Who hasn't fantasized about climbing behind the wheel of an exotic high-performance racing machine, or the latest street-legal supercar? Few of us can afford to make such fantasies become reality, but your automotive dreams can easily become real with radio control, or RC. RC cars are much more than models; they're fully-functional automobiles that can go as fast as 60MPH and are equipped with working suspension systems that borrow technology directly from the “real dealâ€. There are electric- and engine-powered kits to suit different tastes and budgets, and just about every type of wheeled machine can be replicated in RC. From monster trucks to dragsters, street sedans to off road stadium racers, you can experience them all with the radio control car hobby.
[b]THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOY RC CARS AND HOBBY RC CARS[/b]
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The RC cars and trucks that you see on TV and in toy stores offer a great way for young people to get involved in a rewarding hobby; however, there are few similarities between these toy-grade vehicles and those you'll find at a hobby shop. For example, most hobby-grade R/C vehicles are available as an unassembled kit. You build the vehicle from the ground up, piece by piece, so you'll know exactly how it works and how to fix it if something breaks. With few exceptions, you'll be able to make repairs yourself without having to send it back to the manufacturer because you'll know the vehicle inside and out.
Also, hobby-grade R/C vehicles are generally made of better materials than toygrade vehicles, so they can withstand the severe punishment of a backyard obstacle course or a high-speed cartwheel at the local parking lot. Hobby kits are designed to provide long life and superior performance.
[b]THE MANY TYPES OF RC CARS AND TRUCKS[/b]
RC cars come in many shapes and sizes, from 1/24 scale models you can run on a tabletop to ? scale behemoths that are as big as a tabletop. Here's a quick overview of the most popular RC categories:
[b]ELECTRIC VEHICLES[/b]
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1/10 scale Buggies: Sleek and fast, buggies are great for racing or play. Most are two-wheel-drive (2WD), with top speeds of about 15-30 mph. For use on- or off-road.
1/10 scale Stadium trucks: Stadium trucks share much of their componentry with buggies, but are wider and can handle rougher terrain thanks to increased suspension travel. Most are two-wheel-drive (2WD), with top speeds of about 15-30 mph. For use on- or off-road.
1/10 scale Monster trucks: This popular category includes 2WD and 4WD trucks. The 2WD models are more affordable and use a single motor; the 4WD monsters use two motors for super torque and crushing power. Both have soft, long-travel suspension to soak up bumps.Top speed is about 15mph. For use on- or off-road.
1/10 scale Touring cars: These are probably the most realistic electric RC cars, with bodies just like those you see on the highway everyday. Tourers are 4WD, and can go as fast as 40mph with the right motor. For use on-road only.
source: gettingstartedinrc.com
