What to buy my son for Christmas

[MrClean]

Ok, I'm pretty set on getting an electric RC 1/18 scale for my son for Christmas. I've read quite a bit in the forum here and found some decent info, but I need more!

He's 9, probably not the most coordinated kid ever. I'd like to know if there is a model with a programmable ESC at this level? There are so many to choose from, Losi LST2 - MiniT - Raminator - RC MT - LMNOP........ I'm so confused. I'm interested in one with a Lipo set up, I know they can all be converted, but I could probably get the wife to buy off on paying the money up front versus later on. He'll be driving in rougher terrain, not on just pavement.

I'd like to hear your suggestions and why. Thanks!

 

[marauder]

I might part with my RC18T, its highly upgraded and has a nice Futaba 2PL radio w/mutli-model memory. It has a mamba 25/6800kv 2s lipo and almost every upgrade you could imagine. Depends on how much you're looking to spend.

I would also throw in my castle link software as well so you can set the throttle curve for his driving skill and adjust in the event you feel like driving it.

Just trying to get money together for the heli bug that bit me. I'm really wanting to get into r/c heli more now that I've started dabbling in it.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Yea, i would definatly recomend the rc18 trucks/buggy. 4wd, and for $100, you can convert to brushless.
Only problem with that is your kid wouldnt be able to drive it. You will want to too much.

 

[MrClean]

Depends on how much you're looking to spend.

I'd have to check with the wife, see what she is planning to spend per kid this year. Probably $200 - $300, just a guess at this point.

Yea, i would definatly recomend the rc18 trucks/buggy. 4wd, and for $100, you can convert to brushless.
Only problem with that is your kid wouldnt be able to drive it. You will want to too much.

That's what she says too. :\

 

[beason]

I would stick with the rc18 series. I've had the mlst and it wasn't near what the hype made it to be. you may even want to look at a stampede or something a little bigger. it takes the rough stuff better and is a bit tougher. my girls 14 year old loves his.

 

[marauder]

Although I'd love to sell mine, I can't stress enough to me when I was a kid how annoying "2nd hand" stuff was. I always liked my gifts to be minty fresh. The stampede or new losi high-roller would be an excellent choice. 1/18th scale doesn't really mean it was made for kids. Yes the parts are cheaper but they are a PITA to replace in some cases due to the size.

 

[sweetdiesel]

For a 9 year old I would go with a larger rig like a Traxxas Slash. The smaller rigs have limited ground clearance. You can run the Slash pretty much anywhere and they are tougher than nails.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Just got my slash 10 min ago. I'd recomend this definatly, as well as the losi high roller, i have heard nothing but good things about it. really most anything 10th scale 2wd electric would do very good for a child.

 

[Runaway Jim]

One other thing to think about are the servos on these 1/18th scales aren't very durable. I have a Mini LST2 and don't get me wrong, I have fun with it but have gone through three steering servos in 2 months. The dual mini steering servo on it is all wrong. I'm waiting for the exoteck single servo conversion chasis to come right now. Should be here this week. It allows you to run one normal sized, 1/10th scale, servo for the steering. If you decide on an 1/18 model, this should definitely be something to consider. The steering set up. The micro servos for these things aren't cheap and they don't last long even for light tooling around outside...

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Burned the one in my rc18 in 2 hours, got the HiTec one now, and it is at least on hour 15 and still going strong.

 

[MrClean]

I never thought about the durability of the smaller stuff being a factor. The Slash would be a really good idea, I think the ESC is programmable on it too. I know my son doesn't like the nitro rigs due to the sound, but for some reason I got it in my head that a smaller one would be the answer. I need to look into the Losi High Roller, I haven't seen or heard much about it.

I'm glad I started this thread, I think the 1/18 scale won't be the way to go with him.

 

[savagefan04]

definitely go with the slash. its loads of fun and plenty tough. as for the esc being programmable, you can set it to 1 of 3 profiles (full forward/reverse, forward only, and 50% power forward and reverse). if thats what you mean by programmable then yes it is. if not, then no its not.

one quick note on the slash. i've read that the plastic nerf bars break easily (have not had this happen to me) so u might want to buy a second set of research some of the mods people have done to replace them

 

[MrClean]

definitely go with the slash. its loads of fun and plenty tough. as for the esc being programmable, you can set it to 1 of 3 profiles (full forward/reverse, forward only, and 50% power forward and reverse). if thats what you mean by programmable then yes it is. if not, then no its not.

one quick note on the slash. i've read that the plastic nerf bars break easily (have not had this happen to me) so u might want to buy a second set of research some of the mods people have done to replace them

Thanks for the info Savagefan04, yeah that's the kind I was talking about. I wanted something that would knock down the power so he could control it a little easier. I'll definitely check into making the outer 'contact points' a little tougher. Maybe I'll cover it in bubble wrap for him.

 

[syphon68]

I just bought my eight year old a rustler which is perfect for him but if I had it to do over again it would be the slash with its sealed electronics so he could puddle jump...

 

[alpinehyperlite]

The e stampede would be another good choice. Same exact electronics as the slash, but its a mt, and everyone knows how little kids eyes light up when they see somthing "big"

 

[CharliesTheMan]

If he wants a Stampede, I have a like new roller that I could help you out with, and maybe some like new electronics as well. I bought it to put a brushless system in but I just bought a custom aluminum roller so I wont be using this one.

If you're going to buy something new, I think the Slash is by far the best choice. Of all the RC's that I've had or bashed with, the Slash is the most durable rig that I have after the Baja. I couldn't believe it when I saw these things take a beating, but it's the most durable Traxxas rig I've ever seen, right out of the box.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I love mine. Put one pack through it, and already look in for upgrades.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

The aftermarket support for the slash is going to be huge, IMO, because the popularity of the slash has exceeded the expectations of many, probably even traxxas.

 

[fasterdenu]

i bought my 4 year old a brand new stampede awhile back (before the slash was introduced) and he does great with it, just make sure you let him run in a wide open flat area that seems to be the trick with my little guy. as long as he has room to roam with it he's fine, if you confine him, stuff breaks quick...

i only had him on the 50/50 setup for 1 pack.... then it was up to 100% throttle... and dont get me wrong, that stampede moves well with the 4500 9.6v packs i picked up for it...

if the slash would have been out when i was ready to buy one for him, i would have surely gone with the slash over the stampede... and i still might.. hehe, too much of a hassle trying to watch over him AND run nitro.... i just might pick up a slash for him and run the stampede myself when the two of us go out to run

 

[sweetdiesel]

I haven't had the plastic nerf bars break on my Slash, and I've done quite my share of crashing with it. However, the velcro strip has detached from the bars quite a few times. I use shoe goo and CA to keep it in place and it has held it in place, for now.

Robmob and Fasteddy have installed special body clips in place of the velcro. I believe they were originally adapted for use on the Bajas. Hope one of them will chime in with exactly what they used.