Need Pinion assistance, Not sure if I am in right forum

[TeknoJ]

Can we all take a lesson to not buy a wltoys, or 99% of the amazon cars such as hypergo, and try to "upgrade" it??? You just simply cannot get the correct pinion on the first try, or it won't mesh properly, or the shocks leak, the 1/16 traxxas shocks don't fit, the brushless motor destroys absolutely every component, then the wheels blow up, the screws are stripped now because you have taken them out about a hundred times and that was last weekend alone; there is no easy path to upgrade these things unless it comes brushless. Then you absolutely resist the urge to "upgrade" it.

There are no upgrades for these, and I know all about it.
Get one, drive it, leave it be. Then move on to something you don't break all the time.

 

[BryanE]

Nice truck BTW....

 

[TeknoJ]

I'm ranting a bit, but I have several of these little cheap cars. The upgrade stuff is a path to nowhere, like an endless nowhere.
I'm really just trying to help and point out what I have learned.

 

[WickedFog]

I'm a little more serious about this hobby than just joining a facebook group...lol I belong to a Mopar forum as well for my 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees. When ya need good advise, It's always best to look for the experienced folks for the right answers...

Exactly! Forums are where you learn stuff. Fakebook and places like Reddit are where you go for attention and approval

So you probably love tinkering. There are a number of good RC's out there that will allow you to modify the hell out of them. Most are sadly RTR vehicles these days, but there are some really good kits left. Just do your research here before you buy.

 

[BryanE]

Understand, Much appreciated

 

[BryanE]

Exactly! Forums are where you learn stuff. Fakebook and places like Reddit are where you go for attention and approval

So you probably love tinkering. There are a number of good RC's out there that will allow you to modify the hell out of them. Most are sadly RTR vehicles these days, but there are some really good kits left. Just do your research here before you buy.

Yes, As a matter of fact I do like to tinker a bit....lol... Always trying to keep myself busy....

 

[TeknoJ]

This car was my first RC purchase and have learned a lot since, So I consider that a good thing. Would I buy it if I knew then what I know now ? NO, but we all have to start somewhere, Right ?

Theres nothing wrong with getting one, especially for a first car. I have that wltoys 1/28 drift truck and its way cool. So much fun to drive. Just don't get all hung up on the need to upgrade these cheap lil bastardos. It gets you nowhere fast

 

[WickedFog]

Can we all take a lesson to not buy a wltoys, or 99% of the amazon cars such as hypergo, and try to "upgrade" it??? You just simply cannot get the correct pinion on the first try, or it won't mesh properly, or the shocks leak, the 1/16 traxxas shocks don't fit, the brushless motor destroys absolutely every component, then the wheels blow up, the screws are stripped now because you have taken them out about a hundred times and that was last weekend alone; there is no easy path to upgrade these things unless it comes brushless. Then you absolutely resist the urge to "upgrade" it.

There are no upgrades for these, and I know all about it.
Get one, drive it, leave it be. Then move on to something you don't break all the time.

Good advice. I have a cheap 1/12 WLToys buggy I bought for Breydon like 9 years ago, when he was 3. I figured it would be something he could tear up, and I could toss it in the garbage. It hasn't been touched, and it still runs great. But to be fair, it's only been driven through maybe 10-15 packs. Soon after that I started getting him better kits.

 

[jojobeans]

Theres nothing wrong with getting one, especially for a first car. I have that wltoys 1/28 drift truck and its way cool. So much fun to drive. Just don't get all hung up on the need to upgrade these cheap lil bastardos. It gets you nowhere fast

I’m a firm believer in anything smaller than 1/10 is a poor choice for a beginner; generally speaking of course. I remember where my expectations were when I started and a car that small just can’t do the things most newbies want it to do. Things really didn’t start kicking off for me in this hobby until I got an HPI Blitz and left the mini’s behind. The car was easier to work on, screws stripped less, handled better, used standard parts like bodies and tires, beefier components, etc. Just an overall better experience and I wasn’t limited to the road in front of my house anymore.

I like mini’s, but I think they’re better for the experienced folks who already have the basic knowledge, tools and other kits. They’re perfect for filling in the gaps, but they’re just limited in what they can realistically do.

 

[TeknoJ]

I’m a firm believer in anything smaller than 1/10 is a poor choice for a beginner. I remember where my expectations were when I started and a car that small just can’t do the things most newbies want it to do. Things really didn’t start kicking off for me in this hobby until I got an HPI Blitz and left the mini’s behind. The car was easier to work on, screws stripped less, handled better, used standard parts like bodies and tires, beefier components, etc. Just an overall better experience and I wasn’t limited to the road in front of my house anymore.

I like mini’s, but I think they’re better for the experienced folks who already have the basic knowledge, tools and other kits. They’re perfect for filling in the gaps, but they’re just limited in what they can realistically do.

Valid point, although I can only disagree for one reason: Budget
Most people don't know that $3-500 is cheap in RC
@BryanE if you ever have anymore struggles, questions, or input, feel free to hang out. If you find success with that car report back and tell us how you did it and what you now have learned!

IMO, everyone needs a 1/5 scale for the first one

 

[jojobeans]

Valid point, although I can only disagree for one reason: Budget
Most people don't know that $3-500 is cheap in RC
@BryanE if you ever have anymore struggles, questions, or input, feel free to hang out. If you find success with that car report back and tell us how you did it and what you now have learned!

IMO, everyone needs a 1/5 scale for the first one

Normally I’d agree with this. But, arrma has a whole line up of 1/10 2wd rigs in the sub $200 range now. There’s still some other companies that offer decent stuff in the price range as well. Which is why the brushed Grom is really hard to recommend in their line up, when a Gorgon is $20-30 more. Sometimes even less depending on the sale. There’s still lots of fun to be had in the budget segment.

And I agree on the 1/5 scales. Everyone should get one! Although these have a similar problem to mini's in the fact they're also limited in what they can do because of their size. Same problem, just different ends of the spectrum.

 

[TeknoJ]

Normally I’d agree with this. But, arrma has a whole line up of 1/10 2wd rigs in the sub $200 range now. There’s still some other companies that offer decent stuff in the price range as well. Which is why the brushed Grom is really hard to recommend in their line up, when a Gorgon is $20-30 more. Sometimes even less depending on the sale. There’s still lots of fun to be had in the budget segment.

And I agree on the 1/5 scales. Everyone should get one View attachment 226501

Yikes thanks for the correction, I forgot about the new ARRMA stuff
Right now the best first car could be a GROM of any flavor

 

[WickedFog]

Normally I’d agree with this. But, arrma has a whole line up of 1/10 2wd rigs in the sub $200 range now. There’s still some other companies that offer decent stuff in the price range as well. Which is why the brushed Grom is really hard to recommend in their line up, when a Gorgon is $20-30 more. Sometimes even less depending on the sale. There’s still lots of fun to be had in the budget segment.

And I agree on the 1/5 scales. Everyone should get one! Although these have a similar problem to mini's in the fact they're also limited in what they can do because of their size. Same problem, just different ends of the spectrum.
View attachment 226501

My thing with the Gorgon is I have a hatred for 1/10 Arrma stuff after buying the Granite. Technically my first RTR hobby grade RC, and while it's very fast, and a lot of fun, it is a cheap feeling pile of garbage that has yet to make it through a full pack without needing repaired.

So are these Groms better? Did they get rid of the stupid plastic driveshafts that disintegrate?

 

[jojobeans]

My thing with the Gorgon is I have a hatred for 1/10 Arrma stuff after buying the Granite. Technically my first RTR hobby grade RC, and while it's very fast, and a lot of fun, it is a cheap feeling pule if garbage that has yet to make it through a full pack without needing repaired.

So are these Groms better? Did they get rid of the stupid plastic driveshafts that disintegrate?

I could go on a 10 page rant about the brushed Grom's, but this is neither the time nor place. If there was ANY other name on that car at release, it would have flopped and I can't be convinced otherwise. The brushless ones are what they should have been from the start and use metal drivetrain components.

 

[TeknoJ]

I could go on a 10 page rant about the brushed Grom's, but this is neither the time nor place. If there was ANY other name on that car at release, it would have flopped and I can't be convinced otherwise. The brushless ones are what they should have been from the start and use metal drivetrain components.

Thats what Iwas saying when they came out from the gate!

 

[CertifiedMike]

I'm a little more serious about this hobby than just joining a facebook group...lol I belong to a Mopar forum as well for my 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees. When ya need good advise, It's always best to look for the experienced folks for the right answers...

Mopar or no car!!!

Can we all take a lesson to not buy a wltoys, or 99% of the amazon cars such as hypergo, and try to "upgrade" it??? You just simply cannot get the correct pinion on the first try, or it won't mesh properly, or the shocks leak, the 1/16 traxxas shocks don't fit, the brushless motor destroys absolutely every component, then the wheels blow up, the screws are stripped now because you have taken them out about a hundred times and that was last weekend alone; there is no easy path to upgrade these things unless it comes brushless. Then you absolutely resist the urge to "upgrade" it.

There are no upgrades for these, and I know all about it.
Get one, drive it, leave it be. Then move on to something you don't break all the time.

RANT OF THE MONTH!!!

Normally I’d agree with this. But, arrma has a whole line up of 1/10 2wd rigs in the sub $200 range now. There’s still some other companies that offer decent stuff in the price range as well. Which is why the brushed Grom is really hard to recommend in their line up, when a Gorgon is $20-30 more. Sometimes even less depending on the sale. There’s still lots of fun to be had in the budget segment.

And I agree on the 1/5 scales. Everyone should get one! Although these have a similar problem to mini's in the fact they're also limited in what they can do because of their size. Same problem, just different ends of the spectrum.
View attachment 226501

The low dollar Arrma cars still need hop ups to make them 'good'
My Gorgon is great but the servo WILL blow up. Brushed motor and not waterproof esc.. clock is ticking.
Based on my '3s' Granite, I can only assume that 'upgrading' a Gorgon to full time 3s will kill it quickly too.
I plan to keep a low kv brushless on 2s right now.
The truck drives great as is... you are 100% correct about that!

 

[CertifiedMike]

My thing with the Gorgon is I have a hatred for 1/10 Arrma stuff after buying the Granite. Technically my first RTR hobby grade RC, and while it's very fast, and a lot of fun, it is a cheap feeling pile of garbage that has yet to make it through a full pack without needing repaired.

So are these Groms better? Did they get rid of the stupid plastic driveshafts that disintegrate?

I understand the dislike. Just throwing out that the Granite and Gorgon chassis are different.
I think if the Gorgon was a 2wd Granite chassis, the truck would SUCK!
My Granite experience has been no better.

 

[jojobeans]

The low dollar Arrma cars still need hop ups to make them 'good'
My Gorgon is great but the servo WILL blow up. Brushed motor and not waterproof esc.. clock is ticking.
Based on my '3s' Granite, I can only assume that 'upgrading' a Gorgon to full time 3s will kill it quickly too.
I plan to keep a low kv brushless on 2s right now.
The truck drives great as is... you are 100% correct about that!

To be fair, this can be said for anything in that price range; mini or full sized. Even my $600+ RC's needed some upgrades to be "good". There are other options from other companies in the price range/scale, I just used that as an example since it's a brand most people know. They're good enough to get you started and are a good enough platform that you won't feel like you're throwing your money away when it's time to upgrade. Can you really ask for much more in the $150-180 price range?

 

[jojobeans]

I understand the dislike. Just throwing out that the Granite and Gorgon chassis are different.
I think if the Gorgon was a 2wd Granite chassis, the truck would SUCK!
My Granite experience has been no better.

As the previous owner of a 4x2 Granite Mega. Can confirm, its sucked! I liked the idea of them offering a cheap 2wd 1/10 rig that's capable of being upgraded to 4 wheel drive later on. Concept was solid, execution was terrible and so was the price to performance ratio.

 

[CertifiedMike]

To be fair, this can be said for anything in that price range; mini or full sized. Even my $600+ RC's needed some upgrades to be "good". There are other options from other companies in the price range/scale, I just used that as an example since it's a brand most people know. They're good enough to get you started and are a good enough platform that you won't feel like you're throwing your money away when it's time to upgrade. Can you really ask for much more in the $150-180 price range?

The Gorgon is the most fun rc-out of the box stock that I've ever owned.
I enjoy building a kit and I'm counting that a different thing here but yes, they ate AWESOME for the money.
Its the unsuspecting parent that reads a review or watches a vid and gets sucked in as the most durable truck ever for their twin 10 year olds.
They ARE good.... BUT...!!!
More to the point, I bought a Granite BECAUSE I loved the Gorgon SO MUCH! I thought a 4x4 version of that truck would be awesome! 3s!!! WHAT??? GRANITE 3s ON SALE?!?!?! There was NO WAY I WASN'T buying that truck!!!!
It still cost twice the Gorgon and it pretty much sucks.
I think the Arrma progression for a smart buyer is 2s Gorgon 2wd to 12s monter truck that you can ride home from the hobby shop. Anything between is sad-face time. 6 s is where they get good again.
No one says much good about any of the ofther truck except that the 4s stuff is tougher than 3s.