Confused about Heng Long Abrams versions-NG needs some help!

[TnMtnMan]

Hi all, brand new guy here-I've tried to search for this and didn't find a clear answer-if you want to shoot me to a link rather than answering, that's great. So, I just learned about these detailed RC tank models a couple weeks ago and have been doing a lot of research, watching videos, etc. Interested in the Heng Long versions, seems like they have a lot of value. So, looking at the Heng Long web site, the Tucan site and Amazon-I am confused about the wide range of prices and variations and am not clear what is in different "levels". OK, forget the metal chassis versions-out of my price range. Within the rest of their "versions" are they basically the same "core", with different upgrades? Looking at this Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/wheelfun-Customi ... r=1-5&th=1 is the $346 version basically the same as the $185, but with the various metal upgrades? (I see the higher end versions offer 360 degree turret rotation-is this something nice to have?

My preference would be to start with a low-end kit and gradually upgrade, mostly for the experience of upgrading. I'd like to the metal tracks, sprockets, roadwheels later; lets me paint/detail them without taking a brand new tank down to do so. I'm not opposed to paying more for a higher end version if it gains me things I can't cost-effectively do later. Also, I see some high end versions (not in that link) have FPV cameras. Is that also something I can add later-from what videos I've seen, looks possible.

Thanks for your patience with noob questions, looking forward to this hobby!

[Jib]

So, only two companies make Abrams, Tamiya and Henglong (scratch that I think Mato used to make a full metal one once upon a time). If you’re looking at ones that are under $1800 new, then it’s a HL variation.

I say variation because like you have seen, HL and its various sellers sell them in various states of upgraded-ness. There is as well, a NEW version of the HL Abrams out in circulation now.

In general, HL tanks come in 3 flavors, Standard (everything is plastic), Upgrade (drive gears are metal), Professional (drive gears, wheels, and track are all metal).

Beyond that, some places, like Toucan Hobby for instance, will sell versions with additional upgrades (360° rotation, gun smoke, FPV, metal lower chassis, laser aiming light, etc.).

From what it sounds like, you would like to get a bottom of the barrel Standard edition. Nothing wrong with that if that’s what you want/what your budget allows. HOWEVER, you WILL spend more over time upgrading your tank to Upgrade and/or Professional edition quality just because of the price of buying the upgrades separately (as opposed to a package deal) AND shipping. But, that cost will be spread out over time, which may make it hurt less from a budgeting perspective.

My advice always is, buy the Professional Edition. If you can’t afford it now, just save your money until you can. Believe me, there are PLENTY of electronic doodads, aesthetic things, and mechanical things to upgrade starting with a Professional Edition of a tank.

I wouldn’t buy any of the ones with the extra gimmicks (FPV, gun smoke, 360° rotation, laser aiming light, etc.) as these are upgrades fairly easily done by yourself for less money I think. You just buy a kit and do the install.

Back to what I was saying earlier specific to the Abrams, there is an old and new version. The new version has actual torsion bars, while the old has springs. There has been some debate as to whether or not the tank is heavy enough to warrant torsion bars, but I have the old version, so I can’t speak to that.

If you are looking for what you can upgrade post Professional Edition there are a few good build logs for Abrams scattered around here.

[RobW]

360 looks good but if not fitted well will still wrap wires up in the hull so it's not perfect. I tend to take it out now as it's a pain extracting the control board from the turret....

Pro may be cheaper overall but basic & upgrades may be more fun. It's also cheaper if you muck something up! Keep all of the bits you take off for the next one you buy. Metal may or may not improve performance but also look out for DKLM's and/or Cults etc body kits for the looks. The base kit can look very different with all of the reactive armour/cages/junk on the outside.

[TIGER RAMPAGE]

So, only two companies make Abrams, Tamiya and Henglong (scratch that I think Mato used to make a full metal one once upon a time). If you’re looking at ones that are under $1800 new, then it’s a HL variation.

I say variation because like you have seen, HL and its various sellers sell them in various states of upgraded-ness. There is as well, a NEW version of the HL Abrams out in circulation now.

In general, HL tanks come in 3 flavors, Standard (everything is plastic), Upgrade (drive gears are metal), Professional (drive gears, wheels, and track are all metal).

Beyond that, some places, like Toucan Hobby for instance, will sell versions with additional upgrades (360° rotation, gun smoke, FPV, metal lower chassis, laser aiming light, etc.).

From what it sounds like, you would like to get a bottom of the barrel Standard edition. Nothing wrong with that if that’s what you want/what your budget allows. HOWEVER, you WILL spend more over time upgrading your tank to Upgrade and/or Professional edition quality just because of the price of buying the upgrades separately (as opposed to a package deal) AND shipping. But, that cost will be spread out over time, which may make it hurt less from a budgeting perspective.

My advice always is, buy the Professional Edition. If you can’t afford it now, just save your money until you can. Believe me, there are PLENTY of electronic doodads, aesthetic things, and mechanical things to upgrade starting with a Professional Edition of a tank.

I wouldn’t buy any of the ones with the extra gimmicks (FPV, gun smoke, 360° rotation, laser aiming light, etc.) as these are upgrades fairly easily done by yourself for less money I think. You just buy a kit and do the install.

Back to what I was saying earlier specific to the Abrams, there is an old and new version. The new version has actual torsion bars, while the old has springs. There has been some debate as to whether or not the tank is heavy enough to warrant torsion bars, but I have the old version, so I can’t speak to that.

If you are looking for what you can upgrade post Professional Edition there are a few good build logs for Abrams scattered around here.

Just for the record Tongde and Hooben also make a version of the M1 Abrams although I wouldn't recommend the Hooben.

[Jib]

Didn’t know either of these made an M1!

Hooben has a sketchy track record when it comes to quality and often seems overpriced, and at $775 this seems to be the case here, unless the hull is metal.

TongDe’s M1A2 TUSKII actually looks cheaper (in a bad way) than the HL. The sound effects are even worse than HL, there’s no gun recoil, no stock 360° rotation, the protective shield on the commanders machine gun is upside down, and the Airsoft feed is in the CITV, meaning you will most likely have to delete the Airsoft feed if you want to have a motorized CITV.

Both are a big thumbs down from me. Stick with the HL version. If you have extra cash to burn for a Hooben, use it to buy Toucan Hobby’s metal lower hull for their Abrams instead.

[ColemanCollector]

Lots of good advice above. A bit of Heng Long jargon to watch for:
Metal gears--these are cast zinc alloy gears that are fairly crude, roughly finished, and noisy. Generally considered junky.
Steel gears--these are cut steel gears that mesh better but are still fairly noisy. Definitely the better sets to get.
Plastic--a nylon type gear and quieter than the metal/steel ones. Pretty robust but if you want to fit metal wheels, tracks etc and run outside you might be better with the steel gears.

Which begs the question--how often, and hard, do you see running your tank? The all plastic version might just fit the bill, and leave some cash left over for some sweet add-ons...or a second tank!
I run mine indoors and not a whole lot, so all plastic suits me just fine. Out of 11 tanks, only one has metal tracks and sprockets/idler, and only because I bought it used that way.

So many decisions!

Mike.

[tankme]

There is also a Hobby Engine Abrams or a Hobby Zone Abrams in 1/16...don't buy either of those.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon,
TankMe has the Right of it. My very first 1/16 tank after returning to the Hobby after 2000 was a Hobby Engine Abrams M1. I purchased it for the munificent sum of 69.00 used from an Online owner. I loved it and wore the tracks right off of it. It had some interesting features but was basically, a big RC Toy. There was a guy here on the Forum, ( Tankbear), who put a lot of Time into redoing the electronics on the Hobby Engine Abrams into something RC-like. After other Manufacturers started coming out with Tanks in 1/16 with regular RC, I don't think that Tankbear put any more effort into that type of Abrams. He was my source for a set of replacement tracks for mine. Heng Long had brought out their Tiger 1 and once I was able to get my hands on one, I was hooked for real and gave my Abrams away to a Friend to try to get them interested in Big Scale RC Tanks. So much more to chose from nowadays. Good Luck and Have Fun with whatever you get. ( Just don't get a Hobby Engine Abrams ;0)
regards,
Painless

Golden Oldy.JPG (110.05 KiB) Viewed 47 times

[TnMtnMan]

Thanks for all the input. Just ordered the "pro" edition HL from MotionRC. I looked at adding the metal track/sprockets/road wheels and idlers after-but the price delta wasn't trivial, vs just buying the pro version. Looking forward to this new hobby! Impressed with how helpful everyone on this forum has been. Over time I'll probably upgrade to the SEPV2 version, maybe even add the Trophy setup. But that's a bit down the road. Already have an airbrush and compressor, need to learn about painting/detailing/weathering. Don't want to go crazy and make it too fragile.

Really want a Merkava, I just find it an interesting tank. But it looks a little more involved from a build standpoint and accessories are a lot more limited. Hey, maybe the next one.

Been looking at some of the 1/16 scale "accessories" already. One thing I haven't found yet is the lenses or "glass" for the periscopes/vision blocks/sights. Anyone carry them as a kit, or are they something you have to scratch build?

[Meter rat]

John, at East Coast Armour used to make a set of lenses. Failing that they are really easy to make from 2mm clear plastic.