Radio-controlled (or R-C) cars are self-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance by using a specialized transmitter. "R/C" is often used to mean both "remote controlled" and "radio controlled". "Remote controlled", also include vehicles that are connected to their transmitter by a wire, therefore the common use of "R/C" at present usually refers to vehicles controlled by a radio-frequency connection.
R C Racing has become in recent years one of the most popular “man Toys” available in today’s market place; these products are exhilarating if you’re eight or eighty.
You should be aware that there are two primary grades of this type vehicle: “Toy Grade” and “Hobby Grade”. The term "toy" or "toy-grade" with regard to radio control cars is used to describe vehicles that are pre-assembled and are generally found in discount stores and consumer electronics stores such as Radio Shack. Some toy-grade R/C models may also be found in hobby shops in their attempt to gain more market share. Cost of course is one of the main advantages of toy-grade R/C vehicles. Toy class vehicles are usually modeled after real cars, and often feature details that hobby class vehicles lack, like working lights, sounds, windows (not windows that really work); they may also be equipped with opening doors and hoods.
Toy-grade R/C cars are characteristically manufactured with an expressed focus on design and the reduction of production costs. Such vehicles are generally made with a non-standard motor, non-replaceable chassis parts and a single electronic circuit board which is integrated into the design of the vehicle. This makes them difficult, if not impossible to repair. Additional disadvantages include (but are not limited to) the steering which is typically not proportional … usually such vehicles have three positions: straight, full left, and full right; there is no proportional "throttle" either, with stopped and full power frequently being the only options.
The more expensive hobby-grade "ready-to-run" (or "RTR") models have become available from almost every major manufacturer of radio-controlled cars, which is attracting many hobbyists today. This type vehicle needs little or no final assembly and in most cases, the bodies are shipped already painted and trimmed, thus requiring little or no work from the owner before they can be used except for purchasing and installing the required type of batteries. Fortunately for us, a large number of cars and trucks of this type are available.
In a broad sense, the Hobby-grade / RTR vehicle is just better over all. One should consider that they can be repaired if broken (electric motors are standardized for example); steering is more realistic; if necessary, chasses can be replaced; and speed can be regulated or controlled.
Electrically powered vehicles of the RTR or hobby-grade utilize mechanical or electronic speed control units to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electric motor. The power delivered is proportional to the amount of throttle called for by the transmitter; in other words, the further you pull the trigger backwards, the faster it goes; when you release the trigger a smooth stop results by way of a “magnetic brake” deriving from the electric motor. Perhaps a good analogy may be the “Jake Brake” that is pretty much standard equipment on over the road trucks these days but the magnetic brake is better.
RTR Electric cars have come a long way in terms of power as well. Radio Controlled Electric cars have gone from non-rebuildable brushed motors and NiCad batteries (which is a nickel cadmium based rechargeable) to brushless motors (more powerful than brushed motors) and LiPo or lithium polymer rechargeable batteries. Most hobbyists’ consider both these factors to be improvements overall, but some believe that the NiCad rechargeable battery, although a bit heavier, is more than capable to serve your RC needs just as well as the LiPo rechargeable; and as a rule they are not as expensive.
Keep in mind that RC Racing (RTR Racing) most definitely falls into the “Man Toy” category and all of your man toy needs can readily be filled at almost any hobby store.
Sources …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_car
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