richmt11 Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Good Morning All, Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and new year! I am new here having found the forum through google! So I hope im not being ignorant of any forum rules posting this here, so please do move it or inform me of anything ive ignored. So I used to run RC cars a few years ago, had a HPI something electric with a PUG 106 body in blue, loved that, and a HPI RS4 Nitro car. Great fun with them but unfortunately I needed the money and had to sell up! Since then I have had a 5yo 3yo and 1yo boys! And I am in need of some advice. My 5yo has taken to his small cheap (crap) RC Cars like a duck to water and has decided he wants to spend his xmas money on "a real good one". So what do you advise that fits this criteria; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavyleftthumb Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) hiya pal, welcome to the forum, i myself had this exact same issue for my 7yr this chrimbob. after hours of research and checking things out. as the pile of old broken up poor grade rc toys was mounting up. settled for a latrax teton. http://www.modelsport.co.uk/la-trax-teton-1-18-scale-4wd-monster-truck-orange-/rc-car-products/387917 it comes in around Edited January 6, 2015 by heavyleftthumb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 This seems to be very popular ATM http://www.modelsport.co.uk/ecx-1-18-4wd-ruckus-monster-truck-rtr/rc-car-products/379344 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NITO Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 My son was 6 when I got him this for his Bday. Full RTR and batt/charger deal here: http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-xb-pro-mad-bull/rc-car-products/39675 Regards Nito Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 XB's are overpriced IMO...buy the kit and build it together 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richmt11 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Thanks for the fast response guys I actually should have said road car! Because he wants me to paint it police colours and add lights (got an badger air brush and Tamiya paints ready from my other modelling addictions!) But come to think of it a truck is probably a better option for a youngster as they'll take a lot more abuse. Plus a police truck is way cooler Actually although I said RTR I would prefer a kit so we can build it together, but include everything like transmitter receiver etc as I get lost in what kits do and don't have! I do like the look of the ECX, not that its cheaper but the lower profile does look smart. Ill see what ones he likes hwen he finishes school, and any other suggestiosn that come out .... Now if only I can find my old PUG I sold, love that, was the light blue with white wheels great fun! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCbutcher Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Our roads are like ccheese graters to most on roads, a truck is the best way it can still be a police truck. I sold some leds to a guy who made a good police light bar from 2 disposable lighters. Either red/blue or blue/blue. Cut the lighters equal size to fit the roof put an led in each side running the wire out of the lighters. Then glue the lighters together and use alloy foil tape to hide the joint in the middle. Using flashing leds tho they wont flash in time but when they want so sometimes they'll flash together others left - right then right left then together again. Mayb 2 flashing leds in each lighter would flash in time better or all blue flashing or constant would look better. the beauty is its very cheap to try out and if it doesn't turn out as good as hoped try again without making holes in the shell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCbutcher Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) The rukus looks very good, my favourite has been the hpi mini recon but ill look into the rukus now. Does it share parts with any of the other 1/18 trucks. Dromida cars look very cool too especially the desert truck. I think Edited January 6, 2015 by RCbutcher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richmt11 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Yeah the police lights and any LED's for the car I was gonna bash together somehow. Lighters are a good idea, will have to see how they measure up size wise, otherwise ive got a few ideas :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 There are Police style light bars readily available... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitroholic Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Kit's won;t include radio gear or servo normally. You may get motor and speed controller, but that's all. You would also have to source your own battery and charger. Ready to run kits aimed at entry level quite often now include everything you need to run with ... which is great for presents, as you don't need to worry about extras and compatability. It will all just fit together. Kits are more fun though...as you can see the car taking shape. Now....both of the trucks listed above are 1/18 scale, so make sure you can source another body for what you choose that is unpainted. These are Lexan bodies, and you need specific polycarbonate paint which you spray on the inside .... Some of the older Tamiya kits use ABS bodies which you spray the outside and you can use acrylics on. You can get clear shells for the LaTrax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NITO Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 I'd advise on a kit too, I agree with noj, the XB mad bull is overpriced, only mention it since you said RTR. Also the XB mad bull isn't even 2.4g! You'd be better off with a truck, much more useable anywhere.I'd go with 1:10 scale too if you can. Again, just more useable in different environments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollinlow Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 My boys are 5 an 3 I got them ECX smash trucks 2wd of the ruckus there great. You need to upgrade them to lipos an a alarm but that's all I've done fast an last an hour I put foam at back of trigger at first but they had them at Xmas an killed them smashed into it all but no breakages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richmt11 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 The 1/10 scale comment got me thinking (and looking) I do like the idea of the larger vehicle, as you say more usable to more situations etc. So I will let the boy decide what he likes the look of and if its smaller so be it. But for some 1/10's to show him are there any recommendations for the money, they see mto be at the upper end of his budget (which is fine) This one looks cool; (more buggy than truck) http://www.modelsport.co.uk/maverick-strada-xb-evo-rtr-buggy/rc-car-products/38124 any good? Or I think he'd like this; http://www.modelsport.co.uk/maverick-strada-mt-evo-rtr-monster-truck/rc-car-products/38122 Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richmt11 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 oh and while I remember for painting I figured they were painted on the inside from memory. Is that just for durability? I know it wont last at all on the outside, but while we sort a clear shell for whatever we buy I wouldn't be able to grey prime (say Halfords plastic primer), then spray with acrylics and cover with some kind of top coat? As I say I know it wont last but how temporary would temporary be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NITO Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Of the two above, I think you're better off with a big wheeler like the Strada, or in case you missed it, the Mad Bull monster buggy like the photo above, is available in kit form Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) Lexan is best sprayed from the inside, with polycarbonate paint. Acrylic paint doesn't have the same flex, so even when properly pre primed, primed and painted, a truck taking a bashing could look very scruffy, very soon. The Mad Bull, for example, uses the hard, abs shells: quick rub down with a scotch pad, prime, top coat, leave to harden and off you go, far more durable in paint adhesion terms, abs shells are more prone to impact damage. I feel it is worth mentioning that freezing air and icy conditions will make plastic parts far more brittle, something to consider at this time of the year. Likewise, exposure to moisture can lead to failed bearings and rusty parts, so regular servicing is required to prolong the life of your rc... Edited January 6, 2015 by Noj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richmt11 Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Thanks for the great advice everyone. I will see what the boy says and post later what his decision is. Im sure it will be ordered tonight as he has been constantly badgering me when he can order it and when will he have it! And thanks for the tips regarding painting. I think for now ill buy him a premade light bar and just fit it on whatever he gets, that will be close enough! Then sort a shell and paint that up properly and let him have that after the coldest weather to prevent a nice new shell getting smashed up, he can muck about with his original shell until then. Servicing wont be an issue for me, im an engineer by trade so im sure when hes finished playing ill be servicing! Though I plan to team him what to do and get him to do it himself! Also NITO I can see your a Tamiya fan by your blogs in your sig. The Tamiya kits certainly do look nice and from seeing those I plan to do myself a slow build at some point and some of those kits look perfect! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kangarilla Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radio-Remote-Control-RC-BAJA-PRIME-Electric-Buggy-1-10th-Scale-Ready-to-Run-/221583964193?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item33976ef821 Police Buggy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tear101 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 My boy is getting this for his 5th birthday tomorrow. It's his first proper outdoor rc and thought I would start with 1/18 and work up the scales as he gets older. http://www.modelsport.co.uk/ripmax-coyote-1-18th-truggy-ep/rc-car-products/384323 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollinlow Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 They look good for the cash I like the 1/18th they still go over a lot and are fun to drive. The mini t I have that's brushless is fun hard to keep straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveyb84 Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 what about a hpi mini recon? http://www.modelsport.co.uk/hpi-mini-recon-rtr-2.4ghz/rc-car-products/380582 hpi support is good and parts are cheap too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJpowertech Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 How about the trusty ol' Lunchbox. Got my boy his this xmas. Kit was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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