Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / December 2003

Don't waste your $ on matched.

If you're handy and like the building part of this hobby, some guys
around here are getting GP3300 cells for about 5 bucks a cell, then they
put them togehter themselves.

Excellent choice. I just went the same route, started with a Nikko from the
grocery store, then got an electric Stampede with ESC for play. Love it and
so does my 4 year old.

In my opinion don't bother with wheel bearings, they break with one good
crash, even the 5x11's (which are supposed to be stronger). Serious racers
probably crash less and can justify replacing bearings whenever they break,
but for bashing the bushings do quite well if you keep them clean and oiled.

The best milliamp/$ I've found for batteries is two 3000 mah nimh for $30 -
http://www.batteryspace.com/product.asp?3=215. I can't attest to the quality
but I'm going to order some. You'll want lots of batteries for play. My 3300
mah gives me about 15 minutes hard play. I paid way too much for it. Search
Tower Hobbies too, prices drop constantly. Batteries are a constant expense,
they wear out and eventually won't hold much of a charge.

I've got a Duratrax Piranah digital peak charger that's nice. Handles nimh
and nicd of just about any voltage or capacity, makes it almost impossible
to toast the batteries so you don't have to guess how long to charge and
hope you dont forget to turn it off (you will forget), all parameters
programmable...about $50. Well worth it.

I immediately stripped the plastic gears on the steering servo (the little
motor that turns the wheels left and right) which meant that it wouldn't
turn, just clicked. I replaced the servo with a Hitec 645 which has metal
gears and is a lot more powerful. About $50, but worth it, no problems since
then.

I've played around with the pinion and spur gears, finally settling on a 12
tooth pinion with the stock spur gear. This makes it go slow but have lots
of torque and better battery life. Nice for wheelies, churning up dirt,
climbing, also easier for my son to steer. You can go the opposite direction
with a 25 tooth pinion and a smaller spur and make the thing go 30 mph if
you want. These gears are cheap, fun to play with.

Finally, be prepared for the cost, the price of the truck alone is
deceptive. I was over $300 before I knew what hit me. Now that I've gotten
over it I don't mind, I'm gonna plow another $100 into batteries. The thing
is fast, does wheelies, climbs, jumps, goes through the grass, all the
things a Nikko won't do. And it's indestructible. It has hit immovable
objects at high speed (many times), tumbled end over end down asphalt, gone
down storm sewers, etc. and just gets up and goes every time. If it does
break it's designed to be taken apart and fixed, every single part can be
ordered, many are at your local hobby shop. When the Nikko breaks it's into
the trash can. If price is an issue try eBay, it's full of people in sticker
shock who want out fast. Look for one with low mileage and a good charger
included.

Paul

The Stampede is a light, efficient vehicle, and the kit motor doesn't
draw a lot of juice. Unless you plan to race later, 3000mah packs are
probably much more than you need. I use some old 2000mah sport packs
with my Stampede, and it gets maybe 6-7 minutes of high power.

Rick R.