Please Educate Me About The Df03

[spaint2k 0]

After a disappointing time fooling around with NiMH batteries in my rediscovered and repaired childhood Thunder Shot (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x6/angryboy2k/RC/DSC08854.jpg - excuse the mess!) I got a couple of Nicads and have been having a great time. Now I'm finding myself looking for an excuse to buy a modern buggy but looking at what's out there and what people are talking I feel like a complete moron without a clue about what's gone on in the last two decades.

I'm interested in the DF03. The DF03-MS specifically. I think it looks amazing and just from the amount of upgrades that the package includes it seems like a worthwhile purchase. However, it lacks a lot of kit to make it functional; namely the motor, the esc, and a radio system. So I was wondering if someone could hold my hand and explain to me some of the options available.

First, and before I forget, I've seen talk about brakes on modern cars. I don't think the DF03 has brakes on it (please tell me if I'm wrong), but could someone please explain to me how you activate the brakes with a two-channel radio?

Second, what radio options are there out there these days? Are two-channel stick transmitters still around? I'm not a fan of transmitters with steering wheels.

Third is servos: are they specific to transmitter/receiver sets, or can I mix and match servos from one company with a tx/rx from another company?

Fourth is a big one - what kind of motor would be a smart purchase for this car bearing in mind that I'm not racing and I'm not looking to spend more than the value of the car on it. I'd also prefer something that won't shred the gearbox to the point where it needs replacing after each use and seeing as I know nothing about pinion sizes if someone could explain to me like I were a child it'd be greatly appreciated.

I think that's it for now. But if anyone has any convincing reason why I should not drop my money on this buggy I'd also love to hear it - upto and including that I'm an idiot for wanting this as a first modern buggy.

Thanks for any and all replies!

Steve

[WillyChang 1818]

I'm interested in the DF03. The DF03-MS specifically. I think it looks amazing and just from the amount of upgrades that the package includes it seems like a worthwhile purchase. However, it lacks a lot of kit to make it functional; namely the motor, the esc, and a radio system. So I was wondering if someone could hold my hand and explain to me some of the options available.

if you can find one still at decent price, they're aren't bad.

A stock DF03 kit ain't too shabby either; or others like the Durga line.

First, and before I forget, I've seen talk about brakes on modern cars. I don't think the DF03 has brakes on it (please tell me if I'm wrong), but could someone please explain to me how you activate the brakes with a two-channel radio?

in lieu of 'reverse' an Electronic Speed Controller will slowdown via the motor=gears=drivetrain=car

some ESCs have brake & then reverse (after a time delay or a second tap of 'back' throttle)

Second, what radio options are there out there these days? Are two-channel stick transmitters still around? I'm not a fan of transmitters with steering wheels.

yes

Third is servos: are they specific to transmitter/receiver sets, or can I mix and match servos from one company with a tx/rx from another company?

yes servos are universal

their output shafts can differ at the splines though, so each brand needs its own horn

Fourth is a big one - what kind of motor would be a smart purchase for this car bearing in mind that I'm not racing and I'm not looking to spend more than the value of the car on it. I'd also prefer something that won't shred the gearbox to the point where it needs replacing after each use and seeing as I know nothing about pinion sizes if someone could explain to me like I were a child it'd be greatly appreciated.

if you need to buy both motor & ESC, makes sense instead to buy a whole Brushless combo

many out there, for budget running the Hobbywing EZRUN series are good value.

Novak Havoc is pretty good value for big brandname quality too.

Just use the kit's pinion to start with.

I think that's it for now. But if anyone has any convincing reason why I should not drop my money on this buggy I'd also love to hear it - upto and including that I'm an idiot for wanting this as a first modern buggy.

Does it have to be Tamiya?

Try a Traxxas Slash or HPI Blitz!

[cubsfan2009 0]

A Df03 or DB01 are great buggies with advantage to the DB01. Go for a budget Ezrun setup in the 4000 to 5000 kv range. Forget about Nicad or NIMH and go Lipo. The brakes are in the form of the esc uses the motor as a brake. Usually one push of the throttle into reverse activates the brakes and a 2nd push gives reverse so only 2 channels are needed.

One other possibility would be a Traxxas 1/16 Erevo VXL. Comes ready-to-run with a brushless motor and batteries (NIMH). This would make it easier to upgrade to a modern buggy without all the guess work and learning curve. It is also very fast and almost indestructible.

[94eg! 837]

Personally I would recommend skipping the DF03, and go straight for the DB01 or DB01R. It's a tougher & more effecient belt setup and features the current race suspension system.

Our friend clipped a curb in his DF03 and ripped out his front gearbox last weekend (a diffiuclt and costly repair). This cannot happen on the DB01 because it ueses separate suspension blocks (alloy on the "R" version).

FYI: If you've never used ball diffs before, there is something you need to be aware of. They have a "break-in" period of a few runs, so you need to keep an eye on how tight they stay. If one or both get too loose, they will start to slip and you will melt the diff pulley/gear...

[TA-Mark 195]

The DF03 has an aluminium gear on the mainshaft, and there is no replacement in steel that is available. I've wornout 9 of them to date ($35 for me to replace each time), and my pinion and spur have no wear. I drive them very little when compared to some of my buggys.

If I could go back I would not of purchased a Dark Impact or the DF03MS and would have bought a HPI 10B Cyber instead.

[Power Surge 0]

I would skip the DF03-MS and get a DB01-R.

[spaint2k 0]

Guys, thanks so much for all the information.

Thanks in no small part to what you've all said here, I've decided against the DF03 and I'm looking at the DB01R instead. Since it's not "limited edition" I have the added luxury of being able to take more time over my decision.

Out of curiosity, which of these two chassis came first? It seems to me that the two of them are actually more or less the same age. And can we expect Tamiya to bring out new evolutions of either of these chassis anytime soon?

[94eg! 837]

Guys, thanks so much for all the information.

Thanks in no small part to what you've all said here, I've decided against the DF03 and I'm looking at the DB01R instead. Since it's not "limited edition" I have the added luxury of being able to take more time over my decision.

Out of curiosity, which of these two chassis came first? It seems to me that the two of them are actually more or less the same age. And can we expect Tamiya to bring out new evolutions of either of these chassis anytime soon?

DF03 is several years older than the DB01. DF03's evolution never really went anywhere. They haven't sold a new version since the MS. The DF03Ra is a rally car version...

DB01-R is a limited edition. It doesn't include wheels, tires or a body. It also uses the latest racing carbon control arms that are a little more delicate and expensive. All the other hopups like the slipper, shocks, universals and alloy mounts make it worth the price though. If I started with one, I would most likely switch to standard DB01 glass or 501X carbon arms after I broke one. Good luck...