Typical Beginner Quesitons

[buurin]

Hey I am new to RC Cars... I've built an RC Sailplane(Gentle Lady, no engine) so i am familiar with the basic building techniques(with wood at least), electronics, and such but my 'expertise' ends there...

I live in the Seattle area and there are some nice indoor tracks here so I've concluded I want an electric on-road... 1/10 scale in kit form. I chose the scale only because that seems to be the standard at the local tracks. (ps i want to get into racing)

My question is, what do I look for in my first vehicle... I drive a ford focus and wanted to get an rc to match but the ford focus kit i've seen looks really cheap :( it's got a plastic 'tub' chasis.. is this no good? it doesnt look good.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFSG5&P=0

I dont want to spend more than $200 on the kit...

So ultimately what are the characteristics I should be concerned with and what can i disregard when buying a beginner rc model?

chasis type?
engine type?
shocks?
etc...

Also i am curious how many hours a typical beginner puts in to building their first model.

Thanks a lot and I apologize if my question is already answered on the forums... i tried to search but didnt see any FAQs or STICKYs

Barron

[MrB1973]

Barron, I would run down and pick up a copy of the latest RCCA. They have an entire article dedicated to getting started. I think in there they mention approximately 5 hours to build your first kit. Not sure how realistic that is as I have never done it myself.

[702nitro]

Hey I am new to RC Cars... I've built an RC Sailplane(Gentle Lady, no engine) so i am familiar with the basic building techniques(with wood at least), electronics, and such but my 'expertise' ends there...

I live in the Seattle area and there are some nice indoor tracks here so I've concluded I want an electric on-road... 1/10 scale in kit form. I chose the scale only because that seems to be the standard at the local tracks. (ps i want to get into racing)

My question is, what do I look for in my first vehicle... I drive a ford focus and wanted to get an rc to match but the ford focus kit i've seen looks really cheap :( it's got a plastic 'tub' chasis.. is this no good? it doesnt look good.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFSG5&P=0

I dont want to spend more than $200 on the kit...

So ultimately what are the characteristics I should be concerned with and what can i disregard when buying a beginner rc model?

chasis type?
engine type?
shocks?
etc...

Also i am curious how many hours a typical beginner puts in to building their first model.

Thanks a lot and I apologize if my question is already answered on the forums... i tried to search but didnt see any FAQs or STICKYs

Barron

To be honest, if you just want to get your feet wet before you swim, I think the low priced Tamiya R/C car lineup is a very good way to get into the hobby. The model your talking about is probably a little bit more on the low-end, but if you want to get a pretty good car, with R/C Racing caliber features, i'd look into getting a Tamiya TA-05, which is under $200.

It's a wonderful car:
1) Symetrical Belt driven Drivetrain
2) Motor mount location in middle for more precise balance.
3) Adjustable camber, toe in&out.
4) Light in weight & very low center of gravity.

[4DMNYC]

I've posted this a couple of times. It may help you out a bit.

http://www.easyrc.com/

If your serious about getting into racing your gonna have to spend more than 200 beans. Your also going to have to buy a better car than that Tamyia one you picked out. Don't worry about the build. If you can build an rc boat out of wood than you'll have no problem with one of the better rc cars. I have a feeling your pretty machanicly inclined. Just have patience during the build and follow the instructions.

One of these will be much better...
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKVY8&P=ML
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHZB9&P=ML
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHAT2&P=7
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKSG3&P=7
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEAV4&P=7
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKSB0&P=7

Those are the most popular electric on road rc's you'll find on a track.
The low priced tamyia cars are great to get you going. But if you wanna be competetive, your gonna need something better.

[Silent Scope]

id get a TC3.. you cant go wrong with Associated products..

[buurin]

Thanks for all the replies..

I was thinking of taking your advice and going with :
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKSG3&P=7

Could i throw a focus body on it? And if so where could i get just the body? All I see if the focus in kit form.

Also what is the accepted radio type for a beginner..

What is the 3rd channel for (Throttle via MSC/ESC, 'direction', and what else)

And I assume FM is the way to go? Any specific suggestions?


Thanks again.

[supernitro_guy1]

The FM is defently better than AM radios, you dont have to worry about glitvhing and several issues with AM radios, defenelty a Plus. As far as the kit, yes thats an excellent one, since its a kit, you will need to buy whatever is required, some kits require all electronics, including motor, some require wheels and tires, and even a body. The ford focus can be found by itself easily, just make sure its the right size (190mm or 200mm), your car manual will tell you which one it is you have, www.HPIracing.com will most likely have a focus body for you, if not try searching Hot bodies, or proline. Good luck with your buy, but I do want to say somehting else...

building is a great experience as far as knowing you Rc car better and its quite fun if thats what you're into, BUT, you being a begginer, Im not sure if a racing kit is the way to start unless you are mechanically inclined and have good understanding for these things. If I was you, I would just take a look at the Associated TC3 RTR or TC4 RTR. both these cars are the best starters out there and can be raced out of the box, when you get some experience, you can drop just about anything in there and have an incredible car. The handling is owesome, and there are millions of upgrades out there made for them, just my opinion. oh yeah and you can also put that new shiny focus body on them :D

I hope I helped you.

J

[buurin]

Can i use an HPI body on one of these?

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKSG3&P=7

It claims I can only use Tamiya bodies in the specs... and it is 183mm wide as opposed to 190mm or 200mm.

Also what is the 3rd channel on a radio for? throttle, direction, and ... ???

[tadium54]

the 3rd channel is used for mixing, shifting or reversing a servo, etc. you won't need it for your car

[novakman5800]

You can use the 190 size bodies, there will be some overhang but not much. My first touring car I went with was the Traxxas 4tec. Not the greatest but it is a very tough car, and runs well.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJJG1**&P=0

comes with ********** cept AA batteries, 6cell battery pack and battery charger.