Why should I even bother...

[dirtrider]

... to begin with RC?

Hi peeps...

As some of you may have read (or not...) I'm thinking about buying a Kyosho ZX5-SP or RB5 (still not sure but I'd like to have a Kyosho).

But I wonder... is it even worth buying a RC car? Please I hope someone can give me a non-biased opinion on this.

If I look at what I did with RC cars... it has been something popping up in my life now and then disappearing again for a while and then coming back again. To give you an example:

- My first car was some tamiya thing, forgot the name... I still was 11 y old I think

- I then had a Kyosho Optima Turbo MID SE, my dad helped me build it, the car I had the most fun with, I was about 14 y old then

- I sold the Kyosho because I wanted a nitro car, stupidest decision ever, I had a Pure Ten Kyosho Lancia Delta Inegrale... nice car, enjoyed it but never give me the statisfaction the Optima did. As expected the Pure Ten engine got phucked and that was it for nitro, I decided to sell all my stuff... last time I ran it was 2003...

- Sold everything, but in 2005 it started to tickle again... I missed building the cars :( I kept an eye open now and then until I came across tower hobbies (behold the internet) and I bought a HPI MT2 SS... I enjoyed building the car (fun!) and stuffed in my 'old' RC stuff... I enjoyed riding it, but my old RC gear (still had a transmitter and receiver from that Pure Ten) so I had a modern car with crap electronics. Not happy, sold evrything (with great profit thanks to the low dollars) but result: no car, nothing.

- Decided to stop with it... but then the RB5 arrived... was this the Kyosho that would fill my 'gap' I lost with the Optima Mid? I was lucky to buy a COMPLETE shed of RC gear, a Xray on-road electro car... owner said it was broken, but I managed to fix it... I kept all the best tools and receiver (Futaba with model memory, ok thingie) and sold the riding car with great profits again and kept myself a decent FM transmitter and receiver.

... but now... I am not sure if I would enjoy the Lazer or RB5 as much as the Optima. I was 14 then, I'm 30 now...

There are NO clubs here (nowhere in the nearest 50 km) and the clubs that are at 50 km distance scare me off... most of them - no offense - have really really REALLY big RC freaks. This means that a noob like me with 'simple' setup wouldn't exactly feel at home. Also, I'm not looking for adventure and joining euro races, club championships and stuff like that. I just ant to have fun...

I don't want to make friends with 30 people I don't know and - how rude it may sound - I'm not interested in what they do either as jobs etc... I had the chance to talked to a local flying RC club (there is one) and I got really disappointed upon return: these people can't really talk about anything else then RC planes.

Help me out... I'm talking about 750$ of equipment here so I don't want to buy this lot if in one month I realize that this whole club thing is nothing for me (I'm not really a 'club' person, never was... I like social contact but when you go to a club at a certain stage they expect you to ALWAYS be there or you're not a 'real member'...
I have a very busy job and also ride Enduro motorcycle at the weekend so...

Hope someone can help me out with this mindtwist :confused::confused::confused::confused:

Cheers,

Dominique, Belgium

[bigred5765]

x5 is the best car we have tried so fare easy to drive reasonabley easy to work on and very fast

[markwilliamson2001]

I think the question your really asking yourself is:

"Do I actually want to do RC?"

I found that if you don't enjoy the racing at relaxed club level, then you won't enjoy it at all. For me this is the most fun, meeting people on a regular basis, and making friends in racing. I do do some regional events as well, but never really enjoyed the really big national events, since they were hard work, and a lot of travelling. For me on my own this was very tiring and not very enjoyable. As it is, the local club 20 miles away on a friday evening is really fun, very relaxed, always a good track and also indoors (so regular racing even in winter). While it may not be the most challening track and is a similiar surface every week, I enjoy the social side of things and talking to people and having a joke...

Just keeping in the RC scene and reading on Oople keeps me happy

Hope this helps
Mark

[Lee]

I think having a laugh at the big events is the best bit, i think if you asked all the drivers at a national "what is there favorite thing about racing off road" they would say the social side and the people that do it. You dont have to be a geek to have a good time.

I also think they would be very helpful as im sure they want to see the hobby grow, give it a chance,you may like it.



See you at the euros next summer:lol:

[Scouser]

Why not get a Kyosho Lazer ZX-5 RTR and see if you want to go to the club after bashing around with the car for a while? I wouldn't go blowing $750 on a hobby I wasn't even sure I would enjoy.
I started by getting an AE B4 rtr and going from there. To be honest, it was the best thing I had ever done as, like you, I had tried nitro and found it wasn't my thing. By getting the rtr ZX-5, you could get started at a decent buget and get back into driving. If you get the bug, you can start upgrading the car and then take it racing.
You know 50km isn't really that far, we have had racers travel hundreds of miles to race at Southport!

[rc10andy]

... to begin with RC?

Hi peeps...

As some of you may have read (or not...) I'm thinking about buying a Kyosho ZX5-SP or RB5 (still not sure but I'd like to have a Kyosho).

But I wonder... is it even worth buying a RC car? Please I hope someone can give me a non-biased opinion on this.

If I look at what I did with RC cars... it has been something popping up in my life now and then disappearing again for a while and then coming back again. To give you an example:

- My first car was some tamiya thing, forgot the name... I still was 11 y old I think

- I then had a Kyosho Optima Turbo MID SE, my dad helped me build it, the car I had the most fun with, I was about 14 y old then

- I sold the Kyosho because I wanted a nitro car, stupidest decision ever, I had a Pure Ten Kyosho Lancia Delta Inegrale... nice car, enjoyed it but never give me the statisfaction the Optima did. As expected the Pure Ten engine got phucked and that was it for nitro, I decided to sell all my stuff... last time I ran it was 2003...

- Sold everything, but in 2005 it started to tickle again... I missed building the cars :( I kept an eye open now and then until I came across tower hobbies (behold the internet) and I bought a HPI MT2 SS... I enjoyed building the car (fun!) and stuffed in my 'old' RC stuff... I enjoyed riding it, but my old RC gear (still had a transmitter and receiver from that Pure Ten) so I had a modern car with crap electronics. Not happy, sold evrything (with great profit thanks to the low dollars) but result: no car, nothing.

- Decided to stop with it... but then the RB5 arrived... was this the Kyosho that would fill my 'gap' I lost with the Optima Mid? I was lucky to buy a COMPLETE shed of RC gear, a Xray on-road electro car... owner said it was broken, but I managed to fix it... I kept all the best tools and receiver (Futaba with model memory, ok thingie) and sold the riding car with great profits again and kept myself a decent FM transmitter and receiver.

... but now... I am not sure if I would enjoy the Lazer or RB5 as much as the Optima. I was 14 then, I'm 30 now...

There are NO clubs here (nowhere in the nearest 50 km) and the clubs that are at 50 km distance scare me off... most of them - no offense - have really really REALLY big RC freaks. This means that a noob like me with 'simple' setup wouldn't exactly feel at home. Also, I'm not looking for adventure and joining euro races, club championships and stuff like that. I just ant to have fun...

I don't want to make friends with 30 people I don't know and - how rude it may sound - I'm not interested in what they do either as jobs etc... I had the chance to talked to a local flying RC club (there is one) and I got really disappointed upon return: these people can't really talk about anything else then RC planes.

Help me out... I'm talking about 750$ of equipment here so I don't want to buy this lot if in one month I realize that this whole club thing is nothing for me (I'm not really a 'club' person, never was... I like social contact but when you go to a club at a certain stage they expect you to ALWAYS be there or you're not a 'real member'...
I have a very busy job and also ride Enduro motorcycle at the weekend so...

Hope someone can help me out with this mindtwist :confused::confused::confused::confused:

Cheers,

Dominique, Belgium
I went to watch a round of the BIWS at worksop on the off chance and really enjoyed it so i went and bought a car, a RC10B4 RTR. I know absolutely F all about RC at all so it is really hard to know where to start.
I have followed the BIWS rounds and learned a lot. Spoke to a few ppl who helped me out. All the gear i have got with this car needs to be upgraded, it is bloody expensive!! I nearly gave up with it all as there isnt much in the way of a local club where i live, there was when i was a kid but they have all fizzled out! I have found one club in the next town that i will be going to once i have splashed a bit more cash on a few more batteries, tools and new radio gear.
This website has really opend the RC world up to me but also baffled me with talk of technology, maintainance and set ups. For me this was quite daugnting at first and i thought i will never be able to compete with these boys who know how to et their cars up ect but then every1 has to start somewhere.
I think u will probably have to make friends with other RC enthusiasts to get anywhere in the hobby tho!
Why not talk a few of ur mates into it and have a meet between urselves?

That brings me onto my qusetion, Does anyone know of any buggy clubs in the Derbyshire area? I already know about the one in Mansfield.
Cheers

[mark christopher]

broxtowe?

[Chrislong]

You need to do it to escape your mind from work, have fun with some friends and attend events not only to race but to enjoy the people your with.

I enjoy the racing, but I equally enjoy the outside of racing socialising - such as Saturday nights between nationals etc. its ace

[dirtrider]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I have found a club (MBV) that's having a race saturday... I might go check it out to see the atmosphere...
But you're right I'm not doing it for trophees, I'm just doing it because I like fiddling with stuff :)

[Chrislong]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I have found a club (MBV) that's having a race saturday... I might go check it out to see the atmosphere...
But you're right I'm not doing it for trophees, I'm just doing it because I like fiddling with stuff :)

MBV Kampenhout? Cool! Thats a great track run by Willie and Liliane, your lucky if thats a local track as its one of many peoples favourite!

if you come along in July to the Belgium GP, you may not be able to enter it as booking in filled up quicker than Robbie Williams, but you'll certainly have a lot to watch - plus beer, music, entertainment. :thumbsup: this is what its about! :)

[SHY]

One time RC always RC...

-the racing & excitement
-the fine mechanics
-the building & maintenance
-the modifications
-the learning & understanding
-the joy of masking & painting a cool bodyshell
-the trips & sights
-the new & friendly people
-building or improving a track
-taking part in organizing a race
-taking part in running a club
-maintaining & improving rules and regulations

And the fact that you're not ever going to have excess spare time and be bored again... and never running out of conversation...

Try always to have FUN! :thumbsup:

PS. Never mention RC on the first date!!! ;)

[CAClark]

I've been thinking the same thing, and I suspect I will never race in a proper race, simply because i would be too worried about being crap. I'm leaning toward a Durga, as atleast it isn't costly. My hope would be to perhaps try and hook up with some local folks who do race, and try and get in to the swing more that way.

But my approach is that if I want to have a laugh as a minimum with an rc car, then the Durga isn't a bank breaker.... and I can always get some hop-ups if I do look to race proper.

Cheers!

[SHY]

Yes, the main object is always to enjoy it and have FUN! And you'll have fun no matter what level you are on! As to the racing it takes a lot of practise to become good, so enjoy it all the way!

Unless you're on a very tight budget I'd consider a "full blown" car though. It's for many of us a big part of the hobby to work on these technological marvels. And with the extremely low prices nowadays you might as well go for the real deal.

Good luck!

[CAClark]

Where do you set a boundary between budget and full blown just out of interest? I'm certainly not adverse to the idea of buying decent rather than buying cheap and risking having to buy again.

Cheers!

[CAClark]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I have found a club (MBV) that's having a race saturday... I might go check it out to see the atmosphere...
But you're right I'm not doing it for trophees, I'm just doing it because I like fiddling with stuff :)

I should do this also, find out what goes on around the Sheffield area within bus range (not a car owner anymore :( )

[SHY]

CHASSIS
Well, the car/chassis is the main thing. And the price difference between a full blown WC-winning chassis and a "toy" is not much these days. For instance the AE B4 or B44 are extremely well made machines at a ridicilously low price. They are strong, more or less ever lasting (just replace broken parts and shim away slop), very good to drive.

RADIO
I'd also buy a decent radio, that one you'll keep for many years. Minimum a radio with EPA and Expo functions.

BRUSHLESS
Finally I'd go for a brushless combo, it's powerful, gives longer runtimes, and best of all it's maintenance free. Don't do the typical beginner error of buying a way too fast motor, do as the pros advise you to: 4,5 or 5,5 for 4WD / 6,5 or 7,5 for 2WD.

LIPO
If you then want to save you could go for LiPos (not race legal till 2009, most likely) and a LiPo charger. Very inexpensive chargers and batteries. The LiPos give you VERY long runtimes (+/- 20 minutes!) and so much power. You can even charge them weeks before you go out to play. Best of all you don't need to spend a small fortune on high tech chargers, ballancers/dischargers, matched cells +++

TOOLS
You can also wait with all the cool stuff like good tools etc. But if you get into the hobby you'll enjoy it more with good tools.

[rc10andy]

I should do this also, find out what goes on around the Sheffield area within bus range (not a car owner anymore :( )
Have you checked out Don Valley on a friday night? I think its on most fridays about half 6 ish worth ringing tho cos last time i went dow it wasn on. Also a club in Dronfield but that is closed for refurbishment at the moment.

Here is the link http://www.srccc.co.uk/

[rc10andy]

Have you checked out Don Valley on a friday night? I think its on most fridays about half 6 ish worth ringing tho cos last time i went dow it wasn on. Also a club in Dronfield but that is closed for refurbishment at the moment.

Here is the link http://www.srccc.co.uk/
I also found the BRCA site helpful http://www.brca.org/

[Robbiejuk]

That brings me onto my qusetion, Does anyone know of any buggy clubs in the Derbyshire area? I already know about the one in Mansfield.
Cheers

As Mark Said Broxtowe Model car club are near as dammnit in derbyshire, there is also West Bridgford Model Car Club Just on the outskirts of nottingham. There is another club just outside of Derby who race on a wednesday night but I am not sure if they do buggies or not. http://www.cbmodelsracing.co.uk/

check out http://me-or.co.uk (http://me-or.co.uk/) for clubs in your region :)

[Zedman]

At least buy a Hudy 2mm driver.

Brushless motor ?, insane power over and above what u will need, do u need to be able to wheel spin at will, do u want to steer with the throttle, do u really WANT Ferrari type power ? Do you drive RC cars because its would be totaly insane and painfull to do it in a real car ?

Be prepared to go through a lot of tyres )

[Chrislong]

At least buy a Hudy 2mm driver.

Brushless motor ?, insane power over and above what u will need, do u need to be able to wheel spin at will, do u want to steer with the throttle, do u really WANT Ferrari type power ? Do you drive RC cars because its would be totaly insane and painfull to do it in a real car ?

Be prepared to go through a lot of tyres )

I don't understand your post. Are you saying brushless is insanely powerful and you'll just end up hating it due to the ferrari type power.

brushless CAN be as powerful as you want, it can also be as slow and controllable as you want. Choose a Novak 13.5R and it'll be steady and controllable, choose a 7.5R and it'll be sensibly fast, choose a 4.5R and it'll be insane - then there are all the steps inbetween to choose from!

Oh, and we have far more than ferrari type power :lol:, we're 1/10th scale, just multiply our speeds by 10 and you've got stealth bomber type power. :thumbsup:

[sparrow.2]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I have found a club (MBV) that's having a race saturday... I might go check it out to see the atmosphere...
But you're right I'm not doing it for trophees, I'm just doing it because I like fiddling with stuff :)

If it's not too far for you the club is great and the racing scene in Belgium is great! The guys who regularly do the BNK are a bundle of fun and certainly know how to party as well :thumbsup: They don't just talk RC either (just say dildo to Jo de Geest :woot:)

[SHY]

Totally agree Chris! IMHO b/l motors are now easier and better to drive than brushed ones. I tried the other day with a brushed, and I just hated it! I especially love the very low resistance when coasting - much better! :thumbsup: And as you say, just pick the RIGHT wind b/l and it's great! No maintenance, very smooth, MUCH longer runtimes!

[CAClark]

For sadly my budgetary restrictions will stop well short of an AE B44. I'm looking at the Durga / ZX-5 kinda range. And in all honesty, I am sure they'll be up to my level, especially if the hop-ups are there to improve the car in steps later on.

I've read the reviews here on the ZX-5 and the Durga..... seem quite a close match?

Cheers!

CHASSIS
Well, the car/chassis is the main thing. And the price difference between a full blown WC-winning chassis and a "toy" is not much these days. For instance the AE B4 or B44 are extremely well made machines at a ridicilously low price. They are strong, more or less ever lasting (just replace broken parts and shim away slop), very good to drive.

RADIO
I'd also buy a decent radio, that one you'll keep for many years. Minimum a radio with EPA and Expo functions.

BRUSHLESS
Finally I'd go for a brushless combo, it's powerful, gives longer runtimes, and best of all it's maintenance free. Don't do the typical beginner error of buying a way too fast motor, do as the pros advise you to: 4,5 or 5,5 for 4WD / 6,5 or 7,5 for 2WD.

LIPO
If you then want to save you could go for LiPos (not race legal till 2009, most likely) and a LiPo charger. Very inexpensive chargers and batteries. The LiPos give you VERY long runtimes (+/- 20 minutes!) and so much power. You can even charge them weeks before you go out to play. Best of all you don't need to spend a small fortune on high tech chargers, ballancers/dischargers, matched cells +++

TOOLS
You can also wait with all the cool stuff like good tools etc. But if you get into the hobby you'll enjoy it more with good tools.

[SHY]

I understand. What are the prices you've found for those cars?

I think there's a B44 RTR on it's way...

[CAClark]

Well, the main place I tend to look is www.modelsport.co.uk where the ZX-5 can be had for £150 (not the SP one), and the Durga is £134.... which is bets part of £100 below the AE B44.

Cheers!

[Lee]

I know its not the done thing, not supporting you local shop, but good prices can be had on large items from abroad

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LC3392&P=1

[SHY]

Well, the main place I tend to look is www.modelsport.co.uk (http://www.modelsport.co.uk) where the ZX-5 can be had for £150 (not the SP one), and the Durga is £134.... which is bets part of £100 below the AE B44.

Cheers!

Those are good prices indeed! You've got a PM

[sparrow.2]

I don't want to make friends with 30 people I don't know and - how rude it may sound - I'm not interested in what they do either as jobs etc...

Try running touring cars then... No friends to be had there. :)

[Chrislong]

Try running touring cars then... No friends to be had there. :)

:lol: harsh...... but, TRUE...

[markwilliamson2001]

I tend to use about 3 online shops (I won't name names) but you can get hold of kits cheaper than that (The Hot Bodies D4 Normal Edition) can be had for £200 now, which is only slightly dearer than both kits and will be far better I am sure, in terms of spares, strength and quality.

If you would like details of the shops I use, feel free to PM me.

Regards
Mark

[Spoolio]

Well, the main place I tend to look is www.modelsport.co.uk (http://www.modelsport.co.uk) where the ZX-5 can be had for £150 (not the SP one), and the Durga is £134.... which is bets part of £100 below the AE B44.

Cheers!

Hi, I try to support my local shops (not that there are any actually locally, so I use those near Nottingham) but I have no guilt about importing Tamiya stuff as they don't stock that anyway. I bought my Durga's from HK and the most I paid including shipping by EMS was £100 - one racer and one for spares.

If you buy one with a slipper clutch and a set of Tamiya Hop-Up dampers it'll set you back about £140 and it's a nice car - you will get a lot of looks if you go to a club to race it. Some of these looks will be curious (they don't know what a Durga is as its not mainstream), some will be dismissive as Tamiya's reputation for making kiddy kits is long-standing. But these preconceptions are their problems not mine. There may even be jealousy from B44 owners who pay as much for a shock tower as a Durga owner will pay for 2 new chassis tubs (£7 each by the way).

If you ever want a spin with mine, I live in Worksop and am thinking about doing Don Valley at some point now Worksop's indoor rounds have finished.

[CAClark]

Sweet, I am almost 99% sure to lump for a Durga. My only concern with HK sellers is being stung for import, but I have found a UK seller on fleabay selling the Durga kit for £119 inc shipping.

Then once I figure out which radio to get, I'll be mostly sorted :)

I'll be needing a bunch of practice before I could possibly risk showing myself up at a race though LOL
I'm 20 years or more out the loop since I had my Marui Samurai :P

Cheers!