Getting restarted in RC Cars (1/10 electric buggy content)

When I was last involved in RC cars, LiPo batteries, brushless motors and frequency-paired radios were all just starting to be rolled out (about 10 years ago) so I missed all of these cool upgrades. I'm getting ready to start again (more stress-relief than serious competition). I could troll the rc sites as a newb, but trust advice here more. I know these threads come up from time to time, but I couldn't find a good baseline through search. I'm probably going to buy an Associated RC10B5 kit. I need a crash course on a good brushless sensor combo (local shop/track runs a 17.5 with turbo class), radio and understanding of LiPos, as well as anything relatively new to the sport that I can't/shouldn't live without. I'm not looking for good mid-level recommendations. In the time/money paradox, right now I've got more money than time so I would rather buy new than chase CL or eBay.

My first real RC was an RC10 stadium truck. But that was back in the beginning of the digital speed control era. 7.2 volt NiCd was common, NiMH was new technology. Sorry I can't help you, but I did want to cheer you on with the RC10 route.

I had been toying around with my 16 year old Nitro Stampede last Summer and Fall. I might get a Traxxas Summit this Summer and start bashing again.

Traxxas makes a nice ESC/motor combo for their Slash truck. It'd work very well for bashing.

Hobby store sale

ESC and motor

Traxxas motor

I went back and reread what I wrote. Not really bashing. I have a local shop with a really nice indoor track. It's open in the evenings for practice and racing Tuesday and weekends. My competitive streak will have me racing, I just know that at 46 I don't have the hand-eye that the young'ns have and I don't have the time to get seriously competitive. I still plan to build this as a race buggy.

I bought a BRE 510 1/12 kit, and had a friend who is into fighting robots set up all the electronics and stuff. He bought Lipo batteries from somebody that are better than some from somebody else, as well as being cheaper.

Helpful, eh?

I'll try to track down better info- I'm pretty sure he posted some build stuff up on Facebook.

EDIT: I'll copy the pertinent posts:

1: I bought my 5300mAh 30/60C nanotech lipos from hobbyking in seattle. $26/ea. They work as good as my other lipos that cost 4X more. Shipping is $26, but it is totally worth it if you and Jamie each order a pack or two.

2:Are lipos not illegal to ship without a hazardous goods permit over the border? Or is hobby king in canada? My 5500s 30c were 53 bucks and I bought two so they came with free shipping via great hobbies.

3:I've ordered dozens of lipos from hobbyking in china, but now that hobbyking have a warehouse in seattle, I order my lipos from their usa warehouse now. Shipping usually takes 2-4 days via purolator, and I haven't had to pay duties yet.

What does your local shop sell? What track?

I have had good luck with savox servos, tekin escs, motorsi use whatever I can. Batteries I have being using Smc because the importer races with us at one of the local tracks

If you used to race get a decent set up and go have fun. Indoors I run 3 to 5 classes depending on the day. The local indoor track has 200 people for a club race so I have the time.

Why not post on some of the local forums to see if there is anything used for sale.

I'm a drifter and an offroad guy, so my info may not help BUT- I run Castle ESC's/motors, and I've been very happy with Hitec servos. I currently run Turnigy lipos- hardcase per local indoor rules, and am very happy with them as well.

Ok. I might suggest, if you aren't into the nth degree gotta have it new gear guy, see if they have a Slash stock class. I know, totally different from a buggy, but hear me out. Rather than having the biggest, baddest, stock is stock. There is limited upgrades and tuning allowed. That way, its more focus on the driver, and tuning, rather than the "gear."

If not, any brushless/LiPo will work great. I'm not sure how much you like to fiddle with things, as some are plug and play, and others require set up. You're local hobby store should be able to help.

glueguy wrote: When I was last involved in RC cars, LiPo batteries, brushless motors and frequency-paired radios were all just starting to be rolled out (about 10 years ago) so I missed all of these cool upgrades. I'm getting ready to start again (more stress-relief than serious competition). I could troll the rc sites as a newb, but trust advice here more. I know these threads come up from time to time, but I couldn't find a good baseline through search. I'm probably going to buy an Associated RC10B5 kit. I need a crash course on a good brushless sensor combo (local shop/track runs a 17.5 with turbo class), radio and understanding of LiPos, as well as anything relatively new to the sport that I can't/shouldn't live without. I'm not looking for good mid-level recommendations. In the time/money paradox, right now I've got more money than time so I would rather buy new than chase CL or eBay.

So I actually know a fair amount on this subject from from racing the 17.5 Stock Short Course trucks for a couple years and the Vintage Trans Am and USGT series onroad classes.

I run an Associated SC10 Factory Team truck and can say it's an awesome truck, so if their buggy is anything like this, you'll be pleased.

For most of the stuff I would actually buy used on rctech.net, you can usaully find someone wanting to exit the hobby and running a massive sale of all their stuff, but if you want to piece it out I'll tell you what I'm running and have been happy with.

Motor - LRP X12 17.5t I've tried Novak, Speed Passion, Trinity, and Thunder Power, but the LRP takes heat way better and has more torque than most of these. I got mine used for $40

ESC - For racing in a Turbo class it's hard to beat the Tekin RS, with the laptop link and software it's super customizable. I'm running an older KO Propo VFS1 Brushless, I think it's a little smoother than the Tekin. Got mine for $75 used with the USB adapter

Servo - I like SAVOX and Hitech, get the fastest brushless metal gear unit you can afford. I bought my Hitech for $55 used.

Radio and Receiver - Spektrum, all the way. The DS3s is an awesome radio, only takes 4 AA batteries instead of the normal 8 and can usually be found for around $50 used and pick up the matching SR3500 micro receiver, it's super tiny and can fit anywhere you need to place it, usually around $50 used.

Lipo Batteries - For new batteries, you can't beat Gens Ace on performance for price, they are ROAR certified so you can run the big races with these. Get the 2S 5000mah 45C or higher C rating. New they run about $45 on hobbypartz.com

Lipo Charger - Sky Charger B6AC also off hobbypartz.com for around $55 it's an awesome unit and can charge just about any type or rating of battery. Also has the AC adapter built in so no need to have an external power supply for your charger.

That's about it for the major components. Like I said, if you go on RCtech.net you can usually get a great package deal from someone quitting the sport and realistically save $800 to $1000 over buying new.

Then there's tires, Deans Battery Connectors, camber gauge, different weight shock oils, different rate springs... it can be just as bad as real racing if you let it.

But have fun, buy used, save money and again.. have fun!