New member looking for a head start
 

Hi, My name is mike and I am new to the RC-monster forums. I m a very good friend of ben(brushlessboy16) and he got me hooked into RC. After seeing what his truck can do, I really wanna start an RC hobby. I've had an xmod, but ben's truck puts it to shame. I want to get an electric car, but I don't know where to start. Can anybody offer some advice for what to get as a starter, or better yet, does anybody have some old equipment from when they started out?

What what size rc are you after and what type? 1/10? 1/8? Truck? Buggy?
If you are after 1/10 and just wanting to start off in the brushless world you could look at the Traxxas VXL lineup (Bandit, Stampede, Rustler) or look at the E-REVO and convert it to brushless. Also, what is your budget? Are you wanting to run Lipo batteries?

If I was just starting out, I'd get a rustler and put a sidewinder 4600 system in it. Maybe go with 3s lipo or 9 cell nimh. I've owned about 6 rustlers sofar, and they are very, very tough. You could also get a rustler VXL. I personally hate the esc, so that's why I didn't suggest it. Get new rear tyres though. They suck.

Welcome!!! I would also suggesting starting out w/ a 10 scale truck...such as a rustler or an associated

Rustler is a good choice, and the vxl is the best for a newb. Stock gearing with 3s should be all you will ever want! I would go with a pede, more fun IMO!

Finally mike, only after about a week of waiting for your account to be activated.. :D

Im talking to him on AIM, he just wants SOMETHING

he doesnt have funding for Bl and lipo at the moment, so that really limits it..

So then narrow it down to either on road or off road. If Off road, go with a used XL-5 Stampede (I agree with Linc - more fun, and runs good on dirt). If onroad, then run a Rustler or an RC-10. All three of these should be able to had for around 100 used.

If you want to step it up a little and go 4WD, find a used stock E-Maxx - should be able to find one for under 200, or one of those E-Savage. Batteries and the charger will cost you double what you'd spend on one of the others.

Personally, my hopped up Stampede was one of the funnest trucks I ever drove (until I converted my Revo!).

Welcome
 

Hey Mike welcome to the RCM gang. Just starting out can be challening for sure. If money is an issue, then something simple up front will have to do. I would suggest purchsing an RTR kit that has everything that you need to get out and have some fun like the E-Savage, E-Revo, or E-Maxx. If you don't have the $$$ then make sure you print up the vehicles you like and give the print out to your family for your birthday and Xmas list.

Once you learn the basics, then you can think about either upgrading your first R/C or even building your first project from scratch. Either way you will get hooked quickly and before you know it all of your money will be used to purchase hop ups or LIpo batteries. Good luck and have some fun.

The problem with the monster trucks is that you need 2 batteries to power them. If you are wanting a mt, best bet would probably be the stampede. Tower Hobbies have lowered the price on the XL5 vehicles.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...P?FVSEARCH=xl5

wow when did the XL-5s get a new body, i think they are lowering the price becasue of the updated models of them coming out (prolly with the better servo and water proof xl-5).........maybe tower isnt supposed to have this picture up?
http://www2.gpmd.com/imagel/t/ltrac14.jpg

What about the HPI E-Firestorm Brushless?

150 for a pede! That is a great deal. I bet I paid almost that for the old xl1 pede (my first hobby grade r/c) a few years back! Get that a a few decent (not venom) nimh packs and a peak charger and you will be set. See what you can find used on the charger, should be able to pick up a phrophet plus for 20 bucks, and maybe the same for some decent nimhs...

What's wrong with Venom packs?

Dont buy a Pede, its a gateway drug, that was my 1st brushless truck and ran it on nimh 7cells, sick fast at that, decided to try a 3s lipo :surprised: I now own 9 or 10 trucks that run a good 15+ if I fixed some. Just say no

They suck and are overpriced. At least get some ib cells or the ep cells that cheapbatterypacks sells. No need to go way over 4000mah, the 3600-3700 cells are cheaper...

1st for you too!!! HAHA. It started my r/c fetish. I have owned over 110 r/c so far, and must have at least 40 at any one point...

I think that most people that have been into the hobby have at least owned 1 Traxxas Vehicle. I have owned 2 x Stampedes, 1 x REVO 2.5R & 1 Bandit

Yeah, its weird as in Australia they sell for the same amount on how much they sell for in America which is the only reason why I have been buying them for the last 4 years as they are cheap in Australia. Have you tried the Protek NIMH batteries?

I made a pede flm'ed out with c/f holeshot chassis, still has a vxl but i think ill throw the MM in it, its extended with a bunch of over priced stuff only a n00b would buy, god I love that truck. Think he imex tires make it, swet slides and no flipping. Let my nephew have the stocker, new addict, wants me to teach him how to use the lipo charger (14) I dunno about that.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...flmpede039.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...flmpede032.jpg

Sorry if I made it a me me me thread, but just wanted to share, really geta Pede, you will smoke Bens truck and he will get all pissed, get a 9 cell nimh if you dont want to hit lipo yet, he will watch you drift away, but in all honesty its nearly too much

PS dont get a maxamps, it puffs up huge after every run now LOL

Only thing you really need to change on the Pede is aluminum shock caps and a decent servo

You could also be one of the 1st and try out the Losi High Roller

http://www.losi.com/ProdInfo/Gallery/LOSB0103-gal5.jpg

and an RPM bumper id go for as manditory, that or alot of steering knuckles, best thing about the stock truck is you can demolish it at 65mph and it only costs $20 to put it back together (odd factors not accounted)

thats where I wanted to push him, it looks cool, but its brushed and untested by fellows here. But it just looks sweet

Only Problem.
 

That is the only problem if he goes with that truck who will he go to for help when problems arrise. If you go with the unknown you may have a great time with it, but if you have a problem no one here knows that truck. It looks nice though. I like the idea of starting with the Pede, or the JATO for a first vehicle. Whatever way you go have some fun and don't get too stressed out about owning the biggest or the fastest vehicle. There is always someone faster anyway. Good luck with your choices.

It kinda depends on what the primary use is (and will be). For track, a buggy. They simply handle the best, are durable as hell, proven design, and 4WD is really nice.

For general bashing, I'd have to say the Pede as well. I technically don't have one as it is my son's, but I like taking his out and running around with it. Small, light, parts availability is good, tons of upgrades available for it, and seems to take a beating quite well. Even mostly stock (older one upgraded to a XL-5 and 12T Titan) on 6 cells it is fun. 7 cells is better. For pure speed, upgrading to BL is the way to go.

:lol:


Maxpuffs are horrible..

dont think he want LIPO, knowing him he would over charge it on purpose and just watch the resulting explosion...

This is the same mike that licked a LI-PO cell and got a suprise:whistle:

+1 for a Pede/Rustler = Should be able to get something going for under $100.

hey, thanks for the quick replies! I'm looking for anything off road thats for cheap, since i gotta pay an $800 phone bill(thank you, nextel), so if i could take someone's starter truck off their hands for them that would be great.

idk if that was a typo or not, but Traxxas makes the stampede and rustler

Stampede is a taller truck, higher COG, wors turning but more wheelies

rustler is lower, better turning, and better top end

You mean Rustler, not JATO. Wouldn't mind watching a newbie try out a JATO 3.3R as a 1st car :lol:

You could also look at a Rustler with Stampede wheels if you don't want a Stampede for being to high

http://i34.tinypic.com/2lx9qoi.jpg

Since you want off road go pede for sure. I sold my hopped up one and wish I had just kept it stock. I never had as much fun with my full FLM/Mamba pede as I did with the stock XL5 version. At those prices, I will buy another XL5 again.

OK, i after looking around, I think I will start out with a stampede... anybody have one they dont want? im tight on cash and dont wanna start buying new

First what is your budget for everything? Batteries, Truck, Charger

You can also check ebay for deals on them. Since they are selling for 145 new, you should be able to pick up a decent used XL5 Pede for 80-100. For the charger and batteries I would budget another 100.

Search your local craigslist also - I usually search using "RC", and it pretty much always gets all the rc stuff.

well

145-truck
35 - superbrain 820 charger
40 - good quality stick pack in the 3800-4200mah range.
your only looking at 220 for a complete NEW setup thats pretty hard to beat for a hobby grade RC. and you wont beable to break a pede, they are bullet proof with the stock stuff and is really a good start, because youll enjoy it alot more at first because you can just drive the hell out of it and then later on you can upgrade the pede or too a different car.....

id buy new for your first car because usually peoples first cars get beat on pretty hard and there isnt no telling what someone did a beater truck like a pede before you get it....

pretty sure he just wants something. hes tight on cash to get new/

heck if he could find someone who has an old stick pack laying around he could use he'd only be out 180 for a new truck and charger....

If he's too tight now may just not be the time. It's always better to wait a little longer a save of for something good than to settle and be disappointed.

true true, I have been lookin around for a while on CL and ebay, havent found much of a deal tho... is anybody willing to sell anything they have? i have like $75 at the moment... all the rest of my money is being sucked away by nextel