by sunny on April 14, 2010
A big block desert race truck, the Redcat Racing Aftershock is a heavyset performer that can handle itself well both in the backyard and on off-road tracks. It's far from the best the category has to offer, but it delivers enough excitement and fun to make it worth anyone's while.
Burly and stocky, it's a tough-looking truck with gorgeous factory-applied paint and decals. From a short distance, the 1/8th scale nitro basher actually looks like an actual truck, especially with the realistic headlights and tires. There's a funny quality to the design that I can't pinpoint, though - almost like it's based on a cartoon design.
The Redcat Racing Aftershock 3.5 claims to do up to 50mph out of the box with its nitro-fueled 3.5 cc .21 SH big block engine. While I could not confirm that threshold, I did come close, so it's quite a lot of power. It comes with a two-shoe aluminum clutch setup and a single stage filter for the carburetor - not ideal for heavy racing, but decent enough for most drivers.
Performance is a mixed bag. It handled tight corners like a seasoned pro and jumped easy enough, but the tires barely held on tougher terrain. For the most part, you'll have to seriously drive this. If you're inexperienced, you'll likely just crash it before the first five minutes. It does have a lot of plastic parts, so racing this stock against other SCTs is probably not a good idea. Make a tough landing and you're almost likely to find something break (or stressed enough to almost get there) - a far cry from the toughness its look suggests.
Available for $300, the Redcat Racing Aftershock 3.5 RTR is very competitively-priced for a 1/8th scale nitro truck. You'll likely need a lot of modifications to turn this into something race-worthy, but it should be good enough for most casual driving.
Specifications:
Length: 19.84"
Width: 12.01"
Wheelbase: 12.80"
Engine: Nitro 3.5cc. (.21SH)
Drive Train: Front and rear sealed differentials. Two speed transmission.
by sunny on April 13, 2010
The gospel of short-course racing is spreading like the plague and it is quickly becoming a part of all the major RC races around the world. It's for good reason too, since the category is one of the most compelling in the industry, dotted with vehicles that easily count as among the most exciting.
1. Traxxas Slash
The most popular short course truck in the market, the Slash is available in both 2WD and 4WD versions. Able to clear 40-mph out of the box with intense durability, generous tuning options and sublime handling to boot, it's easy to see why it continues to win praise among fans, racers and award-giving bodies alike. Beginner-friendly, it's arguably one of the best bashing RC models ever made. While it can race on stock electronics and motor (my first one hung in there with nitro buggies on an impromptu dare with nothing but a 2s LiPo extra), a few hop-ups should be necessary if you want to absolutely destroy competition - and you will.
2. Associated RC10
Maintenance can be a pain in the ass, but you can't fault the RC10 for its durability and performance. It may be a step down in ruggedness compared to either the Slash or the Blitz (sadly, it's true), but add the right upgrades and it can offer noticeably better performance. Very, very noticeably heightened performance. The construction is topnotch too, although some stock parts are quite flimsy to begin with. One thing to note is that it's geared for racing as much as it for bashing - a quality that you'll appreciate if you're getting a short course racer specifically for the purposes of competing.
3. Kyosho Ultima SC
Based on the RT5, the Ultima SC is one of the newer short course racers to hit the scene and it's doing so in all the right ways. Designed for race performance and strict compliance with ROAR regulations, it's literally ready to race the moment you hit the pavement. It doesn't mean you'll beat my Traxxas, of course, but the stock G20 Turn HP Electric Motor should do a good job all on its own. As a side bonus, you don't see many drivers take this to the races too, so you'll have something unique to let loose on the unsuspecting masses.
4. HPI Blitz
Widely recognized for its impressive strength and durability, the Blitz isn't too shabby a performer either. In fact, it strikes a good balance between those qualities. Arguably the toughest short course racer around, we've seen it take beatings that no RC deserves - yet still manage to keep running. It will likely require a bit more aftermarket parts to be truly competitive on tracks, but it's one vehicle that will literally last you for the long haul.
5. Losi Strike
While it doesn't come with the most flattering looks, the Losi Strike does offer good off-road performance with decent durability. It's far from the most popular short course truck around not because it's a poor model. Mostly, it's simply for the sheer fact that the top dogs of the category are too damn good and it has a lot of catching up to do. Regardless, it offers excellent toughness during races, with all-metal gears and that heavyset frame. Do note that the added size might make it ineligible for some of your local SCT races, so better make sure before buying.
by sunny on April 12, 2010
Relatively new compared to other categories of model racers, short course trucks are probably the most exciting vehicles to come out of the radio-controlled scene in a while. Quite literally, they have taken off-course racing by storm. How did they do that? For the very simple reason that they're awesome. Here's why.
1. They're realistic as hell. As fun as truggies and buggies are, rarely (if ever) do you see them going neck-to-neck in real life. Short course trucks, on the other hand, are based on popular off-road racers. Which ones do you think would folks rather drive?
2. They're durable. Full-fendered, short course race trucks just absorb contact better than many off-road racing vehicles. Designed to hold their ground even during slight collisions, they leave truggies and buggies in the dirt, as far as durability is concerned.
3. They're great for bashing. While built for racing, the extra durability makes short course trucks just as perfect as backyard bashers. Who needs a monster truck when you can bash with a ride that you can take down the tracks for serious racing too?
4. They handle and perform similar to real trucks. The rear squats down when accelerating, the brakes dive down when halting and the long-travel suspension helps it powerslide through corners. Simply put, RC short course trucks drive just as loosely as their real-life counterparts, making this one of the most realistic racers in both looks and performance.
5. They're very affordable. Given how amazing short course trucks are, they're extremely affordable. All you have to do is look at top short course trucks, like the Traxxas Slash and the Associated SC10, to realize that you can take home the top of the class for such a modest amount.
by sunny on April 6, 2010
So, you want to fly an RC plane? Unlike cars, which beginners can pull out of the box and drive without worry (for the most part), a few more things can go wrong with flying machines. From crashing your park flyer into a nearby lake to breaking the brand new HDTV with an indoor crash, planes kind of raise the stakes a bit.
One option is to buy a couple of cheap, sub-$100 indoors planes ,then flying them in an empty gym or warehouse. If you crash them, you'll only be down a small amount, which shouldn't be so bad. Of course, you'll still be wasting money, so it might not be a solution everyone can be comfortable with.
A better alternative should be to get a handle on flying radio-controlled planes using an RC flight simulator software. There are both paid and free versions of these types of software, so there's a good amount of options for everyone. In case you're looking to research them further, you can begin with popular titles, such as FMS, RealFlight and Clearview.
Don't think you can learn without a real radio controller? You're in luck, since a few RC flight simulators actually come with their own peripherals (they can get pricey, though) and some even work with a variety of RC controllers (like the ones real RC planes came with) via an interface cable. Even better, they can simulate flight for a variety of RC models, so there's a good chance you will find the exact brand and type of plane you're planning to use.
As a precaution, we do recommend keeping your expectations reasonable. While using an RC flight simulator might warm you up with flying your TRex 450, it doesn't guarantee you won't make mistakes once you begin flying the planes in real life.
by sunny on April 5, 2010
The DuraTrax Vendetta SC isn't a special-looking ride (especially when you first see it out of the box). Despite the largely plain looks, though, this short course truck has gained many fans because of its impressive performance.
Able to run on dirt tracks just as well as on your paved garage, it comes with one of the most tunable chassis among 1/18th scale trucks in the market. Fine-tuning is definitely the name of the game here, allowing you plenty of legroom to make adjustments for optimal performance on any surface. The included manual comes with a generous slew of tuning tips for various components, including the shock mounts, camber, wheelbase, track width, ride height and more.
The Vendetta SC is a surprising vehicle. Running on a brushed VR3 motor, it's fair not to expect much speed. Once you unleash it on the dirt, though, the truck just blasts off, showing off fiery acceleration, intense jumps and hard-nosed performance around corners. Weight distribution is fantastic, the suspension soaks up impact even from high falls and the steering servo brings plenty of torque.
Sure, I ragged on the looks to start with. Don't get me wrong, it's not ugly. In fact, it has plenty of cool touches, including stylish decals, gnarly bumpers and a well-thought-out plastic frame - overall appeal is very casual though. On the downside, it appears to use too much plastic parts (but it performed sturdily throughout our runs) and dirt tends to accumulate in the chassis (just wrap off any exposed parts with tape to be safe).
Overall, the DuraTrax Vendetta SC's speed and handling are totally uncharacteristic of what you'd imagine small-scale RCs to bring. It's crazy good. With a good amount of hop-up parts now available, it's a short course racer you can improve on too. Highly recommended, especially at the $219.99 price point.
Specifications:
Length: 12.75"
Width: 6.6"
Wheelbase: Adjustable 7.25" - 7.5"
Motor: 380 VR3 brushed
Drive Train: Front and rear differentials
Batteries Used: 6 cell NiMH (sold seperately)
Radio equipment: Included two channel 2.4GHz Tactic radio, 2.4GHz Tactic TR-324 3-ch receiver, and standard size Tactic TSX200 steering servo.
Price: $219.99 (price may vary)
by sunny on April 2, 2010
Robitronic's growing line of entry-level RC cars just got a big, new friend. Called the Robitronic Shadow Monster Truck, the 1/10th scale off-roader brings the same qualities we've seen from the company's previous releases: easy to use, economically-priced and rigged to perform.
Built as an RTR out of the box, the vehicle ships fully assembled with a pre-finished, airbrushed-style Lexan body, four-dualspoked chrome wheels and chunky high-grip tires. Stock motor (unspecified model) isn't likely to deliver all that much power, but with a 12-turn capable ESC pre-installed, it allows for plenty of upgrade potential - something you will likely want to do once you've gotten the hang of driving your new monster truck.
Chassis is specially-engineered for bashing on bumpy ground, with Robitronic claiming it's capable of "braving even the highest and widest jumps without breaking a sweat" (which it won't, by the way, since cars don't sweat). With a suspension already fine-tuned for stable driving and a beefy steering servo, it should deliver stability and agility that rivals more expensive contemporaries in the field. Other features include an adjustable slipper-clutch, front and rear bumper guards and maintenance-friendly rear wheel drive.
The Robitronic Shadow Monster Truck is fully ball raced and ships with a 27MHz wheel type radio. It's available now for around $160.
[Robitronic]
Specifications:
Wheelbase: 290mm
Length: 470mm
Width: 335mm
Height: 205mm
by sunny on March 31, 2010
Robitronics recently announced the Protos v2, the second version of their 1/8th nitro buggy. Using proven elements from the original, paired with new engineering innovations, the RC manufacturer promises it will deliver "uncompromised offroad fun."
Designed to work well on most tracks right out of the box, the vehicle has been outfitted with numerous tuning parts, putting it just a notch above most stock nitro buggies you can pick up right out of a shelf. Plus, it's quite the looker too, with a colorful finish, lots of red anodized parts and an identifiable design (especially with the disc wheels and aerodynamic spoiler) that should help it stand out.
The Protos v2 runs a .28 Robitronic engine, which features an impressive low-end torque and high-speed rpms. Performance parts include a metal-geared Savöx steering servo, a high-end brake setup with independent brake balance, big bore aluminum shocks with 3.5 mm shafts, alloy shock towers, heavy-duty metal gears and ball bearings, and second stage fuel filter. For clearing sharp corners even better, they increased steering throw by 5 percent, compared to the original model.
It uses an improved chassis, designed for better balance and quick handling, beefed up by an elongated engine mount that gives it a much-needed extra stiffness. Durability updates include anti-roll bars, overhauled diffs and output shafts, and a rear chassis brace.
When it comes to base setups, the Robitronics Protos v2 1/8 Nitro Buggy definitely sounds like it's been souped-up more than your average buggy. No word yet on pricing or exact date of availability.
[Robotronics]
Specifications:
Length: 495mm
Width: 308mm
Height: 190mm
Wheelbase: 322-329mm adjustable
Weight: approx. 3400g
Fuel tank: 125ccm
Engine displacement: 4,6ccm
by sunny on March 29, 2010
You've got a new nitro engine. Learning how to break it in the right way is the shortest course to guaranteeing long-lasting performance, with the least amount of upkeep necessary. Failing to do so won't exactly get you with a messed up ride, but it leaves the doorway open for more frequent problems down the line.
What You Need
For your break-in, you need the following things:
- Around two hours of free time
- Three to five tanks of nitro fuel
- A clean, flat surface to run the car in
- Plenty of patience to do it the right way
Getting To Work
Start up the car and check to see if fuel is moving through the lines. If it doesn't reach the carburetor after five seconds, try priming the engine (i.e. place and release your finger over the tip of the exhaust for a couple of seconds). Make sure to release as soon as you see the fuel making its way accordingly. Holding on too long can cause the engine to flood and lock up.
The idea behind using five tanks of fuel is to increase the amount and duration of throttle with every run. Some advise making do with three, although we recommend running the full range and using five tanks.
On the first tank, give the engine a 1/4th throttle slowly (note on the slow throttle acceleration for all five tanks) for about two seconds, then hit the brakes. A nice trail of blue smoke should come from the exhaust. If not, try moving the air/fuel needle a quarter turn at a time to richen the fuel mixture until it starts blowing smoke. Continue the same quarter-throttle then braking until you run the tank to near-empty. Before going dry, pinch the fuel line (to turn engine off) and rest for fifteen minutes.
On the second tank, you do the same thing while going to half-throttle in three seconds. For the third, you do the same thing, then run three second counts while at half-throttle, before hitting the brakes. On the fourth, you go full throttle three seconds before braking. In your last tank, you do the same thing, except you hold the full throttle for an extra two seconds.
And with that, you've just successfully given your nitro engine a proper break-in. Go forth and be on your own merry way.
