Panther G setup for decent reliability - newcomer questions

[Kaelis]

Hi there! First timer to the hobby and this forum, so hello to everyone.

Im looking to make an entry with an airsoft german tank, and ive been reading that as a newcomer i should pick either Panther G and Leopard 2A6. The Leopard for some strange reason is much more expensive, and only avaible in the ugly default camo, so Panther it is!

Ive been researching my options for quite a few days now, and already figured out that if i want any kind of reliability, everything even remotely related to propulsion has to be metal/steel, specifically Taigen brand seems to be recommended. Now i do have some experience with RC in general, so im not afraid of having to fiddle with things to make it run just right, which is why im not simply taking Tamiya outright.

Right now im looking at this offer:
http://www.rctank.de/24-GH4-Panther-G-m ... ck-BB-unit
except with the board swapped to IBU2, with a 3:1 steel taigen gearbox



However there are still a few issues that i would love some advice on:
- First off, shop choice. Im limited to shops in Europe, and ive already checked the recommended vendors list, but i havent been able to find any other trustworthy vendors for what i need. Is rctank.de my only choice? Doesnt actually have to be specifically Taigen - its just the only available well regarded brand ive been able to find.
- I have a Spektrum DX6i transmitter, i understand i would be able to use it with IBU2 and a standard Spektrum receiver like AR6115E without any fuss? How are the auxillary tank functions like shooting, MG, smoke etc. controlled in such case?
- Ive read that IBU2 does support standard LiPos, but are there any modifications needed?
- While rcantak.de doesnt really give me a choice in terms of gearbox and motors, will the standard 380 Taigen motors be enough for an almost full-metal tank? Im also curious if there are any alternatives available in Europe i should look at.
- Should i take any spare parts right away? Which components wear out the most?

Whew, thats it for now. As you can see im mostly concerned about the mechanics, accuracy can come later. All feedback and recommendations greatly appreciated!

[MichaelC]

Kaelis,

Welcome to the forum. If rctank.de is the only choice you have, I don't think you need to look for any others. Dominique will take good care of you. Moreover, they are still the only vendor offering the Taigen metal Panther lower chassis, so if this is what you want, once again, rctank.de would be the place to go and no need to look any further. You simply won't find it anywhere else at the moment.

Not an IBU guy as other experts will jump in but Spectrum DX6i should work fine with lipo out of the box.

Unless you want to do donuts and run the tank around like a Ferrari, the Taigen metal chassis stock motors would be more than sufficient.

MichaelC.

[43rdRecceReg]

The Panther G looks like an excellent, choice, Kaelis. The current crop at rctank.de are all tastefully airbrushed (unpainted yet another option); with loads of metal bits, including a metal turret. A seductive package all round, and I might yield to its charms eventually! I bought a Taigen/Torro Kingtiger from Dominique equipped with the 380 motors, and Taigen gearboxes, and actually it would be suitable for weight training..as it's almost 16lbs. However, the motors have no problem chugging the Tiger around. Ditto for my first build, an early production Tiger 1 sourced from Taigen parts (mostly from rctank.de). Again, the motors
move the bulk effortlessly- so far- anyway.
One other german source I have used happily is Heng Long Panzer.de. This outlet is also the main European supplier of Clark Tk22 boards, and has an immersive forum attached to it, if you can manage a spot of German..

[Max-U52]

Welcome aboard. I have the asiatam metal Panther lower that I bought for my Jagdpanther, and I also have the Imex/Taigen Panther G. The G has 4:1 steel GBs and the JP has brass gears in it. The first thing I'd suggest is that you get the 4:1 gearboxes instead of the 3:1. Here's a video of the Panther G with the 4:1, which I like a lot better than the 3:1 (I tried both). Oh yeah, the motors that come with the new gearboxes (I assume you're getting steel gears and bearings on all shafts) are plenty for these tanks. You'll get good scale speed with a 4:1 and plenty of low end grunt. I have lots and lots of videos about these two tanks at my youtube channel, the Jagdpanther runs on the IBU2, and there are lots of mods in the videos for stuff like track cables, tow cables, stowage, etc, etc.

[Max-U52]

I checked out the tank you provide the link for, and I don't see where it says 3:1 gearboxes. All I see is "steel gearboxes" so I would strongly recommend you email them and find out exactly what GBs this tank comes with. The Gearboxes I recommend, the ones in my Panther G, are these, and I think a lot of other guys will tell you these are a very good set for the Panther G (they won't fit in a Jagdpanther, hence the brass gears in mine).

http://www.imex-model.com/product/TAG14 ... tml?cid=90

[Kaelis]

Looks like im on the right track here. Thanks for the responses and hope everyone had pleasant Christmas!

Welcome to the forum. If rctank.de is the only choice you have, I don't think you need to look for any others. Dominique will take good care of you. Moreover, they are still the only vendor offering the Taigen metal Panther lower chassis, so if this is what you want, once again, rctank.de would be the place to go and no need to look any further. You simply won't find it anywhere else at the moment.

Thats reassuring, but i was still wondering if there are any good alternatives to Taigen, just to compare.

Unless you want to do donuts and run the tank around like a Ferrari, the Taigen metal chassis stock motors would be more than sufficient.

Glad to hear the motors are enough. On that topic, what if i DO want to do donuts? What kind of motors should i be looking at?

One other german source I have used happily is Heng Long Panzer.de. This outlet is also the main European supplier of Clark Tk22 boards, and has an immersive forum attached to it, if you can manage a spot of German..

I am familiar with Heng Long Panzer.de, but the Panther G there doesnt seem as extensively upgraded, plus they dont have IBU2 and i dont know german

I checked out the tank you provide the link for, and I don't see where it says 3:1 gearboxes. All I see is "steel gearboxes" so I would strongly recommend you email them and find out exactly what GBs this tank comes with.

And thats exactly what i was planning to do. Specifically these:
http://www.rctank.de/31-PRO-steel-gearb ... long-axles

I did ponder 4:1, but in the end decided on 3:1 as id like to have a bit more top speed available, and if i want to drive a bit slower, well i can always lower the throttle a bit.

Oh, and thanks for the videos, theyre lovely.

[Max-U52]

The thing about the 3:1 gearboxes is the low torque. With low torque you'll have trouble turning the tank. The 4:1 gives good scale speed yet you can still turn the thing around tight corners. If you want more speed get motors rated for higher rpm. The stock 380s are rated at 18,000 rpm (no-load).

[MichaelC]

Thats reassuring, but i was still wondering if there are any good alternatives to Taigen, just to compare.

When you buy the high end Taigens, you are really paying for the metal bits mostly since it is awfully close to a Tamiya at that price point, minus most of the metal bits, and you will have to assemble Tamiya yourself which is a curse/joy depends on your inclination. Taigen is RTR and Tamiya is a kit.

If you purchase the full option Tamiya kits, you will have all the Electronics bits you need (Radio, transmitter, MFU etc). Whereas the Taigen one if you are planning on upgrading to IBU2 and radio you still need to get them.

Full Option Tamiya price wise is probably the same as a Upgraded Taigen Metal + IBU2 + Radio, minus the metal bits. On the otherhand, Tamiya plastic bits is every bit as good as metal bits......

MichaelC.

[Max-U52]

I definitely agree with Michael about the price. I've sunk over $900 into my Jagdpanther and could have bought a Tamiya for about the same price. Of course, The Tamiya JP doesn't smoke like mine does, or shoot BBs at the camera, or have volume control from the transmitter.

[billpe]

If you're getting the Panther then the Taigan is a good choice to start out wity. It's probably better all told than the Tamiya for the price. The Tiger on the other hand is easily the Tamiya. I spent more on my Taigan Tiger to make it as good as the Tamiya but you can't cure the underlying fact the Taigan design is a lower tolerance knock off but without the structural soundness of the Tamiya design.