RC or Radio Controlled Toys
Whether you choose the simplicity of
electric radio controlled cars or the realistic sights and sounds of
nitro rc cars, one major decision the newcomer is faced with is just
what type of radio controlled vehicle will best meet his needs.
One of the first decisions for the
newcomer to the world of radio controlled cars is whether to buy an
electrically powered or a nitro powered car.
Whatever you choose, think carefully about just how you will be
spending your time with your new hobby and balance this against your
current level of experience.
Electric radio controlled cars use battery packs to power both the
motor and steering and these are normally recharged using either a
12-volt car battery or a mains powered charging unit. Batteries run
for between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on the type of engine in the
car, and re-charging usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
On-road cars are undoubtedly the most popular type of radio
controlled vehicle. The standard for on-road radio controlled cars
is the 1/10 scale model, although 1/8 scale models are also commonly
seen. With the recent influx of micro and mini rc cars, there are
now also a number of hobby quality on-road cars as small as 1/18
scale.
The main difference between electric and nitro powered radio
controlled cars is seen when it comes to maintenance. Though the
cost of battery packs can be high, their care and maintenance is
relatively easy when compared to the work involved with changing air
filters, tuning, fueling and attending to a variety of engine parts
on a nitro powered car.
If you want to be able to run your radio controlled cars just about
anywhere, you'll definitely need the rugged construction of an
off-road vehicle. These sturdy cars and trucks will handle hills,
uneven terrain, jumps and even sand. Available in two or four-wheel
drive versions, off-road vehicles can be driven in your back yard, a
vacant lot or just about anywhere you like.
Many beginners are tempted into buying a nitro powered car because,
in addition to simply running and racing the car, they also want to
build their own car and mistakenly believe that this is only
possible if they purchase a nitro powered vehicle. This is not the
case. Although they are not the fastest cars available, off-road rc
cars are durable, rugged and can be run practically anywhere.
Radio controlled flyers also feature amongst the most popular and
exciting of rc vehicles. Electric and ready-to-run versions are the
most accessible for the beginner, though of course there are nitro
and self-build kits available to allow for growth and customization.
Though perhaps a little too complicated the beginner, radio
controlled helicopters are both exciting and challenging to fly.
They are normally run on gas, and can be great fun for the more
experienced hobbyist.
Radio controlled airplanes are extremely light weight, and can be
made to fly at very low speeds. The electric versions are also quiet
enough to be run in a school yard, which makes them a great option
for the newcomer to the radio controlled scene. If you wish to
include competition as a main element of your new hobby though you
should be aware that there are many fewer competitions run for rc
airplanes than there are for rc cars.
At the end of the day the choice is of course yours but, as with
many other hobbies, if you rush in and try and achieve too much too
quickly you often meet a host of obstacles and frustration and end
up walking away feeling that it was perhaps not all it was cracked
up to be.
Although it is very much a personal choice, the newcomer would be
best advised to start with ready-to-run, on-road electric radio
controlled cars and, once he is familiar with the basic art of
running and racing rc cars, he can then move up in stages towards
his preferred model.
|