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Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 10:32 am
by MikeHamilton
Hi, I only joined the forum yesterday and am a complete newbie as far as RC goes.
I’ve always fancied an RC tank and began researching last week and have loads of questions, to which I hope people can offer some help or guidance.

I have nearly made my mind up to get a King Tiger of some sort to cut my teeth on.

I have spoken to Dave at Forgebear yesterday and he can get a Torro metal King Tiger to me in about 2 weeks and he seems like a genuine bloke, especially with me being such a newbie.

As far as makes go , what are the differences between a Heng Long and a Torro, apart from the Torro having more metal than the Heng Long?

Which is the better make between HL and Torro in terms of reliability and build quality / longevity?

If I were to go for the metal KT I gather that as far as after market upgrades to wheels etc. go they’re already included.

What are the pros and cons between BB and IR. I think I know the answer and for me I don’t want to be shooting plastic BB around the garden, but are there any other differences between the two systems?

Does the Torro have a recoiling barrel? If not, can they be added at some stage?

Are the supplied batteries irrespective of which make of model I go for OK or do they need upgrading.

I think that’s about it for the time being and apologies for the long post.

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 2:24 pm
by 43rdRecceReg
A few quick answers:
1. Dave at Forgebear is a top-notch seller. If notches (like the 'Spinal Tap' volume control) went past 0-10, he would also be 11.
2. A Torro/Taigen KT with IR will almost certainly have recoil. The only real attribute of an IR model is the option battling with other Tamiya compatible IR tanks.
3. Heng Long tanks sporting the V6.0 series of controllers (superior to the Taigen V3 electronics IMHO) allow can offer BB with IR capability. Taigen models can't.
4. 'Metal' parts such as metal turrets might sound appealing, but the added weight can be a big problem, and they are harder to modify than ABS/Styrene-based components.
Durability will be contingent on many things, and there's no quick answer to that. Opinions will differ, of course, on this and other questions. It's best to dig into the archive where you'll find loads of threads on relevant topics. You could easily find yourself immersed in them. :wave:

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 6:27 pm
by Jofaur86
:D Personally if it is to start, I would take stock with "Dave" Forgebear, in order to know what would be best to familiarize yourself with this discipline, this in order not to want to start with something complicated and to be discouraged, that also depends on your knowledge and financial means, personally I would bet more on the infrared system, than ball shot? more functions, what about the batteries? I suppose that you speak about those of the transmitter, any brand is suitable, for the charcil comes a battery of type Nimh approximately 2000 Mah and a charger which in fact has only the name of charger, but to start that is enough, to see the follow-up that you will give, then it is necessary to invest in a serious battery, mini 3300 Mah and an automatic charger. But as our friend said above, browse the various posts of this forum, to have an idea more precise of this hobby

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:06 pm
by Kaczor
- I do not see advantages of BB. For me it looks like a child's toy ;) With IR you will have recoil and flash.
- Lots of parts and details are exchangable between HL and Taigen.
- IMHO most important is to have metal lower part (chassis, tracks and wheels). Plastic upper hull and turret are easier to modify and detail than pot-metal parts.

I've had lots of HL and Taigen tanks. In many cases same tank, different manufacturer (Pz III, Sherman, Tiger, Kingtiger and more). I would swap Taigen for HL any day. I.e. in case of Pz III and Sherman Taigen is superior in case of sturdines and construction of suspension.

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:31 pm
by Jofaur86
Kaczor, is absolutely right, Heng Long is "Full plastic" it is of course possible to improve over time, but in the end will come back the same price see more than the original purchase "Full metal" and then it is possible in the future of replacing the original electronics with a more efficient one, Ibu, Clark TK or Elmod, see electronics section of this forum. You should also know that the original transmitter is dedicated, and will only work with its own turntable, so not possible to use a standard radio with original electro.

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:40 pm
by jarndice
The one very important difference between Heng Long and Taigen/Torro is that Heng Longs tools and removable fittings on the body come on a seperate sprue leaving an uncluttered surface that is ready for paint and/or the replacement with better quality or finer detailed parts instead of the provided accessories whereas the other two have everything molded in place which makes the preparation for painting a pain in the fundament, And that is why I have been patiently waiting for an updated Heng Long Panzer 4 body rather than having to scrape off the molded tools on the Taigen body.

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 11:31 pm
by MikeHamilton
Thanks for all the info guys.

OK then. If I go for an HL King Tiger can you get them “complete” RTR with metal hull, metal wheels and tracks etc. with plastic deck and turret?

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 12:17 am
by jarndice
Mike there is a lot of metal in and on Heng Long tanks depending on the particular specification that you opt for but Heng Long do not do metal hulls,
I wish they did,
I have never owned a Tiger 2,
My first love is the PZ4 followed by the Tiger 1,
The Tiger 1 I buy is a Heng Long Body & turret and a Taigen Metal Hull and when buying a Heng Long Panzer 4 it will be a Heng Long body and a Taigen Turret and a Taigen Metal Hull,
The Heng Long bodies are a straight swap with the Taigen metal hull which also comes with a quick release.
The latest Taigen Control board (The V3) is very nice with the ability to operate with Taigens Transmitter or an aftermarket Transmitter and a choice of sound cards that match the engine of your particular Tank, BUT the equivilant Heng Long Tiger 2 has the vastly superior Version 6 control board with a much broader range of available sounds and abilities.
Do study the specifications and make sure what you want is what is being offered and do bear in mind that a Heng Long Tiger 1 with a version 6 control board is being sold for £100 and the upgrades can be fitted as and when you can afford them thereby bringing it up to the top spec as when the pocket book allows.

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:07 pm
by Jofaur86
MikeHamilton wrote:Thanks for all the info guys.

OK then. If I go for an HL King Tiger can you get them “complete” RTR with metal hull, metal wheels and tracks etc. with plastic deck and turret?
https://www.forgebeartanks.com/store/c1 ... Tiger.html
yes, see Dave, here example of possible composition, chassis, undercarriage, tracks, metal ect.

Re: Loads Of Questions From A Newbie

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:44 pm
by MikeHamilton
jarndice wrote:Mike there is a lot of metal in and on Heng Long tanks depending on the particular specification that you opt for but Heng Long do not do metal hulls,
I wish they did,
I have never owned a Tiger 2,
My first love is the PZ4 followed by the Tiger 1,
The Tiger 1 I buy is a Heng Long Body & turret and a Taigen Metal Hull and when buying a Heng Long Panzer 4 it will be a Heng Long body and a Taigen Turret and a Taigen Metal Hull,
The Heng Long bodies are a straight swap with the Taigen metal hull which also comes with a quick release.
The latest Taigen Control board (The V3) is very nice with the ability to operate with Taigens Transmitter or an aftermarket Transmitter and a choice of sound cards that match the engine of your particular Tank, BUT the equivilant Heng Long Tiger 2 has the vastly superior Version 6 control board with a much broader range of available sounds and abilities.
Do study the specifications and make sure what you want is what is being offered and do bear in mind that a Heng Long Tiger 1 with a version 6 control board is being sold for £100 and the upgrades can be fitted as and when you can afford them thereby bringing it up to the top spec as when the pocket book allows.
Thanks for the info.
I did a trawl of the various threads and I think I understand what you mean.
I need to get:

HL IR King Tiger?
Which model HL do I get, the “Pro”?
Taigens metal KIng Tiger hull?

I can then swap the electronics from the HL into the Taigens hull and use the KT plastic deck and add whatever KT “bits”, which come with the model to the hull?

I can add also fit metal treads, sprockets and road wheels to the Taigens metal hull?

The controller I use would be the HL one?

I can then at a later date when funds allow fit a different control board and goodies, yes?

I hope this makes sense?