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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / November 2006Newbie Savage etc. advice
Sorry, I cross posted to uk.rec.models.radio-control.land before I found this group which seems to discuss the Savage so please forgive me for the cross post. My 17 year old son has developed an interest in RC cars and I see it as a way of getting him off his computer! Neither he or I have any experience of RC cars but I have built RC aircraft in the past and am becoming rather interested myself, a joint project. Building from kit is essential, that is half the fun and very educational (as explained to wife). Budget is flexible and I expect that by the time we are finished it will be about £500. After a lot of reading we fancy the HPI Savage XSS 4.6 it seems quite ambitious but pretty good at about £330. It will be used on grass (sports field) and anywhere else we can find a bit of land, we are in the country so that helps. What advice is there about radios? Again, having read a bit (no hands on) the Futaba 2PL looks sensible or should we consider 3 channel? I cannot think what a third channel could be used for but read that a reversing accessory could be available and wondered if that would need the third channel to switch the car "gearbox" into reverse (if we had one). I have only ever used joystick type RC and the wheel type look odd but seem to be popular for use with cars, any thoughts on that one? As far as servos are concerned the Savage seems to need up to 160oz of torque (4.5Kg) and again after a bit of searching around the net it seems the Futaba S3010 may be appropriate, but again any advice gratefully received. One spec suggested 2Amp per servo, that sounds like a lot. So in brief.... Am I sensible to consider the Savage and what advice do you have for suitable radio / servo / batteries / charger / failsafe. If you can post a suggestion of make / model for transmitter and servos etc that would be great but please, nothing too expensive! The cost of all this is pretty scary but I would like to avoid mistakes and get good kit from the start. Many thanks for listening Les Hello, I have an older savage - the original SS kit. however my choice in radios was the Airtronics MX-3. They have upgraded this radio to be a synthesized one however for a beginner it is not necessary. I also came from the model aircraft world and was not sure about the land radio's with the wheel - however it is much easier to drive a land vehicle with this type versus a 'stick'. I chose the 3 channel because of the optional reverse module, i don't race the truck, therefore the reverse comes in handy. I use the ofna micro (i think thats the name) fail safe - works better than any other, yes i have had real life tests with them all. i use the Hitec 645MG for my steering servo - i am partial to Hitec servos, they seem to hold up longer on my vehicles. Batteries - you will want a 5 cell hump pack - a couple of them because they don't last real long, depending on how much you want to pay for one. charger - i use the MRC 959, many good options and adjustability. a great website to check out is www.savage-central.com, if you cant find it there then it doesnt exist! > Sorry, I cross posted to uk.rec.models.radio-control.land before I found > this group which seems to discuss the Savage so please forgive me for the [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > Les Inline................ > After a lot of reading we fancy the HPI Savage XSS 4.6 it seems quite > ambitious but pretty good at about £330. It will be used on grass (sports > field) and anywhere else we can find a bit of land, we are in the country > so > that helps. An excellent choice! > What advice is there about radios? Again, having read a bit (no hands on) > the Futaba 2PL looks sensible or should we consider 3 channel? I cannot > think what a third channel could be used for but read that a reversing > accessory could be available and wondered if that would need the third > channel to switch the car "gearbox" into reverse (if we had one). Get a 3 channel. I'd recommend getting a reverse module for the Savage and installing it as you're building the kit. This requires the reverse module from HPI, an extra standard servo AND a 3 channel radio! As newbies, you and your boy WILL need reverse to get out of sticky situations! I myself prefer Airtronics radios (currently using an MX3S) although Futaba does make a great radio as well. > I have only ever used joystick type RC and the wheel type look odd but > seem > to be popular for use with cars, any thoughts on that one? 99.9% of land vehix drivers use the wheel-type remotes. It's weird to get used to, but once you're used to it...........you'll never look back. > As far as servos are concerned the Savage seems to need up to 160oz of > torque (4.5Kg) and again after a bit of searching around the net it seems > the Futaba S3010 may be appropriate, but again any advice gratefully > received. One spec suggested 2Amp per servo, that sounds like a lot. Hitec 645MG on steering, Hitec 625 on throttle/brake, and any ol' cheapo servo on reverse. > So in brief.... Am I sensible to consider the Savage and what advice do > you > have for suitable radio / servo / batteries / charger / failsafe. If you > can post a suggestion of make / model for transmitter and servos etc that > would be great but please, nothing too expensive! We've covered radio, servo already....................for batteries, grab a 5-cell NiMh hump pack for the onboard electroics and use NiMh AA's in the transmitter. My recommendations: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCJE2&P=7 --> charger http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWV18&P=7 --> adapter http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKKF2&P=ML -->hump pack The Savage doesn't need a failsafe. It has a built-in mechanical failsafe per way of a throttle return spring. > The cost of all this is pretty scary but I would like to avoid mistakes > and > get good kit from the start. You can't go wrong with a Savage. I own one and have tortured it for almost 17 gallons of fuel. It is fast, durable and a blast to drive! > Many thanks for listening Have fun! Doc > Inline................ > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > situations! I myself prefer Airtronics radios (currently using an MX3S) > although Futaba does make a great radio as well. Can use a 2 channel and use the reverse module with mixer??? I'm *very* tempted, means I can piss off the shitty HPI controller, run an XXL receiver (tiny, and easier to get the radio lid off) and lose a servo (extra weight and extra power drain). OTOH, means the reverse is setup like an E-zilla, to engage, you brake, let off the brakes, put them on again, reverse is now engaged. To disengage, brake, let off the brakes, back on the brakes, truck shifts into forwards again. Bit of a PITA but once you get used to it, its not bad. OTOF (foot?), means you cant do endo into reverse wheelie and visa versa... Cheers Dre <snip> > Sorry, I cross posted to uk.rec.models.radio-control.land before I found > this group which seems to discuss the Savage so please forgive me for the [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > so > that helps. A fine choice! Guessing you're in the UK? www.modelsport.co.uk http://www.lstshop.co.uk/catalog/ http://www.microtechracing.com http://www.modelsinmotion.co.uk/ http://www.apexmodels.co.uk http://www.benracing.co.uk/ Are all great online stores - but don't underestimate the value of a good LHS (local hobby shop) for convenience and advice - and also fuel! - if any of them are near you, that's even better heh. > What advice is there about radios? Again, having read a bit (no hands on) > the Futaba 2PL looks sensible or should we consider 3 channel? I cannot [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > the Futaba S3010 may be appropriate, but again any advice gratefully > received. One spec suggested 2Amp per servo, that sounds like a lot. I use a Futaba transmitter and receiver, and I like, and the wheel set up is better once you get used to it for driving cars/trucks. Servos, I recommend, and run, a Hitec 645mg for steering, and a 625mg for throttle. And, as doc said, a 5 cell 6v hump pack for the power. You'll also want a failsafe, the venom already recommended is good, personally I use GWS FS-1s - they've always been faultless. > So in brief.... Am I sensible to consider the Savage and what advice do > you [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > and > get good kit from the start. Final point, make sure you run on decent fuel from the start. Byrons 20% or O'Donnell 20% if you can find them (25% is ok as well). > Many thanks for listening No problems, welcome and enjoy!  SignatureDan Formerly DanTXD Wow!, thank you so much for such quick and well informed replies, I am very grateful. It can get a bit boring with new people asking such basic questions but you have been very helpful indeed, thanks again. Now lets go shopping!! Les >> Sorry, I cross posted to uk.rec.models.radio-control.land before I found >> this group which seems to discuss the Savage so please forgive me for the [quoted text clipped - 67 lines] > > No problems, welcome and enjoy! |
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