| If you're new to the radio control toys hobby, you'll | | | | high-voltage transformers. |
| want to know some knowledge about functionality, | | | | Find the range stated on the package, and in the |
| range, size, and power basics before you decide on | | | | product description. |
| the model that's right for you. | | | | Scale tells you the size of the RC, or chassis length, in |
| Some of these basics are merely "nice-to-know," while | | | | relation to the real thing. A 1/24-scale mustang is |
| some are absolute "need-to-know." Some of this info | | | | 24-times smaller than the Ford Mustang you buy off |
| represents "direct impact" knowledge toward your final | | | | the showroom floor. The smaller the fraction, the |
| decision of the exact model, manufacturer, scale, and | | | | smaller the vehicle, and sizes range from the smallest |
| motor type that best suits your current situation. | | | | at 1/32-scale to the largest at 1/8-scale. Keep in mind |
| Your initial decisions depend on if you're buying the RC | | | | that the larger the vehicle the higher amount battery |
| model for yourself, your kid, your grandchild, or if it's a | | | | charge or fuel it consumes during operation. |
| present for a friend. This article assumes you've | | | | Two kinds of propulsion methods power remote |
| already made that selection, as well as whether | | | | control toys. Those are NITRO (internal combustion) |
| you've decided on a car, boat, truck, airplane, helicopter, | | | | and battery. NITRO requires the additional purchase of |
| or construction equipment - and that you understand | | | | liquid fuel. |
| what level of experience your selected RC vehicle | | | | Smaller electric RCs operate on AA batteries, which |
| requires. | | | | you'll usually purchase separately. Larger electric |
| Function refers to what type of control you have over | | | | vehicles use rechargeable battery packs in one of four |
| the model. Your choices for function are: | | | | different Ni-Cad voltage versions. They are: 4.8-volt in |
| - Single-function (goes straight when moving forward, | | | | a blue package, 6.0-volt in black packaging, 9.6-volt |
| and turns left while traveling in reverse). | | | | packaged in red, and the yellow package containing |
| - Full-function models go forward, backward, turn right | | | | 7.2-volts of power. |
| and left, stop, and, in the case of construction | | | | The 4.8-volt rechargeable battery packs usually are |
| equipment, lift, dump, load, and perform most of the | | | | included with the model. 6.0v and 9.6v may or may not |
| functions of real life construction machines. | | | | be included. Check the product description to see. 7.2v |
| - Designed mostly for pre-schoolers, multi-function | | | | models normally don't include the battery pack or the |
| vehicles move forward, in reverse, steer one direction | | | | charger. Buy that separately. |
| only, and stop. | | | | The transmitter control also needs either a 9-volt |
| Range is how far from the transmitter the model can | | | | battery or multiple AA batteries. Sometimes the |
| go before it no longer responds to the control signal. | | | | manufacturer includes those, sometimes not. The |
| This distance varies for the different remote control | | | | product description, and/or the packaging should tell |
| toys, but most toys fall into the range of 30-feet to | | | | you if you must make that an extra purchase. |
| slightly more than 180-feet. Outside interferences | | | | You now have enough information to lead you to the |
| sometimes block, or weaken your signal. These | | | | final decision as to which radio control vehicle fits your |
| interferences include things such as weak batteries, | | | | needs and desires. Make your selection carefully and |
| other nearby toys operating on the same frequency, | | | | you, or your giftee, will enjoy many hours of fun with |
| citizen's band (CB) radios, cell phones, and nearby | | | | your RC model. |