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The RC Cars Hobby site is here for you to share the latest information and techniques for assembling, painting, maintaining and racing your remote control cars. Whether you are a beginner, radio control car enthusiasts or week-end hobbyist, this forum’s purpose is to provide a place for you to ask your questions and get answers from each other.
Have fun and enjoy the adventure with your fellow drivers worldwide!
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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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.
Posted in summer ideas | 2 Comments »
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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One of the most exciting RC cars hobby is that of car drifting. Or do you already engage in it and seek to solidify some of your skills?
If either of these is the case, then you can make use of these helpful radio controlled drift tipps tricks.
Low-grip tires work best for RC car drifting. The less traction exists between the tires and the road surface, the more easily the car can drift along. While you want good traction on conventional remote control race cars, you want the exact opposite for RC car drifting. You can make great low-grip drifting tires out of PVC pipe.
Some other important radio controlled drift tipps tricks is that remote control car drifting only works well with electric RC cars. Nitro and gasoline powered RC cars run the risk of engine overheat if you try to get them in a sideways drift. The clutch of any kind of fuel powered RC car can also take a beating while drifting. Electric RC cars are safe for drifting - both to you and to the car.
Remember that the best RC drift cars have a very stiff chassis so as to avoid bending while drifting. Going sideways or at an angle really puts a strain on the vehicle, so it is important to make sure that it can resist that strain!
At the same time, lightness is a tremendously important characteristic of RC drift cars, which need to be highly maneuverable and responsive to your attempts to control them. HPI, Tamiya, and Nikko are some of the manufacturers of excellent RC drift cars that have struck a highly satisfactory balance between sturdiness and lightness.
We hope that these radio controlled drift tipps tricks will enable you to enjoy and excel at the thrilling hobby of drifting with radio control cars.
Posted in drift cars | 1 Comment »
Today I came across a remote control car that I just had to talk about. It is the XPV Super Terranator Green 49 MHz. This item had so many comments made on it I felt that it was worth talking about here in the blog. This model is promoted for kids eight and up, but it is so durable and easy to use kids four and up can use it without problems.
First of all let’s talk about the basics of this model. It lists for $79.99, however, you can find it at many stores for under $65. It weighs in at nine pounds and comes with two engines, a two channel controller, four wheel drive and offers 12V of power. It is an all terrain vehicle that is designed to handle just about anything from mud to water puddles. It even comes with a 12V Nickel Metal Hydride battery.
Now let’s look at the pros of this model. First of all it can be grouped with discount rc cars as it is very affordable, especially for the speed, power and all terrain characteristics of this car. Next, it is easy to use and very durable. Consumer claim that you can just hose off the car after you go muddying and it will be good as new. The only drawbacks of this vehicle are that the roll bar has a tendency to fall off, as does the antenna. However, a little super glue can solve these problems. The battery is also non-replaceable, according to the owner’s manual. However, this battery is rechargeable.
Is there an RC car that you would like me to cover in a future RC Cars Hobby blog? If so post your request below.
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The cost of RC cars can run any where from $20 to several hundred dollars depending on the type, size and speed of the model. Low end RC cars are considered toys and are generally designed for little kids. They are relatively slow and have few bells and whistles, although they are cute. Midline RC cars are really entry level RC vehicles. They typically run about 35 to 55 mph and can have either an electric or nitro motor. Prices for midline RC units can range anywhere from $65 to a couple hundred dollars. High end RC cars costs hundreds of dollars and can top 100 mph. These vehicles are usually customizable and have upgradeable parts.
As you can see, the higher you go in price the more bells and whistles the car has. Because RC cars can be fairly valuable you don’t want to treat them like a $20 toy. To protect your investment you need to follow maintenance tips to keep your cars in top condition and to prevent malfunctions and serious damage to the vehicle. Some tips that you can follow include cleaning your vehicle after each use, using the correct fuel or electrical charge for your vehicles, replacing parts as they wear out and following the use directions that come with your car.
The final way that you can protect your RC investment is to buy RC car insurance. That’s right. A few insurance agents actually offer RC car insurance. Talk to your insurance agent to see if they offer RC insurance, or if they know a reputable company that does. If you have a multi-thousand dollar collection and if you can’t find rc car insurance, consider insuring your collection under a standard property insurance policy.
Do you have recommendations on how collectors can protect their RC collections? Post your recommendations on the RC Cars Hobby Blog.
Posted in rc investments | 1 Comment »
I’d like to take a couple weeks off from writing rc cars hobby reviews. This week I’d like to explore how to build a race track for your rc cars. You can use this track for your own races or you can open it up to the public and make money on the weekends.
The first step in building a race track for rc nitro cars is to figure out where you want to build the track. Outdoor tracks take at least a quarter acre. If you don’t have this type of space then look at building an indoor race track in your garage or basement.
Next you will want to construct the track. If you are outside you can just use hard packed dirt for the base of the track. Include in your track’s design hills, turns and straight-a-ways. You may also want to design some hazards that you can add to the track for higher level racers. However, make sure these hazards can be removed so that novice racers can also play on the track.
Step three is to think about the lighting for your track. Outdoor tracks don’t necessarily need lighting, however, if you want to use the track at night then flood lights can be helpful. Also think about adding neon signs for decoration, lighting, advertising and atmosphere. Finally, look into a scale model of a starting light.
Do you have tips for building a race track for RC car models? Are there products that you would recommend for an outdoor or indoor track? Do you have a track that you would like to recommend or promote? Post all of your comments below. Let’s start a dialogue.
Posted in rc activities | 1 Comment »
Last week we talked about a racing event, but this week I want to get back to RC car reviews, since that is what readers seem to want. Today I will be talking about the pros and cons of an RC Sprint Car, the Sprint RTR Drift Sport With Toyota Treuno AE86 Body. This model is produced by Hobby Products International.
This product provides you with a blank canvas on which to paint and sticker. The body is 7.2 pounds, and measures 25.5 inches by 7.9 inches by 11.8 inches. It is a 1/10th scale remote control car model and is powered by an electric engine. It comes pre-trimmed and offers a special hard compound to prevent damage to the body.
This remote control car model has a great looking body design. It is very sporty and easy to paint. Because it has an electric motor it is a clean and quiet toy that is perfect for indoor use, however, it also does well outside. If you are not particularly gifted with a paintbrush don’t worry, as this kit comes with officially licensed Toyota drift decals. Another great feature that comes with this kit are the officially license Volk TE37 wheel replicas.
I have searched high and low for negative reviews and cons for this model, however, I haven’t found any. The only cons I can think of are that it is an expensive model, considering you have to paint the body yourself and it has an electric engine as opposed to a nitro engine.
Do you have a remote control car that you would like the RC Cars Hobby blog to cover in a future article? If so, post your request below.
Posted in rc cars: drift cars | No Comments »
NASCAR fans gear up for a four day racing spectacular at the Monster Mile from May 29 through June 1. Three great races are planned for this long weekend including the AAA Insurance 200 race, the Heluva Good! ® 200 race and the Best Buy 400 race which will benefit Student Clubs for Autism Speak.
While no races will be held on May 29, the gates will be open and drivers will be practicing on the Monster Mile. Gates open at 2 and practice begins at 2:30 p.m. This is a great day to study driving techniques, identify your favorite drivers and to get to know other people interested in NASCAR racing and NASCAR remote control cars.
The first official day of racing will be on Friday May 30. The grandstand gates will open at 9 a.m. and practicing will also begin at that time. Qualifying runs will be held at 10:10 a.m. and at 3:10 p.m. Drivers will be introduced at 4:45 p.m. and the AAA Insurance 200 race will start at 5:00 p.m. Tickets range in price form $6 for kids under 12 to $38 for reserved seating.
Saturday is the second day of racing. Gates open at 9, and the Heluva Good! ® 200 race starts at 3 p.m. Tickets include $8 for kids under 12, $42 for general admission and $47+ for reserved seating. A special offer for this race is that kids get in free with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket.
The main race event will be held on Sunday. Gates will open at 9 a.m, pre-race activities start at 12:30, drivers will be introduced at 1:30 and the Best Buy 400 will start at 2:00. Family reserved seating starts at $55 each and reserved seating runs between $50 and $95 per ticket. This is a great event to get driving tips for your RC car trucks models.
If you plan on attending this event let us know here at RC Cars Hobby. You can also post a review of the event below.
Posted in nascar events 2008 | No Comments »
Last week we talked about a Chicco remote control car that was designed specifically for little girls, today I’d like to talk about another Chicco remote control car designed for toddlers in general. Today’s rc model is the Child’s First Remote Control Car.
The Child’s First Remote Control Car lists for $22.99 and is as cute as a bug, a little yellow bug to be exact. Like other Chicco toddler remote control vehicles, the remote control unit for this model can be attached to the care when not in use, and used as the vehicle’s carrying handle. The dimensions of this care is 7.1 inches by 7 inches by 13.7 inches and weighs in at 2.1 pounds.
To start with the design of this remote control car is very cute and toddler friendly. Its bright yellow exterior and cute character design, makes this unit very attractive for toddlers. While researching this remote control car I found that parents and consumers in general, had a mixed reaction to this toy. Some stated that the unit was durable, cute and easy to operate. However, others complains that this car had design flaws that made it less than functional. The problem, it seems, is that the groove on the axel that is designed to provide friction and mobilize the unit was cut in the wrong place. One parent published the instructions for fixing this problem in their Amazon product review, however, it seems like a lot of work for a toy. You are probably better off, just buying a different toy.
When shopping for RC cars that are toddler friendly, you need to look for products that are fun and functional. You will also want to read the boxes before leaving the store so you know what remote control car batteries you will need to buy and which ones are included. Next week we will look at Tyco RC cars for toddlers.
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