Clone Reviews!

Kenkudaki · #1 02-01-2003, 04:34 PM

Ok, here's the situation. I've been getting different types of clones from a good ebay seller I found. Here's the post I have about him:

http://www.tinyrc.com/forums/showthr...&threadid=7372

Anyway, I'm reviewing everything I get from him, and here is what I have so far. I'll add to it as I try out more stuff:

-=The Cannonball=-

Well, the name kinda says it all here. What a pile. This was the worst clone I've ever seen. The only interesting features were that it came with a seperate charger (that takes it's own batteries), and it's remote takes 3 batteries instead of two. Normally I might care, but there was no way I was going to play with this long enough to notice any difference the 3rd battery made. Don't buy these, unless it's dipped in gold. Or candy.

-=Compatible Parts=-
Motors - But quality is uncertain
Charger - If you need a seperate charger
Remote - Maybe the 3 batteries will come in handy with another car you have
Front End - suspension, wheels, steering, etc

-=NOT Compatible=-
Gears - These cars don't even use the same drive gears
Axles - Too wide
Bodies - Too long

Overall: It didn't even pull in one direction, it would randomly wobble off one way or the other. Completely impossible to control. Cheap and rattly. There are better clones out there for the price.

-=Panther=-

MUCH better than the Cannonball. Great prices. I'd say these are a little better than Lxx, but not as good as Shens.

-=Compatible Parts=-
Everything BUT the bodies and rear axles.

-=NOT Compatible=-
Bodies - The rear chassis mount is wider than a Bit's, but you can shave it to match.
Rear Axle - It's too wide, and pulls away from the gears on a Bit. Bit Axles are too narrow to fit at all.

Overall: The Panther seems like they're made from the Shen that ALMOST passed quality inspection. Overall, a very nice clone. Decent quality, but not as good as the Shen. At least as good if not better than Lxx, although the Lxx has the Axle and Body compatibility going for it. Good steering, GREAT range, good overall quality.

-=Shen Qi Wei=-

The best clone I've seen. Great all around, and fast!

-=Compatible Parts=-
EVERYTHING

Overall: Fabulous. Steering is right on the money, and it has a nice motor out of the box, if anything a little TOO much torque! You can spin doughnuts from a stop.

Better quality then the Panther (can cost more), but of course not QUITE as nice as an actual Bit.

This clone rocks!

-=Lxx Char-G=-

I don't have a pic of this, but you all know what they look like.

-=Compatible Parts=-
EVERYTHING

Overall: Not all they're cracked up to be. While they LOOK the most like a Bit, right down to the controller, the quality just isn't there. The controller is of particularly crappy quality, especially compared to the Bit controllers, which LOOK identical. The car is just under a Panther in quality, but they seem to vary a LOT from car to car. Some may be nearly as good as a Shen, some worse than a Panther. I guess my opinion is don't risk your money on the Lxx lottery, instead buy a Shen if you want a clone, or a Bit if you want the real deal.

AJFoot · #2 02-01-2003, 11:01 PM

I agree totally about the Cannonballs, the only good thing is the charger. Mine doesn't even move without a push. DON'T BUY CANNONBALLS!!!
I didn't believe all the hype about the Shens until yesterday when I got one, now I'm a believer! After I got my Shen it inspired me to incorporate a little review of sorts in my sig. Also my cheapest clone, a Charge N Go is probably my second best(next to the Shen) it pops wheelies!

blght · #3 02-01-2003, 11:42 PM

Great Reviews! Thanks for the effort

Those cannonballs looks suspiciously like the "motor works" clones that wal-mart sells... can anyone confirm if they're from the same manufacturer?

Also, I totally agree about the shens! I've actually replaced 2 bit/microsizer PCBs with shen PCBs since they were more responsive and seemed to let more power through than the bit PCBs. I came to this conclusion after extensively testing a bit and a shen head to head with everything completley the same (gears, batteries, bodies, motors).... the problem was that the shen was -still- accelerating quicker than the bit and was steering better. So of course the next logical step was to transplant the shen's awesome PCB into the bit's quality chassis....the result was perfection

-paul

Kenkudaki · #4 02-02-2003, 04:11 PM

I'll likely soon be adding a Charge N Go to this list... stay tuned.

Also, if there is anything YOU'D like to see added, or have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Pojo · #5 02-02-2003, 04:57 PM

Well you can identify Shen's by the packaging, "Shen Qi Wei", or their other name, "Rally Racers". Also, any place that has alot of Shen's should have a Castrol Accord one. If you want to order one, then try eBay.

Kenkudaki · #6 02-02-2003, 05:32 PM

Also, check the ebay stores I posted in this thread. I know he is selling them for about $10-$15 shipped.

http://www.tinyrc.com/forums/showthr...&threadid=7372

-Chris

Vyrus · #7 02-02-2003, 06:22 PM

Head on over to Wal-Mart and pick up a Planet Toys MotorWorks for $13.88 + tax. They're no collectibles and they're not fast, but they are fun as heck to play with because they handle very well!
-Cyrus

Spanky · #8 02-04-2003, 01:45 PM

i would have to disagree with all of you on the shens.. i have had nothing but trouble with them. in my opinion the precious clone takes the cake. it has the clear body, everything is compatable. i just bought a shen from that ebay guy that was suggested in this post and it just dont work. now the guy wants 5 bucks to replace it. i would search elsewhere for the shen or other clones if you have a choice. i agree that the shens are of higher quality than the thunderbolt because i have had one of those. i also have 2 other shens. but the prescious beats the shen hands down in every category! IMO

binaryterror · #9 02-04-2003, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gbalight
Great Reviews! Thanks for the effort

Those cannonballs looks suspiciously like the "motor works" clones that wal-mart sells... can anyone confirm if they're from the same manufacturer?

Also, I totally agree about the shens! I've actually replaced 2 bit/microsizer PCBs with shen PCBs since they were more responsive and seemed to let more power through than the bit PCBs. I came to this conclusion after extensively testing a bit and a shen head to head with everything completley the same (gears, batteries, bodies, motors).... the problem was that the shen was -still- accelerating quicker than the bit and was steering better. So of course the next logical step was to transplant the shen's awesome PCB into the bit's quality chassis....the result was perfection

-paul

Motorworks and the cannonballs are totally different. I think the best clone i have gotten was the LXX. Cheap and worked far better than the shen i had....the shen would not go stright EVER. Also the shen was super slow when compared to a real bit or the LXX with the same tinyrc motor...not the stockers.

Stridex · #10 02-04-2003, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Motorworks and the cannonballs are totally different.

Not really. It's Bensu who makes them. MotorWorks just seems to be their latest and most upgraded. MotorWorks has to be my favorite clone.

Has anyone ever seen this clone? Just got it.

hogjowlz · #11 02-04-2003, 02:19 PM

cyclonas are very consistant. not quite tomy quality but they are very reliable and cheap. with a little modding they go really really really really fast.

ffctp · #12 02-07-2003, 11:26 AM

Although these cannonballs are pretty enh quality, I do have to say that the tires are super super soft. I was disappointed when I got my tomy tire kit and even the "soft" tires were significantly harder than these. Lame! What am I going to do with tires that go from "really firm" to "rock hard"? These cannonball tires are probably going on my LXX.

gtr2112 · #13 02-07-2003, 01:21 PM

i got the skateboard from walgreens too. they're super racer chassis. motors are ok but the rest of it sucks.

Stridex · #14 02-07-2003, 02:18 PM

I have to agree with you. I also ordered motorcycles at the same time and those suck too. Only thing I found cool about the Skateboard was the wheelies. The motorcycles, I'm going to have to take two with the same frequency and make it into a tryke.

Kenkudaki · #15 02-07-2003, 08:57 PM

-=Charg N Go=-

These are also nice clones. I'd say quality-wise they're about the same as the Panthers. You can buy them at Walgreens, which is nice.

-=Compatible Parts=-
Everything but rear axles. Their bodies also fit a bit loose on Bits.

-=NON-Compatible Parts=-
Rear Axles - They're too wide, and pull away from the gears on a bit. Bit axles are too narrow to fit at all.

Overall: I'd put these one slight step above the Panther, due to the fact that the bodies will fit on Bits (although a tad bit loose). I have 2 of these, and one thing I noticed was that in one of them, the steering spring seemed kind of weak. It wouldn't ALWAYS return the steering to the center right away, leaving the car to keep turning for a second or two. No big deal, a new spring will fix that. Otherwise, steering is good, LOTS of torque, and good speed. Also, one word of advice: REMOVE ALL OF THE UGLY STICKERS!! LOL it will improve the appearance instantly.