Optima vs Javelin

[Saito2]

Using the highly scientific method of public opinion, which buggy is cooler, the standard Optima or the Javelin? (re-re or original)

[Willy iine]

I vote Optima, but the Javelin, especially in black, is very cool.  

I suggest getting both where possible..

[markbt73]

Salute!

(Just kidding, nobody liked the Salute.)

[mtbkym01]

I’ve voted Optima as its such an Icon, but if you have 1, you need both 🤔

Both mine are originals, but Javelin has re-re cage and wheels

 

(Really need to take a better pic of the Optima on the glass, and finish the driver for the Javelin)

[Re-Bugged]

Optiwhat, you say? Never heard of it sorry. But the Javelin, now that is amazing. Just feed it Red Bull and watch it fly 😁

Recently refreshed with a red cage…

[Willy iine]

Very nice @mtbkym01!   You mentioned your Optima is original.  Did you paint the body or did the car always come with decals?

Kogawa-san mentioned to me that at one point the yellow paint was no longer available so a fan volunteered to make the decal sheet free of charge.  👍

BTW, those wheels in the picture are aluminum..  was gifted to me by Kogawa-san himself.     They're prototypes by Kyosho that were never released for sale to the public.  

[mtbkym01]

@Willy iine It’s paint, but not done by me, I’d seen a local to me Airbrusher do one for someone else, so I got him to do mine as IMO it looks so good. I also got my Turbo done at the same time 

(Tried to post a pic but got the -200 error)

[mtbkym01]

[Saito2]

And the Javelin pulls into the lead...

Basically, I'm going through my Optima and was debating about installing a Javelin cage I have for it. When it was tied up there for a moment, I almost did consider the Salute body. Then I looked one up to refresh my memory and put that idea aside. The Salute just isn't my jam.

[Pablo68]

I went Optima, back when I had my OG Ultima, the Optima was a dream car. Actually tbh, I like the OG Ultima over both of the Optima/Javelin.

Which reminds me, I really have to finish the body on my OG/re-re Frankenstein Optima. It's been waiting for ages.

[Saito2]

Overall, I tend to prefer full bodied buggy examples. I'm not crazy about the Marui Galaxy. The Kyosho Icarus is livable. The Javelin, however, is a real looker. The Optima has the pull of being the innovator and would bookend my runner Ultima nicely. When I hear Kyosho, I always think Optima and Ultima (and ok, maybe Big Brute too, lol). The one hang-up is, outside of buggies like the BBX, Rough Rider and FAV/Wild One, I like buggies with wings, which the Optima lacks and the Javelin does not. Probably why one found its way onto my other Optima (along with a Pro body):

 

[F-150]

I voted Javelin.

The one car I've wanted for since 11 years old, but can't find any for sale anyplace. A crap load of optimas but no javelins....I don't get it because all it is is an optima with a different body. 

Will they ever make the javelin again?.

It's the only "optima type" car I'm interested in 

[IXLR8]

15 hours ago, F-150 said:

Will they ever make the javelin again?.

 

I certainly hope so.  I just checked and it appears the most online sources, including Kyosho, currently show the Javelin as on backorder or out of stock -- but not discontinued.  I could be wrong but, as I write this, I don't believe Kyosho have discontinued any buggies in their Legend Series. 

Anyway, FWIW I have a re-re (for the shelf) and a converted vintage Turbo Optima with a re-re cage and wing as a runner.

Also, FWIW... Back in the early 1980's, long before Kyosho released the Optima series and during the peak of the "Pro-street" custom car craze, I built this Javelin.  It was also orange and had a full roll cage -- but no wing. 

,,,but I reckon that's a topic for another forum.  

[JimBear]

Ooh, that's a hard one! If you mean the original Optima 4WD versus the Javelin, given no financial restraints I'd take ... both.

Always loved the buggies with cages (I think I might have seen the Vanning in the ads of the local hobby magazine as a kid - made a huge impression, apparently), but if I had to choose only one, it would have to be the Optima, since it is the original and because I think it looks cool without a rear wing (Tomahawk fan too, y'know).

[clobbo]

I have a re-re Optima, but Mechanic After Hours' video prompted me to convert it to a white cage Javelin with aluminum wing.

[Mrowka]

I have a re re Turbo Optima that I converted to a white cage Javelin with no wing. 

[smirk-racing]

14 hours ago, Mrowka said:

I have a re re Turbo Optima that I converted to a white cage Javelin with no wing. 

Pics please!! 

[F-150]

Man, I still hunting for that javelin.

I don't get why they still make tons of the optima, but no javapin...it's the same car.

I know I can get an optima and cage it for a javapin, but it's not the same to me....you know...I want the javapin box too, lmao. 

I still have my backorder on Amain....been backordered for nearly two years now haha.

[Rb4276]

2 hours ago, F-150 said:

Man, I still hunting for that javelin.

I don't get why they still make tons of the optima, but no javapin...it's the same car.

I know I can get an optima and cage it for a javapin, but it's not the same to me....you know...I want the javapin box too, lmao. 

I still have my backorder on Amain....been backordered for nearly two years now haha.

Someone said on a kyosho facebook page that the vendor who made the chain for the kit went under and they were trying to get a new supplier to provide both the chain and belt with the kits. 

[donfilippo]

On 12/25/2023 at 4:39 PM, Rb4276 said:

Someone said on a kyosho facebook page that the vendor who made the chain for the kit went under and they were trying to get a new supplier to provide both the chain and belt with the kits. 

Good info. Although in general I do prefer full-bodied buggys, I think I need a Javelin in my life!  So let's hope they find a new supplier.

 

[CoolHands]

@Willy iine hi do you know what is the part number for a carbon top plate on the javelin? Is there one? Or is there an aftermarket one. (Also I don’t know if the javelin top plate is different from optima). I want to buy one now while I’m getting some other pieces but can’t find any info on if a carbon one exists.

[Willy iine]

24 minutes ago, CoolHands said:

@Willy iine hi do you know what is the part number for a carbon top plate on the javelin? Is there one? Or is there an aftermarket one. (Also I don’t know if the javelin top plate is different from optima). I want to buy one now while I’m getting some other pieces but can’t find any info on if a carbon one exists.

Yeah, it's on the last pages of your Javelin manual, but it is OTW110B.  👍

[Jeepy2013]

Optima in my Opinion, I've never been a fan of the Javelin for some reason. 

[naturbo2000]

I have an alternative take...

Many years ago, I bought a box of bits that I always assumed was an Optima. No body included, so I rebuilt the chassis (without manual, which surprises me...) and bought the cheapest body in the LHS (a Bosscat).

Only in the last year have I discovered the non-body difference between the Optima and Javelin,  which I think amounts to _just_ a small change to the rear shock tower. 

Closer inspection indicated that what I had was actually a Javelin, so that's what I voted for.  Both lovely to drive. Maybe I'll re-re-build mine again someday.