Kyosho Optima Confusion

[donfilippo 641]

Hello folks, I am on the fence to buy my first 4wd Kyosho. I have narrowed it down to the Optima 30617 and Turbo Optima 30619 (both re-res). The problem is: I prefer the Optima body, but love the gold chassis of the Turbo Optima. So, does the Optima body fit the Turbo Optima chassis?

[mtbkym01 4248]

Simple answer is yes, no mods required

[Willy iine 18829]

Can you buy Optima's new right now (besides private sellers on eBay)?  

Kyosho was having issues with their ladder chain supplier (apparently they went bankrupt) and both the Optima and Javelin have been struggling to be produced..   TurboOptima no issue as it only comes with the belts, I believe.  

 

[Twinfan 2016]

18 minutes ago, Willy iine said:

Can you buy Optima's new right now (besides private sellers on eBay)?  

Yes,  several UK shops plus Tamico in Germany have them.  Both the regular and Turbo models.

[RichieRich 801]

I feel the same way. I love the Turbo but I like the standard Optima body better. If you have the means, buy the Turbo and get the Optima body separate.

[Willy iine 18829]

I like them all.. 

[Saito2 7662]

I like them in motion...

 

[donfilippo 641]

9 hours ago, Twinfan said:

Yes,  several UK shops plus Tamico in Germany have them.  Both the regular and Turbo models.

Yes, but stocks are dwindling, so I have to be quick! 

[Twinfan 2016]

They're not discontinued so they'll be around for a while yet.  They drift in and out of stock according to production run schedules  

[donfilippo 641]

10 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

They're not discontinued so they'll be around for a while yet.  They drift in and out of stock according to production run schedules  

Oh, great. So no need for fear-of-missing-out buys...

Can the Javelin Cage also be fitted to the Turbo Optima Chassis?

[markbt73 5856]

Sure can! The only difficulty with converting it to a Javelin is that the rear wing mount is part of the gearbox, so adding it in after the fact requires a lot of disassembly. And you need the Javelin's aluminum rollbar to make it work. I can't remember if that comes with the cage or not...

[donfilippo 641]

8 hours ago, markbt73 said:

Sure can! The only difficulty with converting it to a Javelin is that the rear wing mount is part of the gearbox, so adding it in after the fact requires a lot of disassembly. And you need the Javelin's aluminum rollbar to make it work. I can't remember if that comes with the cage or not...

Great info, thanks! The plan is now to build a Javelin on the Turbo Chassis.

I have ordered the following:

- Javelin cage

- Javelin wing

- Javelin rollbar

-  Turbo Optima re-re

 

[Willy iine 18829]

@donfilippo Congrats!  You'll probably want to get the CF upper deck as it is visible on the Javelin.  👍

The cage net is from a HotShot on mine.

[Creflo 16]

On 1/10/2024 at 5:48 PM, Willy iine said:

Can you buy Optima's new right now (besides private sellers on eBay)?  

Kyosho was having issues with their ladder chain supplier (apparently they went bankrupt) and both the Optima and Javelin have been struggling to be produced..   TurboOptima no issue as it only comes with the belts, I believe.  

 

Any knowledge on when or if Kyosho will ever make Javelins again?  I've had one on backorder from Amain since late summer.  Any word on Panama Canal backup holding up our anniversary Optimas?

[donfilippo 641]

12 hours ago, Willy iine said:

@donfilippo Congrats!  You'll probably want to get the CF upper deck as it is visible on the Javelin.  👍

The cage net is from a HotShot on mine.

double post

 

Edited January 17 by donfilippo
double post

[donfilippo 641]

12 hours ago, Willy iine said:

@donfilippo Congrats!  You'll probably want to get the CF upper deck as it is visible on the Javelin.  👍

The cage net is from a HotShot on mine.

Thanks for the inspiration about the CF deck. I will put it on the next order!

Your Javelin looks lovely with the black cage!

Need to make decisions about ESC, motor and servo next. I am tending towards Kyosho LeMans ESC and 240S 15.5t motor. Bit expensive, but...  

 

[donfilippo 641]

4 hours ago, Creflo said:

Any knowledge on when or if Kyosho will ever make Javelins again?  I've had one on backorder from Amain since late summer.  Any word on Panama Canal backup holding up our anniversary Optimas?

I have read on this forum that Kyosho seems to have problems sourcing the chains and that causes the lack of Optimas and Javelins.

[donfilippo 641]

4 hours ago, Creflo said:

Any knowledge on when or if Kyosho will ever make Javelins again?  I've had one on backorder from Amain since late summer.  Any word on Panama Canal backup holding up our anniversary Optimas?

I have read on this forum that Kyosho seems to have problems sourcing the chains and that causes the lack of Optimas and Javelins.

[Willy iine 18829]

6 hours ago, donfilippo said:

Thanks for the inspiration about the CF deck. I will put it on the next order!

Your Javelin looks lovely with the black cage!

Need to make decisions about ESC, motor and servo next. I am tending towards Kyosho LeMans ESC and 240S 15.5t motor. Bit expensive, but...  

 

Thanks!  

It's a very tight fit on the Javelin, so you may want to opt for a simple 1060 and brushed motor.. but if you're up for the challenge you just need to be very precise and persistent to get it in cleanly.  One thing to note is I have 3 LeMans ESC's and honestly speaking, it is not that good as far as modulation.   It is adjustable to a degree, but if you're looking for a nice ESC with modulation, this is not it.  I usually run HW XR10 Justock with no fan on my cars.    

The LeMans ESC's look pretty though..  heck, I kept one NIB for display. LOL.    The LeMans 240S motors are fantastic. 

[donfilippo 641]

Thank you very much for this insight! It really looks like a very tight fit.

What brushed motor do you recommend? I would love to have a Kyosho motor in it.

 

[Twinfan 2016]

For brushed, you only have two currently available options from Kyosho if you want new:

https://www.plazajapan.com/4548565273515/

https://www.plazajapan.com/4548565251483/

[Andreas W 2514]

If you can source it the Kyosho G15 is brilliant  delivering performance similar to the Tamiya Superstock motors. I don't have an Optima, so my experience is based on a Thunder Dragon on 2S. It's hard on the battery though as is the Superstock motors. 

 

Samirc.no here in Norway sell them for 149 free falling NOK unpacked (taken from Rampage where the customer wanted something else).

[Willy iine 18829]

On 1/17/2024 at 12:59 PM, donfilippo said:

Thank you very much for this insight! It really looks like a very tight fit.

What brushed motor do you recommend? I would love to have a Kyosho motor in it.

 

I run a Kyosho LeMans 490 on mine.  

I fitted their 240S 19.5BL on my JJ WC Ultima#2 yesterday and it was a tight fit.. but managed.      Please check out my Stories on instagram if interested.   I post there often.  #pretend_RC_shop