Innehållsförteckning för January 2023 från RC Car Action

Top speeds of modern RC cars have only gotten faster and faster. With brushless electronics, modern materials, and ever-improving designs, it’s pretty easy to find RTR cars and trucks that can reach speeds of 50 to 60 mph. For the seriously fast RTR speeds though—I’m talking in the 90-100 range—we need something purpose-built. Something equipped with the right components, the right layout of parts, and the proper overall design to handle seriously high-speed driving. That’s where the Traxxas XO-1 comes in. This extreme RC supercar has been engineered for top performance and is capable of reaching speeds up to and beyond 100 mph, making it the world’s fastest RTR to date. Let’s get right to it and take a closer look at this extreme speed machine. BUILT FOR SPEED In…

In this installment of Suspension 101 we are reviewing the basics of ride height and camber and how those settings affect your RC vehicle’s performance. These are two of the most basic suspension adjustments, yet they can make a big impact on the overall feel of your vehicle. There can be a lot of science and tuning behind these adjustments, but we aim to keep this article as simple as we can for the sake of ease of reading and understanding the fundamentals. For more in-depth tuning information on the specifics of your own vehicle, it’s always helpful to consult the manufacturer along with model-specific groups on forums and social media. With that being said, let’s get to it. NEEDED TOOLS We will need some specialized measurement tools for proper…

From building, to driving, to simply admiring, there are many aspects of the RC hobby to enjoy. In this review we are focusing on the enjoyment of the finished model itself as we take a closer look at RocHobby’s detailed 1/12-scale Type 82 Kubelwagen. This small-scale RTR is a drivable scale model packed with tons of details that will spark the interest and imagination of even the most discerning hobbyists. Let’s jump in and take a closer look. DESIGN & QUALITY RocHobby’s 1/12-scale Kubelwagen is an immaculate example of applying a hyper-detailed approach to crafting an RC model. Simply put, it’s a realistic 1/12-scale plastic model that you just happen to be able to drive. This RTR comes pre-built and pre-packed in a hard-shell foam case, complete with storage partitions…

Tamiya has been producing fun-to-build and even more fun-to-drive RC vehicles since the hobby’s earliest days. Well-known for their ’80s-era RC vehicles, models such as Tamiya’s iconic Lunch Box monster truck were the foundation on which many RC enthusiasts started his or her radio controlled obsession. Until recently, kits such as Lunch Box were most suited to those who enjoy building their RC kits. While assembling your own car or truck is a fun and worthwhile activity, we now exist in an age where RTR, or ready to run, vehicles have become standard. SEMI-ASSEMBLED Tamiya’s latest line of X-SA kits land almost complete, only requiring some light final assembly and the addition of electronics to complete into a running model. X-SA stands for Expert-Semi-Assembled, which sums up exactly what they…

Whiplash-inducing speed, nimble handling, robust durability and good looks—that’s what Arrma aims to deliver with its updated 1/10-scale Kraton 4X4 4S V2 BLX Speed Monster Truck. We had the chance to take Arrma’s latest ready to run (RTR) truck out for an action-packed run. Read on to find out how it performed. Arrma calls the Kraton a “Speed Monster Truck,” which is as fitting a name as any since this monster of a truck is certainly built for speed. Kraton is a name that RC bashers and Arrma fans should already know well. Arrma produces the Kraton in a total of three scales, 1/10, 1/8 and 1/5. Although its siblings may be larger in size than the updated 1/10-scale edition, don’t think that the Kraton 4S isn’t capable of handling…

FEATURES The Traxxas EZ-Peak Dual battery charger is a 2-channel smart charger for Traxxas NiMH and LiPo RC batteries. This peak charger is designed for ease of use and features a simple, straightforward button layout and control panel. The EZ-Peak Dual can simultaneously charge both NiMH and LiPo batteries and is compatible with all Traxxas high-current connectors, including older legacy style. The EZ-Peak Dual supplies up to 50W (4A) per channel when charging two batteries and can supply up to 100W (8A) of power when charging a single battery. The charger works seamlessly with Traxxas iD batteries and will automatically adjust charge settings once plugged in. Manual settings can also be adjusted for non-iD packs. For older legacy LiPo packs, the EZ-Peak Dual features removable covers that reveal standard balance…

We are all passionate about something, and as we’re about to find out, Bruce is passionate about the vintage nitro-powered Kyosho Landjump. Of his Landjump project, Bruce says: “The Kyosho Landjump kit was released in 1980 and called the Landjump 4D. This was Kyosho’s first 4WD nitro buggy. It was equipped with the hobby’s first front one-way bearing. All four tires were the same diameter. The Landjump was one of the first mid-engine nitro cars ever made, giving the buggy excellent weight distribution and handling. As a 1/10-scale buggy racer from the ’80s and ’90s I would always drool over the Kyosho Landjump locked in the racetrack owner’s trophy case at my local track. He would let me hold it, but would never consider selling it. The search for my…

It’s no secret that one of the hottest genres of surface-bound RC to hit it big in recent times is the RC lowrider. Not built for all-out speed or all-terrain performance, the RC lowrider serves up satisfaction in a different way. Requiring a stick-type transmitter that boasts a porcupine-like array of switches, the RC lowrider is capable of things that no other RC car can perform. Redcat’s line of 1/10-scale lowriders can hop, scrape and drive on three wheels, just like their real-life counterparts. Leading the RC lowrider movement, Redcat took the RC scene by storm a couple years ago with its 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS derived SixtyFour lowrider. The innovative RC car is based on a real-life lowriding classic that looks every bit the part and moves in ways…

One of the best things about being in the RC hobby is all the different types of RC vehicles available. Almost every type of 1:1 vehicle is available as a hobby-grade model. Anything from planes and jets to racecars, semis, trucks, tractors, heavy equipment—and the list goes on. When we take our new RC model out of the box it is clean and shiny… it’s perfect. Everyone likes a brand-new looking RC. But is that how they look in real life based on their actual 1:1 example? This is an amateur’s guide on how to make your brand-new, or new-to-you, RC model look more scale, just like a real-life vehicle. We refer to the process as weathering. Weathering is a generic term used to describe the real-life appearance that the…

FEATURES Pit Bull RC Temco Super Mega XL tires are designed as a heavy-use 2.2 off-road truck tire. The treads have been specially designed for uses in pulling, rock climbing, rock bouncing, mud, and various other applications where a 2.2 tire is needed on rough terrain. Pit Bull molds these tires in their own “Alien” compound for a super-grippy, sticky tire feel. The tires are officially licensed by Temco Tire and feature bold logos on the sidewalls. The Super Mega XLs are sold in pairs and include Pit Bull RC’s Dirty Richard firm foam inserts. The Super Mega XLs are also Recon G6 certified so you know you’re getting the best possible quality tires on the market. TESTING The Super Mega XL tires are hefty, measuring in at an impressive…