Anyone into RC?

Gsxrtony (Yep, thats me)

Muddy Maxx.. Those things are a ton of fun once you get a stronger then stock steering servo. I got to play with one for a few weeks on my vacation and had a pretty good time with it. Second gear really gets that big thing rolling! A Hi torque servo just makes such a huge difference in those vehicles.

If you are in plainfield, come on out to crest hill one of these nights. Right off of caton farm rd. there is a r/c race track. In the summertime it's almost completely dead since it's indoors, but in the winter it will be pretty full. If you want, let me know in advance when you are going. It's open for practice on wed, thurs and friday. wed is 5-10pm and i think thurs/fri is 5- 7:30 or so. Saturday it's open 10am-10pm.

I don't know the names of the roads off of caton farm, but its only about 4 blocks off the main road. For exact directions I guess mapquest would work best.

820 BRIAN DRIVE
CREST HILL, ILLINOIS

ahh yeah i would say i am big time into r/c gas toys:evil

i heard they changed that indoor carpet to indoor off road dirt/clay is that right?

i use to go to radioactive alot outside.

i still got my 1/8 scale 7.0 inferno AWD (all pimped to the max)
and a rc10 gas Pimped to the max.

gotta get some rims for the 1/8 got 4 sets of tires waiting to be put on.

we all gotta hook up some time, and go in a practice day.

Hmm... been pondering a new winter hobby, since I don't have a hotrod car to play with anymore. I used to be into RC a little bit, probably about 10 years ago (nothing serious, just drive around on the driveway kinda stuff) I've still got a Kyosho Double Dare kicking around in storage somewhere (upgraded to USA-1 suspension/wheels) and a Parma Hemi Coupe. Do they even make any of those anymore? :confused I'm getting old...

My buddy Nate got ALL hard-core into this stuff 2 years ago... there used to be an indoor/outdoor place over in LITH (31 and Virginia) but I guess she closed up shop 2 years ago. Does anybody know of any places close to the LITH area? I don't really feel like driving out to freaking Plainfield to run on a track.

What kind of $$$ are we talking these days to get back into it? I figure a basic stadium truck, or buggy. I've got an old Futaba 2-ch Radio that will probably work fine... but I dunno what else I'd need. Last time I played with this stuff, I was 15.. and spending $20 on a set of tires consumed my whole monthly allowance!

Maybe AJ's in DeKalb might be closer to you?

It depends what you want to get into. Nitro and electric are a lot different, and RTR vs kit are much different. Either way you go, you should need some support gear and other stuff you might not think of at first. It seems to be a never ending money spending game.

For a good deal on a Maxx you might be able to try ebay.. but people beat the snot out of them and run the engines up over 300, so you might be better off just buying a new one... atleast you will have some assurance that your investment will keep running for a while. Along with the Maxx I'd also recommend buying a hi-torque steering servo ($80-$110). It's very important in those monster trucks, otherwise the steering feels really slow and loamy and dosn't like to return to center very well. You may also want to consider a failsafe ($30) which has proven to be very helpful in preventing run-aways. A 5 cell reciever pack is also a good idea. NIMH 5 cells usually run about 22-25 bucks and a wall charger for it should be around 10. A spare glow igniter is also a good idea ($12).

And if you don't already have good tools, invest in some. Nothing sucks more then working on your R/C and goobering up some of the screws or allen heads because you've got cheap tools. Ofna makes some of the nicest allen drivers IMO, well worth the price.

I'd love to do a gas one... but aren't there restrictions on running a gas one indoors? They're pretty noisy and stinky last time I saw one...

At any rate, I'd probably do an electric one anyways. Cleaner, I'm assuming less maintenance, and I can cruise around the house with it Plus if I just wanna zip around my street, I don't have to worry about the neighbors complaining (I have mostly retired folks on my street.) I figure so long as I get a small collection of batteries, I should be good to go.

Where would you guys recommend as the best place to buy stuff? I used to order everything through Tower Hobbies, or just go to Al's in Elmhurst. Last time I was up at Venture Hobbies in Buffalo Grove, they seemed to have a decent selection of stuff too.... any suggestions?

I've got a decent mini tool selection, leftover from the last time I was into these things (mostly tools confiscated from Dad's toolbox )

Would anybody be interested in buying an old Kyosho Double Dare with USA-1 suspension? If I remember correctly, it's in decent shape... I'd sell it with motors, and I think I have a Losi speed control that I'd give away with it (the speed control needs a new wiring harness - my cat chewed it up a few years ago.) I have no idea how much it's worth...

It depends who you talk to at leisure hours.. Scott, AL and homeschool are about the best of the guys there. The rest of the guys that work at that place I could do without even saying hello to. Seems like the RC staff is separated into two categories.. those who enjoy working with the stuff and like helping people, and those who hate the job :rolleyes and seem bitter or rude towards everybody. I usually just stand around and wait for someone I'd like to talk to at that place. It seems to be your best bet.

I stopped at the track on the inside and they rebuilt it apparently. New track design has some really narrow lanes. It's a little bit tricky to get used to them with a nitro... it's really easy to get out of line now that it's so narrow and really makes you practice throttle your control. But they are running electric regionals later this month, and the narrow lanes allow more track space and should work out well for electrics.

Wait, Wait, Wait until the outdoors gets built. Untill then just play in the yard or drive out to Hamlet.

Thanks for the welcome.