Last we talked about mini rc cars, and this week I’d like to talk about another mini rc unit. This week I want to look at DuraTrax vehicles. After reading a review on the DuraTrax Evade EXT Off Road Stadium Truck RTR on the RC Hobby Club Blog, I thought I’d look at what else this manufacturer had to offer. One of the most interesting models I found was the 1/18 Mini Quake SE Prebuilt DTXC0011.

1/18 Mini Quake SE Prebuilt DTXC0011 – The Basics

This model comes prebuilt and its parts can be upgraded. Its dimensions are 9.5 inches by 7.4 inches by 4.7 inches and it weighs in at about 1.6 pounds. This RC truck has an electric motor, dual ball differentials, speed stock tires, chromed nylon wheels, steel rods that are adjustable and aluminum CV shafts and oil shocks.

The Pros

The top speed that this model is reported to have is about 30 mph, however, you can upgrade to a brushless motor if you want to increase this top speed by about 10 to 20 mph. Another pro is that this model is easy to maneuver, because it has a steering wheel controller, as opposed to a stick control. Finally, this is an attractive model that works well for both boys and girls.

The Cons

Like other DuraTex products, users of this product have complained about the durability of the stock parts that come with the initial set. Tire problems have also been reported, they are said to break off easily. Finally, this model has a short battery life which means you either have to have several backups, or be willing to limit your play time.

Overall for $160 I expect more, so I would rate this product as one that should be passed up.

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Mini RC cars are an inexpensive way to explore the hobby of remote control vehicles. These cars not only are less expensive than the full sized models, but they are easier to store and a lot of fun to play with, build and race. This week I’d like to review the 1/32 4WD Mini Pro, Nitro Thunder which retails for about $10.80.

1/32 4WD Mini Pro, Nitro Thunder – The Basics

The Mini Pro, Nitro Thunder has dimensions of 156mm by 93mm by 51mm, and it weighs in under 6 ounces. It comes with the racer, remote control and 2 AA batteries.

Pros and Cons

This is a cut little remote control car. To start with I like that it comes fully assembled. The mini cars are more difficult to put together, especially if you don’t have tiny tools to work with. I also like that the batteries are positioned so that one AA battery sits on each side of the engine. This helps to stabilize the vehicle and helps to keep its center of gravity low and balanced.

I also like that this remote control car comes with an illustrated guide book. This makes understanding the instructions much easier than if you just have a text guide. Finally I like that this car comes with decorative stickers that you can add to the cars ABS plastic body. Because they are not attached to the car in the box, you have the option of using the provided stickers, designing your own decorative stickers or buying special decals.

I really don’t have many negatives to report on this vehicle besides the normal mini car complaints. These cars are small and relatively delicate. You can’t run them through water or run them into a hard barrier if you want them to last.

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RC cars are more than just a hobby, they are a lifestyle. If you are interested in RC cars and are looking for a way to bump up your options, then consider participating in an RC racing event or competition. These events provide you with the opportunity to test out your skills, interact with other RC enthusiasts and to experiment with new equipment and RC models.

If you will be in or near San Gabriel on August 10 then consider stopping by or participating in the Area-D Summer Drift Battle. This is a 1/10 EP RC Tadem Drift and Tire Attack Competition. The competition will be located at 701 S. San Gabriel Bldv, San Gabriel, California 91776.

This is an all day event that will include both beginner and advanced classes and a Tire Attack. Classes costs $15 if you prepay/pre-register, and $20 if you pay at the door. If you want to participate in the Tire Attack you will need an RC car with HPI X-Pattern tires. Prizes will be offered to the first three places in the races and to the first place winners of the Tire Attack competitions. A raffle will also be held.

The tracks open at 8:00 a.m. The first qualifying round starts at 9:00 a.m. The first round of tandem racing starts at 11:00 a.m., lower bracket tandems will start and 1 p.m. and will be followed by the upper bracket tandem races. After all races have been completed prizes will be awarded.

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Last week we talked about how you can design a simple body art design for your RC Car. This week I’d like to talk about a couple of tips for keeping your car electric motor RC running smoothly. These tips are common sense, but helpful.

The first step for keeping your RC cars electric car up and running is to keep it clean. While most RC cars will be run through and over mud, water, dirt, gravel and sand, cleaning your RC car after you use it will prevent a lot of problems. First of all if you clean after each use you will reduce the chances that parts will corrode or jam. You will also be able to identify parts that need to be replaced or repaired.

Another tip for keeping your RC cars up and running is to keep everything lubed properly. This will reduce friction in the engine and keep the wear and tear on moving parts down to a minimum. This process will also help you to prevent serious damage to your RC car joints.

Tip number three is to charge your battery properly. This means charging the batteries for the amount of time recommended and using the proper charging equipment. It also means that you replace batteries as they wear out or become damaged.

Last week I came across an interesting blog at Blogcash online. If you are interested in learning more about RC cars and trucks, and to read about this topic from another point of view then I highly recommend that you visit this blog.

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This week I’d like to talk about designing a simple body art design for your remote control car. If you are a skilled airbrush artist then you can freehand just about any type body art design that you want and execute it flawlessly. However, the rest of us need an option that is simple to complete and nearly fool proof.

The first option that you have for the body art design of your RC car is the classic racing strip down the center of the car’s body. To accomplish this you will need to first apply a coat of paint to the body of the car and let it dry. If the manufacturer recommends two coats then apply a second coat and allow it to dry. Next use painter’s tape to mask off the stripe design that you want. Then apply a coat of white paint in the area you masked off for your racing stripe. Allow the paint to dry before removing the tape. Once it is dry you will remove the tape and apply a clear coat to protect your custom paint job.

If you want to add more details to your car then consider using decal kits. These are sold in the same section of hobby stores where you will find RC car tools. Decals can help you add NASCAR style to your RC car’s design, as well as to add special graphics that would be difficult to paint on by hand.

This last week I came across a great blog that explores the world of RC cars and trucks called ZeroRC. Check this blog out and learn more about RC cars.

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This week I’d like to talk about building your own RC car. If you are interested in building your own RC car there are two ways to go about it. Your first option is to buy an RC car or truck kit. These kits will generally include the body, motor and wheels. To complete your RC car you will need to buy a few items like nitro car fuel, batteries, decals and body paint. This is a great option if you are just starting out, or if you don’t have a lot of experience building RC cars.

Your second option is to buy each component of your RC car separately. This option gives you the most freedom for your car’s design, however, the cost of your car parts can quickly add up so be careful. Some of the parts that you will need to buy include radio control car systems, remote control car batteries, an engine, a shell, tires, chassis, decals and body paint. As you can see, the number of parts that you have to buy can quickly turn a weekend project in to a multi-hundred dollar project.

If this is your first attempt at building your own RC car or truck then it is a good idea to pick up a few reference books. Fortunately there are several good books on the market that you can turn to for help selecting parts, help designing your RC car and help putting everything together. You can find these books at your local public library, at hobby shops and at your local bookstore in the hobby section.

Do you have a topic or question that you would like us to cover in this blog? Post your requests and questions below.

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This week I’d like to take a break from product reviews of rc cars and radio control car hop ups. Instead of our usual look at rc cars I’d like to talk about the various types of engines that you can buy to build your own remote control car or to upgrade your old ones.

The first type of engine that you can buy for your RC projects are engines for nitro remote control cars. Hobby Products International offers a great selection of engines. Their Nitro Star F4.1 Engine with pull-start. It fits 1/8 scale nitros and lists for about $229. The dimensions of this engine are 5.9 inches by 4.9 inches by 3.3 inches. Your second option is the Nitro Star T-15 Engine with Pull Start: EVO. This economy engine offers 1.2 horse power, side exhaust and compatibility with the HPI Roto Start System. Its dimensions are 5.8 inches by 4.9 inches by 3.6 inches and it weighs about 14.4 ounces.

The second type of engine that you can buy for your RC projects are rc electric car motors. Your first option is the Motor, 550 Titan, 12 turn. This electric engine lists for $26.00 and weighs in at 8.8 ounces. It comes with preinstalled capacitors, leads and connectors. Its dimensions are 4.2 inches by 3.5 inches by 1.2 inches. If you are working on an RC jet aircraft then you can look at the Himax EPF50BL Electric Ducted Fan with Brushless Motor for RC Jet Aircraft. This product lists for $79.95.

Do you have any tips for selecting a motor for an rc car? Post your tips below.

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RC cars come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. One interesting rc unit that I came across today was an rc bumber hover craft set. This set came with two hovercraft bumper cars and two remotes, and looked like a lot of fun. This set, called the Kid Galaxy Bumper Set, retails for $39.99 and it will be the set I’ll be talking about in this blog.

The dimensions of this rc car trucks alternative are 6.1 inches by 8.1 inches by 14.2 inches and it weighs in at about 2.4 pounds. It is designed for kids ages six through ten and looks like it would make a great travel toy for vacations and road trips. You will need ten AAA batteries to operate this set, which can be quite an investment if you need to replace the batteries frequently, so I would highly recommend investing in rechargeable AAA batteries so that you cut down on the amount of waste you produce and the amount of money you spend over the long run.

What I like about this toy is that it is interactive and it can be used with one or two kids. I also like that each unit is designed for being bumped around so you don’t have to worry so much that the kids will break the rc cars by running them into something. I also like that you can run these units over just about any terrain from hard floors to carpet. What I didn’t like about this toy is the number of batteries you have to use, the recharge time and the driver, which can be ejected from his seat when the unit is hit right, could be a choking hazard for young children so be careful.

Have you bought mini rc cars recently? Post your review below.

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P>Finding something to keep the kids busy during the summer is challenging and can be expensive. If you are looking for a low cost activity to entertain your kids this summer consider investing in one or two cheap rc cars. These toys will provide your kids with hours of fun and will keep them out of trouble and out of the house.

Discount rc cars come in several varieties. Your first option is to buy them preassembled. The preassembled models are going to be the best option for young kids and kids who are just getting involved in the rc lifestyle. The price range for these rc unites will start around $15 and go up to about $30. You can find low cost rc units designed specifically for toddlers, as well as general audiences.

Your second option is to buy parts for an rc unit and have your kids build their own cars. This is a great option for older kids who need a project to keep their hands and minds busy. Building your own rc units can be expensive, however, if you look for bargain parts or clearance parts, you can save a lot of money. This is a fun activity that is educational. Not only will your kids learn how mechanical elements of their rc unit work, but they will also learn how to follow instructions, how to problem solve and how to apply their creativity to the design of the rc unit’s paint job and decoration.

Do you have a suggestion for affordable rc cars? Post your responses below.

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Today I am off on vacation with the kids. With a weeklong excursion planned I have been looking for fun toys to keep the kids entertained between vacation activities. One of the items that I came across while shopping for my vacation was the Gator Morphibian Radio Control toy produced by Kid Galaxy. The normal price for this item is about $27.00, however, I found it for about $20.

RC car toys are a great diversion for kids on vacation. However, if you have little kids you need to find inexpensive RC toys that are durable and capable of handling a little water. Fortunately, this little gator is mobile in both water and on land. It has a four wheel drive chassis and is recommended for kids eight and older, but according the consumer reviews of this product, kids as young as four can handle this toy.

The Gator Morphibian Radio Control car weighs in at about 1.8 pounds and has dimensions of 6.1 inches by 7.1 inches by 11.2 inches, which means it will not take up a lot of space in your suitcase, camper or car. It will require 2 AAA batteries. According to the consumer reviews on this product, the unit is reasonably durable, it is easy to use and it is better suited for kids under 8 instead of over 8 like the box recommends. This looks like a great toy to toss in your bag for vacation, and with a reasonable price tag, you don’t have to worry if this toy gets left behind or broken while away from home.

Generally I prefer Tyco RC cars, however, Kid Galaxy is quickly gaining my confidence. Do you have an RC model that you would like to recommend or review? Post your comments below and share your opinions with the RC Cars Hobby blog readers.

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