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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / October 2005Nikko American Spirit?
Hey guys, I am looking at the Nikko American Spirit, and it looks like an awesome deal, and pretty durable too. I've heard it goes about 30km/h... is this true? About how long does the battery last? Is it pretty durable? I just want some people's opinions before I buy it, especially from people who own it. The one thing I hate about most of remote control car websites... they never advertise the speed (scale or actual) of the car/truck! That's pretty important, IMHO. Don't get me wrong... you want durability, too, but it's not as fun if it's slow. And can someone possibly suggest some fast (at least 15mph), equal to or below $80 electric car/trucks? Though this American Spirit looks like a pretty nice one. Thanks!  SignaturePatrick M. /* EOF */ That is a toy class car, not a hobby class vehicles like are usually discussed here. The big problem is the lack of parts support. When it breaks, or something wears out, it will find it's way into the trash. It has bushings instead of bearings. As bushings wear they get looser and looser. It won't be long before your wheels will be wobbly and the steering sloppy. The body is lexan. It will rip and then you will be looking for a new body. You will wear the tires bald and be looking for new tires. I would rather spend $100 and get a used Rustler or Stampede. It will go faster then the Nikko and parts are easily available. It's a little more money, but a year down the road the Rustler will still be running and the Nikko will be in the trash. > That is a toy class car, not a hobby class vehicles like are usually > discussed here. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > more money, but a year down the road the Rustler will still be running > and the Nikko will be in the trash. Couldn't have said it better myself! Doc I'm quite disappointed. It's quite slow, and pretty cheap, too (th lexan body). The range is _horrible_, the battery life isn't all tha good, and it spends about half-3/4 of the battery life going very slow 20MPH, my foot! :rolleyes: I clocked it today on a 3/4 dead battery a 6.81MPH. I'm charging it up (the battery, which is 1000mah BTW) an I'll see how fast it is then. The controller sticks, too. Do you guys think there will be all that much of a difference with 3000mah battery -- Patrick > I'm quite disappointed. It's quite slow, and pretty cheap, too (the > lexan body). The range is _horrible_, the battery life isn't all that [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Do you guys think there will be all that much of a difference with a > 3000mah battery? The only thing the higher amperage battery will do is make it last longer. It won't change the performance much if it's a cow in the first place. >> I'm quite disappointed. It's quite slow, and pretty cheap, too (the >> lexan body). The range is _horrible_, the battery life isn't all that [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > longer. It won't change the performance much if it's a cow in the first > place. The only thing I would do is call Nikko and get my money back for false advertising or see if the store will take it back as an unsatisfied customer. just my 2 cents Steph...... >> I'm quite disappointed. It's quite slow, and pretty cheap, too (the >> lexan body). The range is _horrible_, the battery life isn't all that [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > The only thing the higher amperage battery will do is make it last longer. > It won't change the performance much if it's a cow in the first place. Not necessarily. I know a few guys who run E-Maxxes that are slugs with 1500mah NiCd's but rip with 3000mah NiMh batteries. It might make it a bit faster, and a bit faster for longer. However, I'll concur with you that he should return the POS and spend the money on something worthwhile, like a hobby-grade electric. Doc "Doc" wrote: >>>I'm quite disappointed. It's quite slow, and pretty cheap, too (the >>>lexan body). The range is _horrible_, the battery life isn't all that [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Doc Also.... The E-Maxx uses 550 type motors though and they require more amps to run properly. I have my Clod Buster set up for 16.8 volts with 550's and if I use les than 2000's it looks like it's running on economy mode(original Tamiya setup). Can we post Pictures here? I have tried but it does not go? > Also.... > The E-Maxx uses 550 type motors though and they require more amps to run [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Can we post Pictures here? I have tried but it does not go? You're probably right on the motor/amp thing. I was thinking that maybe Nikko chimped on the battery pack to keep the price down and that his motor might benefit from some more juice. Then again, at $40 a pop for a decent battery pack the Nikko isn't worth the experimental price. Can't post pics on a non-binary group, which is why they won't show up here. I just put mine on my Savage-central photo album, and if you have a free photo hosting source you could do that and then post a link here. Doc "Doc" wrote: >>Also.... >>The E-Maxx uses 550 type motors though and they require more amps to run [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Doc I was thinking of starting up a real online forum with these type of topics on my site (http://macphreak.com). Only I have to upgrade it so I can run perl and cgi files. I set up an other site with a nice forum. visit http://maaca.org Let me know what you think and if it may be worth while doing or if any of you might be interested. Steph........ > "Doc" wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Steph........ There are a TON of R/C forums already up and running with 1000's of members a piece, so it might not be worth your while from a time standpoint as the "market" is already pretty well populated with sites of this sort. I had thought of starting a pics-only website for r/c stuff only to be enlightened by folks on this ng that several already exist! Doc "Doc" wrote: >>"Doc" wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Doc The same was thought of Pinball and arcade forums but the one I set up is doing quite well. It's not that much work and may be fun so I may go ahead and do it any way. >> There are a TON of R/C forums already up and running with 1000's of >> members a piece, so it might not be worth your while from a time [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > It's not that much work and may be fun so I may go ahead and do it any > way. Hell, if you have the time and it's fun for you, go for it. I do quite a bit of web design/maintenance as part of my job ("other duties as assigned") so on my off time I'd rather be playing with r/c stuff than making sites about em'! Got my new Savage hop-ups installed (tuned pipe, center skid) and looking forward to a nice, sunny weekend to beat on it. Doc "Doc" wrote: > Hell, if you have the time and it's fun for you, go for it. I do quite a > bit of web design/maintenance as part of my job ("other duties as assigned") [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Doc No more sunny weekends here for a while. Getting cold fast lately. Where you from? I am from Montreal, Quebec canada. > "Doc" wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > No more sunny weekends here for a while. Getting cold fast lately. > Where you from? I am from Montreal, Quebec canada. A canuck eh? I grew up just north of Toronto, Ontario; immigrated to the States a long time ago and am currently residing in Ohio. It's supposed to be in the mid-fifties and sunny tomorrow and Sunday, but I think this will be the last hoorah of Fall as it's been getting quite chilly here as well. Doc That truck runs on a 9.6v pack made up of AA cells. I have never heard of a 3000mah 9.6v battery. I think 1200 is the most I have ever seen. As has been stated, that won't change the performance any, just longer run time. I think your thinking about 7.2v 3000mah batteries. The lower voltage will make it run even slower, if it works at all. Rather then put any more money into it, I would start looking at hobby class RC vehicles. The fact that you can come here and write an intelligent posts shows me your ready for one. I built my first one when I was 12. The good old Tamiya Striker, now there was a rolling design flaw! I miss it. "You can't polish a turd." -Junk Yard Owner in "Christine" > That truck runs on a 9.6v pack made up of AA cells. I have never heard > of a 3000mah 9.6v battery. I think 1200 is the most I have ever seen. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > "You can't polish a turd." -Junk Yard Owner in "Christine" Here ya go bud: http://cgi.ebay.com/TAMIYA-STRIKER_W0QQitemZ6009194829QQcategoryZ44022QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Not bad for 1 cent! Doc Thanks, I put a bid in. I have checked on them before but have never wanted to pay what they go for. If it wasn't throwing dog-bones it was busting the chassis in half. Check out the picture of the servo. Notice how the chassis has a hole for the steering arms. See how little plastic the chassis is made of there. Hit a curb once and you will snap the front end off right there. The bumper mounted in front of and behind those pieces so it would not totally fall away, but would flop around. If I get a new one it will be a display piece, never driven. I think my next RC was a Marui Ninja 4wd. It was a kit but the plastic was garbage. Reminded me of the stuff that they made green army men out of. From the top you could see all 4 wheels were pointed in different directions since the parts seemed to warp at room temperature. Ahhh, RC in the 80s. |
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