turbofan

very close to what @Kpowell911 said, so in my case: Do I care about them? Very little. Am I talented enough/patient enough to get them perfect. No. Do what ever makes you happy, it's a hobby

XV-02RS is good value, but check also TT02SR as it's has many upgrades (hex, bearings, oil dumpers, adjustable links ect) and is significantly cheaper than XV-02RS bashing (and rc in general) goes hand in hand with repairs and buying spare parts, so make sure what ever you choose to take in consideration easy access to cheep and in stock parts

Yes, both take up space, in case you want to invest some money, a good alternative to both, is a Led Panel or Led matt, it overs nice even soft light and it takes almost no space (but it costs a lot...)

I could only advise on the lighting, as for me it's the most important aspect of filming (way more important that a camera etc) make sure you diffuse the light, it could be a softbox or umbrella, this will make everything easier (no hotspots) , even exposure and a more pro result also make sure all your light sources are the same color temperature (Kelvin), it's easier to get two new Led bulbs that have the same K rating (warm 3000, Daylight 4500 to 5500 or cool 6000 and above) and set the value to the cameras, this way you will avoid yellowish or bluish tints in your footage

this prototype made a difference but not sure it's much, the main issue is that these posts are very soft, it's now 26mm high, so ether has to be taller or maybe Pylon80's approach is more mechanically sound as it cross braces this soft post more securely

will be making some of these, in case you wana try it message me

if you can accurately measure the distance between the center of each post and the thickness of a post, I would like to give it a try and 3d print one for you

not sure if this helps you, but for paint to stick to ABS It usually needs a primer or it has to be ABS specific paint

the good think with rubber cement it that stays "rubbery" compered to others that might crystalize and be brittle this is useful in case for example it's used to momentarily secure a nut before it's bolted in to position, a the nut has a wiggle room for the first turns of the screw, also having something that is not brittle is good in the presence of gears etc, coz the "rubbery" nature of the rubber cement will probably be more "gentile" if it falls apart and finds it's way to a gear.

yes of course, embiracing makes great carbon parts, in case ones prefers a carbon upper deck his proposal it's the way to go, I wanted to offer a more simple way to have direct steering (attach points) that can be easily done and reverted back (without having to open the diff case and remove the alu parts) while being also more affordable (here is mine https://www.ebay.de/itm/326045419639)

Tamiya XV02 Direct Steering Demo on youtube

from any hardware store, it's nothing special really, got it from Leroy Merlin

being using this, general purpose rubber cement, when ever Tamiya instructions say to use it , nothing fancy, worked well for me

wasn't convinced with the steering arrangement of the XV02, too many parts and somewhat delicate, so a 3d printed an upper deck to relocate the servo in the center after some protype iterations, it now fits perfect and works smooth

thanks @chris.alex will also try it and update here

has any one tried the 39mm Drive Shafts (Tamiya part number #53505 or OP-505) instead of the 37mm that are originally supplied with the kit? (found this mod on a Japanize youtube chanel, from what I "can" understand these 2mm allows the shaft to remain in place even at full extension of the suspension)