Introduction
Today, this article goes out to Mark. His dad was asking about some of the RC Beetle kits that are available and what would be the best option for a beginner. This article will go over some of the kits available, their advantages and disadvantages, and the features each kit has. Hopefully, this will help Mark make an informed decision.
RC Beetle Kits: What to Know Before You Buy
Tamiya Rally Beetle
The Tamiya Rally Beetle is a classic bug body on an MF01X chassis. This chassis is modular, meaning the wheelbase can be changed depending on what inserts are used. It is a four wheel drive, however, it has friction shocks, meaning there is no damping whatsoever. This makes it not great for off-road, but it is a great kit for a beginner or someone who just wants to have a fun time.
HPI Racing Beetle
The HPI Racing Beetle is a great option for those looking for a higher performance RC car. It has a four wheel drive system and adjustable suspension, allowing for better handling on rough terrain. It also has a waterproof ESC, meaning it can be used in wet conditions. The downside is that it is more expensive than the Tamiya Rally Beetle.
Traxxas Rally Racer
The Traxxas Rally Racer is a great option for those looking for a more realistic RC experience. It has a four wheel drive system and adjustable suspension, allowing for better handling on rough terrain. It also has a waterproof ESC, meaning it can be used in wet conditions. The downside is that it is more expensive than the Tamiya Rally Beetle and HPI Racing Beetle.
Tamiya Sand Scorcher: A Classic RC Car for Adults
Overview
The Tamiya Sand Scorcher is a classic RC car, first released in 1979 under the kit number 58016. It is based on the SRB chassis and comes with a hard body, requiring painting on the outside. It is a great car for adults, but not necessarily recommended for kids due to its speed and the potential for rolling. The kit goes for about 156 dollars on Tower Hobbies.
Building and Driving the Car
Building the Tamiya Sand Scorcher is a fun process. There is a lot of detail in the body and the rear end is a little heavy, leading to some bouncing. To make the car even faster, some people have put a brushless motor on it, although this is probably overkill.
Driving the car is also a lot of fun, but it is important to be careful. The car is fast and there is a risk of rolling it, so it is best to take it out and drive it with caution.
Kyosho Off-Road Beetle: A Vintage Re-Release
Tamiya 58452
The Tamiya 58452 is a great choice for those looking for a vintage, nostalgic build. It comes with an ESC and a motor, and features a lot of die cast aluminum parts. The gearbox and arms have full ball bearings, which is not typical for Tami cars like this one, which usually come with plastic bushings. This kit retails for $410.
Kyosho 30614
Kyosho’s legendary series includes the Kyosho Off-Road Beetle (kit number 30614), which retails for around $270. It is built upon the Kyosho Scorpion 2014 chassis, and features modern upgrades to make it compatible with modern motor power plants. It also features aluminum suspension, gearbox, aluminum rails, a plastic bathtub, aluminum oil filled shocks, a slipper, and a lexan body. This kit does not come with an ESC or motor, so these must be purchased separately.
Tamiya Monster Beetle: A Classic Re-Release
Tamiya has re-released the classic Monster Beetle kit, originally released in 1986. The kit number is 58618 and it retails for around 212 dollars on Tower Hobbies. This kit is a great choice for those looking for a fun monster car/monster truck. It is built on the Blackfoot chassis, and features CRV oil filled shocks. The kit also comes with a hard body that needs to be painted from the outside, as well as an ESC and motor.
Monster Beetle Trail: A Comical Kit
The Monster Beetle Trail is a variant of the Monster Beetle. It has a comical look, and is designed for those who want to do wheelies. Some people don’t like this kit, but it is still a popular choice.
Upgrading Your Monster Beetle
If you are looking to upgrade your Monster Beetle, you will need to come up with a speed controller and a motor. There are different schools of thought on whether you should upgrade the car or stick with box stock. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is best for your car.
The Gf01 TR Chassis: A Look at the Beetle Kits
The Gf01 TR Chassis is a mid-motor monocoque chassis that has been used in a variety of beetle kits. It is a simple yet effective design, featuring portal axles that provide more ground clearance in the middle of the chassis. This kit was released in 2019 and is still in production, retailing for around 271 dollars.
What Comes in the Kit?
The Gf01 TR Chassis kit does not come with bearings, instead using bushings. It does come with an ESC and motor, as well as friction shocks. It also features a hard shell body that needs to be painted from the outside.
Polarizing Reactions
The Gf01 TR Chassis kit is one of those polarizing kits, with some people loving it and some people not so much. It is still available if this is the route you would like to go.
The Blitzer Beetle
The last kit in the beetle collection is the Blitzer Beetle. This kit was originally released in 2011 and has since been re-released. It is a popular kit, with many people enjoying it.
Tamiya 58502 Falcon Chassis Kit
Overview
The Tamiya 58502 Falcon Chassis Kit is a popular RC car kit that retails for around 210 dollars. It is based on the Falcon chassis, which is a bathtub chassis, but with some slight differences from the Tamiya Bearhawk chassis. It features CVA oil filled shocks, making it more capable and fun to run than other beetles.
Features
The Tamiya 58502 Falcon Chassis Kit has a slightly different final gear reduction in the transmission than the Tamiya Bearhawk. It also features CVA oil filled shocks, making it more capable and fun to run than other beetles. It is suitable for both on-road and off-road running, but is best suited for on-road running.
Advantages
The main advantage of the Tamiya 58502 Falcon Chassis Kit is its capability and fun factor. It is more capable and fun to run than other beetles, making it a great choice for RC car enthusiasts. It is also relatively easy to upgrade, making it a great choice for those looking to customize their RC car.
Choosing the Right RC Kit for Kids
ESC and Motor
When selecting an RC kit for kids, it is important to consider the components that come with it. This particular kit comes with an ESC (electronic speed controller) and a motor, but does not include ball bearings. Plastic bushings are included, but it is recommended to upgrade to bearings for a better build experience.
Options
There are several options available for kids between 8 and 12 years old. The two best options for running the car are the Blitzer Beetle and the Monster Beetle. The Monster Beetle is a great choice for a fun experience, while the Blitzer Beetle is a better option for those looking for a great build experience.
Conclusion
When it comes to RC Beetle kits, there are a variety of options available. Each kit has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider all of the features and decide which one is best for you. With the right kit, you can have a great RC experience.
The Tamiya Sand Scorcher is a great car for adults who want to build and drive an RC car. It is a classic car with a lot of detail and is fast, so it is important to drive it with caution. The kit goes for about 156 dollars on Tower Hobbies.
Both of these kits are great options for those looking for a vintage build. However, the Kyosho Off-Road Beetle may not be the best choice for those just getting into their first kit.
The Tamiya Monster Beetle is a classic re-release that is perfect for those who are looking for a fun monster car/monster truck. The Monster Beetle Trail is a comical kit that is designed for those who want to do wheelies. If you are looking to upgrade your Monster Beetle, you will need to come up with a speed controller and a motor.
The Tamiya 58502 Falcon Chassis Kit is a great choice for RC car enthusiasts. It is more capable and fun to run than other beetles, making it a great choice for those looking for an RC car that can handle both on-road and off-road running. It is also relatively easy to upgrade, making it a great choice for those looking to customize their RC car.
At the end of the day, the choice of RC kit will depend on the individual’s preferences and needs. It is recommended to do research and read reviews to make an informed decision. Ultimately, the Blitzer Beetle and the Monster Beetle are the two best options for running the car.