Electric vs Nitro - Opinions Please?
 

Hi All

I have asked this question aimed at nitro users but wanted to get some opinions from electic runners.

I used to keep rc cars as a teenager and raced them for a while, since then travelling, job, wife, kids etc.... all happened and it got forgotten about. I found my cars recently at my parents house (original tamya hotshot and one of the first kyosho ultimas - shows how long ago it was), and now I have more time again I'd like to get back into it, and so naturally have a few questions... I would not class myself as a complete beginner so dont want to buy a car that I will end up changing in few months for something better.

Is there a difference now between a decent electric car and a nitro, ie compare something like a schumacher cat sx to a associated rc8 (I know there is a difference in scale.

1/10 or 1/8 scale? and any other advice anyone feels they can offer me - I have read the beginner stickies which are similar to advice I have had in model shops. I realise this hobby has changed a lot since I was last a part, so just trying to work out what will more enjoyable to run and potentially race. It will be an off road buggy I'll be buying and not an on road or a truggy or other variant.

Thanks

Chris

Hi CW its a verry hard question to answer as to what you would find more fun but i will try and give some pro,s & con,s for you

ec pros
no tuning the engine every run dependant on weather
can be run anywere without fear of complaints about noise
initial expence high but outlay after initial purchace low
no need to go to the shop every now and then to buy fuel

ec cons
dosent mix well with wet weather
batterys only last so long before they need charging again
no tuning of the engine required (some people like to tinker)
expensive if you are looking for top spec

nitro pros
easy to put more fuel in no charging needed except reciver bat
can be used in wet conditions easy
if you plan to race and are good at tuning (pros)
can be converted to ec at a later date

nitro cons
need to buy fuel from shop when you run out
need to tune the engine as temp/moisture/ect changes
noisy smelly dirty
can be expensive to run longterm

please feel free to add any i missed or tell me if my opinion isincorrect peeps

Hmm , some interesting points. I dont mind tinkering but also dont mind not.

Perhaps another way to put the question would be which is more popular now, and with which is there more races held now (in an amateur way that I could join in easily).

With respect to races, are you looking to travel far or stay local?
If local then check out what your local clubs run as that is more likely to influence your choice.

best thing is to work out what clubs you got near to you first then work out what class of racing or fun you wanna do it ok going to the park running your cars but you will find you get very bored with it very quickly running on your own hence why i said see what clubs are near to you click the link and on the left hand side there a tab for clubs click it then look for your area to see what clubs are about and then make your mind up personally i like electric less fuss in tunning them ,less noise, less hassle all round

http://brca.org/

i was importing the kyosho custom mid specials all them years ago

You can't really run 1/8th Nitro indoors really, (say in a sports hall) because of the fumes, however you could convert to electric (but they can still be VERY noisy LOL). This means racing during the winter is a bit restricted if you don't like the wet/wind/rain and cold.

I would go with electric, since the move to Lipo Packs, recharging from flat is now no longer an issue. Just top up and go!
You can also get started very cheaply racing micro's (1/18th and 1/16th scales) which has all the fun of 1/8th but without the cost.

As has been mentioned, if you want to race, see what the local clubs run. Most probably electric 10th, micro or even SC10 is popular at club level. There is a listing of clubs on the BRCA website (http://www.brca.org).

HTH
Mark

Thanks for replies again

Yes I intend to find a local club and bash to begin with and then go on to racing.

The reason for asking now is that I dont want to buy a car and then change it a few months on as its either not a popular enough category to have regular races, or the car I have bought is not competitive.

So if I go for a 1/10th scale electric buggy, what are the recomended higher end ones currently?

I always liked the schumacher cat, but maybe thats because the first one was the revolutinary car just as I was last racing. I would probably go 4WD out of preference.

also whats a good magazine for rc cars now?

go for the new cat sx2 or pick up a good second hand one there a few in the for sale section on here

RC Racer is probably the best around, has been for some years now, new issue should be out this week I think.

I think I'm right in saying that at the 1st of this years 1/10th offroad nationals there were 7 different manufacturers respresented in the A final alone...so the choice of 'top' cars is pretty big right now!

Team Associated B44
Common, pretty durable, parts availability easy

Tamiya TRF511x
Well engineered, parts harder to find

Schumacher Cat sx
Or sx2 is just being released, also fairly common, parts availability good as far I know

Team xtreme Predator x11-08
Unusual design (which I've always liked the look of!), not very common, from what I've read parts have been a problem, but a new shop has recently started trading so parts seem to be/should be easier to get as that gets established

Durango DEX410
Brand new manufacturer, in vogue right now, parts not a problem that I know of

Losi xx4
Old design, getting less common(?), parts not an issue

Yokomo BMAX
Less common, mostly due to parts availability being not so easy, but car seems good!

Kyosho Lazer ZX-5
Much like yokomo, think the japan brands suffer slighty over here due to supply, but no other real reason?

Plus an xFactory protoype car!
They used to produce a conversion kit for the losi, but have recently stopped producing it. Currently developing a new car.

I'm happy too be corrected on the finer details of that list, as I only really have limited real experince of most of it, but my point is there's a big choice, and all have there good and bad points! My suggestion would be to find your local club and see what they are running before you buy anything.

Something that's common at the club will give you more support, something that your local/club shop supports, or just something that really like and don't mind figuring out for yourself.

Anyway, hope that helps, and enjoy!