New to RC Looking to spend $700

[IMMERSIVE]

Well this is the deal. I am very new to the RC world and I am still even debuting on getting a helicopter or an RC car. Seems at the moment I am leaning more towards the car arena due to the fact I am not a wealthy guy and can't afford to repair a helicopter I may manage to crash into a thousand pieces.

Since I am leaning towards the car arena I was wondering what you all belive I should start out with. I have about $700.00 to start off with. Ya this is going to heart to spend that much but I love having the best to start out with.

Keep in mind that $700.00 must supply everything I need to get started with the hobby including my first few bottles of fuel if I end up getting a nitro.

Ok well this is what I am shooting for so far. I would like to be able to use it for off-road, bashing, and maybe racing if I find something in or around my area.

Seems I am not to interested in a buggy but the truggy I am very interested in since what I am getting so far is that would be the best if I do by chance get into racing.

So far I have only really looked at the Revo 3.3 it seems to be the most popular or at least easiest to find on the web at the moment lol. I am also very interested in the Hot-Bodies Stadium trucks but I don't seem to be able to find prices for them. So I guess what I am shooting for so far is the revo 3.3 or a http://www.hotbodiesonline.com stadium truck just dont know if I should be looking for the 1/8 or the 1/10 version.

Ok time for the questions.

1. What do you all think about the Revo 3.3 and the hot-bodies STs?

2. Will I be able to get the Revo and have everything I need to run it for a little with $700.00?

3. Is the Revo a Truggy, ST, or something else? Haven't been able to figure that out yet.

4. Am I going in the complete wrong direction? Should I be looking into something else?

5. Is it easy to burn up a nitro ride? And how many hours dose a nitro or electric motor last?

6. Also what are some really good websites to check out. And if you suggest a ride will you please link a website with in depth pictures kind of like http://www.hotbodiesonline.com dose.

Think you all in advance.

P.S Yes $700.00 for a first time noob to RCs.

[Eli the rc guy]

Mmm... Personally I WOULDNT lean towards the Revo.. Traxxas has a very sketchy history around here. There is 2 complete and toatle opposite opinions around here about quality... Personally I like HPI's savages, but a lot of people are going to say to go with truggys now adays instead of monster trucks. All up to you. 2. Yeah you could but it wouldnt last long cus to start a brand new motor ( nitro) you go threw a lot of nitro to "prep" it to max and make sure its running right. 3 I think its a truggy, some people class it as monster truck.. 4. I warn you now starting with nitro is tougher then starting electric simply because there is more things to go wrong, but once you got it straight its awesome! 5. Depends on what size engine you are using and how big the fuel tank is, aslo how agressive u drive... i think its about 30 mins/ tank... Best site I know. Towerhobbies.com

[b3guyRC10]

I used to be into R/C quite heavily, did a lot of racing and at one point even had a bunch of sponsors. While land based R/C's are fun at first, they can get quite limiting after a while. I'll be turning 22 later this month but last summer I bought a T-Rex 450SE helicopter and my god is that thing fun. Last summer while practicing some 3d stuff, I plowed it into the ground at full speed. Cost me $40 in parts to get it back up and running like new. If I were you I would seriously consider the T-Rex 450SE V2. It costs a bit more but with the aluminum head, you will be hard pressed to break it.

[IMMERSIVE]

Think you very much for your reply. I know that was a long post lol. Oh and I just seen the Xray XT8 and wow I like that one alot. Seems it is a little out of my price range though.

I love working on stuff so I think I will go with the nitro. Seems I could have more fun with that then electric.

Here is the photos I just seen of the Xray XT8. Looks like so much fun to build.
http://www.rc-junkies.nl/gallery3/thumbnails.php?album=14

[IMMERSIVE]

Just seen your post B3 thanx for the reply I will look into that.

[Mammoth Racer]

1.around here revos are doing great and hotbodies are decent
2.you may come close to spending $700+ on the revo 3.3 there expensive trucks, but very durable around here
3.the revo is a monster truck like the t-maxx, its shocks are just in a different position than most rc's
4.some people i saw switching to the revos seem to be doing a lot better than they did with their previous rc's
5.as long as you break in the nitro as described in the manual, it should last at least 8 gallons just get 20% nitro gas my t-maxx lasted 9 1/2 gallons off 33% which would have ran longer if i had used 20% at the time
6.http://www.hobbytron.com/RCTrucks.html

if you looking towards stadium trucks i race a 1/8 scale mammoth st http://www.hobbytron.com/XTMRCNitroMammothSTRTRStadiumTruckPackageDeal.html great fast truck with a great price, comes with everything you need. also 4 wheel drive.i can help you out a lot with the mammoth st

if you want a 1/10 stadium truck i suggest the xtm x-cellerator http://www.hobbytron.com/XTM-X-Cellerator-1-10-Nitro-Stadium-Race-Truck-RTR.HTMLthis also comes with everything you need

the associated rc10gt looks pretty decent too, it just needs more grip on the rear tires

ps the 1/10 scale stadium trucks are rear wheel drive, harder to control

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

Ha race cars nothing elts good chassi is the xray t2r I have and it awsome it runs near 200.00 kit but its worth it

[SerpentCT4S]

Mmm... Personally I WOULDNT lean towards the Revo.. Traxxas has a very sketchy history around here. There is 2 complete and toatle opposite opinions around here about quality... Personally I like HPI's savages, but a lot of people are going to say to go with truggys now adays instead of monster trucks. All up to you. 2. Yeah you could but it wouldnt last long cus to start a brand new motor ( nitro) you go threw a lot of nitro to "prep" it to max and make sure its running right. 3 I think its a truggy, some people class it as monster truck.. 4. I warn you now starting with nitro is tougher then starting electric simply because there is more things to go wrong, but once you got it straight its awesome! 5. Depends on what size engine you are using and how big the fuel tank is, aslo how agressive u drive... i think its about 30 mins/ tank... Best site I know. Towerhobbies.com

Since when are Revo's no good? Isnt the Revo a 6 time national champ?

I think Traxxas is excellent! I own a Revo, 2 Jatos and a 4Tec. I would get a Revo if I were you. I had 2 Savages in the past and I sold them. I had a 25, sold it and then bought a X, then sold that. I always came back to the Revo. The Savage didnt impress me much, however the new Savage looks nice.

[IMMERSIVE]

Think you all for your replies and I am still interested in seeing more.

After seeing the last post a few thoughts popped into my head. Nitro still seems like the way I would like to go but man 8 gallons seems like alot for such a small engine but I think I need to look up the price on replacement engines. Also can you just rebuild a nitro? Or do you have to replace the engine after about 8 gallons? If not replace entire engine what do you replace? How long do electrics last?

Sorry for all the questions lol. I have already learned alot just by looking into all the suggestions I have received so far.

Also about the T-Rex 450SE V2. I have been able to find kits for it for around $500 but what else do I need to be able to fly? Seems all the kits I have found are missing the transmitter. Also I have not been able to find information on what else is needed for it. How much total will I need to spend to get it up and running? Also what do you think about this helicopter? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE05W1uegaU Found the kit for around $470. I really like the T-Rex 450 and if I can not afford it I will more then likely stick with a car.

Side note: For a heli electric looks like the way to go.

1. How long dose a T-Rex last on one battery?
2. How long dose say the Revo last on one tank of gas?
3. How long dose an electric RC car last on one battery?

Sorry lol so many questions keep popping up. Don't feel like you have to answer them all I know I can prob find most if I look online a little bit more. So this is just my new Note pad for now until I make my purchase.:D

[IMMERSIVE]

Since when are Revo's no good? Isnt the Revo a 6 time national champ?

I think Traxxas is excellent! I own a Revo, 2 Jatos and a 4Tec. I would get a Revo if I were you. I had 2 Savages in the past and I sold them. I had a 25, sold it and then bought a X, then sold that. I always came back to the Revo. The Savage didnt impress me much, however the new Savage looks nice.


I see opinions are strong in the RC world. Nice to have it also fuels competition. May make my decisions a little harder though lol.

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

Ha get into car racing like I said the xray t2r is 200.00 but it dazent have rador,servos,wheel,moter, body and I think that's it. Ps charger and lipo battlerys not in qulded.

[chilledoutuk]

Dont discount electric because you want more maintenance whilst yes you wont have to mess about with the motor much at all the torque of brushless RC will likely give you plenty to do with rebuilding the transmission and other drivetrain parts.

with regards to the helicopter person i think that flying free in an open space can be boring with the only excitement seeing how crazy you can fly without crashing.
What i mean is that if your a good heli pilot and there is little wind you will know what to expect the heli to and never really have to react to unexpected changes in direction.
With rc cars even on what seems like flat tarmac your having to make corrections all the time as you drive on the limits of your traction.
Driving offroad can be more unpredictable requiring your constant attention and reactions.
Add to this the redicouls power brushless powered rc cars have now and its a bit like trying to ride a wild mustang when you throw caution to the wind WOT a brushless rc
A once predictable rc under the power of a 12 double becomes an unguided missile once you have stuck a mamba max 5700 on 3s lipo in there.
Just driving it flat out in limited spaces is a skill in itself and very entertaining and you feel a sense of achievement if you have a bashing session where you drive like your demented and still not crash.

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

Ya what he's saying or she ^

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

It depends how long a electric cars last batterys are a big point in electric cars like I say the bigger the battery the longer it last and I ges it the motor to when the motor is shot it will make the battery not last as long. Go with the electri cars there more fun off road trucks are made to go off big jumps like 30feet not to race and electri cars are made to go fast like 40 to 80 even more mph I say if u like to clean your truck ever time u race go with off road racing but if u like the high speed racing then go with the electri car. Ps dose any one no a good power supply for a ice charger under 40.00 and no I don't want a pc power supply.

[Mammoth Racer]

i dont know much about the electrics other than some batteries dont last as long as a tank of gas depends on what size of battery you get

depending how you tune a nitro rc i would say most of them like the revo, t-maxx, hotbodies, mammoth st, and x-celerator just to name a few will last about 10 to 15 min also depending on the size of your engine.

youd be spending a lot less money on gas with a 1/10 stadium truck than the revo, t-maxx, and mammoth st, but stadium trucks are a lot more fragile and you cannot take as big of jumps as the revo, t-maxx, and mammoth can. 1/10 stadium trucks are pretty hard to gain control of right away since they are rear wheel drive.

if you want a stadium truck i would steer you towards the mammoth st, ofna jammin, or hotbodies.
~the mammoth st is bigger and cheaper than the rest but its just as fast and durable. putting lighter tires/wheels on it will make the mammoth st improve dramatically.
~jammin have great engines in them as well as the xtm mammoth st and hotbodies but there set up more to race then to bash/mess around with.
~there arent too many hotbodies in my area, and they always seem to finish in mid pack. they dont seem to suprise me and others as much as the jammin and mammoth st do.

~electrics may be fun for a while but they cannot do as much as a nitro can, and they dont seem to suprise as many people either, they are really quiet where i would rather hear a roaring engine then the weird noise electrics make, and they might get boring within a year or two

i hope i helped you out a little more

[ElectricThunder]

i dont know much about the electrics other than some batteries dont last as long as a tank of gas depends on what size of battery you get

Depends entirely on the capacity of the battery and the setup you're running. A mild mod motor with a pack of IB4200s can probably run for about 20 minutes or so, and that's a brushed setup; not near as efficient as brushless. I have run for about 20 minutes or so on my old IB4200s with a Mamba Max 5700 combo geared agressively in a heavy Rustler. With lithium batteries of much higher capacities, it is not uncommon to see 30 minutes to an hour of runtime on a single charge. I personally get bored after 20 minutes with any RC; whether it be nitro or electric.

~electrics may be fun for a while but they cannot do as much as a nitro can, and they dont seem to suprise as many people either, they are really quiet where i would rather hear a roaring engine then the weird noise electrics make, and they might get boring within a year or two

What do you mean they cannot do as much as a nitro? It rolls along on the ground; that's about what most RC land vehicles do.:)

(I have suprised many people with my trucks/cars, AND I can run them at 1 a.m. without getting my neighbors angry....lol!):p

[MR4X4KING]

check this out
scroll down to reply 3 for pics
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=246471

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

Lol.... I did that before a runed my nitro rustler had the cops all over me.

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

I wish I have a card reader so I can show u my car but all gev u the detals is white and black paint job white and black decals that say xray t2 I have t2r but that's gust the down grade from the t2.

[IMMERSIVE]

Well with all the help and input you guys have gave me I believe I am going to stick with nitro and a land RC no heli for me. Still not sure about what one to get though. I really love the Xray XT8 but man that is way to expensive I thank. I like the Revo so maybe I will start off with that one. Not sure at the moment I think I will do alot more research before dumping so much cash into something. Maybe by the time I decide to get something I will have more cash anyway lol.

[Eli the rc guy]

Since when are Revo's no good? Isnt the Revo a 6 time national champ?

I think Traxxas is excellent! I own a Revo, 2 Jatos and a 4Tec. I would get a Revo if I were you. I had 2 Savages in the past and I sold them. I had a 25, sold it and then bought a X, then sold that. I always came back to the Revo. The Savage didnt impress me much, however the new Savage looks nice.


See, this is what i mean. Looots of people love Traxxas, lot of people hate it like dog poop on their grass.. I don't have any beef with traxxes so I never said they were bad. It is just because I have herd some horror stories. I guess I'm just more familiarize with HPI. Completely up to the buyer. Some of the reasons I just recommended the Savage is because they have a great rep for being tough, and I think that is important for beginners. I'm not saying traxxes is bad in anyway, I know lot of people love their trucks. So... Never qoute me saying traxxes sucks cus I never said that ^_^ Associated MGT may also be a option.. A lil expensive though on your budget =T

[ElectricThunder]

Well with all the help and input you guys have gave me I believe I am going to stick with nitro and a land RC no heli for me. Still not sure about what one to get though. I really love the Xray XT8 but man that is way to expensive I thank. I like the Revo so maybe I will start off with that one. Not sure at the moment I think I will do alot more research before dumping so much cash into something. Maybe by the time I decide to get something I will have more cash anyway lol.

The REVO looks like a good choice IMO. Traxxas has got beefy RCs, so it should be a good first truck, and definitely has potential to race (the aftermarket is good for most traxxas vehicles; especially the E/T Maxx, and the REVO should be no different).

You'll have around 200 bucks left over if you get the REVO, so that can go towards tools, spare glow plugs, some fuel, and maybe some goodies for the truck itself.

[I8A4RE]

Main thing is what do other ppl around you run. No matter what you buy, if you got no one to run it with you'll get bored with it eventually. Bashing is only fun for so long.

Look for local tracks. See what classes they run. If they are indoor, outdoor, onroad, offroad, 1/12, 1/10, 1/8, etc. The more people you have you can run with the better.

But if your going to stick to neighborhood stuff the Revo is a solid choice. The Jato can be pretty fun to. For road action the Inferno GT is a great starter.

[IMMERSIVE]

Ya I8A I figured I would look around this saturday to see whats going on in my area. I looked up on the web about Abilene RC and from what I get online I think the track they use to have here has shut down. Not sure though Ill do more research this weekend.