Brushed or Brushless

[RoyalCBR]

Being just about to dip my toe into the RC scene, and doing some online research into what to spend my cash on, can anyone let me know the benefits of brushed vs brushless?

Cheers, Mark

[mattJT]

Hi there

Not the biggest expert on here, but essentially brushed motors will need maintenance and on the whole a smidge slower than brushless.

Are you planning on racing or bashing? if racing, worth having a look at your local track to check if they've any club rules around motor type - if just bashing, I'd have to say go brushless.

I bashed when I started out and my car had a brushed set up - which often got jammed with dirt and debris - moved to brushless and that problem soon disappeared

[Col]

There is a reason everyone runs brushess...

It's cheaper in the long run, it's faster, smoother, more runtime and less hassle.

[CrashBangWallop]

As per previous post - Brushless for all the same reasons just make sure whatever brushless system you go for you can 'update' it or change the settings really easily. Bear in mind that a good brushless speedo will be able to run almost any motor 21.5 (Slow and smooth ) right down to an insane 3.5 (Fast and huge torque ) and be tuneable to your requirements and be able to handle 1 or 2 cell Li-Po ( 3.7volts or 7.4volts ).

Also another factor is what you want to go play with, 12th scale / 10th touring car / 4wd buggy. Some speedo's are better at certain things and this can be reflected in price and also their footprint ( how big or small they are ).

Best thing to do is exactly what you have done which is ask a question on one of the helpful RC Forums available.

I am not affiliated with any particular brand or race for any team but I would put my money in to a Tekin RS Pro or XERUN 120 amp version.

By brushed speedo standards both these speedos are at the top of their game and relatively cheap considering how expensive some brushed speedo's were before we changed to brushless !

These 2 will run 'almost' any motor and will possibly suit most budgets and both are upgradeable through software updates from the manufacturer.

[emtee]

As you are asking for feedback on BL I guess you already use lipo?

If not, IMO lipo first, then BL...(just remember not to let the lipo get discharged(flat) too much as they can be damaged by allowing that to happen...)You can buy lipo alarms for a couple of ££'s off fleabay and are a must if your esc is NOT lipo aware...

BL and lipo are the best things to happen to RC since ever..!

BL motors really are the biz... very low(virtually nil..) maintenance, faster, more efficient and look way better than Brushed...

As for cost, well the EZrun systems are well priced and are adjustable for boost, power curve etc.. but check they are ok to run at your club as they are not BRCA approved ATM... Tekin have a good price starter system and the feedback I've heard is good... I use Novak, but then again I'm easily pleased..!

[RoyalCBR]

Thanks for the replies.

I had an idea that brushless would be easier to maintain. With regard to 'lipo' - eeer, what is that?

Does it relate to the battery of the buggy?

The potential purchase I had been eyeing up is a Castor Racing Buggy 1/10 which is fitted with a brushless 'Hobbywing Brushless 35A ESC' motor.

With club racing I would love to get involved, and have been told about the Silverstone set-up and also events at Coventry, both with off-road buggies - I live in Milton Keynes so anywhere midlands based would be good.

The more advice the better really, cheers

[David Church]

Best thing to do is go to a local club and see what cars are running, this way there should be spares trackside if you break.
Lipo, is the battery, and they are very good now a days.
Brushless all the way, then get a 2.4 transmitter and a pt, or personal transponder and your sorted.
I would advise to get a good strong car to start with, this way you won't get frustrated with alot of breakages.
I don't know about the Castor car, but Ive not seen many when racing so there wouldnt be many spares around.

[RoyalCBR]

Thanks David, I will get myself down to Silverstone on a Tuesday night (I believe that is the right night for off-road).

What would you recommend for around the £250 budget? I was looking online this afternoon and the Team Associated buggies look very nice

[David Church]

Yep thats right, buggies Tuesday night.
If you are looking at 4wd the B44 would be a great for you. I would look at buying everything 2nd hand to start off, its far cheaper to get started.

Go speak to Alec Springer, he's a really nice guy and will happily help you

[racingdwarf]

in 2wd i changed to brushless because brushed was becoming out of date, no one is making top end brushed stuff anymore all the R&D these days is going into brushless, so I made the change.

In 4wd brshless is a must,so much less hastle

[RoyalCBR]

So I guess a 4WD brushless buggy would be the way to go?

Do the 2WD's suck? Or just more difficult or get to grips with?

Cheers, Mark

[David Church]

Yes 2wd is GAY.


Just kidding.
I find 4wd far easier to drive than 2wd, especially on wet outdoor tracks, 2wd can be quite difficult in those conditions. On a dry track there is not alot of difference between laptimes of 2wd and 4wd.
4wd is more maintenance though, but I think it's more fun.

[RoyalCBR]

Thanks for the advice David, I will keep my eyes open for a used 4WD buggy - will post pics when I get it