In this day and age, it’s easy to forget to take some time to ourselves while juggling work, school or family commitments. Taking some time out to do something you love can help you a lot to keep your mind and body healthy. Research shows that hobbies can keep you in better physical health, open up your world and improve your social life. These side projects of yours are one of the best ways to show passion and leadership, both in your private and professional lives. Although there’re a lot of hobbies that can help you ease your mind, hobbies for women and hobbies for boys are not always the same.
Boys tend to enjoy building something with their own hands, playing sports and driving cars. And if you’re looking for a big-time hobby that brings a lot of fun, radio-controlled cars might be your thing. Whether you already own an RC vehicle and looking to buy your next one, or you’re new in this hobby game, buckle up and prepare to be amazed.
Is RC Cars a Good Hobby?
This hobby is very popular nowadays, and not only for children and teenagers but also in the adults’ world. These model cars and trucks controlled remotely by a transmitter guarantee hours of fun. They can be used for racing and bashing, and require maintenance just like regular vehicles. It doesn’t take much time to get hooked on these guys, and next thing you know, you might be attending a race or browsing through an online hobby store that has replacement parts for your RC vehicle. And before you get started with this interesting hobby and buy your first RC car, there’re some features you need to consider to make the right choice.
Car Type
Choosing the type of vehicle mostly depends on whether you use it for bashing and racing. Bashing is a term used for pretty much everything that isn’t racing, from running around the backyard to hitting up the local skate park. Many people take their RC vehicle to organized races, where there’s a trophy or ribbon. Additionally, different vehicles are suited for different terrains. A well-stocked online hobby store can provide you with a plethora of options: from ready-to-run (RTR) vehicles to build it yourself kits.
Streetcars are the fastest average cars and work best on paved, flat surfaces. Although these cars are very fast, they can’t go off-road, which means you can’t drive it in your backyard.
Drift cars are similar to the streetcars but with slick tires. More experienced users love these cars since you can slide around turns and still get almost as fast as an on-road car. If you like to drive fast, but regular cars bore you, these might be an ideal choice for you.
If you can’t decide on what type of car you want, you can always opt for a buggy. Buggies are the second-fastest on-road but might be slower offroad due to their low wheelbase. You can use them on the pavement, sand and dirt or gravel surfaces.
Monster trucks are the most amazing offroad RC vehicles. Fun, durable and reliable, monster trucks are ideal for driving in the woods, or the grass of your backyard. However, have in mind that they don’t perform too well on the road.
Crawlers have evolved from the desire for enthusiasts to replicate their real full-size 4WD vehicles. They are usually a traditional remote control vehicle, but they can crawl up and over terrain at scale speeds and replicate your favorite daily drive.
Electric vs. Nitro
Electric power is the most popular choice. There’s nothing simpler than operating and eclectic vehicle. You just need to charge it up, plug it in and flick the switch. The electric motor spins when powered by a battery and speeds up even more when more battery power is applied. The lack of noise and exhaust fumes make them also an ideal choice for running indoors.
Nitro vehicles resemble real vehicles, with the sound of blaring engine burning fuel and spitting out exhaust fumes. You might need to be patient while learning to tune and maintain nitro engines. They use specific fuel that is a blend of nitromethane, methanol alcohol, and oil.
Type of Motor
The type of motor you choose can make a big difference in your RC Vehicle. You can find two types of motors in a hobby shop: brushed or brushless. Brushed motors are more affordable and plentiful, meaning vehicles with these motors are more affordable. These motors are usually open to the environment to help them keep cool. However, this can also introduce dirt, sand, and other debris into the motors, wearing them out quicker.
Brushless motors are considered to be more durable, efficient and speedy, thus more expensive. If more speed and power are what you’re looking for in an RC vehicle, brushes motors are ideal for you. Although they don’t wear out as quickly as their brushes cousins, they are just as vulnerable to high-temperature degradation.
2WD or 4WD
Two-wheel drive vehicles (2WD) is considered to be pretty squirrelly. Controlling a 2WD vehicle at speed, especially on a low-traction surface, can be a handful. Going in a straight line and slamming on the brakes will usually result in at least a 180° turn. However, the challenge might eventually makes you a better driver. These vehicles are less complex and require less moving parts.
Four-wheel-drive hobby vehicles (4WD) are easier to drive, allowing you easy control as they go anywhere you want them. Since all four wheels are pulling the truck or car along, they provide more predictable performance. Another feature that helps them perform better is that they usually come with a default inclusion of a brushless motor.
Brands
Choosing a good brand is essential to make sure your RC vehicle is of good quality. Traxxas is one of the most popular brands that build durable and accessible RC vehicles. The biggest reason to purchase a Traxxas vehicle, however, is their near-ubiquity in hobby shops. If you need a part, you can easily find it in a hobby online store. You can consider this brand if you plan on using your RC vehicle for bashing.
If you plan on racing, Team Associated is a reliable brand with a storied past in RC racing. Although they make bashing vehicles as well, they are more famous for their racing RC vehicles. You can easily find an online hobby store that has parts on hand for these cars and truck, so this is a solid brand to chose ricing vehicle from and stay competitive.
