Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / November 2006

I beleive thunder tiger is a cheap offshoot brand of something like HPI or
one of the other better brands.  When it comes to spares every proper hobby
shop in the country will have Tamiya spares.  I trust both machines are
electric not fuel based machines.

Where to start?

The Tamiya QD series has about 10 different cars, trucks and buggies in its
range.

The QD uses Tamiya designed battery packs and doesn't have a lot of upgrade
options.  Wheels and tyres and that's about it

The ZK2 comes in either a Monster Truck or Stadium Truck version.

The ZK2 uses a standard type battery pack that is used in a lot of other
1/18 scale trucks and buggies.  The motor is upgradeable as is the radio
gear.  It does not come with ball bearings but there is a ball bearings
available for it.  The wheels and tyres can also be upgraded, lots of
choices here like road tyres.  The gearing can be changed.  The suspension
is adjustable.  There is also a huge range of aftermarket bodies available
for the ZK2.

The ZK2 also has adjustable oil shock, the QD's have friction type.

The ZK2 Trucks are said to be very similar in appearance to the Team Losi
Mini T.

I really think there is no comparison between the two other than they are
both for people starting out in the hobby.  The ZK2 would be the better
choice as it has many upgrade choices unlike the QD and if your son decides
he want to go faster this can be easily achieved.  The ZK2 will handle like
the larger scale vehicles but the QD will handle more like a toy car.

The biggest factor that goes into buying something like one of these is that
either vehicle is going to break sooner than later and there is a lot of
options for the ZK2 with OEM or after market parts available.  The Tamiya on
the other hand has few (if any) choices if you were to break something.  I
have heard on many occasions of people throwing their QD's in the rubbish
because they cant get parts for them.

Here is a fairly good thread about the ZK2 Stadium Truck on YourMicro.com,
well worth the read:
http://www.yourmicro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15874

Cheers