Is there an unsaid "rule" that Infrared is superior?

[Tiger111]

Greetings to all the fellow members and guests here at the forum!
Today I'm posting a quick question concerning Infrared models vs. Airsoft models. I currently own a HL standard Tiger I, which already came as an airsoft model (its HengLong's standard) and I have to say, unlike what most people may think I seem to like the idea of airsoft more than Infrared systems..... maybe its just me. I do understand that you can't actually have battles with the airsoft systems, but it never bothers me. I'd prefer myself to reenact tank battles with airsoft BBs shot at each others' tanks like with tactical airsoft (kind of like lasertag or paintball, but with airsoft guns and gear). My question is that is their an unsaid "rule" in RC tanking community that if you have an airsoft tank model it is considered "inferior"? Is infrared the standard for the Hobbyists' world? And finally, would having airsoft models in the future affect my ability to possibly join a RC tanking club? If anyone has the answers to any of my questions, it would be appreciated!

[wibblywobbly]

It isn't a matter of inferior. It's down to three factors, one is that with infrared there are no BB's to find and take home afterwards (try that in a grassy field), then there is the 30-40m range of an IR beam. You can also add that if someone has just spent a year scratch building a masterpiece of a tank, and giving it airbrush detailing, along with brass etch parts...they really are not going to take kindly to anyone firing bb's at it.

I don't know of a tank club that caters for airsoft tanks, but that doesn't stop anyone starting one? Bear in mind that ten tanks firing say 5 bb's a minute, that's 50 bb's per minute, so if you had a ten minute battle...you do the maths? That's a lot of cleaning up to do afterwards.

[Tiger111]

I see the reasons are pretty clear now! Thank you!

[Tiggr]

It's nice to get one of each every time you buy a particular prototype.

The muzzle flash is a great effect, but then so is a bb ricocheting around my living room, particularly when it hits the radiator first.

[jarndice]

If you decide to use an airsoft Tank I would suggest you don't bother with the Pellets that come with the Tank they can be a source of trouble that an aftermarket pellet will avoid.
Shaun.

[Estnische]

I recall reading that some clubs will not operate with BBs so as not to risk injury, and subsequent legal action especially when running in public.

[Max-U52]

Bear in mind that ten tanks firing say 5 bb's a minute, that's 50 bb's per minute, so if you had a ten minute battle...you do the maths? That's a lot of cleaning up to do afterwards.

This is why I use bio-degradable BBs.

[Max-U52]

To answer the OP, no, IR is not superior. About 90% of all tank sales today are airsoft tanks. It all depends on your preference, but the quality of most tank manufacturers is the same for IR and airsoft, even though the Taigen/Torro/Imex group are the only ones still making IR (except Tamiya, of course).

There are guys that have airsoft battles, and I've seen a method where they attach a balloon and the goal is to hit your opponent's balloon to score a kill.

[Arnie_DK]

If you want, you can get a spare turret for almost any tank now a days and then just swap the turret for when you want IR or Airsoft

I also heard from Erik at Taigen tanks, that most of their sales in the US are Airsoft. Thats why they wont remove the track recoil...it helps the BB tanks reload

[B_Man]

For me personally, my main interest is in building scale models that move and sound something like the real thing. I don't have the patience or skill to be a proper rivet counter but I like things to look right and the BB barrel is pretty obviously out of scale for most WW2 guns. That said, none of my tanks have an IR mushroom or emitter installed either.