Unboxing and Features
Upon opening the box, you are greeted with a range of accessories. There are proportionate controls, working suspension, LED lights, and a sleek presentation. The LED lights caught my eye as I strolled down the aisle at Costco. The package includes a manual with a QR code, moisture absorbing bags, four cones, a USB charger, a wheel removal tool, a set of rubbery gray wheels, and three AA batteries. The remote control itself has a lightweight, toyish feel to it, but the trigger is smooth and easy to use.
Design and Construction
The Drifter+ RC Car has a visually appealing design with decent graphics. The flat chassis adds to its cool factor, and it has a nice weight to it. However, I found that removing the body was quite challenging as it is press-fitted into the body post. I had to apply pressure and use my finger to pry it up. Underneath the shell, you can spot wires for the front and rear lights, as well as a lithium battery. The steering feels nice, and the car features spring-loaded suspension, though not as advanced as the oil-filled suspension in larger RC cars.
Performance and Handling
With the body securely back in place, it was time to power the car on and test its performance. I was curious to see how smooth the throttle was and how well it handled. Unfortunately, I forgot to mention earlier that it comes with its own battery, which is a nice addition. As I took it outside, I found the car to be quite responsive to the controls. It moved swiftly and handled corners well. The suspension provided a decent amount of stability, although it didn’t handle rough terrains as effectively as higher-end models.
Overall Impressions
In conclusion, the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car offers excellent value for money. With its proportionate controls, working suspension, and LED lights, it provides an enjoyable experience for RC car enthusiasts. The design and construction are relatively sturdy, although removing the body may require some effort. The performance is commendable, with smooth throttle control and decent handling. While it may not excel in rough terrains, it performs admirably for its price range. If you’re looking for an affordable and entertaining RC car, the Drifter+ is worth considering.
The Rear Wheels and Stability
Looking closely at the bottom of the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car, one can notice the rear wheels and their axles. They have a tow-in, which means they face inwards, providing good stability to the rear end of the car. However, it seems that there is a bit too much tow-in for my liking. Drawing from my previous experience with RC cars, particularly RC buggies and drift cars, I’ve noticed that they usually don’t have as much tow-in. Off-road cars usually have tow-in for enhanced stability during acceleration. Nevertheless, I’m curious to see how this car performs when drifting with such wheel alignment.
Powering On and Remote Control
Now, let’s go ahead and insert the batteries into the car. The process is simple and straightforward. Once powered on, the car operates on a 2.4 frequency, which allows for multiple cars to be driven simultaneously. As soon as it is powered on, the car will start blinking until it links up with the remote controller. Once linked, the lights on both the car and the remote controller will turn solid. The car features headlights, roof lights, and even tail lights, which are pretty cool. To my surprise, the car also has brake lights that work when going forward, reversing, or even stopping. This is a noteworthy feature that adds to the overall appeal of the RC car. Moreover, the car offers proportionate control, meaning that slight steering inputs result in proportional movements, which provides a smooth driving experience.
Control on Tabletop
Now, let’s test the car’s control on a tabletop surface. I’ll try to maneuver it without crashing.
Control Throttle and Responsiveness
The Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car boasts impressive control throttle, allowing for precise maneuvering. However, it is important to note that the throttle can feel slightly binding at times, particularly during turns. This slight responsiveness can initially catch the driver off guard, especially when operating in mode one. It is essential to double-check the mode setting to ensure smooth and controlled driving.
Action Shots and Performance
To truly understand how the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car performs, let’s delve into some action shots. Additionally, my kids had the opportunity to test drive this RC car, giving us valuable insights into its ease of use and overall fun factor.
Light Brightness and Speed Modes
One interesting feature that caught my attention was the correlation between speed modes and light brightness. The RC car’s lights change in intensity based on the selected mode. In mode one, the lights appear relatively dim. However, when switching to mode two, the brightness increases. Mode three, the high-speed mode, offers the brightest light display. This clever design detail makes it simple to identify the mode without relying solely on auditory cues.
Handling Capabilities
Let’s explore how the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car handles in different modes. In mode one, the car’s speed is moderate, allowing for controlled navigation. However, drifting becomes challenging in this mode. Despite full steering capabilities, the RC car struggles to perform drifts effectively. Nonetheless, the ease of driving compensates for this limitation. When desired, I can choose to drive the car at a slower pace, ensuring a comfortable experience.
Sub Trim Adjustment
An additional feature worth mentioning is the sub trim, which allows for small adjustments in steering. Upon observation, I noticed that the car slightly veers to the right. To rectify this, I utilized the sub trim function, enabling the car to steer more evenly by applying a minor adjustment towards the left.
In conclusion, the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car offers impressive control throttle and responsiveness, allowing for precise maneuvering. Its performance, as demonstrated through action shots and test drives, showcases its capability for enjoyable RC car experiences. The correlation between light brightness and speed modes adds a clever visual element to the overall design. While drifting may be a challenge in mode one, the ease of driving compensates for this limitation. Additionally, the sub trim adjustment feature ensures optimal steering capabilities. Overall, the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car proves to be an exciting and versatile choice for RC car enthusiasts.
Stability and Drifting Performance
The Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car offers a stable experience, particularly on its rear end. This stability is beneficial for beginners who are still learning the art of drifting. However, it is important to note that drifting with this car may not be as easy or smooth as with larger AR cars. The car leans more towards a power drift style rather than providing full control for drifting.
Surface Conditions and Performance
The performance of the RC car can vary depending on the surface it is driven on. On a smooth and slick concrete surface, such as a patio area, the car tends to perform better and offer an easier drifting experience. However, when driven on rougher surfaces with more traction, such as the outside area, drifting becomes more challenging.
Battery Efficiency
The battery that comes with this RC car is not fully charged out of the box, which can affect its performance. Drifting with the partially charged battery requires giving the car a good amount of power to initiate the drift. Despite the lower power, the car still manages to be quite quick and resilient, handling bumps and rough surfaces without breaking.
Space Requirements
While the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car may seem suitable for small areas, its speed and traction require a larger driving space. Even with slick tires, maneuvering this car inside a small house or living room would not be feasible. To fully enjoy this RC car, you would need access to a substantial area with ample space for driving and drifting.
In conclusion, the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car is a stable and relatively quick car that offers a power drift style of drifting. Its performance varies depending on the surface conditions, with smoother surfaces facilitating better drifting experiences. However, the car’s need for a larger driving area may limit its usability in smaller spaces.
Turning Radius and Handling
The Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC car has a turning radius of about 3 ft, requiring ample space for maneuvers. Even at slower speeds, it still demands a minimum of 3 ft turning space. However, if you increase the speed, it needs even more room to handle smoothly. This brings us to the question of how well the car can be controlled by kids.
Putting it in Kids’ Hands
In order to assess the car’s durability and handling in the hands of children, I decided to let my 12-year-old son take it for a spin. He is no stranger to breaking RC cars, having previously damaged all of my larger Traxxas cars, including his own Traxxas rally car, Tesco crawler, and 1/28 scale crawler. Considering his history of breaking cars, it would be interesting to see if the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC car can withstand his rough handling.
Control and Experience
After my son’s experience with the car, I asked him for his feedback. He mentioned that it was easy to control, but there were moments where it felt slightly challenging. This could be attributed to the car’s speed, as it is known to be fast. Surprisingly, despite the speed, my son hadn’t crashed the car yet during his time driving it.
The Gear and Transmission
The Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car from Costco offers a thrilling experience for both kids and adults alike. However, one drawback I noticed is that it cogs a little bit. This can be attributed to the gearing and transmission of the car. While the car is equipped with all-wheel drive, the positioning of the tow-in on the rear wheel makes it a bit challenging to drift the car smoothly. To achieve a successful drift, one must give it a significant amount of throttle to get the rear end to slide around. However, as soon as you let go of the throttle, the car quickly self-stabilizes, not allowing for precise and prolonged drifting like some larger RC drift cars.
Drivability
Despite the slight challenges in drifting, both my kids and I find the Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car easy to drive. The controls are straightforward and responsive, making it accessible for beginners as well. However, it is worth mentioning that this RC car requires a larger space to fully experience its capabilities. Therefore, if you plan on purchasing it, make sure you have enough room to enjoy its full potential.
Power Switch and Suspension
One feature that impressed me is the power switch. It never turned off during our driving sessions, even when we encountered cracks and bumps on my back patio. This is a significant advantage, as the last thing you want is for the car to turn off unexpectedly during a thrilling race or drift session. Additionally, the working suspension of the Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car ensures a smooth and stable ride, enhancing both performance and durability.
Conclusion
Overall, the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC car performed well during its test run. Considering its affordable price of $29, it offers decent driving capabilities. While the throttle may feel slightly rough when driving at slower speeds, this is a minor drawback compared to its overall performance.
In conclusion, the Costco Power Craze Drifter+ RC car is a worthwhile purchase for RC car enthusiasts on a budget. Its durability, handling, and speed make it a suitable choice for both beginner and intermediate users. Whether you’re looking to add to your RC car collection or give one as a gift, this model is definitely worth considering.
In conclusion, the Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car from Costco offers an exciting and enjoyable experience for both beginners and RC car enthusiasts. While it may have some limitations when it comes to drifting, it compensates with its overall drivability and impressive power switch. If you’re looking for an affordable RC car that provides endless hours of fun, this is definitely a great option. So, grab your controller and get ready to hit the road with the Power Craze Drifter+ RC Car!
