Archive for October, 2009
If you are shopping for something different in an RC boat to give as a gift to your RC hobby boating friend, then take a look at RC airboats. A RC air boat is a cross between an airplane and a boat! Airboats are powered by a top-mounted nitro engine that pushes the boat across the surface of the water like a prop on an airplane. They have a a flat-bottom hull to ride high on the surface of the water with little resistance. RC airboats direction control is accomplished by using the rudder in the water to turn the boat or on some models by the use of panels mounted behind the prop to direct the thrust. I prefer the rudder method because it allow the boat to operator in very shallow water without picking up debris or getting hung up on the bottom.
One of the most unique RC airboats on the market today is the Aquacraft Alligator Tours RC Airboat. She comes RTR with a nitro powered SuperTigre G34 engine, a 2 channel radio and a sturdy stand which doubles as a carrier. Features include a large air rudders, strakes on the hull’s bottom to give you better control, and an awesome look. The Alligator has great details such as a realistic looking driver and passenger seat. The powerful nitro engine does not require special fuel or glow plugs and you get 2 channel Tactic 27 Mhz radio.There is also a DVD to help with proper tuning and break-in of the SuperTigre engine. This boat was designed by Aquacraft to handle like the real airboat so, as you skim over the swamp mud, lily pads and marshes be ready for some real outdoor adventure. Swamp racing anyone interested? By the way, you just might decide to get one for yourself so that you too can join in this swamp running fun thing!
Rumbling, bumbling, stumbling, RC Rock crawling is a sport that test your metal as you use you’re driving skills to navigate a highly modified four-wheel-drive RC vehicles over tough obstacles and terrain, such as broken rock piles, ditches, logs or whatever you choose as a worthy challenge. I love full sized RC rock crawlers but found myself to be very impressed with a relative new comer to the RC crawling world, the Duratrax RC 1/14 scale Cliff Climber. We are talking going small in a RC hobby that has been traditionally reserved for the big boys.
Just because the Cliff Climber is small in size, doesn’t mean it lack the power or a big RC crawler attitude!! The small size of the Cliff Climber has its advantages like the ability to operate in small spaces. Motors are mounted on each axle to eliminate the need for a center transmission and drive shafts. You also get rid of torque twist that many RC 2.2 crawlers have with a center mounted motor and transmission. A small downside is the Cliff Climbers tendency to “Clod Stall on steeper climbs because of the weight transferred to the rear axle that makes the rear axle stall. This is an easy fix by driving each axle with a 380 motor and drawing 14 plus volts from your ESC, with a little more throttle input you will get the rear axle driving. Ground clearance can cause you to get hung up or alter your lines when climbing. Correct this problem with larger tires. The DuraTrax™ 12mm hex adapters on this RC crawler has many after market wheels and tires available to solve the ground clearance issue. Right out of the box this small RC crawler is a capable climber and with a few upgrades can be a tough go get’um rock climber. You will be amazed by the ESC for the RC Cliff Climber, crawler, single ESC, dual battery setup! Motors are wired in parallel so both are drawing the same amount of volts. The ESC is powerful and designed to handle 14.4 to 16.8 volts run dual motors and draw power from dual batteries. Yes, it’s small but has the attitude and toughness of a large scale RC Crawler and well worth every hard earned thrifty penny you will pay for it! I am getting one for my kid this Christmas! Check them out.
When you enjoy a variety of RC hobbies endeavors, you cannot help but be amazed at the technological developments that have occurred over the years. This leaves you stoked every day to find a new RC passion that will sparks your imagination and interest. Over the years, I have had many great RC airplane experiences but none like the experience of watching my first RC performance jet fly.
Approaching our local RC hobby flying field, I noticed a speck in the skyline that streaked across the sky, yet had the stall control to perform unimaginable maneuvers. Quickly leaping from my truck, I found the owner of this dazzling RC jet airplane, which turned out to be a Phase 3 Squall EDF 4-cell High-Performance ARF w/Fan/Motor/ESC. As she demonstrated; yes it was a young lady, the exciting rolls, turns and stalls captured my imagination. Curiously, I asked her about its performance, toughness and cost and found that all were consistent with search for excitement, quality, and reliability. Especially cost under $200.00! I marveled at this wonderful RC jet airplane as it performed several missions and at the end could only hope that my wife would understand the just one more time excuse. Have you experienced this RC jet airplane, if so, let us have your feedback.
The RC boating season is coming to an end in most parts of the country and may have ended in others. Now is the time, I like to reflect on my RC electric boats and think about the wonderful performances they have provided. I am talking about hobby grade RC electric boats even though; I know that some people enjoy toy grade RC boats as well. Hobby grade RC boats include nitro, gas, sail, and electric crafts that are a step above toy grade RC boats. While some like the smell, sounds and power of nitro RC Boats my favorites are RC electric models with proven quality and reliability. RC Electric boats are easy to maintain, relatively inexpensive and quiet. Choice options, especially with the noise reduction! Their parts and accessories are also interchangeable with RC cars for a real monetary advantage. RC Electric boats are fast with the basic models running between 15- 20mph. That’s fast enough for anyone just getting into the RC boating hobby and you can always upgrade as your skills increase on your preferred waterway, i.e., pool, lake or ocean.
This summer, I spent a lot of time running my Cen. and Traxxas RC electric boats! If you are looking for a cheap and fast hobby grade boat, then go for the Cen.! My Cen. Grey Thunder 550 EP was a pleasure to run and pleased me to the max with it’s’ “V”-hull design that busted tough waves while maintaining a consistent 20 mph. On the days that I ran my Traxxas Villain EX RC electric race boat, its performance made me realize what a true hobby quality boat I had under control. I am quite impressed with how fast, smooth and stable, this boat is and more so with it’s reliability. I truly believe, I could give some nitro boats a run and win. This RC boat has all the ingredients for exciting R/C boating adventures with its dual motors and in terms of pure performance well, the Villain EX has to be the best among all the Traxxas RC electric boats.
Yes, this boating season was electric fun and I look forward to a few more days during the fall so that I can continue to enjoy my prized RC electric boats. Check them out if you are looking for a great RC boat for yourself or to give as a holiday gift to a beginning RC boat skipper. I think you will be pleased with either choice! I can’t wait until next spring so join me with your own RC boating adventures.
I am often asked, who do I believe are today’s best RC car and truck manufacturers. Well, let me share my response for whatever value you might receive from it. I have been a RC hobbyist for quite a while and recognize that there are a number of great RC car and truck manufacturers out there, some with great products and reputations but, if I was looking for a new hobby grade RC car or truck, I would choose one of the manufacturers who I believe offer’s RC beginners and old pro’s the best prices quality and support. Yes, I know that I am opening myself to disagreement but what the heck, these are my choices and they are solid.
There is no doubt that Team Associated produces the best quality RC electric monster trucks available anywhere! Here are my points! They make the top race-winning quality cars and trucks that are realistic in appearance and are light and durable. Team Associated RC cars and trucks excel at getting dialed in to different tracks and arrive fast right out of the box, with clear and concise details on how to build. It is very easy to get spare parts, you can go into any RC hobby shop anywhere in the US and get spare parts or for upgrade to your RC vehicle. Last, but not least is the price, in my opinion, you get great quality and variety at a fair price.
Traxxas has been producing the best nitro RC cars and electric RC cars since 1986 and is the front runner RC car company on the market today. My first quality hobby grade RC truck was a Traxxas product! Traxxas has advance the ready to run, (RTR) category with innovative thinking and fun designs that make it easy for beginners to get started in the R/C hobby world. Traxxas RC cars and trucks are fast, tough and track ready. They offer great service and support and path the way in innovation and design. Trust me; they will be on the fore front of the remote control industry for a very long time.
HPI Racing has always been among my favorite RC car brands. Their simplicity in design, manufacturing and customer service just remind me of what a great RC company should be. HPI Racing makes some of the best RC cars available. They are considered to be one of the leaders in the RC industry, and continue to bring quality competition in all RC car and truck categories. They are definitely in the competition to be among the top RC car and truck manufacturers today. HPI has made their RC trucks, a focal point. HPI RC trucks are durable and over the years have proven themselves to be strong performers! HPI primarily constructs nitro vehicles; they also provide a sprint series for electric enthusiastic as well. You can’t knock a winner and HPI has a winning resume with many racing event wins. With this success, HPI will continue to build more high quality RC cars and trucks for all levels of RC car and truck lovers! What do you think? I am open to suggestions.