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The New World of Desktop Racers
Intro | Bit Char-G | iRacer / Clones
By Namuna
Yokomo, a big player in the larger scale RC cars for a long time, has recently introduced the Puchi
Maru (also known at Petit Maru). Coming in at around 3 inches long, the Maru is the biggest of the
Micro bunch. But the Maru is also the ONLY true proportional car in this size class.
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Street Price: ~$100(US) (RTR Car & Controller)
Pros:
Uses NiMH batteries (in car)
It's the ONLY true Proportional Micro scale car
Cons:
Currently only 4 body types available
Initial feedback from Maru owners is that they're not very fast
Biggest and priciest car in the Micro scale
Except for a roll-out track options, no accessories or upgrades available (yet)
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From Takara comes the DigiQ. The smallest car in the Micro car offerings, the DigiQ measures less
than 2inches long. The DigiQ also uses some intuitive means of control. Having CPU controlled, independent
motors, one per rear wheel and plastic (non steering) front wheels is how it has 'kind-of' proportional control.
To handle turns, one wheel stays at a certain speed, while the other goes a bit faster or slower and (like a tank)
this makes the car turn in direction. The DigiQ also uses IR control so the car has no wire hanging off the back.
Street Price:
less than $50(US) (RTR Car & Controller)
$25-$30(US) for just the Car
~$20 for the Digi Propo Controller
$40-$45 for the Digi Propo Special Controller
Pros:
2nd Smallest car in the Micro scale (Nikko iRacer being smallest, by .5cm)
Highly detailed bodies
Fastest Micro car in the bunch, by a wide margin!
Upgrading to the Digi Propo Special Controller gives you fine tuning for top speed, acceleration, steering and braking
Using NiMH batteries, it has the longest runtime at ~15minutes per charge
Uses IR control, which gives the DigiQ a good range
All Controllers come with an IR ID switch for each of the 4 available IDs the cars use. Any controller can control any car
Controller has a charging 'dock' on the back which actually locks the car in place. When not in use, the car can be kept on the dock
The DigiQ cars have and on/off switch on the bottom so you can switch them off when not in use
Cons:
Several owners of the DigiQ report a certain amount of 'lag' between the remote sending a command and the car responding.
Long charge times (up to 10 minutes)
Comparitively expensive
Harder to control at higher speeds
No body upgrades available, you have to modify it yourself
Limited accessories and upgrades
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The Cars: Bit Char-G >>
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