Rising Fighter opinion

[Nitomor]

Monster buggies are the best...

Monster Aero Avante 4wd

Monster Hornet 2wd

Makes the handling so much better off road and rollover is reduced due to the wider wheelbase.

[Nitomor]

2 hours ago, briscaF1 said:

If buying seperate, the Tamica kit looks like a good price, even with shipping, but how do you go on for returns if there is a problem? Any recommendations on where to get a Turnigy 5x from (I can mod it) since they were $20 on some site I cannot recall but they wanted a lot of shipping and I haven't seen anywhere local selling  so far.

If I ignore having a second battery and a bundle, I would need:

A car kit

Radio (wheel or 5x) + 1 steering servo

ESC suitable for the car (waterproof?)

A fast charger (NiMH, for the 3700mAh 6 cells I have)

Some paint (if required)

Bearing set (already linked)

If Mad Bull, some ball cups, caps and threaded bar (as per steering mod shown elsewhere). Servo saver, too (?)

 

Thanks

Tamico are one of the best sellers, you'll have no issues with returns. My only issue was some sand scorcher shocks that had a piece missing, no quibbling they put a new one out in the post immediately, you're in safe hands there. Modelsport also have great backup as do Fusion both in the UK.

I tend to buy all electrical stuff in the UK. I personally would advise against bundles, I don't think they are particularly good value though they are cheap and they certainly won't get you the best out of your hobby.

I'd be looking to get a kit without ESC then go with the Hobbywing Quicrun waterproof and lipo compatible esc (modelsport sell them). Radio, a 2.4g of some description. Charger, I think its important not to skimp on one of these, great ones for about £50 will future proof the hobby for you to an extent, again keep the door open for going lipo later once you've read up on them and determined if you're comfortable with having/using them. I'm gradually converting my runner fleet and the kids cars are all running them now, but I'm the only one who will charge them and in attendance. They are stored in lipo sacks in the conservatory in a plastic tool box in the shade. They are far more consistent in operation, you get massive run times and I've not had a ruined bash since switching to them, whereas the Nimh were constant hassle, mainly down to not getting enough use and subsequent memory related issues, even with a super duper cycle charger. They are also massively lighter and the power doens't drop off in use, it's pretty much full power until they're stopped by the esc. These will give about an hour run time on a 540 motor.

The charger and battery are up front setup costs, once sorted you can use these for all your cars if you delve deeper in the hobby.

Cheers

Nito

 

[Bobzilla]

I was looking recently and the rising was a bit too old school for me. Have a look at neo fighters from Germany. Double wishbone suspension, ability to put decent shocks on. None of the 80s design floating rear pivot etc.  And barely more money than a rising. 

[TurnipJF]

4 hours ago, briscaF1 said:

If Mad Bull, some ball cups, caps and threaded bar (as per steering mod shown elsewhere). Servo saver, too (?)

The ball link steering mod looks tidy, but you can achieve similar benefits with some heatshrink tubing. The main issues with the stock DT-01 steering pushrod is that it can move up and down in its holes. This means that it can get caught on the chassis moulding if forced to go beyond its normal travel, eg in a crash, and it is quite sloppy as the up-and-down movement in the holes translates to unwanted movement of the steering assembly.

 

If the pushrod is covered in heatshrink tubing with just the ends sticking out, the extra thickness of the tubing stops the pushrod from dropping low enough to get caught on the chassis moulding, and also eliminates much of the slop from the system as it stops the pushrod from being able to move up and down in its holes.

 

You can see how it was done to my car here:

 

[briscaF1]

Wow - this forum is really great! Everyone is very helpful - thanks to all

OK, so I did some pricing up.

Fusion models have

Rising Fighter 59 quid

Mad Bull 79 quid.

Neo Fighter DT-03 89 quid.

All those have an ESC, which I guess is a Tamiya. And my question is whether the Tamiya ESCs are any good or whether I'm better off buying a kit without ESC (if possible, might save £10) and buy the Hobbywing one, instead, at ~£18.

I looked at Fusion's wheel radio sets; Absima CR2S V2 + an Absima S60PH servo is 38 quid in total.

 

Modelsport don't have stock on the Madbull but the kit prices are the same and they have a different radio set available:

Tactic RC TTX300 3 Channel SLT Radio
Alturn USA AAS700 Waterproof Servo

 

A set of bearings will be about 7-10 quid I guess.

As I said before, I already have a battery and charger.

 

So, some more questions (apologies...as I keep moving the goalposts)

Does anyone have any knowledge of the Tactic and Absima radios? Please remember, I only want a cheap-ish set that will stand a few knocks. I can't find a Turnigy 5x for sale in the UK except from abroad and the shipping quite expensive.

Are those servos OK?

I started to look at the Neo Fighter DT-03 because when I first started to look at models a few weeks ago, it stood out to me. The only real question I have it whether it's as strong as the MB and RF (I don't mind it being more complex to build...)

If I go for the MB, does the kit already come with the white servo saver that goes straight into the servo output shaft?

[taffer]

if your a TC subscriber, fusion offer 10% off plus 'Fusion points' which can be used for further discounts against future orders, ie steel pinions, paint etc

[Nitomor]

No experience with the DT-03 but I suspect it is every bit as strong With double wishbones and better geometry, if you can get over the look of the horrific front shock tower which ruins that chassis in my book and totally kills any realism for me but that's purely a personal view, some like it.

To answer your other questions, yes the Mad Bull includes the servo saver and connects directly to spline. The Tamiya esc is ok, however the quicrun is waterproof and lipo compatible, both of which the Tamiya is not. I also think it performs better, so well worth an £8 premium imho.

Absima is a pretty established brand so I don't think you would go far wrong with that for the price.

[Nitomor]

Ps, the DT-02 Sand Viper at £99 comes with oil filled dampers and full ball bearings so maybe worth a look in and possibly the best value of the bunch, especially if you locate one without esc!

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-sand-viper-dt-02-/rc-car-products/25688

[TurnipJF]

The Absima radio is a nicely-made unit with a quality feel. I wish I had bought one myself rather than the tacky Carson I got from Time Tunnel.

 

Absima and Alturn servos are also solid bits of kit. My mates run them with no issues. Not particularly fast or anything, but fine for a RF or MB.

 

I can't speak from personal experience regarding the DT-03, but based on what I have read, it is pretty tough. Not Mad Bull tough, but certainly strong enough not to be destroyed by the average beginner in the first 5 minutes of running. It does have a fair bit more metal in it though, with steel hinge pins, etc. These are prone to corrosion, which is one of the reasons I didn't get one as I wanted something for beach running. There are stainless and titanium upgrades available, but they ain't cheap.

 

 

[TurnipJF]

P.S. Tamico have the two DT-03 buggies at just under 60 euros each.

 

http://tamico.de/navi.php?k=54&JTLSHOP=gijct2ptcbpknl7r4mo4ke8ie1&k=54&hf=1&hf=1&Sortierung=3&af=100

[briscaF1]

Time Tunnel have the Sand Viper without ESC @ £84 which, as you say, is good value given the bearings and shocks.

What is the difference between the DT-02 and DT-03, though? Is one stronger than the other? Or are they just "different" ?

[Problemchild]

just to through a massive spanner in the works...

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/kyosho-nexxt-assembly-kit-orange-/rc-car-products/370762

 

JJ

[Nitomor]

The DT01 is the first of the DT chassis, the DT02 and DT03 are just subsequent evolutions of that chassis. For me the DT02 is aguably the sweet spot, the battery is better protected, mounted longitudinally within the tub rather than transverse and exposed as in the DT01, its an improvement over the DT01 and it has double wishbone with adjustable top wishbone amd a solid rear end not the rolling gearbox. The DT03 gives better suspension geometry at the expense of aesthetics. Nice find on the Sand Viper for that price!!

 

 

 

[briscaF1]

Spanner? That's an entire socket set at that price.

Only one problem with it - it's boot ugly and I think the build is maybe too simple. (I had planned on taking the pleasure on building it for myself and then enjoying my son driving it!)

On the subject of Kyosho, how do they sit with Tamiya? I've always wondered where the manufacturers sit with each other. When I used to race oval stocks, there was really Mardave and self-build then Schumacher came along with their new-fangled and vastly superior product. Are Kyosho to Tamiya as Schumacher is to Mardave or is it more complicated than that?

 

Nitomor: Is the geometry improvement not more important than the aesthetic? I do quite like the DT-03 look, to be honest. It's not as good looking as the Hotshot (IMO) but it looks a lot better than the MB and RF, IMO.

 

As I said elsewhere, there's too much choice...!

[Nitomor]

Or a DT03-T might be worth a look, a DT03 stadium truck with bigger wheels and cva dampers for £95!

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-aqroshot-dt-03t/rc-car-products/388962

[Nitomor]

If you're ok with the look, and I must say some do look great to be fair, I've seen frog and grasshopper liveries and people fit the cf shock tower and cut them down. It's the latest evolution so each should be an improvement in theory. The DT03-T is the truck version with a body so hides the tower anyway and has a bit more offroad performance while being way more stable than a mad bull, tougher too.

 

[TurnipJF]

Or 89 euro from Tamico.

 

http://tamico.de/Tamiya-AQROSHOT-DT-03T-1-10-Bausatz-58610_1

[Nitomor]

£89 at fusion and if TC member you get 10% off that.

http://www.fusionhobbies.com/product/58610-tamiya-aqroshot-dt03t

DT03 also has a neat receiver box.

spoilt for choice lol, decisions decisions...

[briscaF1]

Member as in member of the forum or pay a subscription?

I looked at the truck before as someone I know races them (not sure what they have, though) but it looks like something that might be better off on compacted dirt?

Nitomor: When you say the DT-03T is tough, as you also saying that the DT-03 is as tough (and as tough as an MB?) The logic here is that a car that is easier to control is less likely to be crashed (referring to the MB) but I guess it works the other way in that a car that is easier to control will reach a higher speed and it easier to destroy!

[Nitomor]

They're all tough to be fair, the DT03T will be tougher due to the larger wheels unless you catch the wheel on something badly. The lexan body of the T will be more resistant to impact and covers the shock towers though.

I think it comes down to which one you prefer the look of really and what you'll be using it for!

ps. Tamiya club subscription membership I believe. I suggest you give the ever so helpful Joanne a call at Fusion.

 

[Effigy3]

BriscaF1

I've been following this thread with interest.  It's always very interesting to me on how people come to the decisions they do when choosing a new kit to build.  There are so many options and many are very close to each other that only subtle differences separate them.  In most cases, unless someone is specifically looking for retro, I tend to suggest the newest in a line.  So in this case, the DT-03 over a DT-02 or DT-01.  I have built a beauty DT-02 with my son.  We hopped it up quite a bit.  Here's that build thread:

I also built a DT-03 for a buddy of mine.  Between the two, I can say without hesitation that the DT-03 chassis is superior in design in many ways.  Here's that build thread:

Others have posted their build threads on all these vehicles as well.  I feel for you having to make a decision.  I kill myself researching and figuring before every purchase.  I'm sure you'll be happy with what ever kit you end up purchasing.  Just remember, there is no perfect kit.  They all have pros and cons.  Choose with your heart and you'll enjoy it.

Edit: FWIW I used the Tactic transmitter for the MF-01X build I did for my wife this past July.  For a "budget" transmitter it's quite good.  Nicely compact, feels a bit tighter constructed vs like a Spectrum DX2E (came with my son's Losi XXX-SCT) or FlySky GT3 (came with my Arrma Fury BLS SCT) or the FlySky GT2B (What I used for my Acroshot build).

[taffer]

I've had dt-02's since they launched in 2005 and the more recent dt-03

the dt-02 has proven to be a much more reliable and stronger buggy

the dt-03 has a weaker chassis (mine and 3 friends have all broken with small collisions), the dt-03t's extra weakness is the large front wheels easily transfer shocks and impacts to the servo saver, which breaks easily (so needs upgrading)

so id recommend a dt-02 over dt-03

(only one friend still has dt-03, we others all have sold ours)

[GregM]

The suggested Kyosho Nexxt on the EZ-chassis is the weakest design of all the mentioned. I've got a Sandmaster EZ, and the only thing its good for are the looks - but they look way more toyish in reality than on promo pictures. The chassis design has good ideas, but it is manufactured with terrible tolerances.

Regarding off-road capabilities, even my Hornet will run rings around my Sandmaster EZ. There's a whole thread about that car in the Kyosho section of Tamiyaclub. Running that car just feels awkward and isn't much fun to me, while I've got way more fun with the Hornet, DT-01 Mad Bull and DT-02 Sand Viper.

Edited September 3, 2016 by GregM

[briscaF1]

Thanks for the info again.

Taffer: How would you say a DT-02 compares to the DT-01 Mad Bull for strength?

Effigy: You're spot on. I can see that once you cotton on about the chassis base value (DT-0x etc) the range of models is actually a little easier to decide between.

What's confusing is whether, say, a DT-01 in the guise of one model compares to a DT-01 for another.

For example, will "a DT-01" always have the same chassis pan? If so, is it the outboard components that may differ (e.g. how the shocks mount and geometry which may be a function of the body shell or overall shape intended)? And, on top of that, will there be differences between those "outboard" components, such as the strength of wishbones etc?

If I look at a Hornet or similar they traditionally have some kind of wide fender at the front which I suppose has good and bad points. Good because it protects, bad because it may crack or break whatever it's bolted to. I just wonder whether the older models, in general, are constructed more for strength than performance or whether the newer models actually are better in both respects....?

I think my choice has swung from a MB or RF now to either the Neo or the Viper (given it's apparent value). I guess the question is whether, with just an improved servo saver (for a few quid), whether this makes the DT-03 as good (or does the mod not apply to the DT-03, only the DT-03t?), if not tougher, than a DT-02.

And, I know that "tougher" is subjective because it only takes a number of impacts in the right place to destroy anything (and I accept that replacing bits and bobs is part and parcel of running an R/C car) but it's just nice to get an idea of what would be an ideal mix of toughness, performance and complexity (since it ought to be easy to maintain but not overly simple to put together!)

Thanks,

D

PS: One other question. For kits with oil shocks etc, is there sufficient oil in the kit and it is really necessary (looking at the build threads, which are great) to put putty in etc or do they run fine as they are?

 

 

[Problemchild]

The issue you are having is the same as me with my 6yr old..... buying something for me and pretending its for him!

the nexxt i see as a stepping stone! he will be able to build it himself without the complications of oil filled damper assembly or fiddly diff builds

given it only needs me to put one of my radio gear sets in I see it as a total bargain (especially seeing as the 3mph Eearly Learning Centre car he has from grandad was £30) and i think it looks fab and parts are v v v cheap.

if you want a great car, my neo scorcher has just arrived......

£75 delivered inc torque tuned motor so pretty nippy

how old is your son?

JJ