RC for my son - help

[joeling]

Hi guys,

I want to get my son more involved in this wonderful hobby of ours. He is turning seven this April & I want him to join me in enjoying offroad action (mostly bashing) at our local track. Some pics of the track :





This is an 8th scale track that a bunch of guys bash at weekly. After some thought, I think a 10th scale 4wd truck with brushed motor will do nicely to get my boy started. The ability to upgrade to brushless power will be a bonus.

I am thinking perhaps either an E-Maxx or an E Revo may fit the bill. What do u think. How durable are these trucks ?

Your toughts thanks.

Regards,
Joe Ling

PS : I have actually bought a HPI E-firestorm flux for him but after trying it out myself, I think 4WD is a better idea for a beginner. 2WD is more difficult to drive IMHO. Firestorm is mine now .

[eovnu87435ds]

well, ive never driven either the emaxx or the e revo, but if i were your son, i wouldnt mind getting either! the only thing i would probaby worry about is to make sure whatever you're choosing, you choose a model that you can easily find lots of spares and replacements at your lhs or favorite website... not saying either of them are very breakeable, but kids will be kids, and everybody smashes their truck into a tree or something sooner or later...

[TDC57]

Hey Joe.. Killer track and a very lucky boy!.. I stated out my kids on a E-Maxx.. It’s extremely tough, easy for DAD to fix and parts are cheep and available everywhere..

A REVO is great too but it's more money.. Either way I would defiantly recommend a traxxas as a beginner truck.. search E-Bay for a great deal..

Hope that helps and hat's off to DAD!.. YOU GIVER YOU!..

I would get an emaxx or erevo too. Out of the box the erevo is the more expensive option, but I feel that it has better durability, this is more personal bashing experience. I haven't officially raced them though.

I had a lot of fun upgrading my maxx to be a real big fast tank, but it cost a lot of money. The erevo is pretty damn agile out of the box too, which is a big advantage over the stock emaxx.

What sort of price bracket are we looking at here?

You are in Malaysia? How are RC prices over there? Actually I think I have an emaxx (3906) in parts, which I will happily send to you and your son if it means getting him into this awesome hobby. You would just have to cover the shipping cost. PM me about this.

[JERRY2KONE]

I agree with Anson on this one. Both are pretty sturdy trucks for a beginner. The Maxx may be a bit cheaper up front, but from everything that I have seen in here the E-Revo is a tougher truck for the most part. Either truck can be upgraded until your hearts content and can cost in the $3K range when its all said and done with.

The good thing for a young kid is that they can bash the hell out of them and Dad can fix them fairly easily and cheaply. My boys are 12 & 13 and I am just begining to teach them about R/C, but to start them out I have two stock E-Maxx (3906)trucks in pieces that they have to learn how to build themselves so they will respect it once they begin to drive it knowing what it takes to build one and what goes into it. A little anticipation can be a good thing. Plus they are learning about the money involved with R/C up front. For a child your sons age the Maxx would be a good choice in my opinion to start out with, and you can dial down the power (practice mode)on it so he will not kill it on the first day. Then once he seems to be getting the hang of it you can adjust it back up to full power, and then watch out.

Your initial investment for an RTR kit would be right around $400, and that puts him right on the track out of the box. Or you could look on Fleabay for a firesale and go from there. I would take Anson up on his roller parts to start with, even if just for spare parts. Good luck with your adventure and have fun with your kid learning R/C.

[joeling]

Wow anson,

I'm touched. I was just in Sydney last month for my sister's wedding. Beautiful place. I stayed in Perth for the better part of my youth though.

Anyway, thanks for the offer but I think I'll get a revo for my kid.

Originally Posted by anson

I would get an emaxx or erevo too. Out of the box the erevo is the more expensive option, but I feel that it has better durability, this is more personal bashing experience. I haven't officially raced them though.

I had a lot of fun upgrading my maxx to be a real big fast tank, but it cost a lot of money. The erevo is pretty damn agile out of the box too, which is a big advantage over the stock emaxx.

What sort of price bracket are we looking at here?

You are in Malaysia? How are RC prices over there? Actually I think I have an emaxx (3906) in parts, which I will happily send to you and your son if it means getting him into this awesome hobby. You would just have to cover the shipping cost. PM me about this.

Regards,
Joe Ling

[George16]

Just let him drive your trucks. I let my 8 year old drive all my trucks. So far, the only things he bent was the titanium skids on the supermaxx and predator. No broken parts on the nitro and brushless revo so far. I let him drive the ST-RR yesterday and he said, "Dad, can I have it?" I replied "just concentrate driving" .

Kids are fast learners. You'll be surprised how quick they learn things especially if they're really interested. I coached him when to brake, turn, throttle up as he goes around the track. It came to a point where he told me yesterday that I just need to be quiet so he can concentrate.

[JERRY2KONE]

Well you have to give him credit for telling Dad to shut the hell up with respect. I bet you felt like tapping him on the back of the head though. Thats pretty cool Lito. You are right though about them learning things quickly. They just seem to pick things up faster then we can, and they even learn fast enough to start showing us stuff before too long. Then we are just old farts bothering them.

Originally Posted by George16

Just let him drive your trucks. I let my 8 year old drive all my trucks. So far, the only things he bent was the titanium skids on the supermaxx and predator. No broken parts on the nitro and brushless revo so far. I let him drive the ST-RR yesterday and he said, "Dad, can I have it?" I replied "just concentrate driving" .

Kids are fast learners. You'll be surprised how quick they learn things especially if they're really interested. I coached him when to brake, turn, throttle up as he goes around the track. It came to a point where he told me yesterday that I just need to be quiet so he can concentrate.

[joeling]

. Oh I think soon it'll be my turn

Originally Posted by George16

Kids are fast learners. You'll be surprised how quick they learn things especially if they're really interested. I coached him when to brake, turn, throttle up as he goes around the track. It came to a point where he told me yesterday that I just need to be quiet so he can concentrate.

Regards,
Joe Ling

[joeling]

Yeah, being a dad has it's moments. I prefer for him to do rc rather than TV or PC games staring at the screen.

I tried to start him out with onroad 10th scale drift but I just don't have the affinity for onroad. Always have been an offroad guy. So, the 2 Yokomo's gathering dust.

I shudder to think how he'll handle my precious precious BL buggies & trucks. Not ready for that yet

I'll get the items from USA as Traxxas is pretty foreign in Malaysia for some reason. So, part support will be half way round the globe

Anyway, thanks for the very useful response in such a short time guys. Appreciate your inputs.

Regards,
Joe Ling

[George16]

Trust me, I used to shudder a lot when he was just starting. It almost made him not drive anymore due to my insistent yelling of "slow down" and "brake". Nonetheless, he persevered after being constatly told that practice makes perfect. By the way, I still shudder whenever he drives my trucks but not as bad as I used to .

I also get all my parts from the US since everything is very expensive here in Japan. It costs me about $26 (round trip) for tolls. Aside from the tolls, it takes me about 2 hours to drive 45 miles due to heavy traffic.

Jerry, I was about to if there wasn't any other parents and kids out there :diablo :

I think you are making the right choice with the revo, the reason why I have a complete spare maxx roller, is because I have upgraded EVERYTHING. haha.

[JERRY2KONE]

Hey Anson is that one of the old EMaxx rollers, or the new model? My two boys are building one each and having spare parts is a plus with kids. Might you still want to get rid of it? I would be happy to take it off of your hands??? Please let me know.

[joeling]

Ok some update. Just took my son for his first offroad outing yesterday & he was pretty stoked about it. He enjoyed himself thoroughly at my expense. For a completely newbie first time driving round the track, I thought he did pretty well. He could at least pilot the truck around the track but with plenty of mistakes (that's where I come in as tireless marshal). Here are some pics from yesterday :


The little man himself on the stand






He did this !













Regards,
Joe Ling

[George16]

Nice pics!! Glad he is enjoying the hobby.