Tamiya and other R/C vehicles (not just for Christmas)

Wow, that’s stunning.
I’m just waiting until the boy’s older so I can blame him for buying this stuff.

Thanks for all the background help, I’m in the process of picking an RC car for 7 year old daughters Christmas.

Currently thinking that a FTX Surge MT might be the right choice for some mild offroad fun, but wondered if any of you had an opinion on whether a buggy or crawler would have the most attention holding ability.

I guess the faster buggy would be fun, but will need to mark out a track and build a jump or two as I’m not sure I see the appeal if just doing doughnuts around a patch off gravel (unless I get one too).

A crawler would need a bit more skill, and give her the chance to practice  but I’m wondering if the slow speed might not be very exciting?

As it’s a bit of an experiment I’m limiting budget to around £100 so no recommending Traxxas Nitro!

I’ve got Mini Sims a FTX Bugsta for Christmas, I hope this is the right choice. I’ll find out in 6 weeks 😀

Got my then 6yr old an FTX outlaw last Xmas. We’ve had some fun with it, but probably too big/fast if I’m honest. He’s doing a bit better with it now, but we’ve had a new motor and several suspension parts this year. I’ll let him have the new shell when the crashes become less frequent 😂

Just to chuck a question in here – do yous experienced folks think the FTX Outback 2 would be a good first crawler?

I’ve been playing today. Our work event overlooks a pond next to Southampton parkway.
Some folk out sailing (I discovered) Dragon Force 68 boats. After a wee chat, I was offered a go. What fun little things! Sprightly in the breeze.

FTX Outback 2 would be a good first crawler?

Simple answer; yes, absolutely.

Slightly more complicated answer; yes, but be aware of the limitations of it being a ‘scaler’ rather than an out and out crawler.

be aware of the limitations of it being a ‘scaler’ rather than an out and out crawler.

Ah, now, you see, I really wanted to avoid going down the rabbit hole too far (this is my ‘third age of RC’, and don’t want to get obsessive about it like I did with previous 2 ‘ages’)

But, at about the same price (150quid), is there a better RTR crawler package you would recommend? Ideally I don’t want something too wee, so 1/10th, 1/12th, seems about right.

Happy for input!

big_scot_nanny

Subscriber

Just to chuck a question in here – do yous experienced folks think the FTX Outback 2 would be a good first crawler?

Yeeeees. But not the best. For one thing, this is essentially the same truck with better tyres and a slightly longer wheelbase (so more body compatibility, and a bit better at steeps)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/333262876440?chn=ps&var=542276879023&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=542276879023_333262876440&targetid=594043280110&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045065&campaignid=6466412158&mkgroupid=83097927531&rlsatarget=pla-594043280110&abcId=1140486&merchantid=6995734&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI55T6z4OL5gIVCPlRCh3QmwpVEAkYDSABEgJXR_D_BwE

There’s assorted “outback 3s” like the RGT EX86110, Outback Fury, which are more expensive but also have a bunch of upgrades… All pretty closely related, same factory but different spec. It gets pretty hard to tell which is best tbh, there’s so much choice it’s pretty confusing

This isn’t completely stock- I’d added cheap metal axles and wheels and a lipo battery, but here’s my Rock Cruiser (RGT Bowler). Edinburgh folks’ll probably recognise the trail, andthe precipice it fell off 🙂 Still drove home

https://vimeo.com/manage/262024604/general

The Maverick Scout is a great crawler for that price.

Love mine, managed to avoid expensive upgrades so far!

I’m trying really hard to resist the temptation to ask Santa for a re-issue Egress now they’ve come down a bit!

Egress is lovely 🙂 Do it! DOOO EEEEEET…

I recently got a coyote SCA-Le crawler truck…
Soooo much fun, and under £200 for a r2r kit.. I’ve stuck my spektrum rc gear in it.. And decorated the truck in a redneck style!
Will pop up pictures…
All in all, a great fun truck…!

DrP

What’s a cheapish crawler you have to build yourself? Not interested in R2R, and I’ll probably get bored of driving it fairly quickly – most of the fun (for me!) is in the building.

Are you after a scale crawler kit or comp crawler style kit?

I’m on the verge of a personal purchase for Christmas and pondering whether i need Tamiya tools or if the random assortment of cross/flats/allens that i’ve built up over the years suffice? I’ve heard that they’re an unusual shape of crosshead so better to go with Tamiya?

If it has to be Tamiya then there seems to be two kits – does anyone know the difference or make a recommendation? Ta!

£19
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-builders-8-piece-screw-driver-set/rc-car-products/388188

£28.50
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-r-c-tool-set/rc-car-products/386323

You don’t have to have a special screwdriver but it makes things easier as they don’t use a a Phillips or pozidive head. The heads are actually JIS so any JIS driver should work as well as a tamiya branded one. I think you can buy tamiya drivers separately for about £4 each.

Yeah, get a JIS screwdriver. I didn’t bother when I did my Neo Fighter (didn’t actually realise I would need to get a different screwdriver) and some of the screws were a real bugger to get in. I put it down to self-tapping into hard plastic, but when I realised and actually used the correct tool it was loads easier.

Are you after a scale crawler kit or comp crawler style kit?

Dunno! I suppose realistic(ish) would be more entertaining to build, but not really that bothered.

Thanks for that, is there a particular size that’s useful? I’ve googled a bit and it seems JIS screwdrivers are quite expensive anyway – any cheap options?

Loughan

Member
Thanks for that, is there a particular size that’s useful? I’ve googled a bit and it seems JIS screwdrivers are quite expensive anyway – any cheap options?

To be honest, I am not sure where mine came from. It might have been ‘borrowed’ from an old workplace. I was trawling through random toolboxes for a better screwdriver, found this particular one & it worked perfectly. It also fits Shimamo mech L-H screws really well.

I’m just guessing, but something like this would probably be right:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vessel-Megadora-2×100-Cross-Screwdriver/dp/B000TG8OTY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1512003805&sr=8-5&keywords=vessel%2Bscrewdriver&th=1

I would go for a number 2 and number 1 tamiya Phillips driver, these will be JIS so will fit the screws correctly. The no2 is for 3mm-5mm screws and the no1 is for 2-2.6mm screws. If I was only going to buy one it would be the no2. They should be available for around £4-5 each. Which kit are you going to treat yourself to?

Mogrim- Personally I would go for a scaler if it’s the build that really interests you. You can pick up a cariama sca-1e kit for around £200 but I have heard there are going to be some offers over the next couple of days on their retail site and by email if you sign up.

@demonracer, thanks! If i’ve spent a tenner on those i might as well go and throw a few more bob and get the kit

I’m looking at the Rally Beetle, lots of others are tempting but have to settle on one…

Ah great choice! I have the Suzuki jimny variant of the MF01X chassis ,i’m Sure you will have great fun building, running and tinkering with it!

I’ve you’ve not already made the purchase you would probably get away with just the no2 as I can only think of 6 smaller screws that hold the diffs together on that chassis. If you have already then it’s always nice to have the right tool for the job!

P.s. don’t forget a bearing set for it, rubber sealed are best if your going to run it in the dirt. Rcbearings are good for these.

Egress is lovely 🙂 Do it! DOOO EEEEEET…

Yes, yes they are. Back in the early 2000’s I went through a vintage Tamiya collecting phase and had about five Egress at one point including a new built one.

Personally I would go for a scaler if it’s the build that really interests you.

Cheers @demonracer, I’ll have a nosey.

Thanks to those offering advice, we got a good deal on an FTX Mauler with a nice big 2S LiPo thrown in.

Will report back once my son has stopped playing with it after X-mas and I can have a go 🙂

Mauler is awesome value especially with a lipo stuck in it- it’ll break driveshafts, so you might want to lay in a spare set, but that’s a pretty minor issue considering what it can do.

thanks Northwind – good to know, might get a couple of those right off the bat. Hopefully I won’t go through things as fast as I used to when bashing my Traxxas E-Maxx though.

Excited to get going with it, hope my son is too 🙂

Time for a new one – your advice appreciated!

Loving the Lunchbox and the Maverick Scout, both getting plenty of abuse.
The Plasma Edge TT-02B buggy not so much.
I find it’s lack of ground clearance limits it’s use.

Sooo, something a bit different?
Not too pricey and I’d like to build it.

Fancy a Tamiya 2CV Rally purely for the looks….

…. but again, the ground clearance is going to limit use.

Monster Beetles look cool, but they’re a bit fragile and need a lot of looking after.
Wild Willy would be a shoe in, but perhaps a bit too similar to the Lunchbox.

Current contenders are the Blitzer Beetle, King Yellow 6×6 or the GF-01 four wheel drive Toyota…….

….🙂

Help me out here.
Any more suggestions?

Needs to be;
Fun.
Kit build.
Not too fragile.
Decent ground clearance.
Under £200 for the kit.
Not a crawler.

All ideas much appreciated!

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/ecx-amp-mt-1-10-2wd-monster-truck-kit/rc-car-products/399005

Nice, good value but I’m not feeling it with the looks.

I do like the Associted Trophy Rat….

….good looking, brushless, everything included so good value.

Not a kit, but I could always take it apart and put it together again. 🙂

@big_scott_nanny – I’m looking at a Mauler as well – do you mind me asking where you bought it from? Loads of places seem to do a LiPo upgrade which seems sensible – has yours got a brushed or brushless motor?

If you aren’t fussed about a kit there are loads of great options.

I would prefer a kit, tbh.

I’ve looked at loads of RTR’s and it’s easy to get carried away.

Considering I have the most fun with the Lunchbox, I’m not convinced I need anything too extreme.
A HoBao buggy is absolutely indestructible, but would be £400 with a battery.
Would I have any more fun than with a much cheaper Tamiya?
I’d like to find out but it’s an big gamble.

The Arrma and Traxxas stuff looks incredible, but again, a bit spendy for something fast and reliable.

https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/316110/?gclid=CjwKCAiAxMLvBRBNEiwAKhr-nE2Amk2LU5d5W6T0M0r9LoPG60NEw-A1XIL4-4MCUpJ_evHIyXjvxxoCdZEQAvD_BwE

ECX Torment 1/10 4WD Brushed Orange/Blue RTR

They do loads of colour ways.

Cheap but very strong, I have been launching my torment off of all sorts of stuff.

@siwhite I’m not in the UK, so bought it through a local store here in CH. Soz!

It is brushed, but the ESC has a Deans connector and is LiPo ready, so I ordered a whacking big 2S 7000mah battery to avoid faffing about changing batteries too often. Should last for about an hour I reckon.

For my son. Yes. Only for my son.

Ahem.

@Rusty-spanner-2
I’m new to all this so pinch of salt but… I have bought a Beetle Rally which is on the MF01x chassis – would that give the level of off road ability you’re looking for but not the ‘monster truck’ level

Very possibly. 🙂

I might have a drive over to Modelsport tomorrow.

Cheers all!