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July 26, 2010

Radio Controlled Autos – An Enjoyable Pastime

If someone is interested in remote controlled hobbies, they almost definitely started with a car. This is because, unlike a boat or a plane, cars will not normally be totally smashed up if the operator makes a big mistake or the engine fails. It is fairly easy to make a simple radio controlled car, but as you are doing it, you will realize that there is a huge amount to be learned.

As you acquire this knowledge, you can make use of advanced techniques to create vehicles that are tougher, faster and more efficient than your previous efforts. You can either piece one together in a few days, or you can spend months creating an amazing auto which has superb speed and handling.

If you are just starting out with remote controlled hobbies, it is probably wise to purchase a pre-made, RTR (ready-to-run) remote controlled auto. It is possible to buy these in toy or modeling stores almost anywhere. They may be slow and clumsy and they may not gratify your technological desires, but they are still a good place to begin. Have fun with it for a couple of days, and then dismantle it. Examine the way the motors are connected to the wheels, and look at the general architecture of the car.

After you have grasped it all, you will have much better idea when you start to construct your own. You may even be able to make use of a few parts, such as the shell of the vehicle or the radio control equipment. The motors will probably not be as strong as you will want.

Once you have gained this indispensable basic understanding of the way that radio controlled vehicles work, you can start with whatever your next undertaking is going to be. The ambition for most people is to build a model car from wood or plastic, install the electrical components, paint it, affix decals, and get it looking as good and running as well as possible. Others may want to construct an extremely fast remote controlled vehicle in order to show off to associates. But no matter what you want to do, you will only be able to achieve it, if you take it one small step at a time and become skilled at everything there is to know about remote controlled pastimes.

However, there are many different resources that can assist you become an expert in remote controlled hobbies. You will almost certainly spend a lot of time reading about all the different details that you require. You can find information and even tutorials on the Internet. For more specific questions, you could always go to community groups and forums. This is where enthusiasts from all over the world meet together on the Internet to discuss their hobby, assist each other, and boast about their latest accomplishments. These groups welcome newcomers, especially if you are polite when asking your question.

Radio controlled cars can also go in for competitions. If you want to put your car up against those of other enthusiasts, there are various races and shows around the world. A quick Internet search will reveal where next event is. You could make a weekend trip out of it and it will be worth it to be around others who are as passionate as you about what you are doing. These meetings may include races, or they may just be a get-together to share tips and tricks with other radio enthusiasts. You will be surprised at the quantity of information that you can learn from the people who go to these dos.

It may be daunting at first to start a new hobby, since there is probably heaps of stuff that you probably know nothing about. However, the best thing to do is just get started with the fundamentals and learn gradually.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with gas remote control cars. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

June 2, 2010

Model RC Sports Cars

Do your interests in model remote control cars lie in high speed, rapid acceleration and magnificence of form? If this is exactly what you are looking for in a model vehicle, then a model sports car is almost certainly what you are looking for. Authentic size sports cars are a $4.5 billion industry with about 55,000 units being sold every year.

Sports cars and their model counterparts are built as high performance machines, which means that they can be driven in ways that normal production line cars can not. For example, in the case of a real sports car, it frequently takes no more than five seconds to travel at from 0 to 100 mph. Similarly in a model high performance gas reproduction, it often takes no more than two seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing start.

Because it is more difficult to manouevre a speeding vehicle, sports cars and model sports cars are especially designed to handle best at high speeds. In deed, the word “sporty” was coined to refer to a sleek but robust design that exudes power. It was later personified to refer to the person behind the wheel or in the modelling world, the person at the remote controls.

The following is a basic glossary of sports car terminology and a basic directory of sports car manufacturers (many of which have their counterpart cars in the world of model gas remote control cars).

- FF – front engine, front wheel drive. The FF layout has a moderate capability for high speed handling and is seen in some models such as the Fiat Coup?, and the Lotus Elan M100.

- FR – front engine, rear wheel drive Considered the ?classic? sports car layout, the engine drives the rear wheels but keeps the weight off the back. The FR is good at drifting corners while still maintaining control. Mercedes-Benz is recognized for using this design for its models.

- RR – rear engine, rear wheel drive With the engine at the back driving the rear wheels, weight placement on a RR layout provides outstanding traction for a car. However, without auxiliary driving aids like stability control, handling becomes difficult. These days, the only manufacturer who keeps the RR layout for its cars is Porche.

AWD – all wheel drive An AWD design provides optimum handling, making it perfect for those who are just starting to race sports cars. Audi began the widespread use of this system with the Quattro. Japanese manufacturers like Mitsubishi employed this layout to enhance handling, making it an excellent rally car.

Because of more stringent regulations in the United States, sports car manufacturers are more prevalent in Europe than in America. Nonetheless, American brands are in equal competition with their European and Asian counterparts. Some recognized manufacturers and models are:

Alfa Romeo; Alpine; Aston Martin; Austin-Healey; BMW; Bugatti; Caterham; Davrian; De Lorean; Ferrari; Fisker; Jaguar; Koenigsegg; Lamborghini; Lotus; McLaren; Maserati; MG; Morgan; Panoz; Porsche; Triumph; TVR; Vector.

If this article has whetted your appetite for a sports car, go out and buy one now, if you are wealthy. If not, why not do the next best thing and buy yourself a 1:8 or even a 1:5 petrol-powered, remote-controlled sports car?

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the petrol remote control car. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

May 15, 2010

Remote Controlled Models – The Helicopter

If you like remote controlled models and have lots of space, then you may want to think about purchasing one of the new big remote control helicopters that have recently been introduced by several makes. These helicopters, which can sometimes be as big as ten feet long, rival genuine helicopters in agility. They are expensive and can cost three thousand dollars or more.

As with many fads, some people just have to possess one of their own. So, the next time you are walking in the park and you see a helicopter flying around, look again closely. At first you will probably think that it is a real helicopter that is just further away then you first thought. But look again and you will almost certainly see someone controlling the helicopter with a huge remote control unit.

If you see one of these remote controlled helicopters in flight, consider yourself very lucky. Because it is so costly to own one of these beauties, they are also still pretty rare. However, because I am an ardent collector myself, I have considered buying one of these big remote control helicopters, and I even put a bid on one in Ebay once, but in the end I did not get it and instead decided to wait until the cost comes down a bit more.

Just as with any new, trendy item, big remote control helicopters are the latest fad, but in a few years, I am sure there will be a better supply and the price will fall. Then I will be ready and waiting to buy. But until then, I have a very bighearted and rich friend who owns one, and I will rehearse flying his. I have already taken it out once – it is so much more powerful than the normal, small remote control helicopters that you are most likely used to. When you first turn it on, the big remote control helicopter?s rotors spin with such ferociousness, that you may worry that you are going to break something. and then, when it lifts off the ground, you will experience a huge sense of achievement, knowing that you are the one who is controlling it.

And if you are able to make a successful, smooth landing as well, then you can truly call yourself a helicopter pilot, because even those very experienced with small remote control helicopters will be impressed to see someone land a big remote control helicopter, because it truly is completely different. So if you happen to be lucky, rich, or just determined enough to acquire one of your own, take pleasure in your time with your large helicopter.

I assure you that it will be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. For me, the entire event was unreal, and when it was all over, I had to phone everyone I knew and tell them how I had flown a 10 foot helicopter and landed it smoothly. I bet that?s how pilots feel the first time they fly a real aircraft.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with remote controlled trucks. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

April 22, 2010

Remote Control Car Reviews

I have read loads of reviews about remote control cars, because I am a subscriber to a remote control car aficionados’ magazine that carries articles about all the different kinds of remote control gas cars on the market. It also recommends the best one to buy depending on whether you are a first time owner or an RC old hand. The magazine is great, and it helps me see what other RC car owners think about the various models and brands of RC cars and trucks.

I have to say that people’s views vary quite widely on every subject, which is why it’?s probably always best to do your own studying and get what best suits you, rather than getting what other people say will suit you, when they do not even know you. Having said that, many first time buyers do not actually know what they are looking for, and it is really these people that these reports are written for.

However, these reviews are not meant to be taken too literally, rather they are intended as a guideline so that potential novice purchasers have to think about the aspects of buying a remote control gas car or truck. It also gives experts a run down of the most important details. Then you need to make up your own mind whether you care, for instance, whether the car’s engine runs on gas or nitro.

All in all, I like this magazine because it considers people from all walks of life, and its writers and editor appreciate that even if you are interested in buying a gas remote control car, you may not have enough money or you might be reading just out of interest in RC cars or trucks.

We all know that money is difficult to come by these days, and consumers are becoming more and more knowledgeable about the goods they want, which is a good thing in my view. After all, there are other merchants who just desire to get the most money they can for their products and mark up their RC model car prices to excessive amounts in the hope that they will get a couple of foolish customers that did not do their groundwork.

And I am sure that they probably do get a few patrons like that, because they do stay in business one way or another and I regularly hear horror stories about individuals who have paid far too much for their RC gas car or truck.

When you ask them why they did not take the time to read the reviews in a magazine, they typically say that they did not know about the magazines, or even worse, that they did not have enough time. Therefore it appears that they had enough time to work like a dog for the money, but then not sufficient time to read a short magazine review? I doubt it very much. With a bit of luck, consumers will continue becoming more and more vigilant about their purchases.

It is such a pity, so, If you happen to be a new RC car enthusiast, or you know someone who is, please make sure you read the remote control car and truck reviews before concluding a purchase. It can literally save you hundreds of your hard earned dollars.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the remote control-gas-car. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

April 20, 2010

Tamiya RC Vehicles

Tamiya is a firm well-known for producing first-rate miniatures of vehicles. They are famous today for introducing the world to the sport of mini 4WD racing. However, what many people do not know, is that Tamiya also introduced the world to RC (remote controlled or radio controlled) cars. The Tamiya RC car line-up has a quantity of models that show the excellence of the firm’s skill in model design.

Here are some of the Tamiya RC model cars available today:

Nitro Crusher – This RC car boasts of a mighty FS-15S engine that features a large bore slide carburetor to satisfy your need for speed. The engine also has a precise brake system that guarantees practical safety. This Tamiya RC car will also satisfy your desire for muscle because it comes in the form of a huge truck.

You can drive through all sorts of territory as effortlessly as if you were driving on the roadway. This RC car has a variety of points that permit it to cruise through special kinds of terrain. It has extra-large tires that are perfect for dealing with mud, sand and rocks. It also features a frontal impact control system that permits you to enjoy steady running no matter what hazards you encounter.

Mini cooper – If you do not know what a Mini Cooper is, imagine Mr. Bean’s much-loved car. This RC car is based on that small-but-awesome car of the 1960’s. The Mini Cooper is famous for its small size and mighty performance. In point, the Mini Cooper even raced tremendously well in competitions like the World Rally Championships.

This RC vehicle features an M-03 chassis that is specially designed to be as fast as feasible. The double wishbone suspension also guarantees the steadiness and excellent handling of the vehicle. This model is an electric RC car, which means that the batteries add a lot of weight. However, a hole cut into the chassis guarantees that this RC model can still run very well regardless of its weight.

Subaru Impreza WRC Monte Carlo – This RC model is intended for the latest kind of racing. This Tamiya RC car is intended to drift. The chassis of this RC vehicle, the TT-01D, is constructed from lightweight materials and has been specifically designed to have a low center of gravity. This means that this RC car will not roll over if you try to “drift” it.

What are the benefits of drift racing? Well, in standard turns, there is a penchant for vehicles to lose speed. By drifting, the car can maintain the optimum speed and precision control. However, there is always the chance of something going wrong, which is the reason for Tamiya’s excellent engineering.

XBG Nitro Force – Capable of unbelievable top speeds, this RC model is unquestionably a force to be reckoned with. Powered by a precision FR-S glow engine, this Tamiya RC car employs a recoil starter for clean starting every time. This RC car also boasts of a strengthened resin frame chassis with a low center of gravity, making it extra stable during fast driving.

This Tamiya RC car also incorporates a very aerodynamic frame, making sure that the flow of air will not adversely affect your desire for speed. All in all, if you want a Tamiya RC car that will satisfy your desire for speed and excitement, this is the vehicle that you should be getting.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with 1:5 scale RC cars. If you would like to know more about these monster 1/5 scale rc cars, please click the link to our website now.

April 17, 2010

The Different Kinds Of RC Cars

Radio controlled cars, remote controlled cars or RC cars and trucks are devices, with which to have fun. However, many RC hobbyists take their fun very seriously indeed. They want their RC car or truck to be the most realistic or the fastest by tweaking the basic kit and by fine-tuning the engine. This is not a new trend at all. Hobbyists have been building and racing model cars since the 1940’s. However, these early cars were constrained by technology.

In the early days of the hobby, the models had to be manufactured by hand by hobbyists and radio control was ineffective and too dear for home use. Those early models were controlled remotely by wire. Consequently remote controlled model cars could only run the length of the wire, which meant in effect that the car went round and round the operator. It was not until the 1960’s that radio control became available and this meant proper races around a proper race track. The true hobby-cum-sport of model racing was born.

After the hobby or sport had been opened up by genuine radio control, it became more exhilarating and it attracted more hobbyists and with them came improvement and commercial interest. This means that the technology involved in radio controlled cars and trucks has come on in leaps and bounds. One point worth mentioning here is that a big differentiation between model cars used to be whether they were remote controlled or radio controlled. Unfortunately, they are both shortened to RC and so the terms are often used arbitrarily these days.

The most popular RC cars for novices are the electrically driven model cars and trucks. Electric RC cars have to rely on rechargeable batteries for power. This is their main drawback, but being electrically driven also means that the car is cleaner and more responsive to control. Electrically driven cars are apt to be lighter and consequently faster. They are cleaner because there is no exhaust. They are easier to maintain, but also less easy to modify. They accelerate extremely quickly

The next step for many RC hobbyists is the Nitro car. Nitro cars are driven by miniature engines which run on a mixture of nitromethane and lubricating oil. These cars are very fast with a fast acceleration. They can reach and maintain higher speeds than electric cars, whose batteries are constantly running down which means less power for speed.

Nitro cars and trucks are loud and smelly. They produce the loud whine that people link with model racing, but they also produce exhaust which means that they cannot be used indoors.

More and more model cars are now using petroleum powered RC cars. These replicas tend to be the larger ones. These RC cars and trucks have engines that are more familiar to the non-specialist, but they have all the characteristics of an average car. They produce fumes, noise and are slower to accelerate that the other types. However, petrol driven engines will last longer than nitro engines. Because these models are larger, they can take more fuel on board and so go longer distances.

All three of the above types can then be on-road or off-road. On-road cars will be built for racing only and the tyres will be racing tyres and the engines will be finely tuned to reach top speed quickly and maintain it for the duration of the race. On the other hand, off-road RC cars are built for going up and down hill over all kinds of natural hazards, so the engine has to have more torque and the tyres need to be able to maintain a good grip. These cars are usually slower.

The last distinguishing feature of the different RC cars is size or more precisely the scale. 1:8 was and still is quite popular. That scale means that for every eight inches of the actual car, the model is one inch long. Other popular sizes are 1:10 and 1:12, but there is a new class of RC cars and trucks gaining popularity, the monster 1:5 cars and trucks, which are petrol powered.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with gas remote control cars. If you have an interest in model RC vehicles, please click through to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

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