HI New to this so questions.

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Cultana
Kettenrad Driver
Kettenrad Driver
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2018 12:56 pm

HI New to this so questions.

Post by Cultana » Sun Sep 23, 2018 1:01 pm

Hi.
Ok big post.
I am new to this and have spent a bit of time reading a few forums and checking out various brands and their options for an RC tank or 2.

It seems most are only available from overseas, though may be wrong.

Tank brands/maufactures:
From what I seem to observe the following are the main 1:16 tank brands around:
Tamiya
Heng Long
Taigen
Matorro
Torro
WSN
Mato
I am not sure if WSN and Torro are the same brand.

Also some brands only sell airsoft/BB tanks others sell both airsoft/BB and IR versions of the same tank.

The IR systems:
From what I understand some brands IR systems are not compatible with others, while some brands have a compatible IR system.
I have seen on the web some Heng Long conversions to IR and the IR receiver/light thingy seems to diminish the whole reason for a good scaled tank.

It appears in some cases it is almost a situation of scuttling the innards of a tank and rebuild, (Unamused).

In essence, in view of the IR system compatibility:
1. Which brands provide this compatibility?
2. Which brands provide the least amount of modification for this compatibility?

Choice from there I suspect is personal preference.
To ask for preference is a bit like to asking a Holden/Ford fanatic what is the best car to buy or a Toyota/Nissan fanatic what is the best 4X4 to buy.

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phyrephish
King Tiger Commander
King Tiger Commander
Posts: 135
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 10:24 am

Re: HI New to this so questions.

Post by phyrephish » Mon Sep 24, 2018 3:26 pm

Hi Cultana

Welcome to the forum. I shall have a go at some of your questions....

It seems most are only available from overseas, though may be wrong.

You are unlikely to find the higher cost Chinese tanks here in Australia (Taigen/Imex, Mato). Only the cheap Heng Longs from suppliers on eBay. The larger hobby stores will stock Tamiya. There are a number of reasons for this. Aust stores like RCTA avoid stocking the Chinese tanks as more often it is cheaper for people to buy direct from OS and because of the quality of the product and Australian consumer law. The cheaper Chinese tanks typically need to be modified for durability and the electrics completely replaced. First up buyers do not expect this. They break within a week and the customer wants a refund. Hence it is not economical for us at least to stock those thanks. Similarly the deals that Tamiya has with their suppliers means that Tank specialist stores can't get a look in with their product.

As for the brands most of the Chinese Tanks all come from the same mould/factories in particular, Heng Long, Taigen, Torro. Mato has more recently made a nome for itself by using metal in those moulds rather than ABS. The electrics are either by Heng Long or Taigen/Torro. The Chinese exception is WSN which is closer to the Trumpeter moulds and these unit also have their own electrics. There is also Hooben which make some interesting tank models and various high end all metal manufacturers. Whilst Tamiya have their own builds and electrics which is of a somewhat higher standard than any of the cheaper Chinese offerings.

Also some brands only sell airsoft/BB tanks others sell both airsoft/BB and IR versions of the same tank.

All tanks can be converted from airsoft to IR. If a Heng Long/Taigen tank is a "smoke and sound" unit the controller inside can handle both IR and airsoft. If you are particularly after a certain tank for IR but find that it only available in airsoft that does not really matter.

From what I understand some brands IR systems are not compatible with others, while some brands have a compatible IR system.

In truth NO brand is "compatible" with any other brand. They can not be as that company would be copying the IR codes of another brand. Each tank maker that also makes the electrics will have their own IR codes. It is only aftermarket enterprises such as RCTA, El Mod, and so on that offer their own electronics that provide any compatibility. That compatibility is to use the Tamiya IR code. It is not that the Tamiya code is better than any other (it is actually the worse) it is just that Tamiya were the "first on the block" so to speak.

I have seen on the web some Heng Long conversions to IR and the IR receiver/light thingy seems to diminish the whole reason for a good scaled tank.

I assume that you are talking about the "mushroom". Not every one posting on the web know what they are on about nor what is available but they certainly believe they do. There are IR receiver units out there that can be concealed inside the cupola ( our TigerRing and PantherRing for example) or are available as low profile units (our Piranha). Or one can come up with a way to mount IR receivers themselves. Even without a concealed unit the mushrooms can often simply be unplugged when not required for battle.

In essence, in view of the IR system compatibility:
1. Which brands provide this compatibility?



Before you start getting hung up on IR compatibility you need to ask yourself just who will you be battling against?

If it is just you then it really doesn't matter - Just get all the same brand. Cos remember NO brand is compatible with any other brand.

If you plan to go to a club then the will most likely be using the Tamiya protocol. HOWEVER, there will be people there with un-modded Heng Long or Taigen tanks so battles with other HLs or Taigens could be possible.

2. Which brands provide the least amount of modification for this compatibility?

If you are wanting to use the Tamiya Protocol then buy a Tamiya and you will have no "modifications" but you will be building from scratch.

However, for the main chinese brands Heng Long & Taigen all that you need do is buy a MAKO. A Mako is a small board made by us that simply goes in between your control unit and your mushroom/IR emitter. MAKO acts as an IR interpreter allowing Heng Long, Taigen/Torro and all other tanks/controllers using the Tamiya protocol to play happy battles together. It is the simplest method to provide the greatest compatibility for IR in Heng Long and Taigen Tanks.

Cheers
KG
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Cultana
Kettenrad Driver
Kettenrad Driver
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2018 12:56 pm

Re: HI New to this so questions.

Post by Cultana » Tue Sep 25, 2018 12:04 pm

I thought I posted a reply to phyrephish useful reply. Seems to have vanished.

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