| One of the first decisions for the newcomer to the | | | | work involved with changing air filters, tuning, fueling |
| world of radio controlled cars is whether to buy an | | | | and attending to a variety of engine parts on a nitro |
| electrically powered or a nitro powered car.As a | | | | powered car.As mentioned earlier, electric radio |
| general rule, electric radio controlled cars and trucks | | | | controlled cars are not as powerful as their nitro |
| are the best choice for the beginner since they tend to | | | | powered cousins but, nonetheless, modern electric |
| be simpler, quieter, cleaner and easier to operate. The | | | | cars are still more than capable of holding their own on |
| trade-off for this simplicity and ease of operation | | | | the racing circuit. Perhaps more importantly however |
| comes in the form of cars that do not have the | | | | for the beginner, they provide a quick and easy |
| realism and the power brought to radio controlled cars | | | | answer to getting up and running and to learning the ins |
| by nitro engines, but it is undoubtedly a wise decision to | | | | and outs of model car racing, without the steep |
| cut your teeth with an electric model before tackling | | | | learning curve, and often frequent frustration for the |
| the complexities of nitro power.Electric radio controlled | | | | newcomer, provided by the complex modern nitro |
| cars use battery packs to power both the motor and | | | | engine.Many beginners are tempted into buying a nitro |
| steering and these are normally recharged using either | | | | powered car because, in addition to simply running and |
| a 12-volt car battery or a mains powered charging unit. | | | | racing the car, they also want to build their own car |
| Batteries run for between 5 and 10 minutes, depending | | | | and mistakenly believe that this is only possible if they |
| on the type of engine in the car, and re-charging | | | | purchase a nitro powered vehicle. This is not the |
| usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Because of | | | | case.Both nitro and electric powered cars come in kit |
| this, it is highly recommended that you buy at least two, | | | | form with complete instructions so that you can build |
| if not three, battery packs to allow for more or less | | | | your car from scratch. Admittedly, electric car kits are |
| continuous running.At first glance, electric radio | | | | less complex and an electric car is easier to build, but |
| controlled cars can appear to be much less expensive, | | | | this is still not an easy undertaking for the beginner and |
| but the cost of such things as additional battery packs, | | | | is certainly a challenge.At the end of the day the |
| a battery charger and other accessories, will often | | | | choice is of course yours but, as with many other |
| bring the final cost of an electric car close to that of a | | | | hobbies, if you rush in and try and achieve too much |
| nitro powered car. Naturally, the long-term cost also | | | | too quickly you often meet a host of obstacles and |
| depends on the model of car that you purchase and | | | | frustration and end up walking away feeling that it was |
| the type and quality of battery pack that it requires, as | | | | perhaps not all it was cracked up to be. Radio |
| well as how often you run the car.The main difference | | | | controlled car racing is an exciting and rewarding |
| between electric and nitro powered radio controlled | | | | hobby, but it will take time to master, so choose the |
| cars is seen when it comes to maintenance. Though | | | | simple route in and enjoy the speed and fun of racing |
| the cost of battery packs can be high, their care and | | | | your electric car before moving on to the added thrill |
| maintenance is relatively easy when compared to the | | | | and excitement that comes from nitro power. |