Newbie

Chakar

I've heard about remote controlled planes, cars and boats.I had a look at the Charter with all the website links and it looks like something I would enjoy.I've harboured ambitions to have a remote controlled plane, thought its deadly.

However remote controlled planes would be way too much for novices like me and so I'm reckoning I could start off with a remote controlled car.

I'm aware that a proper one with fuel and with a modest speed are about a few hundred euro.Also it looks like it could be time consuming which could be a problem for me a college student.

Is it time consuming? Do you have to keep ordering parts to fix cars when they're broken every two weeks or so? They would last longer than two weeks wouldn't they without breaking?

Can you also give me estimates of costs to buy the car and parts when they're broken.

If its too expensive and time consuming, I think I would probably put it off until I finish my education.

Thanks in advance for advice.:D

coolwings

You raise a lot of angles in your post.

But I think that it boils down to:
high performance vs. complexity/time taken vs. cost

The cheapest RC items are probably the cheap chinese model cars with short range radios we see in toy shops. They lack performance, and when they break they are thrown away as unrepairable.

So focusing only on repairable (RC hobby standard) products .....

electric cars are reasonably fast and reliable. Problem free. They work. Electric cars are best the answer to your question, even though you have excluded them.

nitro cars are more costly, and more noisy - if noise = excitement - these have it in spades. But you must understand that they drink fuel and eat parts (as if the parts are fuel). That is the way they are. Nitro engines are complex and beginners break more parts than those familiar with model engines. The internet is the source of the cheapest nitro cars, but, the local hobby shop is the source of the most reliable learning how to use them at a low cost in breakages. Most people make a compromise according to their own values, and reading our forum will tell you how we all solved this for orurselves.

If speed for cost is your tradeoff factor I would suggest engine free models where you need a fast model and a radio - that's all. This is undoubtedly RC gliders when used from a hill or slope.
As in these video clips here:
slope soariing video page
I think this is the lowest cost meeting place of speed and simplicity, you learn to fly, then the speed is related to how steep a dive you go into with your glider model. As fast as you like.

The you have engine planes - similar cost to good cars. harder to learn - most people go to a club and get shown how.

next - electric power planes, also similar cost to performance cars. With a learning curve which is a bit harder than cars I guess, but easier than glowfuel planes.

It is a personal choice - we all like a different type of RC which caters for our own taste.

vixen2005

cool wings you have all the answers think ill call ya professor pmsl

Chakar

They have more powerful electric RC cars, I didn't consider that possibility, that would be an excellent alternative to nitro engines which would be more expensive and time consuming to fix, replace parts etc.

Glider planes and planes in general would be a bit too complicated for the beginning maybe as I gain experience that might be possible in the future.

coolwings

Chakar wrote:

They have more powerful electric RC cars, I didn't consider that possibility, ....

The improvement in electric in recent years is just unbelievable.
Five years ago just one single 60 gram battery had 1200 milliamps, the same size battery today has 4300 milliamps.
That is more than triple the power in the "fuel tank".
And even better batteries are available if we pay premium price.

This video is eye opening:
http://www.graupner.de/fileadmin/downloadcenter/videos/MiniT_videowettbewerb.wmv
That electric truck has twin engines, but costs under €250 for the lot.

So long as you keep it over a certain specification (not cheap stuff) electric will surprise. It needs saying also, that the low spec electric is rubbish. There is a wide range of quality in electric from disposable plastic toys up to ballistic.

Chakar

Thats a cool video, bet you can have great fun with the RC car.The hobby is still a bit expensive but I will definitely take it up in the future.:D

Plug

Chakar wrote:

Thats a cool video, bet you can have great fun with the RC car.The hobby is still a bit expensive but I will definitely take it up in the future.:D

Ah you should take it up as soon as posible, its a great laugh and you get loads of attention from them. I embarressed some lad with his moped:D
What are you more into, nitro or electic?

Chakar

I would say electric as its less expensive and complicated to do, that would definitely be for me.Also it would break down less often and its fast enough anyway.

Plug

Yeah electric is brilliant for lazy modelers like yourself:D Would you be more an on or off road driver if you were to pic?

Chakar

If by lazy you mean electric RC cars being less expensive and complicated than nitro RC cars then that would be me.

On or off road? I wouldn't really care though both probably.

Plug

Your better off going for off road, they are more fun and can be driven on nearly any surface. This is an electric monster, I have the nitro verson and find it indestructable(well almost:D). It has duel 550 motors, and can handle 16.8 volts, now thats drill teritory:eek:

KamiKazi

what about one of THESE to get you started, cant go wrong for € 30 quid

Plug

They're only toys.

Chakar

Thats a powerful RC car alrite.