Buying My First RC Nitro - Please Advise

Thumper Long

Hello All,

This is my first time posting in the models forum and I'm afraid its driven by my own greed to find out as much info as i can about buying my first RC Nitro. The model that has taken hold of my heart is the Traxxas Revo 5308 (which from what I can find out is the newer version of the 5309). I have a couple of questions that I would like to ask and would be extremely grateful for any help. The only shop I can find online that is based in Ireland (dont know where though) is Planet Fun and I have been quoted €650 for the Revo + a starter kit of some description. This sounded a bit expensive so I had a look online and the only place that I could find it in stock in the UK is www.storacingproducts.com . Can anyone recommend anywhere else that I may look for this. I dont really fancy buying it form the states, but would definitely buy accessories etc from the USA if there is a better choice and price. So really just a few questions to start.

1. Where would you recommend to buy it from ?

2. I am based in Dublin, where would you buy fuel and spare parts etc around dublin as i dont want to have to go online everytime i need something.

3. I am a bit confused as to what else I would need to buy with it, e.g. extra batteries, chargers, fuel bottles etc

4. Any really good sites out there for parts etc ?

5. My only experience of the Traxxas Revo is I saw one in action in the Phoenix park, but never got a chance to ask the guy any questions, to me it looked the business, is there anything better for the same money ?

any help is greatly appreciated, and i promise that once i get my hands on one of these and gain some experience I'll contribute to the Forum in a more productive manner. I did see Vectras Revo Project Post but unfortunately the linked website is no longer available.

Thanking you all in advance

Thump

ARGINITE

Have you had a look on ebay?
Also worth a look:
Modelsport.co.uk

T-Maxx

Welcome to the models forum!

As for where to buy, check out eBay, www.towerhobbies.com or www.modelsport.co.uk.

From my experience, by the time you've forked out the VAT and duties, it works out much of a muchness whether you buy from the UK or the US. Only thing is you just might not get stung in which case you could potentially save about 25%, but prepare for it in any case.

The Revo is tough, but also look at the HPI Savage and Losi LST2. And don't write off the Traxxas T-Maxx.

As for accessories, you'd need 8 x AA rechargeable batteries for the Tx, buy a 5 cell hump pack for the Rx instead of the 4 x AA's, a 7.2V stick pack for the EZ Start or Rotostart, a glow plug igniter, and fuel.

In terms of tools you'd need a good set of screw drivers and hex drivers.

CA glue (superglue) to glue the tires if they're not glued already.

Fuel bottle.

Charger - buy a decent comp charger (accurately peak charges everything) straight off the bat and save yourself $$$ in the long run.

Fuel - you're local hobby shop because it can't be shipped. Try http://www.boyztoys.ie in Santry or http://www.greenhobbymodel.com in Harolds Cross.

As for hop-ups and accessories - avoid bling aluminium. eBay chop shops for great deals.

Do a lot of research and reading before you buy.

Join some of the forums - lot's of help, tips, FAQ, etc.

(Oh, avoid Planet Fun - they're pathetic.)

Plug

You can have my T-maxx for 400 bucks. 3 engines(one brand new still sealed in box), 2 radios, 2 bodys, 2 sets of wheels+tires, 2 many spares to list etc, original box, dvd, instructions etc. Everything you need to get it running.
New brake disk with titanium calibers. located in kilkenny, I could bring it up to you.


BTW OP I own vectra's revo now, bleedin' animal!:D

Thumper Long

@ ARGINITE I tried eBay and couldn’t really find anything of worth, re: a new revo but seems to be very good for spare etc. I also tried Modelsport good website but they wont have them back in stock until January.

@ T-Maxx thanks lots of good info much appreciated, is the battery charge you are talking about something like this Linky. I had a look at the savage and the lst2 and I just cant see past the traxxas. I love the suspension design and it appears that the support from the UK is very good. I had a good look at towerhobbies and it’s an excellent site and I may just buy it from them and hope that customs miss my little parcel in the Christmas rush.

@ Plug thanks for the offer but I think over the last few days I really have my heart set on the Revo as I prefer the overall form factor, and I will hope to treasure this truck so I really want a new one. Do you by any chance have any videos of your Revo in action.

Should I buy extra glowplugs with the truck are they a consumable part ?

What fuel mix % would you recommend running in our climate ?

Once again thanks for the replies.

seamus-2k7

Thumper Long wrote: »

Should I buy extra glowplugs with the truck are they a consumable part ?

What fuel mix % would you recommend running in our climate ?

Once again thanks for the replies.

|You'll probly go through about 2/3 glowplugs running the engine after that they will last a fair amount of time.

A lower % fuel will be less powerfull and the engine will last longer, a higher % will give you more power but the engine might not last as long.

I am sure some one will correct me if I'm wrong.

The Doktor

Just another shop to have a look at is RC mart. Ive ordered a fair bit from them over the last year and have found them excellent (deleveries in 3-4 days from hong kong!!). Even for spare parts they are fast and have good stocks.
I have never been hit for customs with their packages. They send them via EMS and mark the value as "0", and Ive had approx 5 deleveries from them.

http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/rc-traxxas-revo-5308-p-26721.html?cPath=420_1196

ARGINITE

I have previously used both AMain Hobbies, and RCMushroom. Amain is in the us and rcmushroom is in Hong Knog.

fallaci

Give https://www.jespares.com/ aswell a try

Thumper Long

thanks for all the replies, I will have a look at all those links over the weekend, I dropped into Green Hobby & Model today and they seem to be very willing to help and will order a Revo if i want just need to get a good price from him. I like the idea of having somewhere to go with it if it all goes wrong especially with this being my first RC, i may need the help.

Thumper Long

Hi Folks 3 more quick questions if anyone has the time to answer them,

1 anyone with a Revo or T-Maxx what % fuel do you recommend, I wont be racing the Revo its more for just fun and bashing, would I be better with 16% or 20% glofuel.

2 I know i need to get a battery to run the ez-start I have chosen has a Tamiya style connector its a 7.2v 3300mah battery, i cant seem to find a charger that specifically says it will suit this type of battery does anyone know if this will suffice its a peak charger http://www.storacingproducts.com/bmi-ultra-peak-fast-charger-p340.html

3 Even with the ez-start that comes with it should i also get a glo-starter as was mentioned previously or is there any need for this.

thanks again for all the info

regards

Thump

fallaci

Hi
As for 1 - prolly better use 20%, more power and lower running temps (I use 25% on my savvy 4.6)
2 - I don't know
3 - You need glostarter anyway

coolwings

Thumper Long wrote: »

... its more for just fun and bashing, would I be better with 16% or 20% glofuel. ...

Due to the US "creative" labelling system for nitro, our Irish 16% nitro fuel has the same nitro as US 20%.
Our European synthetic oils are also higher standard ... we don't need so much oil to get the same lubricity and cooling as they do. So we can lean out more with no overheating, and thus get more power compared to US fuels.

Go Glo + 16% will do all you need, but run it in on a litre of GX-10 first.
And, later on, maybe some GX-25 for a really serious burn ..... :-)

T-Maxx

Like Coolwings said, 16% UK is more or less 20% US nitro %. You'll be good with 20-25% UK.

As for the GX blend of fuel, I wouldn't recommend it due to it's high castor/oil content (20%). The GoGlo Plus with 15% synth & 3% castor is much better IMO. If a good quality oil is used you can even go 8 - 12% oil.

The charger you linked to seems fine - 1.2A charge rate with peak detention. (Your 6 cell 3300mah pack should take about 3h to fully charge)

Even though the EZ Start doesn't need a separate glow igniter, I would recommended it for the following reasons:

- After a few backflips the blue wire going to the plug will get severed and you'll need to replace it otherwise you can't start it.
- The way the blue wire clips to the glow plug kind of forces you to use the Traxxas plugs.
- Using a glow igniter leaves more power available to crank the motor.
- You can preheat the plug and also leave the igniter on for a few seconds longer.

Drawback - an extra yoke to carry along.

vectra

Hey Thunder Log
Glad you like my Project revo
I often miss it but I would assume that Plug is now having more fun with it than I would have had to for.

I actually took the webpages down after some time as I cleaned up my webspace.

Is your heart well and truly sold on a Revo?
I know they are good but there are other options out there.
Would you not consider a Truggy?
The reason I ask is simply if you do decide at a later stage to go to Navan or somewhere to have a go at racing on a track against others then you would have a perfect machine for it.;)

I would seriously have a think about one of these >>>
Hong Nor Truggy

The only downfall is the .32 engine.
But it is a good engine { Probably better than the Traxas one }
If you did decide to race it then you would have to replace it for a smaller one as it would be too big to fit in regulations as far as I know. PLUS it would be too heavy on fuel to realistically use. BUT
You would get a decent GO.21 engine for less the €100 later on.

If that does not sound good to you then maybe this one>>>
Hyper St


Hope that helps you a bit :cool:

Thumper Long

vectra wrote: »

Hey Thunder Log

Jesus I nearly fell off my chair laughing at that.

@ Coolwings, Fallaci, T-Maxx thanks again for the info gents (presumption), Ive taken it all on board, I'll pick up a separate glo starter to have as a precaution. And I'll probably go with the 16% fuel once its available on GreenHobby or BoyzToys.

@ Vectra Yep heart is definitely set on the Revo, so much so that I ordered one last night got a good price from storacingproducts with the current sterling rate so should have it in time for christmas. For some reason I couldn't get into boards at the time so didn't see your post till now. It may not be the best machine out there as they all im sure have pros and cons but its the one that caught my eye. I will probably upgrade it after I get some experience and at the moment im more interested in off road bashing than racing but that may all change in the future.

Once again thanks for all the posts

Rgds

Thump

vectra

Thumper Long wrote: »

Jesus I nearly fell off my chair laughing at that.

I wouldnt blame ya
Only now spotted your proper username

Best of luck with the revo.
The first upgrade I would do is stick a set of RPM wishbones.
And a carbon Brake kit.;)

Thumper Long

Thanks Vectra will have a look at those,

Thump

madmac187

Hi im going to buy a 2nd hand traxxas price aside, it has the 3.3 engine its the 4909 not the 4908 which is the new one can anyone tell me what the differences are the traxxas website is no help. Will it be hard to get spares.

In need of help, thanking in anticipation

goldwing

madmac187 wrote: »

Hi im going to buy a 2nd hand traxxas price aside, it has the 3.3 engine its the 4909 not the 4908 which is the new one can anyone tell me what the differences are the traxxas website is no help. Will it be hard to get spares.

In need of help, thanking in anticipation

only differences i can think of is the centre diff and rear brake kit (that means no reverse) it has 17mm wheel hex's and i think it has a resonator too!!