Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Radio-Controlled Microcar Review

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the matchbox-envy dept.

An anonymous reader writes "ExtremeTech test drives the latest in techy toys: a new wave of tiny radio-controlled cars from Asia. The site's RC car showdown pits the MicroSizer against the ZipZap. ExtremeTech tested the stock version of each car, but also added a faster engine to the ZipZap to see if it would boost speed."

193 comments

  1. Smaller = Better? by InnereNacht · · Score: 2

    They're neat little toys, I've seen a couple reviews of them in the past. They seem to get a pretty decent amount of battery life (compared to the average 12v RC car), some even have little charging stations on the controllers themselves.

    I still think I prefer the larger version RC cars though.. I'd like to see one come out with a mini fuel cell, that'd be slick.

    1. Re:Smaller = Better? by Flabby+Boohoo · · Score: 1

      No such thing as an average 12v RC car. The *average* electric RC car runs on a 7.2v, 6 cell battery pack.

      Even the cheap RC cars found at retail outlets are usually 4.8, 6.0 or 9vdc.

    2. Re:Smaller = Better? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe he was thinking of the Turbo Hopper from the '80s. That thing used 8 AA cells for 12V. It would use 6V for forward, the other 6V for reverse, and both for the turbo. I've never seen a 'toy' rc car since then that can go as fast as my beat up old Turbo Hopper. Kids get all excited when they see it go. It also had a manually-selectable gear ratio, so that it could torque its way through dirt and gravel as well.
      The only thing is that nobody has spare tires for it, the rear balloon tires are slick now, makes for better skids I guess...

    3. Re:Smaller = Better? by SScorpio · · Score: 1

      I still fondly remember my old Turbo Hopper. The only thing I hated about it was it chewed through the batteries, and then having to wait forever for them to recharge.

  2. Finally... by Gruneun · · Score: 5, Funny

    At least they decided to use 4 different frequencies. With 2 brothers, I can't tell you how many times we fought about who got to use their car at that time. It made for frustrating races when an annoyed benchwarmer would turn on his controller and flick the controls.

  3. R/C rice cars by red_dragon · · Score: 5, Funny

    But I wonder, when will I be able to add whale-tail spoilers, glasspack mufflers, 4-inch tailpipes, single-windshield-wiper mods, blue turn signal lenses, and Type R/VTEC logo stickers to one of those ZipZaps?

    --
    In Soviet Russia, Jesus asks: "What Would You Do?"
    1. Re:R/C rice cars by FaasNat · · Score: 5, Funny

      How about adding 1,000 watt amps and 15" subwoofers to wake the neighborhood up at 2am?

      --
      There's never enough when you have too little
    2. Re:R/C rice cars by windex · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You know, I see more morons driving Dodges and Ford's with that shit (including "type-r" and "vtec" stickers, beleive it or not) on their cars than I see with asian car drivers. The most extreme asian car in my area has a "Honda" sticker on the front windshield, hardly over the wall, but there's a guy with a POS cavialer that has racing stripes / coffee can / etc. Mabye it's regional.

      Oh, I drive a Acura RSX, and while it does have some work done under the hood, it looks exactally the way it did when it left the dealer on the outside. :)

    3. Re:R/C rice cars by gfxguy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why waste your money on the upgrade pack ($8.00) when you can just add a "TypeR" sticker to make it go faster?

      --
      Stupid sexy Flanders.
    4. Re:R/C rice cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      The ZipZaps have a 'The Fast And the Furious' upgrade pack. So, I guess the answer is: yes.

    5. Re:R/C rice cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ricers make baby Jesus cry.

    6. Re:R/C rice cars by nolife · · Score: 1

      You might be a ricer if...

      Or check out the Hall of Shame at the Rice-Boy page.

      --
      Bad boys rape our young girls but Violet gives willingly.
    7. Re:R/C rice cars by BigJimSlade · · Score: 2

      The last article I read about these on /. said that they were planning on bringing out kits to mimic the cars from "The Fast and The Furious", so you won't have to wait long!

    8. Re:R/C rice cars by dirkdidit · · Score: 1

      LOL It's definitely not just regional. People "pimp" out the crappiest cars around here. A 16 year old kid with a Honda Civic and many stickers is supposedly cool. Go figure huh?

    9. Re:R/C rice cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      LMAO, I work at RadioShack, we carry them. There are Fast and Furious body kits, rims, stickers, even different, more powerful engines that one can put in it. Been playing with em quite a bit. All of em charge on the controller. have a good amount of bettery life in a charge. The only problem... is that of range.. it's about six feet. though much further and you wouldn't be able to see the little buggers anyway.

    10. Re:R/C rice cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But the real question is, can I get small enough furry dice's for these?

    11. Re:R/C rice cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was more so refering to the type of car being regional. :) I know it happens everywhere.

  4. Just a passing fad by Yusaku+Godai · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I haven't seen either of the cars in the review, but when I lived in Japan lots of people had one called "Char-G" and it they were rediculous little things. Hobby stores had whole floors full of customizations for these things: faster motors, custom frame parts, etc... When it came right down to it though they're just not that fun to play with. They don't have the all terrain capabilities of regular-sized RC cars. When I played with my friend's Char-G it was only fun for about 15 minutes....and all I did was make it zoom around in a figure 8 for a bit and run it down a few flights of stairs "to test its durability" then it had to be recharged and after that I didn't really feel like playing with it anymore.

    1. Re:Just a passing fad by Yusaku+Godai · · Score: 1

      The range also stinks. You have to follow them around everywhere. Sure it's small, but that doesn't make it fun considering the full-sized RC cars that can do everything.

    2. Re:Just a passing fad by Dalroth · · Score: 5, Funny

      You clearly don't live in an apartment with 100% wooden floors and a puppy terrier.

    3. Re:Just a passing fad by Yusaku+Godai · · Score: 2, Informative

      Sounds like fun. Just make sure he/she doesn't eat it -_^ Terriers in particular seem to like eating/choking on small moving things in my experience

    4. Re:Just a passing fad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ridiculous - worthy of ridicule
      not rediculous

    5. Re:Just a passing fad by Bob+McCown · · Score: 3, Funny
      Terriers in particular seem to like eating/choking on small moving things in my experience

      Ill take that statement out of context, if you dont mind...

    6. Re:Just a passing fad by AzrealAO · · Score: 1

      The MicroSizer's are US Rebranded Tomy BitChar-G'ers.

    7. Re:Just a passing fad by Yusaku+Godai · · Score: 1

      I know. I always misspell that word. Who are you, Claudia? >_>

    8. Re:Just a passing fad by Rob+Parkhill · · Score: 2

      I picked a very similar R/C car up at a Discovery Channel store months back (looks like the same chasis, different brand name). My 150lb Newfoundland dog is TERRIFIED of it! Kinda like a mouse and an elephant. Pretty funny.

      --
      "Tomorrow's forecast: a few sprinkles of genius with a chance of doom!" - Stewie Griffin
    9. Re:Just a passing fad by drinkypoo · · Score: 2
      If you want a moderately small but still entertaining RC car, consider HPI's Micro RS4. They're considerably more expensive but they're very fast. They do not however have a lot of ground clearance. They are built like a (somewhat smaller) 1:10 scale car, and they move like one, too. They are AWD which helps traction on varying surfaces. Like other very small cars they are not suitable for anything deeper than office carpet (IE, the stuff that survives chairs being rolled all over it.) You can also race them outside on fresh tarmac or concrete.

      Actually they have almost as much ground clearance as 1:10 scale saloon racers. I broke the shit out of my 1:10 scale impreza (A Schumacher SST2000) by hitting a ~0.5" crack in a concrete street at about 28mph... and that's an electric car. Some of the nitroethylene-powered cars will do 50 mph out of the box. Well, once you break in the engine anyway.

      Personally I'm waiting for a R/C truck or buggy about the size of a Stomper (remember those? Ran on 1 AA battery? you could build tracks for them in the sandbox?) with working suspension rather than the stomper's fixed axles. I'd even settle for independent front and a fixed rear, if I had to.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  5. been there, dansdata's done that by Heywood+Yabuzof · · Score: 3, Informative


    Pretty cool, I always like when "serious" sites review toys and neat gadgets - although I usually check out Dan's Data for that kind of thing.

    I was kind of surprised to see it on Extreme Tech this morning. ;-)

  6. But really, by tcd004 · · Score: 2, Troll

    The tiny body panels of these things won't hold nearly enough lighter fluid to allow me to recreate the crazy hot stunz I so enjoy. I much prefer to create basketball-sized flaming heaps of molded plastic.

    Read Richard Gere's Ass Zoo.
    tcd004

    1. Re:But really, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Crazy Hot Stuntz? Whew, for a second I read that as ICEY HOT STUNTAZ...

  7. Not sure by BaronVonDuvet · · Score: 3, Insightful
    The article says "Here in the US only two frequencies, 27MHz and 49 MHz are licensed for wireless toys, and are used. That means only two cars can race each other at once, because otherwise the signals will conflict. You can find Asian imports in some places that operate at the other three frequencies, but they are not FCC-approved for the US."

    Sadly it is a real pain not being able to race more than 2 at times.

    1. Re:Not sure by Gruneun · · Score: 3, Funny

      Figures. My youngest brother is 21 now, but I can still see us beating the crap out of each other to determine who gets to race.

    2. Re:Not sure by GigsVT · · Score: 2, Interesting

      IIRC there are several channels within the 49Mhz band. Otherwise it would be impossible to have RC airplane rallys.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    3. Re:Not sure by tetra103 · · Score: 1

      That was my angle to the whole 2 challel sceme. I played with one of these slick racers, but didn't opt to buy one myself because of the lame fun of only being able to race one other person. Now, how hard would it have been to use one channel coded for multiple devices (say 16 cars)? Damn, could you imagine the fun of setting up a track with 16 cars! I guess the next mod will be the mash-up derby bodies. Would love one of these suckers with a crumpled 67 chevy body with a hood that explosed on impact.

    4. Re:Not sure by fmaxwell · · Score: 2

      Sadly it is a real pain not being able to race more than 2 at times.

      I just picked up a 35mhz unit at a little kiosk in a mall. Works great. No problems at all. I specifically got that frequency because it is not FCC approved in the U.S. and, thus, less likely to be subject to interference from other RC vehicles.

    5. Re:Not sure by Student_Tech · · Score: 2, Informative

      I think for the RC planes they are using the 72mhz band, many channels and IIRC illegal for ground based items to use.
      It would be nice however if you could get these little cars running at 75 mhz, many channels there and legal for ground based items.

      From http://www.easyrc.com/radiosystems/radiosystems4.h tml
      Aircraft Use Only (72 megahertz, Channels 11 - 60)
      Surface Use Only (75 megahertz, Channels 61-90)
      All Uses (27 megahertz, Channel Code A1-A6)

    6. Re:Not sure by Oms · · Score: 1

      Hmmm, apropos to that recent CDMA vs. GSM story, it sounds like someone needs to come up with a CDMA-like scheme for these things, so that multiple cars can share the same frequency.

    7. Re:Not sure by N3MCB · · Score: 2, Informative

      Unless you have a Ham license -- there are frequencies allocated in the 6m (50-54MHz) amateur band for remote control. You must have at least a technician class license and follow some rules about having your callsign on the transmitter. You'd have to retune the transmitter and receiver but that is most likely just a new crystal since there isn't much of a front end on those things anyway and 47MHz is pretty close to 50MHz as far as the basic circuit design is considered.

    8. Re:Not sure by AlgUSF · · Score: 1

      Well not really, when I used to race RC cars as a kid (High end ones). We had removable crystals in the back of the controller, our cars would operate at 27.XXXXMHz, if the XXXX (I don't remember if it was 3 or 4 X's) was different we wouldn't interfere with each other.

      --


      I want my rights back. I was actually using them when our government stole them after 9/11.
    9. Re:Not sure by drinkypoo · · Score: 2
      Uh, the article is goddamned ignorant. I've personally participated in races involving four 1:10 scale cars. You don't need an entire MHz of bandwidth to control a radio control car. It's actually enough to have something like one-thousandth of that.

      One assumes that the bands are somewhat closer together for surface vehicles, because typically they only require two channels. Ritzy ones (like those with selectable forward/reverse) have three channels. Planes, on the other hand, often require four channels, and some radio control vehicles use as many as eight. Helicopters use five or six.

      this chart describes the frequencies available in Canada, not the US. But note how close together the various frequencies are.

      Frequencies-As mentioned earlier, there are different frequencies used for controlling aircraft and surface models. Government has allotted one aircraft frequency band (72 MHz) and one surface vehicle band (75 MHz) for use in controlling models. The separation is for public safety. Each band has quite a number of individual frequencies. In addition, some equipment may be available on ( 27 MHz ) which is the CB band or on 50 & 53 MHz which is for Amateur Radio operators and a Radio Amateur's operating license is required to use equipment on these frequencies. These Amateur Radio frequencies may only be available on some equipment and would always be on a special order basis only. Delivery is usually in the order of 6 to 8 weeks.
      (Introduction to the Radio's Controls. Radio Control Center, 1997.)

      So this is just plain lameness. I've personally witnessed more than 20 cars in operation at one time at the races sponsored by my former local hobby shop.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  8. good pricing? by phorm · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Pocket-sized radio controlled cars, available for $20 or less with controller -- and infinitely customizable -- are now taking the New World by storm

    These things are only $20? For a radio controller and car, that's a pretty good price. Hot wheels sets can cost $10-$20, you get more cars but they don't actually do anything.

    The next trick will for somebody on slashdot to post a page where they've made a *car mod* for their laptop/etc to interface with the RC

    1. Re:good pricing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Check out www.drivemeinsane.com for the car mod. This guy took a full size rc car, mounted a web cam on it, and you can control it from the web! (when he fixes it)

    2. Re:good pricing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The next trick will for somebody on slashdot to post a page where they've made a *car mod* for their laptop/etc to interface with the RC

      this should take only ~1 hr if you've got some Stamps or PIC16c's lying around and you know how to use them. Use a MAX232 to interface with the RS232... Still, i have _not_ seen a complete tutorial on doing such a thing, and it would be pretty cool.
      (on a side note, at one of the projects here at cornell, we are working on an rs232-controlled 3-prop tethered flying "thing". there is no way to cancel out the angular torque, so it _will_ sort of spin, but oh well :) )

    3. Re:good pricing? by Rogerborg · · Score: 2

      Holy heck, we could do a hardware version of the venerable Robot Auto Racing Simulator!

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    4. Re:good pricing? by tramm · · Score: 2
      phorm wrote:
      The next trick will for somebody on slashdot to post a page where they've made a *car mod* for their laptop/etc to interface with the RC
      How about a remote control helicopter that flies under control of the onboard Linux box? And it's all GPLed, too.
      --
      -- http://www.swcp.com/~hudson/
    5. Re:good pricing? by emil_nikolov · · Score: 1

      I bought a Zip-zap. Default models are horribly slow - 1.4mph. Even with the fastest motor it is still less than 4mph. The remote works only about 6-8 feet. All the other upgrades are just a fad - don't help performance at all. The cars are available in 2 frequencies, which means that only two people can play at the same time - sux. Me and my buddy returned them after 3-4 hours - it's not worth the $20.

      My matchbox cars are way faster when I push them ;-)

  9. Fun Stuff by Smilodon · · Score: 2, Informative

    Just got a set for my birthday (I'm now officially older than dirt), and they are great fun. Take a couple to a LAN party and watch the fun (until somebody steps on one)!

    1. Re:Fun Stuff by unicron · · Score: 2

      Then the fun really begins!

      --
      Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
  10. hmm.... by radiashun · · Score: 5, Funny

    are the shriner's included, or sold separately?

  11. Who remembers Mattel's Sizzlers? by loomis · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Back in the late 60's / early 60's Mattel struggled and then succeeded in developing a quick-charging small electric toy car. Although you couldn't steer these (ie - not remote controlled / ran on Hot Wheels track), Sizzlers were the first in the "quick charge run for a few minutes on battery power" category of small toy cars.

    Loomis

    --
    "The television is the retina of the mind's eye" - Videodrome
    1. Re:Who remembers Mattel's Sizzlers? by ch-chuck · · Score: 1

      Yeah, now that you mention it! And were'nt they charged by this thing shaped like a gas pump? Hehe. It had a couple of regular batteries and instead of a gas hose you plug it into a little jack for a bit? Hehehe.

      --
      try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
    2. Re:Who remembers Mattel's Sizzlers? by haa...jesus+christ · · Score: 0

      Back in the late 60's / early 60's

      so you mean the sixties? ;) sorry, couldn't resist.

    3. Re:Who remembers Mattel's Sizzlers? by jackjumper · · Score: 1

      Hey, I've still got one! Time to check Ebay...

    4. Re:Who remembers Mattel's Sizzlers? by porkchop_d_clown · · Score: 2

      I had a Sizzlers trike. I seem to remember that it even had a little biker man with a top hat.
      Man that was a long time ago.

      --
      Clear, Dark Skies
  12. Engine? by Neon+Spiral+Injector · · Score: 2, Informative

    Gah, I hate it when people call the engines in a car a motor, but that is technically correct, even though engine is a more accuracte term. On the other hand, engine is the completely wrong term for an electric motor.

    1. Re:Engine? by Yusaku+Godai · · Score: 1

      Yeah but these don't have engines--they just have tiny electro-magnetic motor. I'd like to see you try to build an engine that small -_^

    2. Re:Engine? by sporty · · Score: 1

      Gah, I hate it when people call the engines in a car a motor, but that is technically correct...

      So you hate people for being right? Did I miss something? :)

      --

      -
      ping -f 255.255.255.255 # if only

    3. Re:Engine? by Yarn · · Score: 2
      On the other hand, engine is the completely wrong term for an electric motor

      Um, why? Merriam-Webster:

      4 : a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion; also : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source <black holes may be the engines for quasars>


      This would seem to fit.
      --
      -Yarn - Rio Karma: Excellent
    4. Re:Engine? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow. You guys need to get girlfriends instead of worrying about stuff like this.

    5. Re:Engine? by Rogerborg · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sure, I once used to have very and involved debates about why "warp engine" was a misnomer and it should be "warp drive" or "warp motor". But then I got laid.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    6. Re:Engine? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      /me removes the bannana out of your ass

    7. Re:Engine? by belroth · · Score: 2
      Sure, I once used to have very and involved debates about why "warp engine" was a misnomer and it should be "warp drive" or "warp motor". But then I got laid.
      What, just the once?
      Sorry, couldn't resist :-)
      --
      I hereby inform you that I have NOT been required to provide any decryption keys.
  13. These are fun but..... by I_am_Rambi · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I have expirenced a few quirks about them.

    1. There is a limited distance with the remote (15 feet or so). Many times while I was playing with the car, I had to point the remote antenna directly at the car for it to move. I am assuming that the remote does not have alot of distance, since I expirenced this problem.
    2. The turning on these cars is hard. With the small controls on the remote, it is hard to keep the car turning nicely.
    3. Also, the motors in these cars do not have munch go. Me and a few friends tried to make the car go up a small ramp (very slow incline), and the car would not go. Upon trying it farther out, the car would still stop on this ramp.

    These cars are fun, but do not try to do many stunts with them, or else they will not work that well. They do work wonders on a flat surface.
    1. Re:These are fun but..... by sporty · · Score: 3, Funny

      Also, the motors in these cars do not have munch go. Me and a few friends tried to make the car go up a small ramp (very slow incline), and the car would not go. Upon trying it farther out, the car would still stop on this ramp.

      Two words: bottle rocket. You know you wanted to try it :)

      --

      -
      ping -f 255.255.255.255 # if only

    2. Re:These are fun but..... by AlgUSF · · Score: 1

      make sure to tap the report out of the top, otherwise you might blow it to bits.... :-)

      --


      I want my rights back. I was actually using them when our government stole them after 9/11.
    3. Re:These are fun but..... by kurtz25 · · Score: 1

      There are 3 motors available (for the Tomica ones). The 1.0 is the slowest, but has the most torque. That's what you want to use to climb ramps. It's also very maneouverable. The 2.2 is faster, less torque, but good for most applications. Then the 2.6 is just crazy fast--it's hard to control. But fast. So, long story short, get a different motor. Or different gears. They are customizable. That's the point.

    4. Re:These are fun but..... by cmpalmer · · Score: 1

      1. The limited range is, evidently, intentional. The first generation cars had much higher range, but with only 2 or 4 channels (depending on your country), it was hard to run simultaneous races without interference, so they put limiters on the transmitters. My ZipZaps car has a range of about 10' max.

      2. While proportional steering would be nice, the response time is fast enough to make fairly precision turns once you get the hang of it. Changing the gearing, tires, and suspension can also greatly affect your steering. With the fastest motor from Radio Shack and the slick tires, You can make drifting 180 degree spin turns, or tap the throttle and steering to make wider turns.

      3. This is a marketing gimmick to a large extent. The stock starter kits have the slowest motor. You have to buy the performance kits to get the faster ones (more $$). I did find a few sites with pictures of tracks in Japan that concentrate on obstacles and steering, so there are reasons to use the slower motors and different gear ratios to optimize your car for different tracks. If you are just zipping around the kitchen floor annoying the cat, just put in the fastest one you can find.

      Radio Shack -- you've got questions? we've got blank stares...

      --
      -- stream of did I lock the front door consciousness
  14. Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No K&N airfilter and badly installed head/amp/sub ICE that makes your badly fitted body panels vibrate?

  15. Boring! by ksplatter · · Score: 0, Troll

    After I read the first article about the ZipCrap^H^H^H^HZap I thought these things sounded awesome. So then I went over to the lcoal radio shack to take a look. The freaking thing is about the size Schlong (thats not saying much) and moves about as fast as an old lady whos fallen in her bathtub. Don't give me that argument either that to a freaking ANT the thing is going like 100 mph. Because I really don't care. I think they should take this concept and increase the size of the car about 4X. Then it would go like 100mph if I was a hamster. It would probably be pretty cool tthen. Right now it's just a waste of 20$.

    1. Re:Boring! by Gruneun · · Score: 5, Funny

      to a freaking ANT the thing is going like 100 mph

      You'll have to excuse me, since I'm just in one of those moods. From a technical standpoint, a mile is a mile, regardless if you're a human or an ant. However, if you meant the lesser known unit of measure, the ant-mile-per-hour, you would be correct that it would appear to be going 100 amph.

    2. Re:Boring! by homb · · Score: 1

      You look like you're the ideal candidate for methanol-based RC cars. Granted they're incredibly expensive ($400 or so), but they're big (1.5 feet) and they're ridiculously fast (about 40MPH).
      I have one and it's a total blast. The only real problem is maintenance. You musn't be afraid of grime... :)

    3. Re:Boring! by ksplatter · · Score: 1

      The troll mod was unnecessary. I was just pointing out that these little cars are not that much fun.

    4. Re:Boring! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With his grammar and attitude, I don't think that's a very safe thing to be sure about. ;p

    5. Re:Boring! by ksplatter · · Score: 1

      I sorry that I didn't properly explain all technical terms for the lamen out there. I made a mistake by assuming the intellect of the Slashdot community. I should have told you that to a freaking ant the thing is going like 100mph is the equivalent of to an ant the thing is going (ANT_T *) 100mph

      I also should have mentioned that you cannot cast a HUMAN_T type to properly account for the hamster to human ratio there for my second part of that statement shoud have read Then it would go (GERBIL_T *) 100mph.

      I hope that I have cleared up any confusion about my previous post.

    6. Re:Boring! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I sorry that I didn't properly explain all technical terms for the lamen out there.

      Lamen? Is that the low fat version of Ramen or something?

    7. Re:Boring! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, nitro and meth cars are great! But with all due respect, I sincerely doubt that sod could put one together--let alone maintain it.

    8. Re:Boring! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, it is a relative of the hamster. Also (incorrectly) associated with a penchant for mass suicide.

    9. Re:Boring! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Electric 1:12 scaled models can easily go 30MPH even 15 years ago...

  16. Another thing for 3-year olds to choke on! by 100MHzperhour · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Come and get your suffocation cars. Only $15.99 to die a slow horrible death from choking! Maybe the 38,000rpm motors may make you choke faster?

  17. 3 Inductors by snatchitup · · Score: 1

    And who said we don't use inductors anymore.

    This one uses 3. Most micro designs try to shy away from them for fear of their size.

  18. Re:Who remembers Mattel's Sizzlers? I had them by puto · · Score: 2

    I had these mattel babies with black snap together track. The track looked and felt as if it was made of hollowed out steel belts.

    The cars themselves had a walkman style female jack. The Track had the charger in the shape of a gas pump with two d batteries.

    They would last four about 3 minutes.

    They were fun even though you couldnt control them. They had headlights that worked and they also had dayglo paint.

    Puto

    --
    The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
  19. BitChargers Rule! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not quite the jazz of a US$1000.00 custom graphite 4WD 1/10th scale competition YZ, but they are fun nonetheless.

  20. thinkgeek has a nice pair by paranoos · · Score: 5, Informative
    check out http://thinkgeek.com/stuff/fun-stuff/5ad6.shtml

    they have an Audi TT and Subaru Impreza WRX... much faster than the ones reviewed here - 10mph!

    certainly, a larger r/c car is much more fun to play with, but it's been a long while for me.

    1. Re:thinkgeek has a nice pair by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They look nice but it doesn't look like you can customize them and the controller uses infrared--longer distance and no antenna but line-of-sight limited.

    2. Re:thinkgeek has a nice pair by NetDudeFL · · Score: 0

      These rock! 10mph. They are VERY fast...runs circles (literally) around the ones in this article.

  21. I will hold off purchasing these by Hayzeus · · Score: 5, Funny
    ... until they come out with the miniature Talladega track, complete with realistic infield and scale model naked, drunken rednecks with shotguns that really fire.

    That would be worth paying for.

    --

    Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
    1. Re:I will hold off purchasing these by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 2

      only if the scale model naked, drunken rednecks are female.

    2. Re:I will hold off purchasing these by Hayzeus · · Score: 1
      only if the scale model naked, drunken rednecks are female.

      Regrettably, that would detract from the realism...

      --

      Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
  22. The Problem With ZipZaps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Everytime you want to use your ZipZap, you'll have to provide your name and address. Not only that, you'll have to listen to a pitch about Sprint cell phones.

    1. Re:The Problem With ZipZaps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dude, just pay with cash and make up a name. In fact, the more absurd the better.

  23. Serial/USB connector by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Ok, so how do I hook the controller up to my Linux box?

  24. Digi-Q cars by MooRogue · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well, i have a pair of Bit Char-G (which are the same as the MicroSizer cars), and a pair of IR controlled Digi-Q cars. The Digi-Q cars are much faster, much more maneuverable, and run for a much longer time.

    Plus, they come with "pistol-style" remote controls, and have four "IR Channels". They run for much longer too, 5 minute charge gives you about 15 minutes of play. Their IR control gives them a much longer range compared to the Bit Char-G.

    I had mine imported from Japan, but i think Thinkgeek stocks them once in a while. Only thing is that the Digi-Q is about $40 or so, twice that of a Bit Char-G

    1. Re:Digi-Q cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Two other Digi-Q niceties MooRogue didn't mention:

      - Easy/Normal switch on controller to slow the car's max speed for beginning racers (necessary or else they roll/flip the car in a few seconds)

      - Fine turn "steering wheel" control, not just left/right buttons. The cars steer by varying torque to each of the two rear wheel motors. Not analog, but there seem to be at least a couple steering steps in each direction.

      A friend and I demoed the Bit Char-G and Digi-Q cars in the same store. We dug the customizations possible with Bit Char-G but bought Digi-Qs - they were more FUN!

      I keep my Digi-Q at work with a small ramp made out of a folded bruchure... heh, lunch time diversion for me and co-workers.

      The only beef I have with Digi-Q is they have a short wheelbase and easily roll in a fast turn. They are also AFAIK not customizable, but I'm happy with my little yellow Volkswagen. :)

    2. Re:Digi-Q cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I agree that the Digi-Q cars are far superior. Why people get excited about the inferior Bit Char-G cars shows their ignorance.

    3. Re:Digi-Q cars by kurtz25 · · Score: 1

      Pshaw! I have been living in Japan for the last couple years, so I was able to sit down in many a toystore (much to the chagrin of my mate) and evaluate the various tiny remote-controlled car options available. I deemed it necessary to throroughly weigh the pros and cons of each device before making a decision as important as what toy with which to fascinate both myself and my dear colleagues and cronies alike. And, after such exhaustive product research, I came to the conclusion that since only Tomica offered their car in a blue Nissan Skyline model, the BitChar-G cars were just way way radder and that Digi-Q SUCKED ASS and were for STUPID PENISLESS GIRLS! SO TAKE THAT, ALL YOU TOMICA HAT0R2! BITCHAR-G IS IN THA HIZOUSE! BIOTCH! WOOOOOOOO!

  25. Anyone reminded of Stompers? by EatHam · · Score: 1

    For some reason, when I see these things, I reminisce about the Stomper toys. And I remember playing with those things and rigging up a 9v battery to take the place of the (relatively wimpy) double "A" battery that was originally in it. As I recall, it increased the speed and power of the little motor that came with it dramatically. In fact, with the proper modifications, it worked as a rudimentary Dremel tool, though only on things like drywall, etc.

    I'm just wondering if the same would be possible with these cars?

    1. Re:Anyone reminded of Stompers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uh...why do you want a remote control dremel??? :-)

    2. Re:Anyone reminded of Stompers? by EatHam · · Score: 1

      Stompers are not remote controlled. Unless you count heaving rocks and stuff at them until they either turn or break "remote". (guess what I did with my Stompers as a kid). They are powered by a AA battery and a little electric motor. If you put a 9-volt battery in there, the gears on the motor will turn fast enough to cut through less strong material like cardboard and drywall.

  26. I have just the thing? by teamhasnoi · · Score: 4, Informative
    I have some track from the old Aurora *slotless* race set (I still have some cars, but the tires rotted away - damn 70's disintergrating foam). These look like they would work great on this track (the track has a retaining wall on both sides).

    Probably not as manuverable as the old cars (the old cars would drive the opposite wheel of the lane that they were in, pinning them to that wall.)

    Had to be one of the more fun pursuits of my childhood. I recall racing with the Star Wars set - an X-wing fighter and Darth Vaders Tie Fighter. If the Tie rear ended the X-wing, the top would pop off and the Dark side won the day. I still have those cars..x-tra fun with the 'Jam Car' a Corvette that would drive around and randomly change lanes.

    Does anyone know the dimensions of these cars? My idea wouldn't work if cars can't pass each other. Either that or a parts source for the old cars..;)

    OT?: Does anyone remember the Fat Wheels? An RC car with inflatable wheels that would bounce like hell. Great fun.

  27. Bit Char-G are the business by iainl · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Don't accept any imitations - I've yet to see a single non-Tomy one with the same build quality as an official Bit Char-G. They are great - they may not have the range or manouverability of a larger car, as several have pointed out, but on my maple floor they go like a dream, and are small enough to let you do a decent course without having to resort to multi-room strangeness.

    Obviously, the best are the limited edition Mario Kart ones - RC racing with Mario is so smart.

    --
    "I Know You Are But What Am I?"
  28. Steering is enough for me. by clemfoley · · Score: 1

    It would be cool to have a car with good steering capabilities...no motor-drive. They would be fun to engineer stunts like the ones we used to make with Hotwheels cars, ramps, and declines.

    --
    Instant Karma's gonna get you - John Lennon
  29. They need proportional steering by uradu · · Score: 4, Interesting

    At this tiny size and the relative speed they're going, steering is a real issue. You have to pulse the steering button really quickly for small turns and still end up with pretty sizeable direction changes. They would be a lot more driveable if they had proportional steering, but that might be too much asked at this size and price point.

    1. Re:They need proportional steering by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      The folks over at Yokomo have a 1:64 scale micro with digital proportional steering, proportional throttle, a true pistol grip FM transmitter, 6 frequencies, ball differential, and 2 NiMH batteries. They are called Puchi Maru and are expected to sell for around $100. More info at: http://www.yokomousa.com/kits/puchimaru/index.html

      They are more expensive, but these have the same functionality of "hobby" quality r/c cars. I want one, but these cheaper microsizers might just have to hold me over until I can find someone to sell me one of these Yokomo cars.

    2. Re:They need proportional steering by beerchan · · Score: 1

      Email these guys, they can get the Yokomo for you: http://tinyrc.com/shop

  30. just toys, really by yzquxnet · · Score: 4, Interesting

    With their tiny size and relative lack of any bleeding edge R/C car tech all these really are is just toys.

    If you are serious about R/C and being competive take a look at 1:12 and 1:10 scale "hobby quality" Electric R/C cars. My car runs 40+mph on an indoor track no bigger than 40x100ft. If I let it rip outside with the proper gearing it will climb to over 60mph.

    If you get really into them you could also look at nitro R/C 'argueably' not as fast as electric, nothing can beat the sound of a nitro motor screaming by at 35,000 rpms.

    1. Re:just toys, really by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With their tiny size and relative lack of any bleeding edge R/C car tech all these really are is just toys.

      Well... yeah. Here's another tip - yours is a toy too.

    2. Re:just toys, really by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nitro engines are messy and fussy. I have a plane and I need to carry around the fuel, the pump, the starter, the starter battery, the glow plug starter, mess around with the mix pin while the prop is turning, clean the engine, have castor oil dripping from the exhaust, castor oil sprayed all over the plane, vibration shaking everything loose, etc...
      I think electric has evolved to the point where it can be a good choice vs. a nitro job. There's lots of trainer electric planes out there, and helicopters too!

    3. Re:just toys, really by iainl · · Score: 1

      "My car runs 40+mph on an indoor track no bigger than 40x100ft. If I let it rip outside with the proper gearing it will climb to over 60mph."

      These really are very different things. I don't doubt that your 1:12 scale car is both great fun and has far superior handling than the digital controls of a Bit Char-G car, but I race my tiny Char-G around my living room, which means we don't need to hire or own a 40x100ft track every time we feel like a quick go. They can dive between office pods quite well, too.

      --
      "I Know You Are But What Am I?"
    4. Re:just toys, really by teamhasnoi · · Score: 2
      I had an aluminum RC10 for awhile - great fun, but comparing the pro RC/ with these cars is like comparing an Audi TT with a Geo Metro. The Audi will whup the metro, but when all you want to do is go to the grocery store and buy cheese, the Geo will do fine.

      Besides, just a motor for an RC10 approached the price of one of these cars. (However, when I broke a steering link on my RC10, I could actually replace it!)

    5. Re:just toys, really by e2d2 · · Score: 2

      I used to race 1/10 scale cars myself (I had both a 4wd optima and rc10 that could both easily hit 45-50 with the proper gearing and engines) when i was younger and had more time. But after going to tower hobbies and seeing nitro cars going for $750 just for the kits with no radio, servos, or engine it's hard to justify it anymore. These micro size cars are really just toys but they fit a niche market - cheap bastard like myself who want to buy them for kids (thats the excuse anyway) and save our money for bigger, more bad ass toys.

    6. Re:just toys, really by mattsucks · · Score: 1
      If you are serious about R/C and being competive take a look at 1:12 and 1:10 scale "hobby quality" Electric R/C cars
      Can I get one for $20?
  31. ET asks the tough questions... by El_Smack · · Score: 2, Funny


    Quote "ExtremeTech tested the stock version of each car, but also added a faster engine to the ZipZap to see if it would boost speed."

    Was there really any question about this? What's the next "experiment"? Placing a cinder block on it and seeing if that affects its handling?

    --


    There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
  32. Re:get a life by yer-man · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Get a soapbox. You must be dying to rant about why the world hates America, but I don't recall any of our evildoing enemies wanting to squash us because we have grownup nerds getting excited about electronic toys.

  33. I have... by MoThugz · · Score: 2, Interesting

    a few of these cool toys. One's from a Taiwanese manufacturer called Auldey, another is from a Chinese manufacturer called Pun Si, which doesn't seem to have a web site.

    I modified the car a bit so that it runs on a 9 volt battery (the boxy type) instead of the standard twin 1.5v AA size batteries. It just involves simple wiring and soldering, nothing rocket-scientist-material about it. Needless to say, it sure goes VERY fast! Careful tho, if you use a 4WD based chasis, it might make your car a little easy to overturn on sharp corners.

    I found a cool tin-car (it's what its called in Asia) modification website here for those of you who are interested in more advanced mods of this cool toy... Enjoy!

    --
    Welley Corporation - SLM Scammers
    1. Re:I have... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The cars you are talking about are not the same thing. If they can fit 1 or 2 AA size batteries in them they are way bigger.

      These cars are the size of a AA battery. Tiny. Fun.

  34. Re:get a life by NO_NYT_POSTS · · Score: 0

    thats no troll post...thats the f'in truth.

  35. Where to buy in UK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    After looking around and googling a bit, I could not find a retailer in the UK. Anybody out there knows where to buy these over here?

    1. Re:Where to buy in UK by andyt · · Score: 1

      I don't think it is the same brand but try Iwantoneofthose.com. They are selling something similar in the "Toys and Games" section for about twenty quid.

    2. Re:Where to buy in UK by glesga_kiss · · Score: 1

      Surely one of the retailers ships internationally? Put it on your credit card, no worries. If it doesn't arrive (never happened to me despite many international orders), then the credit card company gives you your money back.

    3. Re:Where to buy in UK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://www.firebox.com

      They sell alot of little cool gadgets, and ship mostly only inside of the UK.

    4. Re:Where to buy in UK by beerchan · · Score: 1

      TinyRC.com ship to the UK I think.

  36. Frequency... by McFly69 · · Score: 1

    It would apear that the units are sold in pre-specified frequencies (6 I believe). So how can you have more than 6 radio controled cars in a race? something tells me some hack sites will be created for these guys :)

    --



    NO! NO! Please don't mod me, I'm too young to die a troll. *click* Oh the pain, the pain...
  37. Re:get a life by NO_NYT_POSTS · · Score: 0

    as a matter of fact i love america...its a wonderful place affording more opportunity than anywhere else. but really...thats about the biggest waste of time i have seen yet.

  38. thinkgeek has a nice pair!?!?!?! by deft · · Score: 4, Funny


    you just told a gazillion geeks that if they go to thinkgeek they are going to see a nice pair on display.

    lets not slashdot thinkgeek.com

    --

    There's nothing Intelligent about Intelligent Design.
  39. helicopters by British · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't wait until an enterprising Japenese company makes similar-scale r/c helicopters. I'd buy one in a heartbeat(+ a bunch of spare rotors)

    1. Re:helicopters by zulux · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Japenese company makes similar-scale r/c helicopters

      You not going to beleive this: they already do!

      Miniature Japanese R/C Helicopter

      www.japan-direct.com can also has them.

      --

      Moneyed corporations, non-working 'poor' and criminal prisoners are turning productive citizens into tax-slaves.

    2. Re:helicopters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      $580?!

      Nice but no thanks.

    3. Re:helicopters by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 2

      I can't wait until an enterprising Japenese company makes similar-scale r/c helicopters. I'd buy one in a heartbeat

      I thought the same thing when they came out with the remote control mice: Yeah, that's cool. But how about a remote control hummingbird? That would be *tight*.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    4. Re:helicopters by Suppafly · · Score: 2

      somehow $580 for a styrofoam helicopter that runs for 3 minutes unless its got a wired connection just doesn't seem like that good of a deal..

    5. Re:helicopters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://www.keyence.co.jp/hobby/english/heli.html
      i've seen even smaller ones, since there is so much rc helicopter stuff lying around, if you know how to, its possible to build TINY choppers.

      and yes, lots of spare kevlar blades.....

    6. Re:helicopters by jsin · · Score: 1

      Does anyone make micro airplanes?

      --


      second society
    7. Re:helicopters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      keyance is imported to US by www.ultimatehobbies.com. Believe it or not they have been around for about 10 years now.

      The ultimate micro heli is MS Sports' "Hornet". They are fully aerobatic capable. Collective version allows for inverted flights!
      http://www.deeteeenterprises.com/

    8. Re:helicopters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You would need some sort of warning as to when the batteries were running out. Or else your going to end up hoping it doesnt run out of batteries and flop to the floor and snap important peices off.

  40. Claim to Fame by NotTheNickIWanted · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I find it mildly amusing that while Radio Shack is virtually claiming to have "discovered" micro r/c cars and brought them to North America, reputable hobby stores such as this one have had them in stock for a while now.

    Just goes to show you what a large-budget marketing department can do for your image!

    --

    unsigned int question = 0x2B | ~(0x2B)
  41. Relax... by Gruneun · · Score: 2

    If any of this was mean-spirited I would have pointed out that

    The freaking thing is about the size Schlong (thats not saying much)

    is also considered relative.

  42. Ziff-Davis softball reviews? by RobotWisdom · · Score: 2
    I wasn't paying attention when Ziff-Davis spun off ExtremeTech, and the first review I read there was for Lindows, last week.

    But just based on that one and this one, I have to wonder if they're too commercially compromised to deserve a straight Slashdot link, without some caveat...?

  43. more... by fastkid323 · · Score: 1

    http://www.toysnjoys.com/digiq.html

  44. Legally alter the frequency by SomeoneGotMyNick · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just wait....

    Someone will figure out how to put a strategically (and painfully) placed surface mount resistor or capacitor and shift the frequency up or down a bit from factory.

    Then you could race these with more than one person on the same frequency band.

    I have an amateur radio license (HAM). Technically, I'm allowed to use a wide range of frequencies for R/C or other 'remote control' use. Maybe I'll make mine work on the 2 meter band and I can control it at 100+ watts (or through a repeater)

    I'll have to be on another frequency with a friend miles away to tell me where my car is steering.

    1. Re:Legally alter the frequency by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not sure how you're gonna mount the antenna...a meter-scale antenna on a centimeter-scale car doesn't work too well...

  45. ZipZaps - Quality Control problems? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I bought 3 ZipZaps lately and and two of them had steering problem. (It won't steer).

  46. Fun but the novelty wears off by lorax · · Score: 1

    I got one of these after the last slashdot story on them, we had a blast playing with them at the office, but they don't keep your attention that long. On the plus side, they're neat to look at and the battery charge lasted longer than I expected, but they aren't very fast and won't run on most carpets.

    My cat,however, has not got tired of it yet, he will smack it around quite a bit.

  47. 3mph? No thanks I'll walk by tomcio.s · · Score: 2, Funny

    3 miles per hour..
    Wow, damn I that is some top speed. Better keep those pesky snails on leashes, you wouldn't want them embarrasing that 24kRPM engine now would you?

  48. Wish I still had mine by drew_kime · · Score: 2

    This is like all the stories about mothers throwing out their sons' baseball card collections. My brother and I had about a dozen of these things and would race them not just on the tracks, but up and down the hallway. We had chutes at either end that would direct them into U-turns and go back to the other end.

    We discoverd that if you put the platic guard rails around the outside of every turn, you could even run them on slot car tracks. Never quite made it throught the loop though.

    Of course we also raced them up and down the driveway, until they got so gummed up with dirt that they didn't work any more. I wonder what they'd be worth today?

    --
    Nope, no sig
  49. Don't knock the Metro! by TrebleJunkie · · Score: 1

    Hey man, don't knock the Geo Metro!

    Let's see an Audi TT drive from Pittsburgh, PA to Iowa City, IA and back on *two* cylinders and *still* get close to 50mpg! ;)

    (Yes, I know, the Metro had 3 cylinders. This particular weekend, though, mine had had two, thanks to a burned-up spark plug.)

    --

    Ed R.Zahurak

    You know, oblivion keeps looking better every day.

    1. Re:Don't knock the Metro! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but would you want to race an Audi TT in your Geo Metro? :-p

    2. Re:Don't knock the Metro! by TrebleJunkie · · Score: 1

      Of course I would.

      See, the trick to winning that race is 1) making sure your insurance is paid up and 2) swerving into the other guy about two seconds before you actually get the green light.

      "Deductible on a Geo Metro: $200.
      Satisfaction of trashing some yuppie daddy's kid's (who was cocky (or stupid) enough to wanna race a freakin' METRO) new audi TT for $200: priceless."

      --

      Ed R.Zahurak

      You know, oblivion keeps looking better every day.

  50. say hi to the master of the fucking obvious! by chamenos · · Score: 0, Troll

    "ExtremeTech tested the stock version of each car, but also added a faster engine to the ZipZap to see if it would boost speed."

    doh! i suppose adding a faster engine would make it go slower??

    1. Re:say hi to the master of the fucking obvious! by cant_get_a_good_nick · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Faster motor means faster RPM at the driveshaft. This may or may not translate to faster car speed, depending on axel horsepower and a bunch of other stuff.

  51. Small typo I made in this post by loomis · · Score: 1

    Should read "late 60's / early 70's". My mistake.

    Thanks,
    Loomis

    --
    "The television is the retina of the mind's eye" - Videodrome
  52. BMW Mini-Cooper ?? by DJ+FirBee · · Score: 1

    ////////
    Curiously, the BMW Mini-Cooper is not currently represented - certainly an oversight. ////////

    Not so curious. BMW does not make the Mini-Cooper Austin does. If you are going to be witty atleast get your references straight.

    1. Re:BMW Mini-Cooper ?? by aderusha · · Score: 1

      and who own's austin, and distributes the mini in the us? bmw. if you're going to be a troll at least get your references straight.

    2. Re:BMW Mini-Cooper ?? by j14taylo · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actualy BMW does make the new Mini. Check out this early Edmunds review for information. They state "BMW (is the) (owner of the Mini brand and producer of the 2002 Cooper)"

    3. Re:BMW Mini-Cooper ?? by cant_get_a_good_nick · · Score: 2

      Not a troll, just out of date. The original Mini was built by Austin-Rover. BMW bought out Rover, eventually ditched pretty much everything except for the Mini. They made a new Range Rover, but actually never got a chance to sell it before Ford bought Land Rover from their hands.

  53. Shriners... by porkchop_d_clown · · Score: 2

    Nah. These days we all ride little gas powered scooters.

    --
    Clear, Dark Skies
  54. 1.0 motors are good for tabletop use by marhar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    At work, we have a bitchar-g racing table made from three small ikea square tables and some duplo blocks. It's a nice compact race area, but anything faster than the 1.0 motors (10,000 RPM) tend to spin out around the curves.

    1. Re:1.0 motors are good for tabletop use by shichi_no_bushi · · Score: 2, Interesting

      hrmm... if the motors spin out... does that mean you could drift them! - Pirates go "Arrrrr" Dinosaurs go "Rrrrrrr"

      --
      Pirates go ARRRRRRR, Dinosaurs go RRRRRRRRRR
  55. You say that like by porkchop_d_clown · · Score: 2

    it's a bad thing...

    --
    Clear, Dark Skies
  56. Re:get a life by DJ+FirBee · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Dude, I am from Nebraska. What crawled up yer ass. BMW dont make it Austin does. Fuck off. Loser.

  57. Re:UFPC - Click Monkeys! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This post was moderated offtopic by the moderating monkeys at ClickMonkeys

  58. WHO CARES!?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I am so SICK of these tiny RC cars. Whats the big deal, what is to be amazed about. All i've heard about is these "Worlds smallest RC cars make it to the States".

    Whats the big deal, Really?

  59. Missing Model by dubiousmike · · Score: 2

    How come I don't see an '89 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais?

    1. Re:Missing Model by cant_get_a_good_nick · · Score: 2

      Since the small nature of thse cars force a rather bulbous body type, maybe you should chose such a body from the beginning. Yes, the car we all love, the AMC Pacer.

      Poor car, designed with a "futuristic" look for a motor that never came into existence, the GM Wankel rotary.

    2. Re:Missing Model by dubiousmike · · Score: 2

      Available accesories include:

      - Racoon tail for the antenea

      - Bumper sticker that reads: My Other Car is a Skyline

      - Wood paneling for sides of car

      - Replacement wheels with white stripe

  60. DOH! by DJ+FirBee · · Score: 1

    I stand corrected.

    Hmm.

    That sucks.

    My dad could beat up your dad.

  61. Lot more than just Trainers... by AzrealAO · · Score: 1

    There are alot more than just "Trainer" Electric Planes and Helicopters out there. http://www.ezonemag.com

  62. ZipZaps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    I have a ZipZap mustang, and I have to say that I think these things are FUN! After reading the article I'm now considering getting one of those aftermarket motors (30K+ RPM! INSANE!)


    I also have a buddy here at work who got the whole 9 yards...performance kits, carrying case, etc. I don't think I'll go that far, but I'm satisfied with the $20 I spent on my Mustang.


    Now I just wish I had a cat that I could drive crazy...why don't they have mouse bodies?

  63. Digitial preportional steering and accelleration? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    does anyone know if the steering and accelleration is preportional? or just on and off?

  64. Fair amount of fun for small price... by onlyabill · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have had one of these for about 2 weeks now and continue to have a lot of fun. The nice thing about it is it only annoys the dog, does not scare her. After chasing her with it for some time, she just lies down and ignores it. :)

    I have been getting around 5 to 8 minutes run per charge and the car works great on tile or wood floors, fair on a short berber and crappy on anything deeper. I also picked up the 'performance' kit and the higher end motor and gearing does increase speed with some decrease to run time.

    I also found a nice site that has been covering these cars and also has a nice little forum for discussing issues. There is even a post from some RS folks discussing how they have tweaked the cars.

    --
    I have to use this cause I can't afford a real sig...
  65. rm -rf "Bill Gates" ;-) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    % rm -rf "Bill Gates" ;-)
    Too many )'s.

    Drat!

  66. Not quite as small as you want, but... by AzrealAO · · Score: 2, Informative

    Ikarus "FUN" Piccolo Micro RC Helicopter
    Ikraus Piccolo Micro RC Helicopter
    Schweizer 300 Micro Electric RC Helicopter

  67. Coincidentally... by Daniel+Rutter · · Score: 3, Informative
    ...I've just put up a review of one of these things myself.

    It's here.

  68. Got some (Who remembers Mattel's Sizzlers?) by phorm · · Score: 1

    In a big trunk buried in the attic. I used to pull them out and play around with them when I was younger, but for the most part the batteries were unable to charge. Is there a replacement battery for these out there, they're not much use without? I bet they might fetch a fair penny as a nostalgia item on ebay.

  69. Re:Digitial preportional steering and accelleratio by pugman · · Score: 1

    No it is not proportional. The smallest proportional car that I know of is the EPOCH Indoor Racer. It is 1/43 scale and can run 6 mph if you hop it up. Check out Micro RC Racing or Tiny RC for more micro cars.

  70. Neon kits? by docbrown42 · · Score: 1

    Anyone know where i could get a neon kit for one of these?

    --
    Ed Wedig
    Graphic design services
    docbrown.net
    1. Re:Neon kits? by Powercntrl · · Score: 1

      Anyone know where i could get a neon kit for one of these?

      Try surface mount LEDs.

      --

      ---
      DRM is like antifreeze, to the MPAA/RIAA it's sweet, to the consumers it's poison.
  71. NiCad?! by anarkhos · · Score: 1

    First thing I would do is rip out that NiCad and install a NiMH. NiCads are a scam. They don't last, they are environmentally hazardous, they have memory problems, and they have less capacity.

    I have cordless phones, sonicare toothbrushes, shavers, etc. and replaced all the NiCads with NiMH.

    --
    >80 column hard wrapped e-mail is not a sign of intelligent
    >life
    1. Re:NiCad?! by beerchan · · Score: 1

      Yep! You can get a much much longer runtime out of the NiMH cells, you can get NiMH replacement cells at: TinyRC.com

  72. Serious Fun on Your Desk by grantdh · · Score: 2

    I picked up a couple of Bit-Char-G units in Tokyo the other day (RX-7 and WRX - the STi model - even has the pink Subaru logo :). A quick assembly session in Bangkok over a couple of beers and vroom - I was away. Even my 4 year old son can drive the things.

    Back here in Australia we're racing them around the kitchen and, occasionally, on my work bench. I've been tempted to take them to the next dance party night and race them around the DJ console('scuse the blatant plug :)

    If you're living in tight spaces or don't have access to large "play" areas, these things rock. The guys at Subaru here are completely gaga over them (sprinting the WRX around the desk in the STi sales room - much fun :)

    Well worth the $$$...

    --

    I left my body to science, but I'm afraid they've turned it down...
  73. Mach 5 by Nuclear+Fr0g · · Score: 0

    I would rather shell out the extra cash for a car with some performance and this sweeeeet body. http://www.kyosho.com/cars/kyod28.html

  74. 3.8 Motor!!! by beerchan · · Score: 1

    If you're not impressed with the speed of the stock MicroSizers/Bit Char-Gs, pick up one of these guys' 3.8 motors! TinyRC.com They are 38,000RPM vs. a 1.0 which is 10,000RPM. If that's not enough, you can always add a second cell for twice the voltage (take a look at the Forums on that site for more info!).

  75. Sure, use Amateur, but at no more than 1 watt by jerde · · Score: 1
    Check out the FCC part 97 rules, section 215 regarding the telecommand of model craft.

    Specifically:
    Sec. 97.215 Telecommand of model craft.

    An amateur station transmitting signals to control a model craft may
    be operated as follows:
    (a) The station identification procedure is not required for
    transmissions directed only to the model craft, provided that a label
    indicating the station call sign and the station licensee's name and
    address is affixed to the station transmitter.
    (b) The control signals are not considered codes or ciphers intended
    to obscure the meaning of the communication.
    (c) The transmitter power must not exceed 1 W.


    Still, 1000mW is a lot more than the unlicensed transmitters use. :)

    - Peter, N0MNS
    --
    INsigNIFICANT
  76. And those of course are not toys. by jotaeleemeese · · Score: 1

    Riiight.

    --
    IANAL but write like a drunk one.
  77. Holy Super Fun Batman by mgarriss · · Score: 1

    After reading about these little cars yesturday I ran out and bought $88 worth of ZipZap stuff. The track set is really cool but you'll need two sets to make interesting tracks. The track pieces lock together so they stay in place. The cars are charged by "pluggin" them into the controller. In about 30 sec you have a fully charged car that lasts for a full race ( ~10 min ). The other cool thing I noticed was that the cars don't get noticably slower has they use power. They just sort of die all at once. I highly recommend these cars......

  78. Sent off for some by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and still have not gotten them. Two weeks later.

    What is up with that?

  79. Last Post! by alpg · · Score: 1

    Suffering alone exists, none who suffer;
    The deed there is, but no doer thereof;
    Nirvana is, but no one is seeking it;
    The Path there is, but none who travel it.
    -- "Buddhist Symbolism", Symbols and Values

    - this post brought to you by the Automated Last Post Generator...