| Many people look at Radio Control Cars as just toys | | | | from the Far East take a while to arrive. |
| and sometimes they are near the truth. | | | | Electric cars are some of the cheapest and have |
| The main reason for that is that Radio Controlled Toys | | | | minimal servicing needs like minor cleaning and |
| have in the past couple of years gota LOT better in | | | | replacing worn parts. |
| quality and even in performance. | | | | They are probably the best starter cars for a novice |
| This is not to say that Hobby grade Model "RC" ( radio | | | | driver and are generally quite durable. |
| control) Cars have lagged behind as they are certainly | | | | Electric cars are now supplied mainly with "brushless" |
| much more like driving a real car or truck than they | | | | engines and some earlier ones can be upgraded. |
| were even 2 years ago. | | | | Nitro Cars have real small combustion engines - a |
| There is not such a fine line any more between Radio | | | | miniaturized version of car engines although they run |
| Control Toys and Hobby Grade cars. | | | | on special fuel based on Nitromethane,Methanol and oil |
| Both are available as either 4 wheel drive or all terrain | | | | - supplied usually by hobby stores. |
| vehicles or as racetrack style cars for use on flatter | | | | These engines are known as Glow Plug engines and |
| surfaces or even paving stones perhaps even indoors. | | | | the cars powered by them can reach quite high |
| The main differences now are on the engines and for | | | | speeds. |
| toys these are usually electric andare powered mainly | | | | The engines can be replace often with larger capacity |
| by AA or rechargeable batteries. | | | | ones that supplied by the maker . These do however |
| One thing to watch for is the difference between | | | | need a bit more maintenance as the fuel does spray |
| Radio Control and Remote control remote control is | | | | around a little and they also need tuning. |
| usually a wire going from the car to the controlling | | | | It is much easier for the novice to buy a pre-tuned car |
| handset whereas a Radio Control Car is not | | | | in this category |
| connected physically but commands are given by a | | | | These are known as Ready To Run cars. |
| wireless connection from free wireless transmitter | | | | Generally the Nitro cars are about 20 percent bigger |
| handset to a receiver inside the car or truck. | | | | than Electric Cars due to theglow plug engines and |
| Toy Cars are sometimes looked down on by some | | | | they are much faster. (There are actually many |
| people in the Hobby communities but if people derive | | | | different cars available and the crossover between |
| pleasure from toy grade cars then I am in favour of | | | | electric and Nitro Cars in output is sometimes similar). |
| that. | | | | The next grade up is Hobby grade cars with real |
| Recently Toy cars come with much more durable | | | | engines - these are known as "Gassers" or "Fuelies" |
| bodies as makers know that some users like to stage | | | | and have much bigger engines similar in size to brush |
| collisions ! (But like their cars to work afterwards) | | | | cutter engines and with a corresponding increase in |
| Hobby Grade Radio Control cars are pretty much | | | | power. |
| always Radio Controlled. | | | | These are for the real enthusiast and cost much more |
| Older models may be remote control. | | | | than Nitro or Electric models. |
| These are sometimes very collectible. | | | | Cars for Racing have very specific requirements for |
| One of the big differences is that Hobby Grade Cars | | | | engine size and other needs. |
| are repairable in case of damage while many toy | | | | You will always receive a transmitter handset with |
| grade cars will just have to be patched us as best as | | | | your radio control car and a manual. |
| the owner can manage. Spares are very rarely | | | | Keep the manual safe - you WILL need it. |
| available for Toy Grade cars. | | | | Second user cars are popular as many users upgrade. |
| This is because Hobby grade cars now are mainly | | | | Always make sure you get the manual and an |
| capable of being upgraded and spare parts are | | | | assurance that the car will not be "DOA" (dead on |
| generally easily available. | | | | arrival!). |
| The reason for this is that hobby grade cars often | | | | If the car is not functioning properly then get your |
| need tuning or the owners want to addflashy new | | | | money back. |
| exhaust pipes,steering units or other great addons . | | | | It is a good idea if buying at auction to always use |
| This is one of the ways that Hobby Car makers use | | | | Paypal which covers you for up to $500 in this case |
| to make extra income. | | | | or in the case of nondelivery. |
| They supply a demand but sometimes supplies coming | | | | |