stick or side-by-side batteries?

[SpidarX]

I've always used stick packs in my rc's, but I've recently gotten back into rc's and I've noticed that a lot of the better drivers are using batteries that are constructed in a side-by-side fashion. What's the reason for this? I assume it's better in some way. Also, I've recently picked up a gp3300 stick pack from radio shack, and saw where someone said that they reassembled it into a side-by-side fashion. Is this something I also need to look into?

[4W Guy]

I've always used stick packs in my rc's, but I've recently gotten back into rc's and I've noticed that a lot of the better drivers are using batteries that are constructed in a side-by-side fashion. What's the reason for this? I assume it's better in some way. Also, I've recently picked up a gp3300 stick pack from radio shack, and saw where someone said that they reassembled it into a side-by-side fashion. Is this something I also need to look into?

After discharging, side-by-side packs can be put on a discharge/equalize tray. These trays finish the discharge by doing each cell individually. The leads to a better charge for the next charge.

Yes you can reassemble stick packs to side-by-sides. Not hard, just tedious unless you are good at soldering.

[bensb4]

if your a hardcore racer then thats who you are seeing use side by sides.i just bash and use sticks.once and now and then ill take 1 stick and side by side it just to have 1 real great pack.the bars on used to connect the side by sides offer less resistance and heat compared to a sticks small thin foil like connection.
if your just bashing stick with stix as you may hit a puddle (we all eventually do)and the stick is shrink wrapped so its protected.the side by side if you aint careful might get shorted out.

[highroller]

Most stick picks use inexpensive braid usually a piece of thin zinc, that's either pressed on or tack welded to form the connections, wire is usually 16guage and connectors are usually Tamiya. While this helps keep the cost down, the materials are high in electrical resistance, plus the added shrink, covering traps in heat.
So by using a good battery braid or bar, using good connectors (Deans or Sermos), wire like 14-12guage you reduce resistance , and will notice more speed is most cases.
The biggest advantage is being able to test the individual cells, to find out their condition. Cells can still be equalize (balancing the voltage) by using a pack equalizer, fine but not as good as balancing the voltage of each cell. Really it's not necessary if you are just bashing but to maintain go results it does help even for bashing to somehow remove as much voltage as possible.