Liviu Marcus
Automotive vehicles have always been an absolute hobby for most men. Motor vehicles are admired due to their high speed and the thrill factor involved in driving them. When it comes to possessing capable motor vehicles, this hobby can end up being very expensive. And recklessly driving these vehicles can result in serious consequences. Accidents at such high speeds almost always result in instant death for the driver.
This is where a grown-up man can opt for keeping RC cars as a hobby. Remote controllable cars, despite being much lighter on the pocket as compared to the real deal, also tend to provide an enjoyable experience to their owners. Running and maintaining these cars is not a big deal. Recklessly driving them and running them into smaller nicks and bumps do not bother these vehicles as much.
So if you plan to adopt this hobby of RC vehicles, you should consider understanding the basics to understand what type of RC car would be suitable for you.
When it comes to remote-controlled cars, they can be basically divided into three basic points.
Vehicle Type
RC vehicles are offered in different forms, which include buggies, monster trucks, jeeps, and cars. Most off-road capable vehicles tend to be practical for a general user due to their increased ground clearance and terrain adaptability. As they are more suitable for driving on real world obstacles, such as grass and small pebbles. Though flat RC cars tend to have better speed and handling around corners, they are intended to be used on asphalt only. Though buggies and trucks stand on the middle ground in terms of terrain support.
Scale
The scale of an RC vehicle refers to its size. It is the ratio of the RC vehicle’s size to an actual model. The greater the scale number is, the smaller the car gets. 1:8 and 1:10 scale sizes are the most used and they tend to be suitable for beginners. Larger form factors, such as 1:5 tend to be catchy to the eye, but driving it also requires some experience in this segment, as they tend to have much more capable engines and internals.
Power Source
RC cars are mostly powered by an electric motor, a gasoline engine, or a nitro engine. All three of the power sources have their own specialties.
Electric-motor powered cars tend to be quieter than the bunch with a distinguishing motor hum to them. These also come in brushless and brushed DC motors, whereas brushless motors are equipped in more performance-oriented vehicles. Electric motor RC cars are the simplest to run and configure and require the least amount of maintenance.
Gasoline powered vehicles are cheap and easy to run. They require normal unleaded petrol mixed with some two-stroke oil, both of which you can easily find at your local fuel station. They are mostly fitted with 10 scaled cars and below. They have their own distinctive noise, which adds to the thrill factor of the vehicle
Nitro
Nitro powered RC vehicles are a bit complicated to run as compared to gasoline ones and require a bit of fine tuning from their owners. They require their own Nitro-Fuel containing nitromethane and need a proprietary starter coil to start their engine. They have the sound and performance much similar to that of gasoline powered RC vehicles. This fuel is mostly available at the hobby store where you intend to buy your RC car.
After deciding the vehicle’s type, scale, and power source, which is suitable for you, you can either head up to your local hobby store or choose from the huge variety offered at various online shops on the internet.
