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stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 8:04 am
by seanhickey2009
I'm looking to buy either the heng long tiger 1 or the bulldog tank just the standard with sound/smoke/bb just after some advice on both tanks if ones better quality or has more problems any advice will be great just starting rc tanks so after a standard one I can upgrade later

Many thanks

Sean

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 9:33 am
by cannedheat
hi old chap ,if I may be so bold a tiger ? think old chap its a Sherman ? no seriously there are plenty of tiger bits out there every one has one
its the standard entry tank so go for it its well covered on the forum for problems but the later hl tigers are better than early ones ,so check before you buy and get a newer type if pos and I have to say there is wsn [we are not going into debates ,ifs and buts gents ] so get on the net and have a look ....wot wot ......

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 9:37 am
by scalawag
I would choose the Tiger I. I think it is a great tank to start this hobby on. It's not bad as a basic model, and has lots of scope for aftermarket upgrades and detailing, and there is plenty of room inside which is great for when you are starting out. I think you will find that there is a lot more available for the Tiger than the bulldog, and the parts are largely easier to get hold of.

This is just my opinion of the best way to go. I am sure you would be happy with either, and I bet you can't stop at one either @) @) :D

Do have a look at the recommended retailers and the retailers blacklist before you buy. Sometimes what looks like a good deal is let down by the sellers poor customer service. If in doubt ask here first :thumb up:

most of all enjoy whatever you buy. :D

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 10:09 am
by seanhickey2009
Thanks that was great what is the tiger run time and can I re paint it?

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 10:56 am
by scalawag
seanhickey2009 wrote:Thanks that was great what is the tiger run time and can I re paint it?

Yes you can repaint it, I tend to use Tamiya acrylics on mine but there is a wide variety of paints you could use. Have a read through some of the build threads etc... and you will soon pick up on what others are using. :thumbup:

Run time is very subjective and will largely depend on battery capacity (mah) and type (I use NiMh). You can buy much better batteries than the ones which come with the tank. I get mine from here and can recommend them.

http://www.componentshop.co.uk/batterie ... -8-4v.html

To give you some idea of what you are looking at the standard H/L batteries are either 1700mah NiCd (yellow one) or 2000mah NiMh (green one), and I think these are supposed to give you 20-30 minutes from a full charge. These are a standard size battery with a standard Tamiya plug on them so they are easy to replace.

I find the easiest way to think about it is the higher the mah rating the more run time. I use the 3300mah NiMh as they seem give me the best balance between run time and cost. :thumbup:

The tank weight will also have a bearing although a stock Tiger won't be that heavy. The type of terrain you intend to run on will also play a part.

In a nutshell the harder you work the tank the less run time you will get.

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 11:41 am
by seanhickey2009
Thanks going to get the 3300 battery with the smart charger or will the standard one work fine?

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 11:43 am
by scalawag
I use this one,

http://www.componentshop.co.uk/intellig ... eries.html

The H/L ones are ok, but they have no charge indicator.

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 12:06 pm
by lister fiend
have to totally agree with scalawag & say tiger 1 all the way.
the bulldog is a nice tank unless your going to mod it, the earlier ones are a pig to get the roadwheels off
& there isn't too many upgraded parts for it.
where as you can pretty much do anything with a tiger
just check out the recommended vendors site for upgraded parts.
you will certainly want a better battery & ditch the awful stock charger asap.
as for repainting, check out the camo reference section on this forum.
what ever you decide, have fun
lister

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 12:21 pm
by jarndice
I echo every thing Lister and Scalywag have said, I would only add before you spend any money you sit in front of your computer and read every thing this site has, with of course an emphasis on Heng Longs Bulldog and Tiger 1, the more you know now the less money you will waste later. believe me this hobby you have begun is full of fun and heartbreak and EXPENCE!!!! You have a problem? We have the answer, Please just ASK. shaun

Re: stuck picking need help/advice

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 1:52 pm
by ALPHA
Kind of late jumping into this convo... but I think I'm with Cannedheat on this... If you are going HENG LONG...they actually have more choices than just the Tiger and the Walker...But if those are the two... I would go with the Tiger... or as Cannedheat suggested...if you want an allied tank..get the Sherman... and as Cannedheat mentioned if you do get the Tiger... contact the vendor who is selling it to you... ask specifically if there is a shovel molded to the hull above the drivers hatch...that is the old model...the new one doesn't have that ...and most of the Hull problems have been corrected

The Sherman would be my choice over the Walker... just because though it's a nice tank... it's a little off scale..they also weren't used very much in any war...so your range of detailing is limited... the Sherman on the other hand... I have found more than challenging..because it's high usage..there are so many variants..and enough detail parts floating around for you to build a sound model

Have fun...Enjoy the Hobby and Welcome to the board :thumbup:

ALPHA