beginner needs 1/8 nitro buggy info.

[chllnSI]

Some brief questions:

1. Why do some prefer elec over nitro for beginners?

2. What's best option for 1/8 nitro buggy and stay at or under aprox. $500?

3. What are servos?

4. Feel free to talk about other options but what about the Thunder Tiger EB4 and the Kyosho MP 7.5 Sport? Is there anything better for the price?

please help. thanks.

[B2//UK]

Hi chllnSI, new to this as well so can't get too technical...

I bought a Thunder Tiger EB4 S2 RTR kit just resently and find it great fun! I knew i wanted nitro so I never considered Elec, have a feeling Nitro may take a bit more maintenance?? (have to ask the other guys)

Servos are small motors that control the Steering, braking and accelerating.
I think some have metal gears and are of a highter torque for the BIG trucks like the EK4.

Best bet is to find out what you can get near to you. I've found it hard to found Thunder tiger parts on the shelf, but found lots of Kyosho stuff everywere (probable just my luck and beeing in the UK) Saying that you can allways get it ordered etc...

Hope this helps

B2//UK

[pudder]

Electric is better than nitro for newbies...

1. Less cleaning
2. More reliable
3. Easier to start out in the hobby
4. Cheaper than nitro

If I was going for 1/8, though I won't anytime soon I would get a DuraTrax Axis, or OFNA.

Servos are the little motors that turn steering, and on nitro cars, the throttle and brakes.

-mike

[Sergio]

Hey! I´ve bought the EB-4 SA too, at first it wasn´t the one I had in mind, I was thinking in the Mad Bison Tamyia truck, but as the EB-4 had a superior engine and was a bit more cheaper I bought it. I think 500 dollars is a good price for a competition class buggy like the EB-4.
SHure that electric is better(safer) for a begginer(but as I only wanted to spent money on one car I bought the EB-4), I almoast kissed goodbye my car this week, if you get a nitro car, be shure to get a battery verifier. Now I know that rule n.º 1 in nitro cars is always stop driving if the transmitor and receiver batteries get low, if not your car will go bezerk.

[TCorzett]

Personally I recommend eletric over nitro to beginners, but it is all dependent on the person. I have been driving eletrics for almost 13 years. What is really nice about eletrics is ther is little to no motor matainence for a basher. When you get more competative you start messing with motors, but you can run for a very long time without even a cleaning (not recommended - but I've done it). Nitro cars, however, require a lot of engine work. There is constant cleaning and tweaking required just to keep the engine running. It really depends on the mechanic ability of the person on which car to get.

I reciently purchased a MP6 Sport and for what it does it is awesome. There is nothing like the sound and smell of a 1/8 nitro, I love it (my neighbors hate it). Even with almost 13 years of experience with eletric, nitro is an entirly different beast. It's like starting something new, so being new to RC isn't a reason not to get a nitro. If you have knowledge of engine tuning then maybe nitro is for you.

If you wanted to get a nitro I'd recommend getting an intro nitro car or a sport kit (one with engine/drive train installed from the factory) There is a lot more to worry about with nitro than eletric - that is why I recommend it to newbies - they allow you to learn how to drive. Hope this helps a little.

-Todd...

PS - when it comes to servos for 1/8 buggies DO NOT SKIMP! Get a double ball bearing, metal gear, high torque servo. I run an Airtronics 200oz servo (about $100) - it is more expensive than a HiTec servo, but I know I will never have any problems with it.

PSS - If you are new to RC and need to get radio gear for $500 you might want to get a T-Maxx. I was suprized at the high quality and ease of use. I have two friends who had never driven/worked-on a RC and they have a blast with theirs - and have yet to have problems with them.

PSSS - Sorry for the long post :D