If you’re looking to enter the world of remote control vehicles – awesome! This can be a great way to spend your free time, learn, socialize and get an adrenaline rush. If you realize that you really like it, you can even become competitive and attend races. If you’re a total newbie, you’ll be surprised at the size of the RC community and the amount of different remote controlled vehicles you’ll come across. It can be a lot of fun, but you need the right type of RC vehicle. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending money on something you’ll leave to collect dust in your garage. Without further ado, here’s what you need to know when shopping for the right RC vehicle.
Type
There are six basic types of RC vehicles: cars, stadium trucks, monster trucks, short course trucks, rock crawlers, and buggies. Your choice will depend on the type of surface you’ll be driving most frequently, as not every type is suitable for every type of terrain. For instance, if you’re going to be driving on grass for the most part, then a truck of any kind or a rock crawler is what you’re looking for. If you’re going to be driving over a pavement, then an RC buggy, a truck of any sort, a rock crawler or car will be fine. For sand dunes, gravel or dirt driving, you’ll want an RC buggy, crawler or truck.
Motor Type
You’ll have to pick between a brushed and brushless motor. Brushed motors are the more affordable type, meaning the vehicles that sport a brushed motor are also more affordable. Brushed motors are more prone to sand, dirt and other debris, which makes them wear out quicker. Brushless motors, when compared to brushed motors, are more durable, efficient and more expensive. They don’t wear out as fast as brushed motors do, but they are also more expensive to replace. If the RC vehicle you like comes with a brushed motor, you can probably replace it with a brushless one later on, as there are very few models that can’t have their motor replaced.
Wheel Drive
You can choose between 2WD and 4WD models nowadays, with the 2WD models being the more squirrelly ones. Controlling a 2WD RC vehicle on a low-traction surface can be difficult. Some people find this a challenge, while others find it annoying. If you take it as a challenge, you’ll become a more skillful driver, as you’ll need to acquire more skills in order to properly handle it. 2WD vehicles are more affordable since they don’t have as many moving parts as 4WD vehicles. 4WD vehicles are easier to drive and they perform better on rough terrain. They’re also more expensive because they almost always feature a brushless motor. You can’t upgrade a 2WD model to a 4WD like you can upgrade a brushed motor to a brushless one.
