REMOTE CONTROL VEHICLES
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RC Basics - The Novice Guide to Radio Controlled Vehicles
Introduction to Radio Controlled VehiclesAs you begin to discover radio controlled vehicles, it is possible to be a bit overwhelmed by all the choices out there. In this article you'll get answers to a few of the common questions to help get you started. any new hobby, it is best to go at a pace you are comfortable with.
Where do you plan to operate your RC vehicle? A large park or an empty parking lot? Is there a local track nearby or any RC Clubs in your area? This is an essential part of the hobby and it pays to know where you will want to play, and how much help you can find in your area. Lets get started. 
You have a wide variety of radio controlled vehicles to choose from. Touring cars, racing cars, sedans, off-road buggies, 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles designed for both on and off-road usage. There are monster trucks, tanks, low-riders, sports car replicas and mini RC cars. Also, there are airplanes and helicopters, boats and submarines, and remote controlled toys of every size. If you can imagine it, there is likely a version available on a smaller scale. All these scaled down vehicles are driven by two fuel types which you should become acquainted with: nitro (gas) and electric (battery).   Earlier I mentioned the vehicles scale. You will find some types of vehicles as tiny as 1/32nd scale and as large as 1/4th scale. The most popular size ground vehicle is 1/10th scale. That means the RC vehicle is 10 times smaller than a real vehicle of the same type. So a 1/32nd scale vehicle is 32 times smaller than the real thing, although they are not very common this small. Just for the sake of being complete, there are vehicles even smaller than this. They are usually custom built vehicles such as a battleship or submarine replica, for example. Which is best for me? Keep in mind that only you know what interests you, so that will be the first indicator. Pick something you like and explore the differences in those vehicles. There are thousands of cars, trucks, buggies, airplanes, military replicas, boats and sailboats to choose from, as mentioned earlier. If you want the easiest route, check with your local hobby shop to see what is possible. You should not have any shortage of advice. If the most popular RC vehicle sold were a 1/10th scale nitro buggy, you would have an advantage choosing that as your first purchase. Tons of advice from other local enthusiasts, and more than likely, more items in stock to choose from. If you would rather go with a 1/8th scale electric racing car, that is where you will get the most enjoyment. There are other things you should consider, and I will cover those next, but the bottom line is: Always pick the vehicle you like best, and one you will be able to operate. 
Actually, most are very easy to operate once you get the hang of it. Just take your time and go slow until you are comfortable with more advanced moves. Don't worry too much about crashing. Most remote controlled vehicles can take the occasional beating. Cars and trucks, both on and off-road, are very simple to operate. The transmitters for entry-level vehicles usually involve controlling forward and backward movement and turning left to right. More advanced radios allow you to control brakes installed on the vehicle, make adjustments that allow you to refine your turns or have better control over acceleration. The actual speed an RC vehicle travels depends on the vehicle type and scale. It is entirely possible for an advanced racer to reach speeds of 65 to 80+ miles per hour. However, the average RC vehicle travels more closely to 20-35 miles per hour. Still others rarely reach 10 miles per hour. Part of the fun of RC sail-boating, for instance, is watching it glide gracefully, and slowly, through the water. Airplanes are a bit more advanced than land based vehicles. It used to be an absolute necessity to have a flight instructor teach you how to operate RC airplanes. This is no longer true at all. Manufacturers have designed entry-level planes so that anyone can learn to fly, alone if they prefer. The Cosmic Flyer, by Megatech is a perfect first flight training RC airplane. They have simplified the controls so that anyone, 8 and up, can train with it. The controls are even designed to land the plane itself, should you be unable to keep it level. Radio Controlled vehicles have come a long way in the past few years. The RC Helicopter is perhaps the most difficult to master because of the number of controls you must deal with. Some may see the helicopter as being easier because you do not have to line up for a landing, like you would needto with an airplane. There are some entry-level helicopters as well, but in my opinion, this is the hardest RC vehicle to master. My first major remote control vehicle was a Bell 222 Helicopter, and it was not for first timers at all. I was so nervous it took me a week to get the nerve to try and lift off my first time. Once I got the hang of it, I could not remember what all the fuss was about. You believe me, right? Do not allow yourself to be intimidated, but choose something wisely and know your limits. Now you can see why I said that where you play is important, right? If you buy an airplane, make sure you have lots of open area to run it. If you buy something for on-road, you will need more than just an open field. For example, an empty parking lot or some other paved area where you can operate safely. It is entirely possible to find an entry-level vehicle for less than $100 dollars (US). Most manufacturers realize that there are people entering the hobby on a regular basis and so they produce kits just for beginners. The Megatech Cosmic Flyer mentioned earlier costs around $50 to $60 and includes everything you need to get started. The average radio controlled vehicle costs from $100 to $400 dollars (US). A good quality, mid range RTR (ready-to-run) kit can be purchased for around $250 dollars. There are some minis and toys that cost less, while the more expensive end will reach into the thousands. As with anything, you get what you pay for. | ||
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