Questions about HL tanks in general

[cpl1234]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and new to RC tank so please be gentle on me.

I have various RC helicopters and cars but not really ventured into tanks, but after coming across a few youtube videos, I can't resist the idea of having a RC tank as well. The plan is to visit my local-ish model shop tomorrow and buy one.

I have done a bit of research and decided Heng Long is probably a good starting point. However, I am a bit confused with which tank I should get and have a few questions that I hope you experts can answer.

1. I really like the idea of a Challenger 2 but don't understand why it cost so much more than the classic models. A standard model cost the same as a pro version?

2. As I probably can't justify getting Challenger, I will probably end up with a either a Tiger, Bulldog or Sherman, I know it's like asking which is your favourite wine but what are the pros and cons of each model? I know some are more accurate but I am more interested in the dynamics of the tanks, spares availability etc.

3. Should I get a standard model and slowly upgrade as things break or go straight in for a pro model? I have read up a little bit and it seems like metal tracks put strain on the sprockets/wheels/drivetrain, metal sprockets/wheels put stress on the suspension and metal suspension put stress on the hull so if I get into them, I will eventually upgrade the whole thing anyway. Before I venture too deep into RC tanks and spending way too much money, how durable is a untouched standard model compared to a pro model with metal gearbox/sprockets/tracks?

4. How much difference does a 2.4Ghz radio make for tanks, I had both before. The 2.4Ghz does seem more reliable compare to the old standard and would be a must for helicopters from my point of view. However, it seems like it is liveable for tanks, does the Heng Long tanks run away on their own or randomly fire its gun if you drop the signal? Those would be the 2 things that I worry about with an old standard radio.

I think that's enough for now. I am sure I will have more after I bought one as I am not very good at keeping things standard.

[MichaelC]

Hi,

Challenger is the latest and the greatest so it will be more expensive. In reverse order, you will find them cheaper as they been on the market for a while - M1A1, Leo, Sherman and T34/85...... Of the three you mentioned, Sherman is the latest and is probably the best one out of the box, but for upgrade you can't beat a Tiger as everyone and their dog has 2 tigers each. I was never thrilled about the bulldog, for one it looks totally out of scale to me, and second, there is a serious lack of parts upgrade compared to the Tiger or even the Sherman.

I have a Chally, and I have to say that the newer release are getting better and better. I don't have the M1, but I dare say that the Chally is actually a better release than even the Leo which is really only a year or so older.

If you are getting new releases it will be 2.4Ghz out of the box anyway. If you are planning to upgrade the electronics, then there is no difference what the stock tank came with anyway. Bottomline is I would pick your tank first and then figure out what radio is available.

Lastly, RC tank problem is not usually runaway tanks, it is usually why it doesn't run............

Hope this helps !

MichaelC.

[cpl1234]

Thanks for the reply. I was going to go for the Bulldog Pro version because of the 2.4Ghz radio, but now that they don't have problem with running away/randomly firing, I think I am going to go for a Tiger 1 Pro with the old standard radio at a even lower price.

Next question, I have been reading up proportional speed control. I understand that with the smoke and sound version, forward and backward speed is proportional. Can I assume that the turret is not proportional control and will only spin at 1 speed? If so, how difficult/expensive would the upgrade be? For me, RC is all about dynamics so that will probably be the first thing that I will be upgrading.

Gosh, I'm already thinking about upgrades and I don't even have a tank yet!

[wibblywobbly]

Well may I just say that you are asking all of the right questions before parting with your hard earned cash. Due to the developments that have taken place in the range of tanks available, the ever growing list of manufacturers, the variety of electronics and the increase of post war tanks...it is all a bit of a minefield for anyone thinking of buying one.

The bottom line for most is cost, and how much it ends up costing you depends on what you intend doing with the tank.

They come in two varieties.
One fires airsoft pellets - Good for playing with friends in the garden etc.
The other uses infra red to hit other tanks.

Anyone sticking with airsoft will have a pretty economical time with the hobby, a tank comes with an airsoft gun and away you go.
Infra red is only available as standard on Tamiya tanks, though even then you have to buy their sensor apple as an 'optional extra, and the aren't cheap.

What most do is get hold of a Heng Long/Mato/Torro tank and make it how they want it to be. This can range from all plastic to all metal to anything in between There are literally stacks of suppliers with mountains of upgrade and detailing parts for almost every tank out there. What you can't buy, you can make. It's what many of us do, and is the backbone of the hobby - that elusive build that is historically accurate in every respect (it doesn't actually exist, lol, someone, somewhere will spot the error).

You can't go wrong with a Tiger, and getting one that already has upgrade parts is the best way forward, as the parts cost an arm and a leg to buy afterwards, and then you are left with the original parts that you just paid good money for. That said, there is nothing wrong with nylon tracks, sprockets and gearboxes, heck, even the 2.4ghz HL RX18 drive board is a marvel of modern science.

The HL 2.4ghz board is very good, for what it is. Cheap, durable, and yes, proportional and easy to control. Much better than the old ones.

If you want to go IR battling, especially if there is a club near you, then you have four or five options.

1. Tamiya
2. Elmod Fusion
3. IBU
4. Clark
5. Darkith

Depending on what you want to spend and how good you are with a soldering iron, there is something in that list to suit all pockets and requirements. They all provide sound, except the Darkith system, though this can be hooked up to a Benedini board.

HL are bringing out RX18's with what seem to be Tamiya sound files on them, which is quite astounding considering what they are.

If you want to get a taster of the sounds that the different systems produce then You Tube is a great place to look. Read the video description etc and it usually tells you which board is in the tank. We all have our favourites, I have three different board systems in my tanks and they all do what it says on the tin.

Hope that helps, and we are all happy to answer questions, give views and opinions etc.

Rob

[cpl1234]

Thanks, you talk about the HL 2.4Ghz board, the Tiger 1 that I am looking at does not have the 2.4Ghz radio. Does that mean it won't have proportional control?

[MichaelC]

The old crystal (27 Mhz) does not have proportional control. I know that the 2.4 Ghz Heng Long says it does, I never find it to be much different until you get to the after market electronics that Rob mentioned. An even with that, I find that there is difference as well as some are still better than others. I am mostly a Clark board guy from sheer numbers, but I recently purchased couple of IBU board and I can tell you that the difference is night and day and this is all with better after market electronics.

I think if you are in to RC in other stuff, you will find the stock electronics lacking and it will be the first thing you would upgrade to. So I still think you should get the tank that you really like rather than trying to get the better stock electronics because it will be junked either way.

[wibblywobbly]

If you really want an insight into how advanced electronics have become take a look at the Elmod system setup screens on this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17673&start=20

The sound system is simply astounding, and the options to configure how the tank runs are pretty much limitless. I have just installed one in an M36B1 that I built, not complicated at all, and it's the closest that you will get to driving a real one.

I have a Clark in another tank, and find that great for fast tank use in battles, totally non-scale speeds and acceleration etc, but good fun.

You may not be aware that the HL/Taigen 2.4ghz systems are not industry standard, hence if you install an aftermarket board you will also need a tx/rx, though if you have any standard 4 channel ones in amongst your gear they will do the job.

[C.V.R.T.Andy]

The challenger 2 is amazing and very big you could not go wrong getting that ..

[cpl1234]

Got caught up at work and can't get to the model shop before they shut, so have to be either tomorrow or Monday before I can get there to buy a tank now.

Wibblywobbby, that Elmod control unit looks great, but I think maybe a bit overkill for me at the moment seeing that I still haven't got the tank, but It's not that expensive for what it is. Will probably spend a few weeks setting it up to exactly how I want if I get it. Need to wait a bit for the pound to go back up a little bit before I go for it though. Certainly one of the first things on my list to upgrade.

[cpl1234]

Got a Tiger 1 pro version today from the local-ish model shop, charged up the battery, couldn't believe I have to wait 4 hours! I've been spoiled by fast chargers. I must collect my RC car stuff from my parent's house soon. Did a lot of work around the house for 4 hours though which is good.

It is definitely quite impressive considering how much it cost. Haven't had so much fun for a while. I particularly like the way that it will just run over anything.

I think the not so good forward and backward slight proportional speed control is liveable for now. The only complaint is the "super-spin" which has no proportional control at all. The non proportional turret is also OK for now. So the question is, which is the cheapest way to get proportional "super-spin"?

There is also a slight problem with my tank. If I go top right on the radio, it turns right by just spinning the left track. However if I go top left, it spin the right track only to turn left, but very slowly. I have to move the stick slightly to the right for it to speed up. Reverse is all OK.

For me, this can normally be sorted out by just trimming the radio. However, there does not seem to be any trim function on my radio. There are sliders but they seem to be fake as they don't move?

Is there any way to adjust it or do I just have to live with it before upgrading the radio and board?