r1ckyj

Good suggestion on numbering, and have been considering this already, although might use the 2 kids' names, as they can help me remember then:-)

Thanks for this, I found a useful checklist before first run i.e. checking screws, endpoints etc, so will be doing that first. Thanks for the tip:-) I have ordered 3 x gens ace lipos, 2 x 3S, and 1 x 4S. That way, the kids can run 1 x 3S, I can start with 1 x 4S, and move upto 2 x 3S when I am ready. Should keep me happy for a while... Getting a charger, XT90 cables, and Lipo bags for birthday over the weekend, so should be ready to run next week, pending better weather conditions. Any other parts it is worth stocking up on? Have a good evening, and thanks in advance.

Thanks for the feedback. Spoke to an Amazon seller today, and decided to order a Kraton, which I should see by the end of this week/early next depending on weather/delivery etc. Thanks for your help.

I wonder if I could trouble you for some more advice, suggestions? I have been patiently building funds for the Arrma Granite 4x4 BLX, but in the time I have doing this both the Arrma Kraton, and Traxxas Rustler 4x4 vxl have appeared on Amazon at around £485 which is doable. It would potentially mean I have to wait a bit to get the batteries and charger, but birthday is coming up early next month, so not too long a wait. What are you thoughts on these? The Kraton seems to get good reviews, but spare part availability seem sporadic. It is also a little bigger than I had initally planned, and does not have the flexibility of the Traxxas App, that would be useful to limit its speed. The Rustler 4x4 vxl gets good reviews, but most feel it is overpriced for what you get (especially via Amazon resellers: £489 vs £414 via Modelsport etc). Final option is to wait to buy the Arrma Granite 4x4 BLX, either via a third party when I have the funds, or via Amazon, if it becomes available.

£50 for a E-Maxx... That is a true bargain. Note to self, keep an eye on gumtree for bargains (as well as Ebay). It is a bit of tie being limited to Amazon, but I think friends, family and clients know if they give me cash, it generally gets swallowed up into general living, i.e. Kids/meals out etc, and then it becomes hard to justify a spend of over £400. By having the vouchers, less risk of it being spent on 'general living', and easier to justify. I do appreciate all the advice. At least I know I am in the right track after all my research.

Thank you for the responses. It has been food for thought, and much appreciated. I have been pondering over my options, and have been considering Arrma due to their pricing/feedback. Arrma's current lack of availability through Amazon causes a few issues, but I am thinking if I hang on a month or 2, I should be able to get enough together to buy an Arrma Granite 4x4 BLX 3s away from Amazon, and then use the Amazon vouchers to buy the batteries, charger and spares? Is that a good/better option?

I wonder if I could trouble you all for some advice on my RC purchase. I am returning to this hobby for the first time since the 90s. Growing up in the 90s I had a Tamiya Hornet, and spent many an hour in a friend's shed putting in new motors, changing parts etc. Around 15 years ago, the Hornet was stolen during a garage break in, and thus I have been out of the RC scene for quite some time. I was lucky enough to get some vouchers for Amazon recently, and thus have a max budget of about £525 (pererably lower if poss), but I am limited to Amazon, unfortunately, as the majority of this is via Vouchers. I have been doing some research, and believe a truggy would best suit my needs. I liked the idea of the TRX-4 Tactical, and TRX-4 sport, but on further reflection I am not sure how much crawling I am going to do. My main uses will be park paths (and grass) garden, woods (which have hills, roots, lots of leaves, but not really rocks), and a beach (pebbles mainly), so not really crawling, and I just feel it would be too slow for general usage, and I remember craving speed with the Hornet. I considered the FTZ carnage, but just feel it may be too 'injury prone', for someone getting back into the hobby. As I am Limited to Amazon, my searches led me to Traxxas, and I felt the Rustler 4x4 VXL maybe the best option, unfortunately it is not available via Amazon, but the Rustler 4x4 brushed is, as is the stampede 4x4 VXL, so the question, which would be better for my needs (unless there is a better option I have missed). What drew me towards the rustler 4x4 VXL was the low centre of gravity, therefore less risk of turning over, but also the ability to curb the speed with the Traxxas Link on the VSL as I do have a 5 year old son, and 7 year old daughter who may want a go at times. My current feeling is the Stampede 4x4 VXL could work, and in time I could drop the body etc to give me the lower centre of gravity etc. I look forward to any thoughts any of you may have.