History of the Buggies
The Kyosho Optima Mid was released in 1987 as Kyosho’s first belt-driven RC buggy. It was introduced alongside the Tamiya Hot Shot 2 and other models like the Super Saber and Thunder Shot. On the other hand, the Tamiya Top Force Evo hit the market in 1992, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the original Top Force. Both buggies carry a rich history in the world of RC racing.
Unique Features and Similarities
When comparing the Kyosho Optima Mid and Tamiya Top Force Evo, it becomes evident that they each have their unique features but also share some similarities. Both buggies are designed for competitive racing, with a focus on performance and durability. The Kyosho Optima Mid’s belt-driven system offers smooth power delivery, while the Tamiya Top Force Evo’s innovative design provides excellent handling and stability on the track.
Pros and Cons
While both buggies are highly capable on the race track, they do have their respective pros and cons. The Kyosho Optima Mid excels in terms of speed and agility, thanks to its lightweight chassis and efficient drivetrain. On the other hand, the Tamiya Top Force Evo boasts superior suspension tuning and cornering performance, making it a formidable competitor in tight and technical tracks.
Competition in Vintage Four-Wheel Drive Category
As the Kyosho Optima Mid and Tamiya Top Force Evo gear up to compete in the Vintage four-wheel drive category at the Ald Raceway, the stakes are high. With the Tamiya Hot Shot and Thunder Dragon also in the mix, the competition will be fierce. It remains to be seen which of these buggies will emerge victorious this season, but one thing is certain – spectators can expect thrilling races and intense battles on the track.
Kyosho Optima Mid:
The Kyosho Optima Mid was a groundbreaking buggy introduced in the late 1980s. It featured a mid-position motor, which was a departure from the traditional rear-mounted motors of that era. This configuration allowed for a better center of gravity and improved handling on the track. The Optima Mid also boasted gear differentials, SP bearings, coil spring overfill dampers, and an FRP double deck for added durability.
Tamiya Top Force Evo:
In contrast, the Tamiya Top Force Evo was released in 1992, five years after the Optima Mid. Tamiya, known for its on-road chassis, made a strategic move to enter the off-road buggy market with the Top Force Evo. This buggy was designed to compete on the tracks of the 1990s and was part of Tamiya’s efforts to create a high-performance racing buggy.
Performance Comparison:
While both the Optima Mid and Top Force Evo have their strengths, they cater to different eras of RC racing. The Optima Mid’s innovative design and robust construction made it a dominant force on the tracks of the late 1980s. Its tunable setup and durability were highly regarded by racers of that time.
On the other hand, the Top Force Evo represented Tamiya’s foray into the competitive off-road buggy scene. With advancements in technology and racing standards, Tamiya aimed to create a buggy that could hold its own against the competition of the 1990s. The Top Force Evo featured modern design elements and performance enhancements to meet the demands of contemporary racing.
Conclusion:
As RC buggy enthusiasts, the choice between the Kyosho Optima Mid and Tamiya Top Force Evo ultimately comes down to personal preference and racing style. Both buggies have their own unique characteristics and cater to different eras of RC racing. Whether you prefer the classic design of the Optima Mid or the modern performance of the Top Force Evo, both buggies offer a thrilling experience on the track.
Kyosho Optima Mid
At this point in time, the four-wheel drive market was bustling with competition. The Kyosho Optima Mid was one of the top contenders, with its sleek design and impressive features. This buggy was designed with a focus on race pedigree, incorporating elements such as a double deck of carbon fiber and aluminum high capacity dampers.
Tamiya Top Force Evo
On the other hand, the Tamiya Top Force Evo was also making waves in the industry. Tamiya referred to it as having a TRF touch, indicating the high level of craftsmanship and performance that went into its design. With features like Bal diffs in the front and rear, universal joint drive shafts, and one way bearing, this buggy was built for speed and precision.
Comparison
When comparing the Kyosho Optima Mid and the Tamiya Top Force Evo, it’s clear that both buggies have their own unique strengths. The Kyosho Optima Mid stands out for its carbon fiber construction and advanced dampers, while the Tamiya Top Force Evo shines with its innovative drivetrain components and versatile handling.
Kyosho Optima Mid
After some reconsideration and numerous revisions, Kyosho decided to make several enhancements to the Optima Mid model. One notable addition is the belt tensioner located at the back behind the suspension, which allows for adjusting the belt tension. The shocks now feature threads on both the front and rear, enabling users to fine-tune the shock tension according to their preferences. Additionally, the model comes with new tires and wheels, with the wheels being a one-piece white variant different from the original.
Additional Upgrades
Further upgrades include front and rear stays replaced with F FRP hex screws, along with full ball bearings throughout the model. Kyosho also introduced a new belt cover designed to keep dirt out, with a slipper clutch situated behind the cover at the back. These significant improvements demonstrate the effort put into redesigning the re-released Kyosho Optima Mid.
Tamiya Top Force Evo
In contrast to Kyosho’s improvements, Tamiya’s Top Force Evo re-release did not see the same level of enhancements as its original counterpart. The original model featured titanium screws and universals, which were absent in the re-released version. This lack of additional upgrades suggests that Tamiya did not invest the same amount of time and energy into improving the Top Force Evo compared to Kyosho’s efforts with the Optima Mid.
Kyosho Optima Mid vs Tamiya Top Force Evo
Drivetrain Comparison
They replaced those in this with some constant velocity. Uh drives not Universal drives, which is a bit of a disappointment. What they didn’t do is the whole hog and identify how they improve the drivetrain or give us some nice little hopups in there as standard like they have done on the Optima Mid.
Chassis and Design Features
There were different tires because they must have had the original molds or maybe just decided that the super gripper tires were good enough. The carbon stays here are now F FRP instead of carbon, but that’s not really a huge amount of changes. The Tamiya Top Force Evo retains a huge amount of the original features including the beautiful high camps and the original design of the differentials which I think a lot of people didn’t think would be the case.
Build Experience and Quality
In terms of quality, there’s a huge amount of similarities. The Plastics are all good quality, there are loads of lovely extra nice bits like the aluminum and the FR FRP plates and the carbon fiber. The Tamiya Top Force Evo was prepainted, which was nice and the quality of the products throughout are very high.
The Kyosho Optima Mid also boasts high-quality materials and components. If anything, the feel of the Kyosho parts is slightly better, feeling like they could withstand a little bit more smashing and bashing around. Overall, both models are very similar in terms of quality and build experience.
Build and Assembly
The presentation boxes were similar nice blister packs. I dont have those anymore to show you, unfortunately, but you can imagine what those look like. Tamiya Top Force Evo was an easier build. You built the front you built the back, you attach it all to the plate. Put the decals on job done. There was a little bit more fiddling around with making sure the drivetrain was all right with the belt and the tension was was correct and it was all sealed bit more finicity.
Customization and Personalization
Building the Kyosho Optima Mid was a different experience altogether. The prepainted body on the Tamiya made it a lot quicker, but with the Optima Mid, I was able to change the look of it and give it a unique and personable feel. Stripped with the bodies off, it’s very easy to see why these two are regarded as being high-end hobby kits.
Drivetrain Differences
Looking at the drivetrain differences on the Tamiya Top Force Evo, there are front and rear ball diffs with a drive shaft between the two, no slippers, just a sturdy and simple setup. On the other hand, the Kyosho Optima Mid features a slipper clutch tucked away inside the clear gear box. It also has front and rear oil-filled gear diffs, providing a different experience when it comes to driving and maintenance.
Drivetrain Comparison
Both the Kyosho Optima Mid and the Tamiya Top Force Evo feature an oil-filled ball differential in the front, but the Kyosho drivetrain seems to exude a sense of sturdiness. The inclusion of a slipper clutch in the Kyosho adds to its durability. Interestingly, assembling the ball differential in the Tamiya was surprisingly easier than anticipated, especially for those with previous experience in rebuilding such components.
Shock Absorbers Evaluation
The Tamiya Top Force Evo boasts beautifully crafted high-capacity shocks, which are not only visually appealing but also provide excellent performance. The smooth assembly process of these shocks left a lasting impression, prompting enthusiasts to invest in additional sets for their other models. On the contrary, the Kyosho Optima Mid comes equipped with gold oil shocks that offer a satisfying action. While the adjustable collars on these shocks are a practical feature, the method of filling them from the bottom may pose some challenges. The complex assembly process involves numerous components and seals, leaving room for potential issues.
Leaking Concerns
Now I haven’t had any leaks, touch wood, no leaks yet, but people have complained about them leaking. I did fill mine up with green slime to try and make sure that I don’t have any problems with that as we go forward, but actually I think I preferred building these probably the nicest Tamiya shocks I’ve built, and I cannot wait to build some more so.
Style and Appearance
Style-wise, which one do I prefer in looks? Well, the Top Force. It has those beautiful new wheels that weren’t on it standard. I changed those but look at the profile of this buggy. It is just stunning – I can’t get enough of it. I love the way that the buggy just tilts up at the end and swoops up. It just looks fantastic and the decals really pop, however, with the orange wheels and that dark gunmetal that I’ve chosen to do it in.
Race-Ready Appearance
I do think that the Optima with the black wing also carries a certain amount of charm and it looks like a race machine, doesn’t it? It really does look like it’s built for racing. What do you think? Let me know in the comments which one do you think looks better.
Enjoyment of Building
So there you go an overview of both of these classic vintage RC re-releases. So which one do I prefer? Build-wise, I really enjoyed building this one – really enjoyed building the Kyosho Optima Mid. I took it really slow. I did it over a number of weeks and I just really enjoyed the technical wonder of putting this together.
Building Experience
I found the Top Force to be a little bit vanilla, a little bit easy. It goes together well, and it looks fantastic, but it didn’t excite me like the Kyosho Optima Mid did to build. The Kyosho Optima Mid appears to be more intricate and engaging to assemble, which adds to the overall experience of building the kit.
Performance Expectations
However, I do feel that the Tamiya Top Force Evo is going to be quicker out on the track. It should be really, shouldn’t it, because it was released 5 years later, and technology has advanced quite a bit during that time. The slightly longer wheelbase of the Top Force Evo hints at improved stability and speed potential on the racing track.
Durability and Reliability
While the Top Force Evo may have an edge in speed, the Kyosho Optima Mid is perceived to be more robust. There is a concern about potential maintenance and repairs that may be needed for the Top Force Evo due to its intricate design. The Kyosho Optima Mid, on the other hand, seems more sturdy and durable, which could translate to less downtime for repairs during intense racing sessions.
Track Performance
Both models are set to be tested on the track to see which one performs better. The race at the orchard Raceway will determine if either the Kyosho Optima Mid or the Tamiya Top Force Evo can dethrone the Thunder Dragon. It will be interesting to see if these older models can outperform modern four-wheel drive buggies like the T2B. The expectation is that both the Kyosho Optima Mid and the Tamiya Top Force Evo should be quicker than the T2B due to their technological advancements.
Comparing Performance
Surely they will be um df3? Will they be quicker than that um? Will they they beat out the xv1, which is going to be one of the modern four-wheel drives that we’ve got going if one of those three get through to the finale or be one of them will be there.
Competition with Modern Four-Wheel Drives
You know how are these guys going to compete with those all questions that we shall answer on the Raceway, but for now hopefully you’ve enjoyed that video, hopefully it’s not too long.
Thank You for Watching
Thank you so much for watching. As always – and I will see you all soon – on the oag RC and I will leave you looking at these beautiful RC for a little longer fun – your head up to the sky I’m going to roll with you till the day I Music die.
Racing Spirit
Hey swing those hips around can’t stop R back down my ladies short tall, always down ready to Music Applause. Ride billion by billion holding up half the sky, raise your hand if you’re ready and willing, if you know it’s time time, good on Music Applause.
Embracing Challenges
Time time for on whether you’re ready or not time for Applause all bre history train is racing Straight Ahead. No man can do like I can I’m the queen of the land. Haters going to hate won’t be starting now shoot me down, but I rise again I’m down the and you been one by one billion by billion and holding up half the sky.
Conclusion
In the end, choosing between the Kyosho Optima Mid and the Tamiya Top Force Evo comes down to personal preference and racing style. Both buggies offer top-notch performance and quality construction, making them worthy contenders in the competitive world of RC racing.
Overall, both the Kyosho Optima Mid and the Tamiya Top Force Evo offer unique features and benefits to hobbyists and enthusiasts. While the Tamiya may be easier to build and customize with its prepainted body, the Kyosho allows for more personalization and a deeper understanding of the drivetrain components. Choosing between the two ultimately comes down to individual preference and priorities in the hobby of remote control cars.
