As someone who got into the RC hobby just recently, I know first-hand how hard it is for a novice to pick up their first RC vehicle since there are thousands of different models made by different manufacturers. For that very reason, in today’s blog post I’ll talk about the most important things you need to know when getting started with RC vehicles. First and foremost – you need to be able to differentiate between the types of RC vehicles you’ll come across in a hobby shop.
RC Trucks
The most popular RC vehicles found in a hobby shop are Monster Trucks, which feature huge tyres and a lifted suspension. They aren’t the fastest type, which is actually beneficial since they can’t handle high speeds well. However, their excellent ground clearance allows them to run over anything.
RC Buggy
Buggies are open-wheeled and feature a narrow front and an exposed motor in the back. Compared to RC trucks, buggies have low ground clearance and are ideal for dirt-track racing.
RC Stadium Truck
Stadium trucks are similar to buggies, except they feature a modified truck body and higher suspension. These trucks are oftentimes referred to as truggies, although there are a few minor differences between the two. A good all-around stadium truck will perform decently on dirt, pavement, gravel, and grass.
RC Race Cars
RC race cars are similar in design with real cars, they’re just scaled down. Race cars have low ground clearance, and they’re designed to race on concrete, asphalt, or smooth indoor surfaces. This type of RC vehicles doesn’t ride well on uneven terrain, and their suspension is stiff.
Next, you have to consider the type of motor. There are two basic types of RC vehicle motors – brushed and brushless.
Brushed Motors
Brushed motors are the cheaper option and while they do get the job done, they aren’t as fast as brushless motors. These motors are rated by the number of turns they use (fewer turns means more speed). Most stock brushed motors are in the 20t-30t range, while the high-performance ones are in the 5t-12t range. These motors feature two power wires, and some of them are easily disassemblable so that the springs and brushes can be replaced if necessary. However, most models come with sealed cans and have to be replaced once they wear down.
Brushless Motors
brushless RC motors are the more expensive, but more efficient and faster option. They can run for more time on a single battery charge, and they’re rated by kV. Faster is not necessarily always better, because heavier vehicles perform better with lower kV rated motors since they have more torque. All brushless motors feature three power wires and you can find them either sensorless or sensored. Sensored motors have more wires that plug into the electronic speed controls, which allows for better control. Sensorless motors are more affordable, but they don’t run as smooth as sensored motors, especially at low speeds.
