Ok man I guess i need to give you a
big tutorial on bits, and bit buying. Any pros like payaso, tiny, or any of the other likely suspects can correct me if I'm wrong. I'll start with the basics:
There are 3 kinds of official bits, the Tomy BitChar-G, Tomy CompactChar-G, and the Hobbico Microsizer. Everything else is a clone, even Radioshack Zip Zaps! All of the offical bits are pretty much exactly the same, except for frequencies, and special edition stuff, which the Microsizer end has not received yet.
Each of the bits listed above has all of the bodies mentioned on the Hobbico Microsizers website,
www.microsizers.com , minus the silver Toyota bB body, which is a United States exclusive.
Tomy BitChar-Gs have 4 available frequencies, or "bands", 27mhz, 35mhz, 45mhz, and 57mhz. It doesn't matter which you choose, they are all pretty much the same. Mods can be made to your car and controller to increase the range of your car. Tomy CompactChar-Gs and BitChar-Gs have some special edition car sets, most of which are derived from Japanese hit cartoons or games. You can view these sets either at the official Tomy website,
www.tomy.co.jp , or a place where you can buy them,
www.toyeast.com .
Tomy CompactChar-Gs have all of the same frequencies as BitChar-Gs, except that the "CCG", the Australian version of the BitChar-G, has another available band, 40mhz.
Hobbico Microsizers are the North American version of Tomy's BitChar-Gs. As mentioned before, they have all the same bodies and hop-ups, etc. that Tomy has, except for a couple of differences. Hobbico only offers 2.2 (the stock Microsizer engine) engines, and 2.6 engines. Some say that these engines are faster than the Tomy versions. The other difference is due to North American regulations. The only 2 frequencies available for Microsizers are 27mhz, and 59mhz (not a typo, just a north american band).
Clones tend to make fantastic beginner cars, as they tend to be cheap, yet they are still upgradeble. The only real cons with clones is a lack of quality, and frequent compatibility issues with Tomy and Hobbico products. Clones also have a habit of breaking down easily. Most people will agree with me when I say that int he long run, choosing a Hobbico or Tomy product is much more worthy of your time and money. I guarantee that an official bit will last much longer than a clone. However, because of their cheap prices, clones make excellent guinea pigs. Go wild!
As for advice on what you should buy, If you have a low budget, then go ahead, buy some clones, and have a party with your friends! Just make sure they are all different frequencies, and are no more than $20cdn. If you are looking at bits as a serious hobby, which your simple interest may turn into, then consider turning your wallet to
www.toyeast.com . They have excellent prices, and you can get a special edition Tomy Skyline for about $53cdn shipped!
Anyways, maybe tiny or anyone else can use this post as a guide of somesort...who knows!
The bottom line when getting involved with these things is :
HAVE FUN!!!