New to Nitro looking for help/info

[jackals7]

First off let me say that hopefully I'll get a better responce on this forum. I posted the same ? on a CEN forum on monday and have yet to get any responce.
So here is my situation. I'm new to nitro rc cars. I'm looking at getting a CEN CT5 as my first car. I would like the get a kit, but since I'm new I think I would like to start out with a RTR car and get the basics down on the operations of a nitro rc car. Then down the road I'll get a kit. I like the idea of building it myself.
So is a CT5 car a good car to learn off of and to start out with?
2nd question is about receivers. I understand the CT5 comes with a digital receiver. So what is the differance between that receiver and if I were to buy a better one down the road? What exactly am I gaining? Is this something that is difficult to upgrade?

Any additional info if you have it would be great also.
thanks!

 

[65f1004x4]

I'm new to the hobby also so i can't help you, but this place is full of a lot of people with good information so I'm sure that you'll get some help. and welcome to the site

 

[jackals7]

TY, just trying to get some info before I make my purchase. I found a CEN CT5 in a local hobby shop for $269. I have yet to find them that low online. I just want to know if it’s worth the money or if another make/model is more worth the money.

 

[Rolex]

Hang on for a few more opinions. That doesn't seem to be a car that many people have, so it could be tough to get advise on a problem.
If you like to build, by all means get a kit. There are quite a few out there, but maybe not that cheap.
When you build the car, you understand EVERY SINGLE working part before you start it, so you've already gotten an excellent education in R/C cars.
When you get RTR and something doesn't work right, you have no idea where to start figuring out the problem.

 

[jackals7]

Thanks for the info. What you said makes sence. I guess I looked at it as a box of parts sitting in front of me with no idea of what is what.
Are there kits that include everything (receiver, body,engine)?
Why do kits seem to be priced higher then RTR?
Thanks again for your help!

 

[joneser4u]

I would recommend a hpi rs4 3,or an associated ntc3.Both very popular for a reason.Good cars and easy parts avaliability.

 

[hudler]

Yep, if you want to go 1/10 scale onroad, associated or HPI are your best bet. I have built the hpi onroad rs models before and have enjoyed the entire process. Get a HPI kit to build, if you want help finding a good price let me know in a pm, but you will enjoy building it, painting the body and installing the electrics. It would be a much better choice over the cen. (I think Cen is a good company, but when you want to trade or sell your car it would be alot harder)

 

[jackals7]

Thank you all for your input. I'm looking at all my options. Another one I stumbled across was traxxas 4-tec 3.3 any suggestions on this car?
Thanks again

 

[Rolex]

I agree with HPI or Associated. Traxxas is also a good place to start since their parts are absolutely everywhere.
Kits are one of the best parts of this hobby. If it's your first, follow the directions exactly, and organize your tools and parts bags. Before long, the confusion is over and you're REALLY enjoying watching it turn into a car that you put together. Again, building it lets you totally understand ALL the working parts if something goes wrong later on.
You're also better off getting the radio and receiver separately from the car. That way you can get a better unit that will fit your needs. By the time you're through building, you'll know what radio you want.
When you get there, we'll give you the advise you need.

 

[jackals7]

I agree with HPI or Associated. Traxxas is also a good place to start since their parts are absolutely everywhere.
Kits are one of the best parts of this hobby. If it's your first, follow the directions exactly, and organize your tools and parts bags. Before long, the confusion is over and you're REALLY enjoying watching it turn into a car that you put together. Again, building it lets you totally understand ALL the working parts if something goes wrong later on.
You're also better off getting the radio and receiver separately from the car. That way you can get a better unit that will fit your needs. By the time you're through building, you'll know what radio you want.
When you get there, we'll give you the advise you need.

What is the biggest difference in an ok/fair receiver and a good/great receiver. Is it the range from receiver to car? just wondering. I'm not afraid of putting a kit together. Its the part of not having everything (receiver) included and trying to figure out what I need later on.

 

[Lessen]

Generally speaking, the things that'd DO NOT come with most kits are all of the electronics and the powertrain (engine, etc.) From what I've seen pretty much every kit will have a list somewhere of "required to complete"... things you'll need to get up and running. If you do some research over at Towerhobbies.com they generaly have good information as to what type of things you'll need to complete a kit.

If I were you I'd look into the HPI RS4 3 18ss+ kit. I believe it is a true "kit" that requires assembling and it also includes a complete powertrain (engine, exhaust, clutch) and a clear body you get to paint yourself. There's A LOT less extra to buy here vs. most kits. You'll still need a radio system, 2 servos, a glow starter, fuel, and probably some AA's.

Receivers:
Spread Spectrum- 79 possible channels, almost zero interference, automatic channel selection
FM Synthesized- manual channel selection, less channels available than Spread Spektrum
FM- Same signal as above, uses a "crystal" to match frequency from Rx to Tx. 2 possible bands.. 75mhz or 25 mhz (75 is more popular and offers more channels)
AM- Least amount of range of all options. Least amount of channels.

 

[Rolex]

You won't need the radio till you're well into the build. You'll need servos to set up your linkages though, and you might want to have them ready.
A basic radio would be 2 channels. Throttle/Brake, and steering.
A far better radio, for not that much more, would be computerized. You'll be able to make many more adjustments as to how your servos operate, and how your controller responds with the car the way you like it. You'll be able to change the steering sensitivity (exponential), brake pressure etc. from the radio itself.
You'll also have several memories for different models, so if you have an on road car and a monster truck, just select the one you're running, and all your presets for that car are saved as you programmed them.
You might also want to consider a 3 channel to add reverse in an off roader in the future.
A super advanced radio at only 200 is the JR XS3 Pro. Check it out on line. It even included the synthesized channel selector. I got one a while back, but I don't think I got the servos with it. They come with or without, if you only want to upgrade the radio and already have the servos set up.

 

[hvymetalalchmst]

A super advanced radio at only 200 is the JR XS3 Pro. Check it out on line. It even included the synthesized channel selector.

thats like the spektrum right? does it auto channel select, or is it manual, tx+rx or just rx? and its $200? and how much would the spektrum be, for rx,tx and servos? and lastly, how much for the cheapest rx,tx, servo comb. w/variable channel selections?

sorry for the quick abrupt questions, i dont want to stray too much from the topic for too long.



IMO i would get the kit. I'm not a fanatic, but i have regretted buying a rtr.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

There's also the Futaba FASST systems. I've heard about them in the LHS and apparently they are good systems for less than a comparable spektrum or JR.

However I DO have a JR XR2i and it's a pretty decent radio for only 100 bucks with TX RX and 2 servos. Uses crystals though.

 

[miketroll357]

And don't forget the failsafe..........

 

[hvymetalalchmst]

what about a crystal-free variable freq system?

(really sorry jackal, i dont mean to hijack your thread)

 

[jackals7]

fine with me I'm just trying to learn what I can and pick up on all the rc lingo. When people started talking about crystals. I thought, hell this may not be so hard to talk my wife into letting me spend the money. Then I find out crystals has nothing to do with jewelry.

 

[joneser4u]

fine with me I'm just trying to learn what I can and pick up on all the rc lingo. When people started talking about crystals. I thought, hell this may not be so hard to talk my wife into letting me spend the money. Then I find out crystals has nothing to do with jewelry.

I like that,really funny man!:spit:

 

[jackals7]

Ok, I have made up my mind and I want to buy a kit. What I know I want is an on road 1/10 scale.
I looked at the suggestions in other posts of the hpi. I 'm thinking about going with that one. Are there any other suggestions?
My only other thing I need help with is servo, receiver and control. Is there a package deal with all of those included? If I buy a 2nd car what do I need in order to use one controller for both cars?
Thanks again for everyones help