RC cars, or remote-control vehicles, are fun toys that can be made to look like anything. RC cars have been around for almost as long as radio-controlled aeroplanes and helicopters, but they’ve only become popular in the last few years. There are thousands of websites devoted to them, but very few people make enough money on the hobby to make it their full-time career.
RC cars are a popular hobby for adults and kids alike. They are customizable, cost-effective and have enough power to lift a grown man off the ground. They can be bought in kit form or fully built, depending on the model you choose.
When looking at pre-built models from companies like Hobbytech toys, keep in mind that every company has its own standards for what makes a good RC car. The price will vary depending on whether you’re buying a kit or a completed vehicle from scratch.
Buying an RC Car
Some people build their own RC cars out of necessity. For example, some just can’t find a radio-controlled car they like that’s within their budget. Other people would enjoy building but don’t have the space to do so. Still, others want to share the experience with family and friends, so they buy kits to build together.
Whatever your reason for getting into RC cars, you’ll probably end up spending some money while you’re learning how to build or modify your own car. That might include parts like batteries or motors, or it could be something more expensive like a complete vehicle kit that includes everything needed for assembly. There’s nothing wrong with doing this, of course, if you’re building your own first car from scratch.
What’s Cool About RC Cars
The main drawback of RC car racing is that it’s hard to understand from the outside. The vehicles are fast, sleek and aerodynamic. They look like something out of a James Bond movie. But on the inside, they’re very different.
Unlike a dirt bike or four-wheeler, which requires you to work with an engine and gears, a radio-controlled car is easy to fix and maintain. And because they’re electric, they don’t produce too much heat or noise; they’re perfect for beginners who want to get into a hobby without spending money on tools or parts.
That said, there are plenty of benefits to racing RC cars as well. A hobby that involves working with electronics is an excellent way to teach yourself about circuits and how they work. You’ll learn valuable skills like soldering and wiring, both of which can help you in the real world when building robots and other gadgets for work or play. You’ll also get plenty of exercise as you drive your car around the track or on the road course (which is all just one big track).
The Most Important Part of RC Care Is Maintenance
The life of a radio control car is short. They break, they get bashed, they’re dropped in the pond and they end up with a rusty chassis. Your RC car is an investment, and it needs to run smoothly to be fun. Here are three simple steps to keep your device in great shape:
- Clean it when you get it. This includes pointing and putting the steering in the appropriate direction, plus making sure all the wheels are straight and pointing in the same direction.
- Wash it whenever you get dirty or muddy. This includes washing off the dirt from your hands after you touch the controls to make sure they’re clean and dry before you touch them again. This is especially important if you like to go off-road for a bit of fun!
- Keep it lubricated with a good lubricant. This can be light oil, or something heavier like grease or silicone spray. You should also check that your batteries are fully charged at least once a week, as electrical contacts can corrode if they’re not being used regularly.
The Two Main Categories for RC Cars
In the complex world of RC cars, there are thousands of different styles (and hundreds of types). The important thing to remember is that any car that meets the minimum requirements for competition in certain racing leagues is considered a “radio-controlled” car — even if it doesn’t look like one — and gets classified as such in every racing tournament. There are two main categories for RC cars: infrared (IR) and radio signals.
IR RCs use invisible infrared light waves to talk with the receiver in your car, which sends back information about how fast you’re going and how hard you’re accelerating. Because radio signals are visible light waves that travel at the speed of sound, they’re more likely to be seen by other drivers as well as by your car’s receiver.
Radio signals are cheaper, but they come with limitations: You can only talk with a few different receivers; you can’t drive on carpet or gravel (which means you won’t be able to drive on dirt tracks); and, if someone’s around, you won’t be able to tell whether they’re using an IR system or a radio one.
