are bad, you just need to do more to prep the tank for them. The extra weight (especially on a Tiger!) puts more stress on the control board due to the higher current draw - hence the need for a cooling fan to stop the transistors/FET's melting.
You should also investigate higher capacity NiMh batteries and chargers, I have good results from these:
http://www.all-battery.com/72v3800ma...umorobots.aspx
they sell higher capacity batteries but they don't fit in the tiger! be sure to get the charger they recommend also - it charges much faster than the Heng Long 'wall wart' and it is suitable for NiMH batteries unlike said 'wall wart'...

I agree with Bubbajoexx that the lack of metal idlers may become a problem down the road - I've still got plastic idlers on my metal tracked tiger, but it hasn't seen enough usage yet for me to say if they wear badly... I did get a metal track set from Mato a while ago which included metal idlers for another tiger, but they don't have them right now - might be worth searching Evilbay to see if anybody else has them. Be warned that fitting them looks like to be a pain, as the idler shaft is a press fit (hence I have been too much of a coward to rip the old ones from my 2nd tiger yet!)

The tracks that rccomand supply also tend to come in shiny silver finish, so you will have to take them off and either stain or paint them. [:@]

The $80 Smoke and sound version is probably the best place to start if you don't want to do anything to it right away. it comes with spare track links in case of breakage (see the FAQ thread for tips on how to change them out). I'd recommend turning the smoke off personally to preserve your battery life, but thats just me :D. Metal tracks can be added afterwards once you feel more confident in ripping the tank open and making changes - everything you need to do has been posted here already.

on a personal note, I find Bill (rccommand) is very customer service focused - you can try talking to hm before you buy, I'm sure he would be happy to guide you on where to start.