Tamiyas!
 

Just got in the Tamtech Mini Frog 1/18th scale, http://tamiya.com/japan/products/567...frog/index.htm

and 1/10th Tamiya Dark Impact 4wd RACING buggy.
http://tamiya.com/japan/products/583...pact/index.htm

These are both "the best thing ever" :) the mini frog is so cool its hard to beleive, looks like a 4wd version might be coming also looking at the front axles.
The mini frog is the bouciest thing EVER so need some proper shocks, can't wait to review these two.

You got your Impact dude... my delivery has been a real farce.... was in the depot 36 hours before they finaly told me 'oh, before we release it, there is a customs charge....' GITS

Jim, Tekin Brushless on its way to you for tomorrow.

Yea, just got the Impact today after 5 days in customs. Looks very good, can't wait to race it, not sure where tho.

Snapped a couple of pics when i got home tonight, not sure I'll get time to play with this, this weekend, as I have a lot to do on a certain car to get it ready in time.

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/revie...minifrog01.jpg

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/revie...minifrog02.jpg


The spec of this thing is rather cool, apart from the spring shocks. The are Universal Joints at the rear, a slipper clutch!, ball diff with steel out drives.

the dark impact looks stunning,just strange that you have to put the cells in from underneath:o

Aye, have to see how that works.. not sure what cells arrangements fit in at the mo..
The tyres feel very similar to schumacher yellow compound so could actually be usefull somewhere, indoors maybe.

tamiya off road
 

just wondering what tamiya would come up with if they are going to come up with a serious race 1:10 buggy. Judging by the TB evo and trf series of tourers it would be a serious can of woopass to open

The Dark Impact isnt that level but its a step in the right direction for sure.

another frog shot!

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/revie...minifrog03.jpg

Jim, that Frog looks ace. I wanted one after seeing the flyer for it that cam with my Full size frog (still in the box and un-built by the way)

That 'Dark Impact' looks really interesting, you'll struggle to fit your saddle packs in though ? Crazy name too.

Stick and side by side apparently fit without problems, even the slightly bigger cells.

I think the problem might be with connectors rather than the configuration of the packs. Have see though. I'm looking forward to running it.

Apparently you have no problems as long as you have cables on your batteries, otherwise you will probably have to dremel quite a bit..

When do you think you'll work on the Dark Impact?
A comparison with the Lazer would be quite interesting, still not sure which one to get!

right off the bat the ZX5 is definately the more complete racer, its been designed with top drivers, but no one knows who has worked on the Impact.

I'll not let that prejudice the car though, im really looking forward to it.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to the X5 review, the yokomo BX review is largely written up also. So, hopefully some time next week I can start on the Tamiya. I know people already built / raced the thing, but theres no point me rushing into it and doing a half-assed job of it, I want to push each review to be better than the last if i can.:)

With the use of a dremmel, a slot can be made and corally tubes can be used on side by side packs (yes, seen pics with GP37's fitted), I should have mine today... been on the delivery van since 5am this morning grrrrrrrrrrrr...

That Frog is looking more and more tempting, some of the upgrades look ace... threaded shocks for starters...

Comparing the maintainability and durability would be quite interesting too. Although this could be pretty annoying right now, you would probably have to order all spares from asia. ;)

My Dark Impact is finaly here... my god that chassis is SMALL.... I reckon it is as narrow as a 2wd chassis (x-6 the exception) got the bearings in the cleaning bath as we speak!!!

steve would be nice to see some pics once you get round to building it,are you going to race it competivly or will it be just for display purposes

My cars are NEVER for display, lol. First interesting item, the distance between the rear hinge pins is identical to my Tamiya Tourer (TA05) so will have to work out a way of slaving the suspension carriers onto the chassis to take the load off the gearbox!!! The pins are even the same length, so that is alloy and titanium to go on.

Will work out the internal ratio later, back gearbox is a work of art!!!

im considering getting that frog.. any one got a price?

Video of Dark Impact
 

What do you think?
http://www.kazsh.com/rc/archives/200..._120.html#more

On the wrong tyres, but it looked good. If Jim is ok, will post some pics later for you lot.

agree with steve there about the tyres,i thought the track a little small and twisty,could be more interesting on an open more flowing track,and a little bit of rear end slap coming off that jump

After building mine, the CVA shocks arent the greatest out there, and the kit setting might as well use water for oil. once I get some decent shocks, I can work on that. I have had mine out going and it is definately quick.

the holes in the pistons do look huge

could be?
 

i think if tamiya could be bothered ie give to tech racing (trf) it would be a great car but it needs a lot of work ie composite chassis better shocks etc but its a very clever design:confused:

My only concern is the way the wishbones mount at the rear (off the gearbox) and to be honest, the CVA shocks are easy to build but no good for racing. Will be trying a set of DF02 shocks as well as Losi shocks. I am guess that there will be HARD Composite stuff out in 6 months.

Jim, wouldn't be so bad if the pistons were a snug fit in the shock bodies....

A few tuning parts have been added to the tamiya usa site:
http://www.tamiyausa.com/search.php?q=df03

Well, finaly got to paint mine, what you think, DING DONG... tis narrower than a 2wd!!!

http://academyracer.fotopic.net/c931633.html

I especially like the Tamiya stars, mine will probably stay transparent due to lack of skill.. ;)

nice one! those shocks must have cost more than the car

Those look like the tamiya df 02 shocks, should be about as expensive as half the car.

It's all about contacts and shopping abroad, just got to get me some TRF ball cups.

so what are peoples thoughts of the car? Anyone run theirs yet? I've decided to shelf queen the tforce and this looks like it'll be it's replacement... i was looking at the lazer but i'm so drawn to this now... so come on what do people think?

Ive still to build mine, saw richard isherwoods on sunday tho his was just built and not running yet, looked very good for what it was.

It goes well Craig, just need CVD's on the front and a spur gear adaptor to ditch the metric spur pitch. There are some build tips, but I might let Jimmy release them in his reveiw (when he pulls his finger out :P).

Don't be fooled by the drivetrain, it is very free to.

gonna try finish up the jokeamo BX review tonight and set about these tamiya thingys! never know, might be able to get it done in time to race at tiverton national.

jokeamo!! doesnt sound good...

I've been racing a Top force so the drivetrain cant be as bad as that...! just waiting to hear back from rc champ as to wether they know when and how much the slipper will be.

Do you reckon 48mm ti turnbuckles will fit? the kit ones are 50mm but looking at the manual they fit up using pretty much all the thread..

Is Ishy gonna race his? :confused:

he has one, thats for sure... I know he wants to race a tamiya, so, depends if its good enough.. Can't see him racing something thats not competitive just for the sake of it..


jokeamo, no idea why people call them that, but it sticks! :) its certainly no joke tho! very nice car, veeeeery.

as for those turnbuckles, should be no problem at all, a couple of mm isnt going to make any difference unless its fully extended and on the edge already.

48mm should be fine, B4 turnbuckles are 2" (49mm) which I will use as I got a spare set, lol.