I hate to say it, but your right...I don't know about you, but I love build kits and actually learning about how its made and such instead of having to take it apart just to figure out how something is...

I do agree that 1/8 scale BL RTRs are coming...and eventually they will be part of the mainstream RC industry. However, I like building my own stuff like Sqee and many of the others here...half the fun is grinding stuff to size to make it work. For me the drop in/turn key kits (like those from RC Productions, Tekno RC, and Mikes CRT.5) are the happy medium. In all honesty I think these kits would appeal to a very large consumer base because they are a happy medium for people that don't have extensive tooling/resources at home. The extent of my tooling consists of a Dremel, drill press, solder station, heat gun, and a boat load of hand tools. One of the reasons I pestered Mike so hard about coming up with a universal battery tray for my CRT was so that I can make more conversions down the road...all I need to do is buy another tray and the applicable motor mount and I am ready to go build it. I am already planning to build an Ultra GTP or DM One

Speaking of tooling resources...as I so notably mentioned in another thread...I really would be grateful if Santa would drop off a CNC machine for me...which one to ask for...hmmm:lol:

Average Joe.
 

I do believe for the average Joe it is a little intimidating to just jump right in with a build project. Most people don't have the natural mechanical ability to be able to do that off the cuff. So that is why the RTR out of the box sells so well. A lot of the guys in the RC hobbie now started with an RTR and learned from there. Some are born with the God given gift that makes build projects so much fun just to create works of art on their own, but that is just not the norm. It is obvious to see that there are a few people on here that love the builds almost as much as the driving, if not more. I love some of the creative parts that Mike comes up with, but I would not want him to build my trucks. I am sure that he would do a great job, but my, truck my build. Most of the people who would want an capable RTR probably won't want to spend the kind of cash it will take to purchase a pro racer type of vehicle that includes parts and labor. It is just unrealistic knowing how cheap most American's are. We want it cheap and fast.:lol:

I think for most people there is also a mindset that prevents them from plunking down big cash for a complete "system". Not just in r/c but everything. Like a home entertainment system... you start with a TV... then add a DVD player, then receiver and speakers, then a gaming system to play on it. Then you start upgrading the stuff you skimped on the first time around, lol. Most of us don't just go buy the whole mess at once, cause it "costs too much". he he

It's funny... but it's much easier to "fool yourself" and buy a 1/8 car... then order a motor/esc... then get the required mounts etc... then once it's up and running you finally drop the $$ for lipos...etc. Because otherwise you can't justify spending so much for a r/c car. LOL

Correctamundo.
 

You are so right on the money glassdoctor. I am sure that most of us can look back at what we have spent to date, and realize that if we had any idea that we were going to spend that much we would have found something cheaper. I know if we had told our significant others that we were going to be spending $5k or more a year on an RC hobby some of us would have been kicked to the curb:diablo:. I saw the realization up front and knew that I would have to spend a little bit each month to get to where I want to be:whistle:. I am still working on that now. The hard part is knowing each month that I have to wait a little big longer to get the next shopping cart full of RC gear because I want to keep the spending under control and not use any credit to get there. I pay as I go, and so the finish line is paced out for months and even years for the dreams that I have. That is a huge commitment, and too much of a commitment for people with other requirements on them.:lol:

Lets put it this way. I HATE RTR's, and I think every car should be a kit. The only time I've bought rtr's is when no kit is available for the product I want.

My first ever rc (real hobby one) was a T4 team kit. Learned everything about that truck and didn't need the instruction manual after building it. The rtr newbies come on asking what a dog bone is etc., it's just ridiculous and 1/8th scale convo's are the only non rtr infested part of r/c left. I just don't want to loose that.

If i lived in NY, I'd apply for a job as an assembler

I agree with you half way. I also love kits and would never ever even think about buying a RTR in the present time because for me, building them is half the fun. However, I think having RTR's available makes it easier and less intimidating for new comers into the hobby. For example, when I first started this hobby, my first rc car was a RTR rustler. I didn't even know what a turnbuckle was, slipperclutch or anything was. After i became a little more knowledgeable on rc cars though, I was able to fix them on my own, and upgrade and install parts on my own. Granted, I was at a very young age.

But having people start with a RTR mainly gets you interested into rc cars, and then later, you will realize how much fun it is to build them and customize them.

See, but if building is half the fun (I think it's a higher percent ;)), then why only have them experience half the fun? Plus, rtr's usually use cheaper parts and they break easier or aren't as good of performers which most likely DISCOURAGES newcommers.

I dunno, I'm on the extreme end of one side.

JMO though, and I respect everyone else's.

Me too...I love building and I have bought one RTR and will NEVER buy another.

However, a lot of folks don't want to hassle of building. Just a couple of examples: young people and older professional types...

Some of my buddies want into the hobby, but they simply cannot afford to invest their most valuable resource--TIME--into building a "toy" (because for them it is a "toy" that puts a smile on their face). They spend time managing work-related business-period. In fact a couple of my buddies have asked me to build them an RTR...but my time in the hobby is also very limited.

Young people...although many are a heck of a lot brighter than me on the topic of RC...the overwhealming majority aren't yet prepared or funded to take on a sophistcated custom RC build. Some of my trucks are close to $3K+!!!!!

And then there is Joe Average...which has already been addressed.

You see, there are a lot of "special needs" in this hobby...and if one vendor doesn't fill those needs...another vendor will.
:smile:

Well, against the young, I was 11 or 10 and had no parental help, just a few birthdays of saving. I'd hardly call a T4 team kit with middle of the way gear a stretch for a youngun. Your looking at maybe, 300. And if the parents see how educational it is, they may be willing to help.

You are 100% correct...and obviously an exceptional specimen of a human being. We could only be so lucky if there were more like you among us...no BS in that statement. To that end that is why my two girls (6 and 8 yrs old) already have their own RC cars (build kits). Yeah I built them...but they charge and clean them....if they want new ones they will build them.

I did exactly what Supra did. I was in 5th grade (now in 12th) when I got my first RC and I built almost all of it. Paid for all of it as well. I spend more like $1200 though (sold my go-cart not long before). For some reason my dad suggested I get the best my first time around. Guess he figured I'd stick with it...

I got my first rc car when I was about 8 or 9 years old. It was a stock RTR Rustler, however being who I am and always wanting to know how things work... I took it apart after 2 runs, and rebuilt everything.

squee - my dad taught me to do the same thing... "Buy the best and cry only once." :smile: