| Buying a new or used RC model car is a rewarding | | | | Gas powered RC cars and trucks require space and |
| and exciting process. Gas or electric? Truck or car? | | | | are not ideal for apartment complexes or homes |
| Helicopter or plane? There are many considerations | | | | which could have neighbors calling in noise complaints |
| you must address before making these decisions. | | | | to your local authorities. Radio controlled planes and |
| However, there are 5 top factors that will help you on | | | | helicopters need wide open spaces with little |
| your decision. | | | | obstruction for safe operation. Electric RC's can |
| Battery or gas? | | | | normally be operated anywhere as they are |
| The major factors determining your choice here are | | | | considerably less noisy than gas RC's. Another |
| run time and noise. Gas RC cars, trucks, planes, or | | | | consideration is terrain. Is your RC truck or car an |
| helicopters are usually loud, even with a muffler | | | | off-road buggy or stomper truck or is it a track racer? |
| installed. The advantage of gas RC's are that they can | | | | For example, street RC's perform better and tires last |
| run a lot longer with a tank of fuel versus a battery | | | | longer on pavement versus asphalt. |
| powered RC. The average battery life on a RC | | | | Wear and Tear |
| vehicle will give you roughly 10 to 25 minutes of run | | | | There are great deals out there on unwanted RC |
| time - at full speed. Some radio control trucks and cars | | | | models, however it is important to understand the |
| deplete energy faster due to accessories like lights, | | | | wear-and-tear of these vehicle before you shell out |
| horns and other gadgets. | | | | your hard-earned cash. Start with the heart. That is |
| Kit vs RTR? | | | | check the motor, the most important piece to the |
| When buying a new RC car or truck or even a plane, | | | | model. If it's gas, check for oil leakage around the head |
| there are 2 directions you can take based on your | | | | and base of the motor. Shocks when worn out tend |
| patience, budget, and skill level. If you're the | | | | to leak oil as well so look at these with a close eye as |
| adventurous type and enjoy working on a project | | | | well. |
| from beginning to end then a Kit package is your best | | | | What's your Budget |
| option. Kits involve putting together the entire RC car, | | | | With prices for used buggies around $75 to fully |
| truck, or plane together from a box of pieces into the | | | | loaded USED RC Helicopters peaking over $1,500, it's |
| final product, which you can be proud of your | | | | best to have an understanding of your purchasing |
| accomplishment! Kit packages are usually more | | | | budget, but also your operational budget as well. After |
| expensive but are more modifiable. RTR or "Ready to | | | | you buy your new or used radio controlled model the |
| Run" packages are ready to go outside of the box. | | | | spending doesn't stop there as you will have |
| Charge the battery or fuel up the tank and you'll be | | | | maintenance costs for tires, batteries, fuel, bushings, |
| enjoying your new RC within minutes, versus hours or | | | | blades, servos, and more. Depending on how serious |
| even days compared to kits. | | | | you are involved with your RC model will determine |
| Location, Location, Location | | | | how much of an operating budget you will need. |