Hi,
I am a beginner in the RC side and have got a small collection of basic RC toys (27Hz) as below:

1. Nikko Tornado buggy (2wd / 4wd options)
2. Radio shack 18 wheeler
3. Nikko off roading bike
4. Basic 2 way BMW

Havent used the Buggy and the 18 wheeler in decades now.Last night when i put in the duracell batteries, the buggy just wouldnt move. while i checked the terminals i saw some corrosion. Is that the only issue ?Where do you think i can get it checked here in Bangalore. Also, i wanted to upgrade the motor for the same and understand what additional performance enhancement i can get done for this. I called ModelArt Bangalore but understand they have spares and repairs only for Thunder Tiger. Can somebody address my query on prio.

I also plan to buy a RC heli in the next 2 weeks, havent played on one before. Can you advise the best i can buy and where in Bangalore? Please ping me at akshayshrinath@gmail.com or kindly call me at 9916575017

AS

hello akshay,

welcome to RC india.

regarding the RC heli u can check out at rcbazaar.com they are at jaynagar and even rcdhamaka.com which is at malleshwaryam

Please do not spend your time/money on the Nikko. Keep it till they become vintage. Adding a new motor will only destroy the car. Its a toy and not build for that use.

What you need is a full hobby grade car. Research and you will find something that matches your needs.

Hey welcome to the forum.

Are you looking for a hobby grade rc heli or a heli just to play around?

The corrosion on the terminal will not cause the vehicle to stop running. Where do you stay? If its near my place il have a look.

As ajo said get yourself a hobby grade car. It will last for ages. They are definitely costlier but WORTH the extra. You can have a look at few of out (bangalore guys) cars and decide if you want to invest in the hobby grade car.

PS: The guys at ModelArt dont know much. Only one guy there seemed to be able to answer all my questions. Will be going there to check some upgrades for my XXT in an hour

Hey Vish & Ajo,

Thanks so much for the warm welcome in here.

As i see Vish, you are a plane expert (definitely my next buy) and Ajo ( you're a car lover). Let me get going with you two experts and others as well on this post:

1. Wrt the existing Nikko 18wheeler and the buggy, i just would want to let it rust to death, so can you advise where i can get them serviced / repaired in Bangalore
2. My next buy is definitely a plane over a heli, Vish, can you advise where and which one i can get
3. My next buy is also a buggy, Ajo, can you advise which would be the best one i can get, since you dismissed my Nikkos considering them as play toys and i would like to get into serious business, so which one would you advise ?

AS

Hey Rajath,
Im put up in Basvangudi man. Yes, i definitely am getting into hobby grade and hence my posts here. You gotta number i can call ?

WRT planes you have 2 options nitro or electric. nitro will be much expensive in the starting stage. so can start with electric.! do some research around the forum and let me kno your choices.

rcbazaar is having some stuff at low price.!!

Welcome to RCI,

If u are planning to buy a plane or heli please visit RcBazaar before u decide. Its in 9th block Jayanagar, will be near to your place. i'm also put up in south bangalore, u can contact me anytime on 9964650071, would love to meet up...

www.rcbazaar.com

Hey guys,

I have shortlisted the the following for the flights :

1.Mustang 6ch
2. Corsair 6ch
3. Spitfire

All of the above are foam planes. There is no particular reason for the selection of either of the above 3 , since this is the first time i will fly a plane.

Seniors, any suggestion ? I might be considering the spitfire more only because of the cost involved for a beginner. Rather use the differential 5grand when i learn to fly and put that into a hotshot. What dya say guys? Also, is it necessary to do the sim or can i just about buy the plane itself

AS

It is necessary to fly on the simulator first.Helps u to get the orientation right and builds up some confidence as well.
I would suggest u to go for a high wing trainer to begin with than the scale warbirds...

Hi Jatayu,

Any specific model that you recommend ?

AS

U can try this....Cessna 182
http://rcbazaar.com/products/926-cessna-182-pnp-servos-esc-motor-lipo-charger.aspx
Seniors any specific high winger u'd like to suggest??

Great. Actually Nikkos are not bad for the cost and the purpose its built for. Upgrade is a no no. Need more information on your needs to suggest you a buggy. Basically the purpose, racing/bashing, electric/nitro/gas, budget etc.

Hey Ajo,

To drill down into my requirements:

Plane : Electric
Purpose : Get hooked on to it, somehow flying an RC plane enthusts me quite a bit
Budget : 5-7k (was as lean as possible considering im definitely going to break this, as a beginner)

Buggy : Electric
Purpose : Racing, mature from the Nikkos of the world to some serious game play
Budget : Hmmm lets say around the same.

Ajo, my requirement is pretty straight forward, would this help you in helping me ? You definitely have a hell of a collection on you.

My first buy though will be a plane since ive had a bike, buggy, street car and an 18 wheeler, plane is new territory

Well,for 5,000 to 7,000,you can get a TT Phoenix.(might be a little more if you factor the cost of batteries).But it has its share of problems.First of all,it comes with a brushed motor RTR.I see all the owners complaining about the shocks leaking.If you combine your car and aricraft budgets,and add   2000 more(for the batteries),you can get a sparrowhawk xxt.Later on,you can go lipo.That is a pretty decent car.Rajath owns one too.He is enjoying it.Many other xxt owners are quite happy with their cars.

For a plane you will need to invest in a radio first. Cheapest is 2k and goes upto well.. a lot
You need to read through a lot on the forum. That is the only way you can understand why a plane in 6-7k is a tight fit.
 IMHO the RTR planes you mentioned may not be the best ones to start with. They are small and not the easiest to fly as a beginner. Larger planes like EasyStar or AXN floater are a better entry point.
One advice though READ READ and then READ some more. Its the BEST way to start.

For a buggy cheapest is 7k phoenix bx. But it would be 10k with 3600mah Nimh batteries and charger. We can look into that later when you are going in for a RC vehicle

The xxt is awesome but shocks are a bummer.

PS: ModelArt had a smaller proportional ugly looking plastic car with plastic shocks. Dont know much about this though.

Well,there you go.Right from the owner .

Hwy welcome to the forum!
1st with the car:
If I were you, I would start with an RTR platform that can be later upgraded to brushless later. By that I mean it should be able to take the power of brushless.. Trust me, Its a LOT!

Plane:
I would suggest an AXN Floater, or a Cessna. The floaters are supposed to be built to take many crashes of 1st timers.
But, 1st of all, is Simulator. VERY VERY important. Otherwise, if you get your orientations wrong, you'll crash your plane and get frustated 

Best of luck with your decisions!

Wrt a sim, can i just about do a free download of what i find in the open net or buying one is better ? Guess, the experts might have a better visibility between the two to help me understand this aspect.

buy one from rcbazaar for a basic dongle then u can download and use the dongle also...! u have a good choice them..!
 

@ vishvesh, you dont own rcbazaar do you ? >
more of a silent partner probably , i see you swear by rcbazaar ...hmmmm

i dont own it ...! i am just a satisfied costumer. had a very good experience with them..!

Well, if the rcbazaar guys are listening, GIVE VISH A BIG DISCOUNT .. well and me as well

they already did their part..! there is no big victory than a life time customer

ok Vish and the other experts who have been guiding me. i have decided to get the cessna along with the 6 in one sim. its no childs play for sure. secondly , im also planning to buy a futaba radio 2.4ghz which i can map onto my future buys. makes sense guys ?

Welcome Another Akshay on this forum and RC world.

I think couple of present before you.

You decision of buying a good radio is absolutely correct, and my advice would be study lots and lots of fora, before taking money out of your pocket.

All the Best
AkshayB

can i find any upgrades for my sparrowhawk xt in model art ,i got my shocks leakin all time and they r plastic .I wanna get myself alum shocks like the once which u find in xxt,please help.

The XXT has Aluminium shocks? That's news to me.

I hear Traxxas Ultra shocks are supposed to work well. They will need TIN coated shock shafts and Aluminium caps to be durable though.

I'd wait for more info from Rajath.

XXT uses plastic shocks with aluminum shock caps. They leak too

I have read about others using Losi and Slash Ultra shocks on the XXT.

Please check my mod on the shock here:
http://www.rcindia.org/cars/my-first-truggy-xxt/175/

Pic of the XXt shock below:

Sorry for a very late reply.I thank rajath for his link demonstrating a simple solution to prevent the shock cups from slipping down,but i prefer to buy a new set of either plastic or aluminum shocks because the shock shafts are bent as well .I went to modelart yesterday where i found mt4-g3,,eb-4 and other on-road shocks but nothing similar to that of sparrowhawk,so they told me to come a few days later when they would get a whole bunch of their TT products from their warehouse.So please tell me whether i should go for sparrowhawk shocks with alum caps or shocks from an another TT truck which would fit the sparrowhawk and is completly aluminum or in case,the traxxas slash ultra shocks.

The ultra shocks are good too.

can i find the slash ultra shocks in an indian rc outlet(please if, mention which outlet) or do i have to get it from a foreign dealership.

I can find you a proline upgrade shock for the Slash if you are really keen.

i am looking for shocks that fit the sparrowhawk xt and not for the slash,but i heard that the slash ultra shocks will do the job.Tomorrow i will be going to modelart to look for any tt shocks similar to the ones in sparrowhawk,if i dont find my requirements there, then i"ll let u know whether i'm interested in the proline slash shocks.
 

i've confirmed that the proline power stroke shocks for the slash will fit the sparrowhawk, so i would be happy if u can get them.

If I were you I would stick to the ultra shocks
For TT spares check with Indian model makers. You can find details in the mega list of rc stores thread

which is the best place to find the ultra shocks with,if possible alum caps?

You'll need to buy the Ultras and the caps separately. When setup right( which my ultras are not), the Ultras can do very well.