Possible substitutions for electronics

[Bravin Neff]

Hello everyone.

A couple of buddies and I are thinking about getting some mini-x cars to race indoors. We are wondering about the quality of the esc and the servo. We already own high-end FM transmitters, and so we are wondering which route we ought to take. One thing we probably will NOT do is go with the AM setups, so regardless of what we do, the cars will still end up as FM. Here are our options, I suppose:

1. Buy the basic car, and install our own receivers, servos, and esc's.

2. Buy the RTR car, and just change the receiver.

We are wondering if the stock esc is as good as some aftermarket ones (like the Novak Spy), or if the stock servo is as good as others. What are your thoughts on the stock esc and servos?

Alternatively, can you think of a potential problem with trying to run these cars with FM radios?

Best regards,
Bravin Neff

[binaryterror]

I use the RTR as is. The new version 2.0 from tinyrc has a great esc and reciever.

The ESC is smaller and in a different shape than the SPY.

Also the reciever works nicely in my running area. And the servo is quick (add a 6 cell and it is even faster at responses).

I'd say screw FM, i've never had luck with it nor is it worth the usually higher price tag.

But either way the Mini-x is super fast and has great handling.

Read the specs of the esc and reciever for version 2.0 here. (http://www.tinyrc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3273)

[Bravin Neff]

Thanks for the helpful response. So you believe the stock ESC is very good?

Originally posted by binaryterror
[B]I use the RTR as is. The new version 2.0 from tinyrc has a great esc and reciever.

The ESC is smaller and in a different shape than the SPY.

Also the reciever works nicely in my running area. And the servo is quick (add a 6 cell and it is even faster at responses).

I'd say screw FM, i've never had luck with it nor is it worth the usually higher price tag.


I have a very different experience with regard to FM. I find FM to be far less glitchy, and it also has a further range than AM. But probably the biggest advantage (and this has nothing to do with being FM) is that the higher end radios usually have multiple-model capability, which I have never found on an AM radio, plus greater adjustability, with digital trims, exponential rates and so on. This alone makes it worthwhile to me. My particular radio isn't that great (Airtronics MX-3), yet I have 4 different cars stored on it, all with very different settings. Imagine that... one radio, many cars! I hope to add the mini-x to the 5th memory slot!

Anyway, thanks for the help.

Best regards,
Bravin Neff

[binaryterror]

I have 4 cars and one super old Traxxas AM 27mhz.

Now it would be nice to program/set it for the four, however i have sharpie marker marks all over instead!

Hey the FM is just my opinion. i even know it is supposed to be better...

[tinyrc]

Bravin, first of all, where in MI are you, because binaryterror and myself are also located in MI, so maybe we'll have to have a Mini-X Meet! Anyway, you certainly could use something like a Spy/XXL FM combo for the X. Personally I use an M8 for the X, which is great because I have AM and FM modules for it. :)

[binaryterror]

COOL!

Another michigander!

So this M8 reciever allows for both AM and FM crystals? nifty.

[Bravin Neff]

Cool, some other Michiganders?

I'm in the Novi area (South East Michigan). Are you two anywhere close?

Best regards,
Bravin Neff

[binaryterror]

HAHA

I'm on the east side (Roseville) and tiny is in Ann Arbor...you got stuck right in the middle!

If you are still thinking about a Mini-X, whether using your own elecs or not, i definately say it's worth it. Right now tiny doesn't have the basic kit up though. Oh you know what buy some extra motor gears Mo-07 just in case!

[Bravin Neff]

Roseville and Ann Arbor, cool!! I used to go to U of M back in the early 90's. God, I really miss A2...

Okay, going back to the Mini-X. So is it everyone's opinion that the stock servo and esc are up very good pieces? If they are, then I see no reason to pay more for some aftermarket ones.

My buddies and I are looking to get into some indoor cars to keep us racing in the winter. The mini-X caught our attention bigtime... really attracted to the details and engineering that went into the 4 wheel independent suspension. Even the ABC DTM X4, which looks very cool, doesn't have a suspension as sophisticated.

A little off topic... does anyone have any thoughts on the BRP cars? The folks over at the Team RCV forums just love them to death and swear by them. Just thought I'd ask.

Regards,
Bravin Neff

[binaryterror]

The Mini-X is great, so far (as long as the 4wd is working) it has no problems with carpet/hard wood/tile/painted cement. It's handling is nice.

And i say as long as you get the 5 or 6 cell (5 is included) the SERVO is plenty quick enough, and i have yet to have a lick of trouble out of the version 2.0 ESC and reciever.

The ESC has never felt hot anywhere...like my 1/10th scalers do.

I say it is SUPER fast...even though the hi-tech suspension is merely just for having...unless you install the lighter springs maybe, the stock ones are TIGHT and hard, but still not bumpy on any surface.

[Bravin Neff]

This sounds cool.

I kinda thought the mini indie suspension would have been more practical, but I suppose it would be difficult to do in such a small and light car.

One thing I notice about the mini-X's electronics is that they seem smaller than just about anything else (not including the servo). The ESC is smaller than everything I compared it to, and the receiver seems to be too, which is cool. I'm just not into having several transmitters lying around for each car, you know?

As far as the motor getting really hot (I have read this several times), has anyone noticed this becoming an issue?

Best regards,
Bravin Neff

[tinyrc]

Originally posted by binaryterror
I say it is SUPER fast...even though the hi-tech suspension is merely just for having...unless you install the lighter springs maybe, the stock ones are TIGHT and hard, but still not bumpy on any surface.

Actually the ind. suspension is very functional, but you really need the optional spring set for it to work well, as the stock v2.0 springs are quite hard.

We'll certainly have to get some SE MI Mini-X racing going! We've working on setting up a Mini-Z track in Ann Arbor, but until then it would be cool to get together and bash some Xs, which don't really need as smooth of a track! :D

[binaryterror]

I have noticed the heat of the motor. It hasn't melted anything...and i hear it gets super hot on carpet, which is where i run typically. It is hot...might burn a small child after a while.

I am working on computer geek method to cool the motor, but i haven't yet recieved those parts...damn FEDEX!

I'll post pics of this solution then.

[tinyrc]

Originally posted by binaryterror
I am working on computer geek method to cool the motor, but i haven't yet recieved those parts...damn FEDEX!

I'll post pics of this solution then.

binaryterror, is it RAM sinks? ;) :D

[binaryterror]

Of course!

But i am also thinking of a nice fan set up if need be.

[tinyrc]

Cool! (no pun intended :o ) One of my Micro RS4s has a fan, but I think it's a little big for the X. :)

[binaryterror]

Yeah a fan would get big...but the heat sink can be pretty big too..im pondering many different types and layouts...but they first have to arrive...

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...

Time to go eat turkey@!