The one thing that Tamiya does well...

[Kowalski86 2167]

When I get bored, I like to shop used RCs for sale, partly for a bargain and partly because it is an interesting insight into the current market.

One thing that I've always noticed, and that I even had happen as a kid, is all of the sellers getting rid of their RTRs, often because "Sam and Max got bored", other times because a part breaks (and they learn how expensive some RCs are to buy parts for).

Recently I saw two $700 "UDRs", both needed a few bits and ends, $600 for both. One was just in a corner piled on the other, because Billy and Jimmy got tired of their $700 toys (more like they learned the hard way, that large scale stuff is expensive to maintain).

Kits don't seem to have this problem, they "get" people into the hobby, they get people to fix things, do upgrades, and understand how to work on stuff.

They teach you how to use paint, double sided tape (no, you don't GLUE your ESCs down!!), choosing servos (vs throwaway RTR servos), diff assembly...etc.

I think a big reason why propietary batteries took off here in the West, was because the type of people who buy RTRs aren't always going to buy upgrades, they're going to buy a few batteries, a charger, then sell it all for 90% of what they paid because the kids find videogames more entertaining.

While Tamiya does make a few "dysfunctional" kits, or kits that are very bare bones (TT series, solid axle buggies), I am glad that they still make kits to begin with.

[IXLR8 580]

I couldn't agree more.  While RTR's might generate cash for manufacturers, they're a dead end for the hobby.

I also appreciate the incredible range of kits that Tamiya offers.  From tanks to big rigs to cars, trucks and buggies of every conceivable variety, there's something for everyone.

[Sogogi 2416]

Affordable kits so anyone can experience it without paying $$$$.

+ quite good interchangeability in terms if parts between cars.

 

+ unique designs (especially old school kits) compared to lots of modern similar looking designs.

[markbt73 4929]

Absolutely. On another (non-RC) forum, someone recently asked for advice on choosing an RC model for a birthday gift for their son. The replies were full of recommendations for various Traxxas and Arrma speed demon nightmares, and when I dared to mention that they'd be better off starting slower, the old "speed vs price" saw came up again. "You can get a brushless Megasmasher truck for like $100 more!"

Maybe, but that's not what this guy was looking for. He wanted a father/son activity, and seemed genuinely excited when I brought up the idea of a kit. I did mention Tamiya, but he's probably going to go with a Traxxas Slash kit. I still call it a win.

[Twinfan 764]

What do Tamiya do best?

One word.

Nostalgia.

[Kowalski86 2167]

 

33 minutes ago, markbt73 said:

I did mention Tamiya, but he's probably going to go with a Traxxas Slash kit. I still call it a win.

I'd call it a win too, one of the nice things about the Slash is that they come with an assortment of adjustable bits to tinker with (droop, toe, camber, etc).

I just hope they don't get fooled into throwing RPM bits or other unnecessary upgrades off the bat.

[JimBear 294]

It makes me happy to see (as I did yesterday) a Tamiya buggy sitting on the bench at the local racetrack, amidst 1:8 size carpet buggys (that cost six or seven times as much). Someone knows life doesn't have to be supercompetitive and serious all the time - there's fun to be had in a kit (Holiday Buggy, btw) too.

And I see how my son is bonding with his Money Pit buggy, because there is scope for development (at various levels) and things to learn. But I guess there is some aptitude at play - he wants to figure stuff out, and the kit allows him to tinker and repair.

[berman 5313]

What Tamiya does best, is make us lot broke! 🤣

[87lc2 2575]

Great topic and couldn't agree more.  I love that Tamiya makes kits and it gives me a special connection with every single one I build (which is probably why I never sell anything).  I pretty much refuse to buy an RTR with the Losi LMT being the only exception since they never made a kit unfortunately.  I also agree about used stuff, I have bought so many neglected LMTs for pennies on the dollar because someone got "bored".  

 

[qatmix 785]

The one thing they do best is innovate. No other RC company releases anything near the same amount of genuinely new chassis over a wide range of classes. 

[Kowalski86 2167]

28 minutes ago, qatmix said:

The one thing they do best is innovate. No other RC company releases anything near the same amount of genuinely new chassis over a wide range of classes. 

Of the newest releases in ground RC, this is what I know of:

Losi Promoto: RC motocross bike with self-righting tech. Technically it's been done before, but it still feels different.

Tamiya BBX: All new design, some shared drivetrain parts, retro looks which not many RC companies do anymore.

Tamiya MB-01: Weird, small touring car with various drivetrain setups. Unlike 90% of the entry level touring cars out there (Kyosho Fazer, 4Tec, V100, TT series) you can adjust the toe front and back.

Traxxas Raptor Ultra Scale: A long wheelbase Traxxas Slash 4x4.

LDRC: Neat "motorized models" that break if you look at them wrong. Now go buy one because your favorite youtuber told you to!

[Nikko85 2985]

26 minutes ago, qatmix said:

The one thing they do best is innovate. No other RC company releases anything near the same amount of genuinely new chassis over a wide range of classes. 

Yes. They try new stuff as opposed to a minor tweak of the same formula with more power.

They make great looking kits that are fun to make, and many are fun to run.

They also dont take themselves too seriously, eschewing the macho rhetoric of some makers, but create things like the tumbling bull, heavy dump and comical series. 

I would take a pumpkin over a slash any day as it looks better and it is more goofy! 

 

 

[Mrowka 474]

15 hours ago, Twinfan said:

What do Tamiya do best?

One word.

Nostalgia.

Box art.

[alvinlwh 5280]

Bushings and self tapping screws.

[Nikko85 2985]

Anothing thing I love is the cross compatability. I've got a couple of MF01X running TL01 arms, aslo shared by my GF01s. It's like Lego really. 

Love being able to swap stuff in and out, it allows for a really creative approach.

[hamtaro 75]

Make the finished kits look racy and competitive, then you take them to a track and....

[Kowalski86 2167]

22 minutes ago, hamtaro said:

Make the finished kits look racy and competitive, then you take them to a track and....

Pop a dog bone everytime you tap a wall?

[alvinlwh 5280]

45 minutes ago, Kowalski86 said:

Pop a dog bone everytime you tap a wall?

How about popping dogbones and CVDs during a trimming run? (MF-01X)

[Kowalski86 2167]

18 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

How about popping dogbones and CVDs during a trimming run? (MF-01X)

Been there done that, I cut up a pen spring to keep the dogbones in my Frog, we'll see how well that works soon.

[alvinlwh 5280]

2 minutes ago, Kowalski86 said:

Been there done that, I cut up a pen spring to keep the dogbones in my Frog, we'll see how well that works soon.

Don't get me started on the Frog. I got it for my wife as her first RC build and it turns out to be definitely not beginner friendly.

[Kowalski86 2167]

23 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

Don't get me started on the Frog. I got it for my wife as her first RC build and it turns out to be definitely not beginner friendly.

Yea, can't say it was fun re-building my transmission.

I am curious, what Tamiyas do you like? I need some ideas for what to shop for. I've even considered a Thunder Dragon since they don't have good resale apparently.

[alvinlwh 5280]

29 minutes ago, Kowalski86 said:

I am curious, what Tamiyas do you like? I need some ideas for what to shop for. I've even considered a Thunder Dragon since they don't have good resale apparently.

The answer is it really depends. I do like my TD though. Yes, it had a terrible traction roll problem at first but adjusting the suspension sorted it. Some will say other dragons with 4 shocks are better, but I just like the mono front shock because it is different.

My current favourite Tamiya is the TA-02(Ra) which replaced a TT-01(Ra). 

[hamtaro 75]

8 hours ago, Kowalski86 said:

Yea, can't say it was fun re-building my transmission.

I am curious, what Tamiyas do you like? I need some ideas for what to shop for. I've even considered a Thunder Dragon since they don't have good resale apparently.

Guessing the dragons are not popular.  This looks like a package deal for three of them

[hamtaro 75]

8 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

Don't get me started on the Frog. I got it for my wife as her first RC build and it turns out to be definitely not beginner friendly.

is the frog really that bad.  did they manage to make it worse than the original release. 

Never had any trouble with the original release wild one driveshafts stripping/popping out which were same design as the frog.  is there something wrong in frog design that makes it hard on driveshafts?

sounds like the frog is so bad its good....that makes me want one even more

[Kowalski86 2167]

1 hour ago, hamtaro said:

is the frog really that bad.  did they manage to make it worse than the original release. 

Never had any trouble with the original release wild one driveshafts stripping/popping out which were same design as the frog.  is there something wrong in frog design that makes it hard on driveshafts?

sounds like the frog is so bad its good....that makes me want one even more

They did in four ways:

The hex drives were replaced with dogbones, this is good on paper, but the swing arm design means flex in the right kind of impact, so the dog bones pop out. Fix is to add pen springs/o rings, or buy a very overpriced hop-up.

The front hubs aren't made correctly, so your wheels will fall off even just sitting on the shelf.

While Tamiya replaced the hex drives (which will last if you maintain them, mine are still good despite being very old), they didn't do anything to fix the transmission issues.

Here in Americs, the price for a new kit is just obscene, roughly $212. You can probably restore a vintage Frog and have a better runner for less money. Good ol-MAP and anticompetitive measures.

The nice thing about the Frog is that it has its share of metal, and the main chassis is pretty tough despite being ABS. There's not much chance of an oldie turning into dust on you.