"Kawaii-Gon Jinn" (kawaiigonjinn) 01/26/2015 at 13:09 • Filed to: None

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looking to buy a RC car for Owen Jr. anybody have any advice? here is the BG:

1. He's 4. Yes, i understand the limits of a 4 year old to control an RC car, but it's what he wants and that's what i'm getting him. i tried to talk him into a RC tank (single button for Go, wheel to turn), but he wouldn't have it. he has a little tethered "RC" car that he got when he was really small, but the cord is so short, he can barely stand up straight and use it at the same time.

2. it's been a while since i drove my Tamiya Falcon, so that's where i am in terms of understanding the current RC world

3. i want something that will drive on our bumpy-ass driveway and a well-trimmed lawn. so that rules out all the Supermarket Special RC "trucks" (unless supermarket specials have improved since i was a kid)

4. i see some have features like Electronic Speed Control. How dramatic is it? it would be great for really slow speeds at first. or for when he's in the house.

5. I prefer to spend less than $100 with everything included.

That said:

http://www.nitrorcx.com/51c852-fireblu…

looks like something he'd like. It's the size of my Falcon and it comes with all the batteries and the radio. so it's a better deal than the japanese brands and cheaper and less 'performance' minded than something like a traxxus. if i had my druthers, i'd just buy myself a new Tamiya AWD belt drive chassis and have him watch me drive it. but i think that's a hard sell for Mrs. Magnetic.

TheHondaBro > Kawaii-Gon Jinn 01/26/2015 at 13:15

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Normally I'd steer clear of NitroRCX/Hobbypartz because parts support is terrible. You can only buy spare parts from their website, and shipping is overpriced, but for a 4-year-old, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'd stay away from a buggy and go for something a bit taller, such as a short course truck.

http://www.nitrorcx.com/72c-madgear16-…

It looks like this one has a 3-in-1 electronics set (servo, ESC, and receiver built into the same module) so it shouldn't be overly complicated.

If you have a HobbyTown USA nearby, I'd go for a Helion Animus, which is a HobbyTown exclusive. Their brand is fairly good, and all the parts are available locally at their stores.

Kawaii-Gon Jinn > TheHondaBro 01/26/2015 at 13:32

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didn't know about the issue with support, or at least the details. lots of people complained on amazon, but amazon reviews are hardly indicative.

i have a hobby town about an hour away. i'll call about the Helion.

wheelhop > Kawaii-Gon Jinn 01/26/2015 at 13:37

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http://www.losi.com/Products/Featu…

Losi Mini T. Small enough for the house, parts are plentiful and easy to find (and cheap) easy to upgrade.

TheHondaBro > Kawaii-Gon Jinn 01/26/2015 at 13:50

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Helion parts can also be bought online on their website here. I have one of their 10th scales which I've converted to a high-powered brushless setup, and it holds surprisingly well. I've collided with a Slash 4x4 and it started cartwheeling. Surprisingly, it took the abuse like a champ.

Kawaii-Gon Jinn > TheHondaBro 01/26/2015 at 14:08

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how does the ESC work? from what I gather, you push a button, then set move your throttle to what you want the max forward speed to be? then do the same for the reverse? in theory could you set it to a "crawl"?

i'll ask him what color he wants tonight.

Kawaii-Gon Jinn > TheHondaBro 01/27/2015 at 11:24

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ordered the Helion. he said he wanted a truck more than a buggy, so that sold it. thanks for your help/