Tech & Gadgets
Unleashing Excitement: The Evolution and Thrills of High-Performance RTR RC Cars in Australia
From the push button, solid-state simplicity of RC cars of the 1960s, to today’s precision-engineered RTR vehicles with information-rich telemetry feedback, the evolution of radio-controlled cars away from being just toy-grade playthings has been nothing short of amazing. They now include hobby-grade vehicles that can reach speeds in excess of 160km/h, while being controlled from as far away as 500m; that makes them much more than simple playthings.
Hobby-grade RC cars and trucks are designed especially for enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of maximum handheld control and performance. The quality, technology, and even the efficiency that’s built into these vehicles are indicative of just how advanced they are when compared to their toy-grade counterparts; that’s why if you’re looking for an exciting new hobby, or want to breathe new life into an old pastime, you don’t want to overlook the benefits, or the fun that the RTR experience has to offer.
Hobby-Grade RTR Cars Built for All RC Tastes
Whether it’s the comradery of spending a few hours of RCing with mates, or the lip biting challenge of professional RC racing competition, no other scale-sized hobby delivers the full-sized exhilaration that today’s high performance RTR RC cars do. That’s because these hobby-grade cars and trucks pack a full mix of skill, style, and technology into every chassis; and the result is pure fun everytime you pick up a transmitter.
With a mind-boggling selection of lightweight custom and prototype RTR RC car and truck shells to choose from, hobby-grade vehicles are normally powered by either rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries or nitromethane engines, and range in scale from a hand-holdable 1:24, to a massive 1:5. Power sources and scales aren’t just arbitrary characteristics when it comes to an RTR car, though: they make all the difference in the type of driving a vehicle is engineered to do, and it corresponds with the 3 main types of RTR vehicles.
- Racers and onroaders. These predominantly rear wheel drive, ready to race RC cars are built around rigid chassis engineered for high speeds and optimal handling, and are eager beneficiaries of the balance, light weight, and instant power that LiPo batteries produce.
- Drifters. These battery-powered rear wheel, and all wheel drive (AWD) RTR remote control cars feature moderately flexible chassis which, when geared appropriately, exhibit all the steering traits of a genuine 1:1 drifter.
- Crawlers and offroaders. Flexible-chassis crawlers and offroaders are the hardiest breed of ready-to-run RC cars, and they typically come in the larger scales, are geared almost exclusively for AWD drive, and because they’re regularly run outdoors, can be either LiPo or nitro powered.
Make no mistake: it doesn’t matter if you’re looking at a Traxxas offroad monster truck, or a Team Magic E4D drifter, the differences between the various types of ready to run remote control cars can be so significant that choosing one over another can feel just like shopping for a real vehicle. The type of transmitter your RTR comes with, the adjustability of its suspension, and its power output are just a few of the traits that have to be evaluated, which is why you have to define your RCing preference parameters well before making a purchase.
Knowing What to Look for in a High-Performance RTR
Regardless of whether you’re brand new to RTR radio controlled cars, or you’ve been a driver for decades, there are a variety of factors that have to be considered before investing in a new RC vehicle. And while the criteria aren’t a lot individually, together they make all the difference in how much you’re able to enjoy your car or truck.
- What kind of driving do you prefer? You’ll want to decide early whether you prefer the measured tempo of driving an RTR crawler, the fast-paced action of driving an onroader, or the moderation mixture of something in between.
- How skilled a driver are you? If you’re new to RTRing, you want to be mindful of how difficult a more technically advanced vehicle may be to drive, and whether it would be easier to start with one that’s less challenging.
- Where do you prefer to drive? Depending on either their power source or noise level, some RTRs are too impractical to drive indoors and need to be operated outdoors.
- Do you have a preferred RC brand? Some brands offer a better ranges of RC cars for certain driving styles than others, so you want to be sure that you’re choosing the best brand for your driving style.
- What kind of budget are you working with? There’s no denying that RCs can get pricey; and along with your initial investment, you also want to be sure that you’ve considered the cost of batteries or fuel, as well as other operating consumables.
And while the great benefit of RTR cars is their turnkey nature, even if you’re reasonably sure about the type of vehicle you want, the range of available tuning parts can also have an impact on your decision making. That’s because there’s no shortage of the kinds of parts that can turn good cars into great ones; and you don’t want to overlook any of them.
Parts That Make RTR Tuning as Easy as 1-2-3
Although RTR electric RC cars are normally equipped by the manufacturer with the best cross-section of parts for all types of driving activities, custom parts make it possible to tune a vehicle’s performance envelope to match specific terrains and environments, as well as driver preferences. Every custom part is designed to enhance the driving experience, and you can buy them for the full range of systems for all types of vehicles, including:
- Drivetrain parts such as gearboxes, differentials, and wheel axles;
- Engine parts such as cylinder heads, carburettors, and clutches, and,
- Chassis and suspension parts such as mounts, rails, and linkages.
In short, no matter what your decision is, when it comes to RC cars, RTR models set the standard for hobby-grade vehicles. And with a tuning parts lineup that’s second to none, they can keep the excitement going, no matter which type of car or truck you choose.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, RCing has come a long way from its humble, playtime origins. Hobby-grade RCing is a recreational activity that’s enjoyed by enthusiasts of all ages; and that’s largely due to the performance and completeness of RTR cars.
Regardless of whether you prefer speed, drifting, or crawling, high performance RTR RC cars can satisfy all your RC driving urges. You won’t find a more satisfying way to revive an old pastime.
Writing for the blog since 2012, Chris simply loves the idea of providing people with useful info on business, technology, vehicles, industry, sports and travel – all subjects of his interest. Even though he sounds like quite the butch, he’d watch a chick flick occasionally if it makes the wife happy, and he’s a fan of skincare routines though you’d never have him admit that unless you compliment his impeccable skin complexion.