your expert opinions please...

[Dr. R]

i assembled my first ever kit, TC3 racer, and have purchased a JR XR2 radio. i plan on getting everything else i need to get running this weekend:

batteries (+ charger)
motor
ESC (reversible)

since i am just starting out, i am looking for the combination of the three which will give me relatively long run times, some giddy-up and overall value (meaning i won't mess something up with my inexperience). my budget is decent right now, however i don't want to spend too much on the top of the line stuff.

thanks in advance for your help.

[combones]

Batteries: At least 2000 mah @ ~$40 each. 1500's are cheap, but 2000's and up are well worth the price.
Charger: Very good cheapo charger is the duratrax piranha @ $35.
Motor: P2K, MVP, GM3 @ $25-30, or machine wound modifieds such as peak stratos series (no speed gems)@~$30-35.
ESC: LRP F1 reverse series are small and very good, novak reactor is very good, rooster is good but large. Prices range from $60-90. ;)

[XXKlD]

what is the Jr website? my mom threw away my new issue of rcca, and i cant find my older ones.

[jeepinator]

Your mom did what !?
I'd slap her around for that one !


hahah, just kidding ... DON'T YOU DARE :eek:

[maxxxracer]

www.horizonhobby.com (http://www.horizonhobby.com)

[losifreak2004]

combones- What is wrong with the Speed Gems? I've heard nothing but good things about these motors, even had one for my first motor.

The Novak Rhino is also a great budget charger

[ZenLosi]

Speed Gems are fine. I've been running them for a long time, now. Not even one problem with them.

-Zen

[ATeam]

Doc, are you ever going to be racing? If you are keep in mind that reversing ESC's are not allowed in racing.

I also agree about the Novak Rhino, I have owned one and it was a great charger.

Have fun with your new TC3!

ATeam

[Crazy Canuck]

Get one of the Futaba escs they have reverse disable plus they're tiny and it fits perfectly in the tray thing on the TC3 with the JR reciever. what a coincidence my brother got a TC3 racer with the XR2

[bubblejunky]

The speed gems blaze at first, but quickly degrade in the performance category, especially the low turn motors, and will need to be turned on a lathe after relatively few runs. Plus, the plastic endbells are prone to melt on the low mods as well. Supposedly the peak stratos way outperforms the speed gems. :eek: The rhino charger has been discontinued. It is worth it to spend the extra money and get a hand wound mod if you really want performance that lasts. All esc's mentioned have reverse disable, so all are fine if you plan on racing. Do you really need reverse? Forward only esc's are usually smaller, lighter, and more efficient than their reversing brethren.

[Dr. R]

i wanna mess around and practice for a bit, get used to driving, so a reverse esc would be nice. if i do race, it won't be for awhile.

i can't wait to drive!

[HauntedMyst]

combones hit EXACTLY what I would recommend, in fact, its exactly what I have. Don't worry about racing rules, most clubs let you use a reversing esc with esc disabled (ours lets you use it enabled)

[JoeTheShmoe]

Another problem with the rhino is it is DC only, so unless you want to carry around a car battery........
:)