Back into the game - Miss my Optima: Suggestions?

[Sal Khan]

Allright it's been 16 years, don't remind me of my age. :D

I've been dying to get back in the game and I've been thinking about my Kyosho Optima Mid that I had back in the day quite a bit lately. I had Futaba and Novak electronics, I think, and a Trinity motor.... I think. ;)

I tried doing a search for Optima Replacements in the forum but had a tough time find a direct answer so I thought I'd make my first post. Hopefully you don't mind?

Any recommendations for getting back in the game with something similar to Optima I had? I'd like to Electric (which is why I posted in here) and 4WD but am definitely open minded and willing to check out anything I can!

It's just been so long, I have no idea where to even start!

Thanks in advance!

-Sal

Edit: Praise be to the Admins for disabling signatures! Thank you!

[Dr_Isotope]

XXX-4 would be up your alley if you're interested in an AWD buggy.
http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/shared/productimages/gallery/losa0015-03-450.jpg

Duratrax has a new 1/18 scale AWD buggy as well, well under 200 bucks for an RTR setup, if you're not looking to drop as much money as would be required for electronics, accessories, and a fully outfitted XXX.

We seem to be around the same "vintage" too, I think-- my first R/C was a Turbo Ultima with a truck conversion. But I was a Tekin man-- only bought my first Novak gear 2-3 years ago.

[Sal Khan]

That model actually sounds perfect! I hopped on Losi's website and surprisingly not THAT much has changed. (Some I didn't understand but what can you do? :D)

Can you recommend places for purchase? Should I go local or hit the internet? I found this:

https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?src=ns&pn=LOS0015

Not quite sure what electronics to go with either.

Cheers!

[Dr_Isotope]

My best suggestion is check around at the local hobby shops to see if they carry parts for the XXX-- that's always the biggest issue with any R/C. Neither Tower nor Hobby People (online) carry Losi, so that's one strike, but several hobby shops near me do, so I'd call it even there.

As to electronics, everyone has their own personal favorites. I'm still using the M8 I bought when I got back into the hobby in '99 or so (after a 13 year break). Pick a nice, expandable radio from Airtronics or Futaba, and you're guaranteed years of trouble free service.

I can't begin to suggest speed controls and servos: everybody does something different, everybody has a different budget. I run a Novak GTB brushless setup in my Tamiya sedan, and I'm strictly a basher-- haven't been on a racetrack since the late '80s.

Lay out what you'd like to do with the buggy, and I'll see if I can't type a few more pages. :P

[Sal Khan]

I hear ya.

I'm probably going to stick strictly to middle of the road since I don't see myself racing anytime soon. I'm an avid (but novice) motorcycle track-dayer/racer and with the off season in full swing, I think this might temporarily fill the void.

I don't need nanosecond servos or recievers that can control the Space Shuttle Discovery. Just something reliable, rugged and with a good warranty (If that's still an issue - I went through 2 Novak Recievers on my Optima). I have a tendency to break nice things.

I live in Raleigh, NC and have Hungates Hobbies 4 miles from me. I'm going to try and head up there tonight just to see what they have doin'.

[Sal Khan]

Well I went to my local Hungates and they didn't have that much in the way of Buggies.... But the did have This:

http://www.cenracing.com/flashbody/ff073.jpg - Copy/Paste to work it seems.

http://www.cenracing.com/cars/ff/rally.html (Schlesser Model shown)

Heh... Not electric and not a TRUE buggy (is it?) but it seemed very nice for the price - $269 - with everything included. I'm guessing though I'll get everything I pay for huh?

[Dr_Isotope]

I'm not a big fan of gas cars-- many folks are, but I like the ease of electrics, where "plug and play" is quite literal. I'd be more inclined to look toward something like this:

http://www.duratrax.com/cars/dtxd13-vendetta/gallery/dtxd13-action-081.jpg
1/18 Vendetta (http://www.duratrax.com/cars/dtxd13-vendetta/dtxd13-index.html)

...and then throw about $150 into a brushless setup, and just go bashing. They pack an amazing amount of features into the minis-- If I didn't have so much invested into 10th scale, I'd have a 1/18 sedan and that AWD buggy (both on brushless) and I'd be a happy man. Just something to consider.

[Sal Khan]

Damnit....

Yeah I think I understand. Plus I've never dealt with gas so I'm not sure how it'll pan out.

Geezus... This is harder than buying a motorcycle. :D

[Ideal]

Get the new Kyosho Lazer ZX-5 4wd 1/10 buggy!
I just got one myself :)

[Ultima Pro XL]

I still have my Optima Mid SE and love it. You should also look at the new Kyosho Lazer ZX-5 if you liked your Optima. It has the Kyosho "feel" to it. It just came out and I got one the other day. It looks to be a nice car and the parts aren't that expensive for it compared to older Kyosho cars. My LHS has begun stocking Kyosho parts now that the parts have come down.

[RichieRich]

How much coin was the Lazer ZX-5? I am thinking about getting one too. It can hang out next to my turbo optima. :)

[Dr_Isotope]

Retails for $329, same as an XXX G+.

[Sal Khan]

Yeah I looked into the ZX-5 but for me just starting out (again) with no electronics - I wanted to keep it under $300 for EVERYTHING if possible. I mean who know I might end up getting sick of it and selling it a month later ya know?

It's still a toss up. I'm still waiting on an Ebay auction but I have a feeling that won't last. No one locally (within 15 miles) carries any good stuff anymore and I'd like to pick it up from some place that might have parts handy so I don't have to wait for them.

Maybe I WILL get the CEN Rally?

[Sal Khan]

Well... I made an impulse buy.

I went back to Hungates to look around again and the salesman there offered me $20 off the rally Fun factor and and gave me a 10% off on the 12 batteries for the remote (which, of course I needed. Not like I had any laying around - the remote that is) ;)

$355 for everything needed to have it on the road tonight or tomorrow and tax, title, tags.

Please don't hate me, oh ye' of electric faith. :D :)

[Dr_Isotope]

Under 300? Associated RC18T RTR ($169) or Duratrax Vendetta ($169), then a couple battery packs and a charger-- done and done. I'm wanting one more and more every day. :P RC18T Team for me, please.

[Sal Khan]

Under 300? Associated RC18T RTR ($169) or Duratrax Vendetta ($169), then a couple battery packs and a charger-- done and done. I'm wanting one more and more every day. :P RC18T Team for me, please.

Yeah I did think about that and I wanted to see it in person but no one had it! Just a quirk of mine I suppose. Plus Hungates has tons of parts in stock and if they don't, they have about a 2 day turn-around.

However, that Vendetta is quite inexpensive. Maybe if I get the itch that bad, I'll pick up one of those for my electric in spring?

Isotope (and everyone else!) thanks for your input! Granted I probably didn't go with something you'd recommend, you at least gave me some options!