Any RC'ers here?

[Stryder Kennset]

I'm a bit of a history buff as well, but I tend to lean more towards the warbirds than the naval ships. No it never ends one thing I have learned from wood model building is that it is never perfect..ever lol. I think I have too many hobbies lol between video games, model/RC, trying to learn golf it gets hard as my free time is always short. I have 4 kids. an 8 y/o, 6 y/o, 4 y/o and a 1 1/2 y/o so you can imagine how busy my house is lol..For me to really get time with my hobbies I need to do them with my wife or kids..which is why my wife is learning golf with me, and my boys are into videogames and RC'ing lol. I got no problem playing Disney Infinity One of the biggest reasons my wife is letting me get next gen now is that I promised I would hand my 360 down to my oldest boys.

RC'ing that bad boy would be really cool..if you ever get there take pictures and make a thread. I'd love to follow along.

I'm usually not a ship modeler, even at 1/350 scale......Learned to my frustration that 1. Ship have very small parts, parts that WUVS to break on you or get sent flying into the "carpet monster" below! 2. Ships ALWAYS require aftermarket parts, especially photo-etch railings to bring it to life...You never ever can just do an OOB (Out Of the Box) build....Yeah, I prefer planes, either modern or warbirds (1/32 scale P47, Tamiya P51, Spitfires and Corsairs...All of them over $150 a pop! YISH!) , either that, or armor...Simply because if you goof, you can always add accessories or weather it to hell to cover it....This is why I never touch wooden models. As you've said, you can never get it perfect....

Yeah, when my sons grows up, gotta introduce them to it, or else they will start to break stuff. I told my wife that it's better for you to TEACH them what is going on, rather have them being curious and...well, does the adage, "Curiosity killed the cat" mean anything to you? She did not like it, but still went along with it.

As for the Missouri, I still haven't decided if I want to R/C it......Too big of a job, too big of a money (And I already spent the first six months of my spending money on that Bistch and any aftermarket stuff). This stuff? I need to plan ahead during the build or else it will never happen. Thank god the turret and the forecastle is open. If I go with R/C I have to magnetize them so I can pull them off to get at the batteries and power unit....Then the ship need ballasts...Ballast means reinforce the plastics and of course, waterproofing it....UGH! Getting a headache just thinking about it....And if I plan it so the turrets rotates...GAH!!! Another 300 bucks down the drain! GRRRRRRRRRRR.....Did I told you it never ends?

And also, if they ever comes out with a "Surrender Ceremony" aftermarket, then R/C will be off the table! That surrender ceremony is the "BIG THING" that broke me down and caused me to buy that ship! GAH!!! Painting over 600 1/200 figure will not be fun...But it's num. 1 reason I bought that thing in the first place...Yeah, I'm getting more white hairs just thinking about this! Ain't this fun?

 

[Mua'dib]

RC models are way better now than they were say 25 years ago. But I never understood why more advanced RC robots were ever made.



Why canz I have a life-sized R2D2 today that can at least bring me a beer?

 

[SevenDead1ySinz]

I'm usually not a ship modeler, even at 1/350 scale......Learned to my frustration that 1. Ship have very small parts, parts that WUVS to break on you or get sent flying into the "carpet monster" below! 2. Ships ALWAYS require aftermarket parts, especially photo-etch railings to bring it to life...You never ever can just do an OOB (Out Of the Box) build....Yeah, I prefer planes, either modern or warbirds (1/32 scale P47, Tamiya P51, Spitfires and Corsairs...All of them over $150 a pop! YISH!) , either that, or armor...Simply because if you goof, you can always add accessories or weather it to hell to cover it....This is why I never touch wooden models. As you've said, you can never get it perfect....

Yeah, when my sons grows up, gotta introduce them to it, or else they will start to break stuff. I told my wife that it's better for you to TEACH them what is going on, rather have them being curious and...well, does the adage, "Curiosity killed the cat" mean anything to you? She did not like it, but still went along with it.

As for the Missouri, I still haven't decided if I want to R/C it......Too big of a job, too big of a money (And I already spent the first six months of my spending money on that Bistch and any aftermarket stuff). This stuff? I need to plan ahead during the build or else it will never happen. Thank god the turret and the forecastle is open. If I go with R/C I have to magnetize them so I can pull them off to get at the batteries and power unit....Then the ship need ballasts...Ballast means reinforce the plastics and of course, waterproofing it....UGH! Getting a headache just thinking about it....And if I plan it so the turrets rotates...GAH!!! Another 300 bucks down the drain! GRRRRRRRRRRR.....Did I told you it never ends?

And also, if they ever comes out with a "Surrender Ceremony" aftermarket, then R/C will be off the table! That surrender ceremony is the "BIG THING" that broke me down and caused me to buy that ship! GAH!!! Painting over 600 1/200 figure will not be fun...But it's num. 1 reason I bought that thing in the first place...Yeah, I'm getting more white hairs just thinking about this! Ain't this fun?

LOL well I'm sure it will be worth it when it is eventually done. Pics would be nice to see, and it sounds like it will still take you a long time before finishing it. RC'ing it would definitely be a pain, sounds like it would just make a good display model anyways.

RC models are way better now than they were say 25 years ago. But I never understood why more advanced RC robots were ever made.



Why canz I have a life-sized R2D2 today that can at least bring me a beer?

could always build this

 

[Zubalon]

LOL well I'm sure it will be worth it when it is eventually done. Pics would be nice to see, and it sounds like it will still take you a long time before finishing it. RC'ing it would definitely be a pain, sounds like it would just make a good display model anyways.


could always build this

I am a Budweiser beer salesmen !!! holy hell the sales I could get with one of these !!!!!!!

 

[Videodrome]

I now want to watch reruns of BattleBots.

 

[Mua'dib]

could always build this

 

[crbenfield]

Yeah it is an expensive hobby. I had to put my flying on hold due to budget constraints as the MCAA and club dues were just not available at the time, plus our local flying field just got shutdown due to complaints so they are looking for a new one at the moment. Which RC sim did you use? RealFlight or Phoenix? I use Phoenix only for the free updates from version to version but I hear RealFlight is a good sim, just have to buy the new version every time. I have a cheapo costco heli for practicing, I'm not very good lol,


For you guys with surface experience, any tips for maintenance? or any recommended types of mods for new vehicles? My older boy wants a truck, and is leaning more towards the monster bodies over the short course or circuit style, and my younger wants a buggy. I was planning on just leaving them as is for now, until they are really into it. At that point I will probably switch the plastic gears out for metal, and upgraded the included brushed engine to a sensorless brushless, and maybe mod it to fit my 3S air lipo's.

If your looking for monster truck style you can't go wrong with the Traxxas Revo. It can be had with nitro or electric, everyone sells parts and hop-ups, and you can probably buy a pre-owned one with plenty of bells and whistles for a song. Otherwise I would look into what local shops you have in your area and buy something they carry that way your not always waiting for the mail for repalcement parts and you support the local guy.

 

[SevenDead1ySinz]

If your looking for monster truck style you can't go wrong with the Traxxas Revo. It can be had with nitro or electric, everyone sells parts and hop-ups, and you can probably buy a pre-owned one with plenty of bells and whistles for a song. Otherwise I would look into what local shops you have in your area and buy something they carry that way your not always waiting for the mail for repalcement parts and you support the local guy.

Yeah I try to support both my local shops as best I can, occasionally I also get stuff from HobbyKing, but not as much lately as their prices are not as good anymore. Both of the locals order from Horizon Hobby so I do most of my research on their site and then just go in and have them order it in for me, both are usually well stocked with replacement parts. The Revo's look nice, but outside of my available budget. My starter plane ran $500 but my wife is not keen spending more than $150 or so on hobby grade starter trucks. My kids are still young and I'm lucky to have that much of a budget lol she keeps trying to push the department store crap

 

[crbenfield]

Yeah I try to support both my local shops as best I can, occasionally I also get stuff from HobbyKing, but not as much lately as their prices are not as good anymore. Both of the locals order from Horizon Hobby so I do most of my research on their site and then just go in and have them order it in for me, both are usually well stocked with replacement parts. The Revo's look nice, but outside of my available budget. My starter plane ran $500 but my wife is not keen spending more than $150 or so on hobby grade starter trucks. My kids are still young and I'm lucky to have that much of a budget lol she keeps trying to push the department store crap

I'm married with kids so I understand the wife angle. That's cool if it's out of your budget. Maybe try something in the 1/12 or 1/18th scale? I would also try to explain if somethings breaks on department store stuff you throw the whole thing away instead of just replacing the broken pieces (if you haven't many times over). Good luck either way finding something for the kids. I'm sure you'll come up something.

 

[SevenDead1ySinz]

I'm married with kids so I understand the wife angle. That's cool if it's out of your budget. Maybe try something in the 1/12 or 1/18th scale? I would also try to explain if somethings breaks on department store stuff you throw the whole thing away instead of just replacing the broken pieces (if you haven't many times over). Good luck either way finding something for the kids. I'm sure you'll come up something.

Yeah, that's my arguement..that it can't be fixed or upgraded and is usually really crappy quality, whereas the beginner lines for hobby grade cars are meant for bashing around and are durable. Her biggest issue between dept. store brands and hobby grade was the price (she wanted to spend only like $50 on one), anything over 200 was out of the question as my kids are still fairly young. I managed to get some extra bursaries for my final year of uni so she's allowed me a budget of ~$150 per kid plus a couple extra NiMH's (found a moderately used Venom 7 cell 4200mAH for $20 locally so gonna get that lol). The ECX line by Horizon seems to be one of the cheaper beginner lines, and the Vaterra Kalahari that Zubalon posted earlier, the reviews on the updated ECX kits are positive. Seems they have upgraded from chinese knockoff Tx's to Spektrum DX2E's, they've made the bodies out of slightly thicker lexan and are not as brittle and more flexible than before, and on a couple of them added a bigger front bumper so that the body/wheels don't take the impact when running into things. My wife seems keen on the ECX's too as she thinks they are models the boys will like (for aesthetic reasons). I'll probably get the 2 older boys a RTR kit that runs about $150 (either ECX 1/10ths or Vaterra 1/14th's) and my youngest boy who is only 4 I might get one of the 1/18th ECX models for $100 just so he doesn't feel left out and has something to bash around with his brothers. He has an indoor Mater RC truck that he has a lot of fun with lol). I myself (whose birthday is a month after xmas) will probably pick up the re-re Tamiya Grasshopper kit and throw a couple of upgrades into it and have a good time lol.

 

[crbenfield]

Yeah, that's my arguement..that it can't be fixed or upgraded and is usually really crappy quality, whereas the beginner lines for hobby grade cars are meant for bashing around and are durable. Her biggest issue between dept. store brands and hobby grade was the price (she wanted to spend only like $50 on one), anything over 200 was out of the question as my kids are still fairly young. I managed to get some extra bursaries for my final year of uni so she's allowed me a budget of ~$150 per kid plus a couple extra NiMH's (found a moderately used Venom 7 cell 4200mAH for $20 locally so gonna get that lol). The ECX line by Horizon seems to be one of the cheaper beginner lines, and the Vaterra Kalahari that Zubalon posted earlier, the reviews on the updated ECX kits are positive. Seems they have upgraded from chinese knockoff Tx's to Spektrum DX2E's, they've made the bodies out of slightly thicker lexan and are not as brittle and more flexible than before, and on a couple of them added a bigger front bumper so that the body/wheels don't take the impact when running into things. My wife seems keen on the ECX's too as she thinks they are models the boys will like (for aesthetic reasons). I'll probably get the 2 older boys a RTR kit that runs about $150 (either ECX 1/10ths or Vaterra 1/14th's) and my youngest boy who is only 4 I might get one of the 1/18th ECX models for $100 just so he doesn't feel left out and has something to bash around with his brothers. He has an indoor Mater RC truck that he has a lot of fun with lol). I myself (whose birthday is a month after xmas) will probably pick up the re-re Tamiya Grasshopper kit and throw a couple of upgrades into it and have a good time lol.

Glad to hear you have a plan. I have been out of the hobby for a while now and when I dug my revo out of storage recently my brand new, barly used badland tires were all dry rotted on the sidewalls but older tries I had were still fine. ARGHH!! Nice an old school rerelease grasshopper. I still have my old ( in pieces) Kyosho raider. bought it from tower hobbies years ago when they sold a whole kit including paint for the body a carry case.

 

[SevenDead1ySinz]

Glad to hear you have a plan. I have been out of the hobby for a while now and when I dug my revo out of storage recently my brand new, barly used badland tires were all dry rotted on the sidewalls but older tries I had were still fine. ARGHH!! Nice an old school rerelease grasshopper. I still have my old ( in pieces) Kyosho raider. bought it from tower hobbies years ago when they sold a whole kit including paint for the body a carry case.

I'm looking forward to the Tamiya kit if I can convince my wife to let me get it lol. I don't know much about the parts yet... I know lots with airplane RC but nothing with surface RC. With tires are certain ones better than others? I'm probably going to just leave the ones on that come with them but still I know nothing about the parts or maintenance of surface RC's.

I've really enjoyed flying planes with my boys, but since I don't go out to the field anymore I only have my micro's to fly..and it's often too windy to fly. My micro corsair get's squirrelly in anything over 5-7 km/h. Been pushing my wife for some surface stuff for a while so that there is an alternative lol. Just watched a couple videos on how to paint the lexan replacement bodies.

 

[Stryder Kennset]

Well, my Missouri is shipped and should be on my doorstep from Fed Ex either tomorrow or Sat. Hoping for Tomorrow...Wanna take it to my local IPMS and show it off on Sat. Once I get it, gotta decide whether to R/C it or not before go on with it. Pontos is making an excellent aftermarket series but ....$250 for the whole set = bye bye Pontos! Want the wooden deck though, but $60 for the set alone still = bye bye pontos! Sigh, maybe I'll get Trumpeter's own upgrade sets that contains the 9x 16in metal barrels, 20 metal 5 inch barrels and metal props......And see what White Ensign Models come up with......If I'm gonna do the R/C thing, gotta skimp and save here.....Told ya these hobbies are expensive as Sh1T! But LOOOOOVVVVEEEE every minute and every second of it!!!

 

[SevenDead1ySinz]

Well, my Missouri is shipped and should be on my doorstep from Fed Ex either tomorrow or Sat. Hoping for Tomorrow...Wanna take it to my local IPMS and show it off on Sat. Once I get it, gotta decide whether to R/C it or not before go on with it. Pontos is making an excellent aftermarket series but ....$250 for the whole set = bye bye Pontos! Want the wooden deck though, but $60 for the set alone still = bye bye pontos! Sigh, maybe I'll get Trumpeter's own upgrade sets that contains the 9x 16in metal barrels, 20 metal 5 inch barrels and metal props......And see what White Ensign Models come up with......If I'm gonna do the R/C thing, gotta skimp and save here.....Told ya these hobbies are expensive as Sh1T! But LOOOOOVVVVEEEE every minute and every second of it!!!

Make a standalone thread when you get it, I'd like to follow along with your arduous journey



on a seperate note, What is the consensus for better NiMH brands for RC? I don't want to upgrade the kids kits for a while so there will be no Lipo usage, brushed and NiMH's make for slower cars . They take 6 cell, but what would the benefit be of going to 7 cell? I would assume that the run time would be the same just more voltage to the engine? I'm planning on picking up a couple spares and hopefully get them in the 3000 mAH range.