Thoughts on the Taigen/Torro M16

[Mithras]

Admiring the Model. I’ve long had something of a fascination with it: especially given that it was often used against non-flyer targets.

I wonder if the model could be adapted to IR combat?
Seems like the rest of the components are already there.

[tankme]

I guess I don't know what a Taigen M14 is? An M41?

[Mithras]

Apologies. Long day. M16 Halftrack

[Kaczor]

The set is cute and inexpensive, but the electronics are not the pinnacle of technology.

[HERMAN BIX]

I have one that I will never use, has 2 broken MGs but is otherwise complete. No transmitter.

[tankme]

I have one of the Torro/WSN M16 half-tracks. It actually runs quite well once I got the battery situation fixed. It wouldn't power up shortly after I got it. Using a multi-meter I determined the battery box was somehow disconnected from the electronics. After resoldering all the connections, it still didn't work. I ended up getting a NiCD battery for it and plugging it into the red battery connector and it works. There are tons of reports of unreliable electronics in them. They don't use a standard HL type board and frankly one of those won't fit without major rework and possibly removing the quad 50s. So my answer would be...no...not really.

[jarndice]

The Taigen/Torro M16 is disappointing that is until you spend far too much on an "Elmod" board which really brings it to life, a very simple swap from the old board to the new, Plus converting it with a jewelers saw so that the windshield and the doors can open is not all that difficult there is a helpful tutorial on U-Tube.

[Son of a gun-ner]

I have two of the older original Torro M16's, and they're even worse.
I tell you this in case you get tempted to purchase an original.

[Mithras]

Thank you all! I appreciate your candour.

[Tiger6]

El-Mod used to offer a very good upgrade board for the original WSN M16 that had the facility to add an IR battle circuit, but the connector for the IR add-on got dropped when they changed their design to suit the original 2.4GHz Torro version (and in any case the add-on IR board hasn't been available for years either).
The latest version of the Torro M16 is not compatible with the El-Mod due to a redesign that fouls the board. As of right now, El-Mod are not offering it for sale.