Best options for a Pershing

[trackmech81]

My son has helped me with my tanks for a couple years now and has shown an interest in getting his own. I don't think he is ready for Tamiya so I am looking at HL. What options would you go with for a beginner youth. Metal or nylon gears, tracks? And where is the best source for shipment to Florida USA.

[ALPHA]

Greetings track mech.... You being in Florida... your options are wide open... there are several vendors on Ebay.. that provide good service to the continental US
Though some have had sketchy results .... these people have a fine selection of Heng Long Tanks
http://www.matomart.com/homepage.php

All their tanks come with metal gears... and are usually the Smoke and Sound units...the one thing they have that others don't offer is...IR on some models... and if you desire metal tracks... their usual is to supply you with Mato instead of Heng Long metal tracks...the upside to that is adjustability...Stock Heng Long metal tracks don't allow you to adjust them...so if they run tight on the tank... you have no choice but to either find a tensioner... or buy after market tracks anyway

One option you might also consider is finding the newer 2.4 gig models...they have greater range and control...the Pershing is not available with that option that I know of...but can be easily transitioned... less than a few minutes as a matter of fact

But you know your son best... and know what he likes... so basically the decision is yours


Good Luck... and Welcome to the board

ALPHA

[greengiant]

A smoke and sound HL Pershing Is a good place to start. Make sure you get the version with the rx18 multifunction unit. The barrel is to short but a good BB shooter usually. The commanders copula doesn't face quit the right direction but unless you want to detail the tank has no effect on operation. The fender skirts can be a problem if the tank is run outdoors in high grass and most people just cut them off anyway because most of the real ones had their skirts removed during the short time they were used in the ETO. Its an easy job, just follow the mold line at the top of the skirts where they meet the fenders and cut off with a razor saw. The plastic gear boxes are ok but to have better speed control get a set of low ratio ones from Tank Zone UK. they are less then $40 and really make a big improvement. also adding some weights to the hull inside ( I used 44 magnum lead bullets put them in small plastic bags and then stuck them in the lower hull wherever they would fit ) makes the suspension work much better over uneven surfaces. The smoke function can really only be seen well indoors with the tank stationary but there are high output smoke units available. you can turn the smoke unit on or off. The plastic HL uses is much stronger then the styrene Tamiya uses so it can take small and even severe bumps little or no damage. The first one I bought I accidentally ran off the kitchen table and the only damage was a cracked muzzle brake that was easily fixed with a little super glue.

[trackmech81]

Thanks for the input. I just ordered a stock HL one and will upgrade as needed.