Any one seen this one?

chp · #1 11-01-2002, 05:04 PM

Found this in the local RatShack yesterday looking for some zipzap parts... The clerk says these are the new ones coming in... supposedly hopup parts and bodies are going to be available.
It's fully porportional and the turn signals, headlights and harzard lights are remotely operated with the controller. It uses 3 cell (NiMh) charges about 2.5 minutes and a 6-8 minute run time (Charger uses SIX AA cells, controller uses one 9 volt cell). It's VERY FAST, but easy to control.. Size is about what the zipzap is the the Bit Char-g.

I got larger pics and more details (I couldn't resist tearing it apart) Click here
There's also pics of the motor, controller and circuit.

Mattydiah · #2 11-01-2002, 05:08 PM

How much was it?? Whats it called?? Is it on their website??

EDIT: Ok, your page answered my first two questions, but is the throttle proportional too??

chp · #3 11-01-2002, 05:14 PM

Throttle and Steering is both proportional.
Steering is handled with a micro server using gears instead of a servo arm.

Price was $49 (Exactly what I paid for my Auto Modelista set)

Mattydiah · #4 11-01-2002, 05:21 PM

Sweet, so they're pretty quick, huh? Quicker than bits, but not as fast as a Digi-Q you say? Are they pretty powerful? Meaning, can they go uphill or run on carpet easy?

Sorry for the Spanish inquisition, but 50 bucks is pretty expensive, especially for the younger bunch, and it would be nice to have some good info on these cars so people can better decide whether to get one or not.

chp · #5 11-01-2002, 05:24 PM

Very torqy! Seems to have a lot of power for rugs and inclines.. still new, haven't broken it yet, so still testing.

It's definitely got power. You're right, $49 is kinda steep. I'm just a sucker for Vipers and gadgets.

Mattydiah · #6 11-01-2002, 05:25 PM

Also, from your pictures, it looks like there is no suspension and the wheels bolt on, rather than having a snap-in axle. Is this correct?

Also, in this picture:
http://12.31.176.173/rc/images/viper...dmotor1web.jpg
What are the 4 pins sticking up behind the motor, underneath the grey and green wires?

If you cant tell I'm really interested in this car.

chp · #7 11-01-2002, 05:32 PM

Front suspension uses coil springs, lots of travel available.
Rear is drop in, but encased in a plastic housing. Suspension for the rear is kinda weird to explain... the chasis is cut to be flexible, and there is a main spring that adjusts it on the bottom.. very strange and will probably be a weakpoint.. but it works very well and offers a lot of give.

the four pins are the connection to the body for the lights. (Headlights, turn signals, and hazard).. if you look at the body (which I'll go and post now because I forgot) you will see where they connect to.

(Done.. page 2)

Nightwing · #8 11-01-2002, 08:12 PM

Thats what that was! Intersting. Kind of a intermediat step between the big one like they sell and the ZZ.

Tnks for the report and info!

john · #9 11-01-2002, 09:28 PM

Hmmm, my interest is piqued! Of course, what I'm really thinking is how can I get that motor running in my Zip Zap, and will it make the Zip Zap really screw...

catman25 · #10 11-01-2002, 10:12 PM

are these like the mini z's???

Sniper596 · #11 11-01-2002, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by catman25
are these like the mini z's???

i think they are more closer to scale with the epoch 1/43 racers, please correct me if i'm wrong. Look pretty sweet though and highly detailed.

MicroRCracer · #12 11-02-2002, 10:46 PM

As far as I know thats a Viper 1/43 Epoch knock off sold at radioshack for 49.99.Its a knockoff alright, but its pretty cool though for the price. the bottom chassis is like the spec 1 where the rear t-plate is integrated..

latency · #13 11-02-2002, 11:24 PM

looks like a miniz knockoff...

Tee Bee · #14 11-03-2002, 06:19 PM

I just went to a RS on the way to work to check for ZZ availability(no luck yet), but the girl showed me the new Viper. They had one set up to run as a demo. She let me try it out on their low pile floor and it was pretty cute so I bought it. I've had it at work for a couple of days now. All we have to run it on there is smooth tile flooring. It's too slick, the Viper will not hook up on it, only spin out if driven very fast. Regular concrete is too rough and bounces the car around violently unless it's smooth like a tennis court. It's 1/43rd scale, about halfway between out ZZs and Mini-Z. Cool size. As said before, the steering is a geared servo, but seems noisy and slow for real racing action. It's still fun to run it around by itself, though. The proportional speed control seems to work very nicely, though not as smooth as a mini-z. I think it's a lot of fun overall, and it looks nice, but I'm a little dissapointed with the way the body attaches(6 screws) and the lack of parts to improve it any. Typical of a RS product. I was really wishing for an Epoch Spec 2 after seeing them on this site, but the immediate availability and lower price suckered me in at RS. Does the Epoch have a rear diff? The Viper has a straight axle, ala ZipZap. When turned on a surface that's got good grip, you can hear the outside rear wheel hopping up and down if the car doesn't spin out. A diff would really improve this car's handling, but maybe I'm expecting too much of this small, cute car. Hope this helps someone.

Jonny B · #15 11-03-2002, 07:06 PM

This is somewhat off-topic, but I was curious where you got your handle Tee Bee. I ask because there is a Norwegian Drum & Bass producer who goes by DJ Teebee.