I have bought (and will continue to) what Tamiya hasn't made, even resin conversions for them. Most likely for me to get them up to Tamiya standards will take a bit of $$$, some of them might just become shelf queens (because there are no dust queens in my collection) for I can't run all of them.mondaytanker wrote:You have to admit, a little drama got this post moving.
I have considered purchasing a few Heng Longs since Tamiya has not pursued this sector of the market very aggressively.
Now that there are more than just Heng Long and Tamiya we are seeing more variety. Like the Panzer 3 and others.
I am not a “Jadg” fan, so I doubt I would ever spend the $700~ on the Tamiya but instead purchase the HL, give it a make over and display it.
There will be soon. I too, have a lot of non-Tamiya projects that could benefit from this as well. Even something to replace the HL electronics. I like the smoother throttle the Tamiyas have and that would be my main interest. Not all of the tanks have to be IR ready or even Tamiya capable. Just something that is realistic to drive around.mondaytanker wrote:Panther, I currently have 5 Tamiya tanks. 3 of which are full function, a King Tiger with Porsche turret that I upgraded to full function and new gear boxes and a Leopard 1 that is getting DMD and full function. And yes, lots of $$$ has been spent.
I whish I could find an inexpensive DMD that operates like Tamiya’s to upgrade the drivability on the cheap tanks.
Yep ... here's one place.scbvideoboy wrote:I started the Tamiya $1000 thing.
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=56024
$1410.00
squadron.com doesn't show it yet. I'm sure there are places where you can get it lower than a $1000. But for the sake of the post a price generalization was all I was implying.
Back when my part time side business was doing 6k a month I still wouldn't go for a $800 tank. Last Tamiya tank I bought was the Sherman, only because I felt they were going to stop making them. And it's a E8.
Any way all my HL are still boxed.
DH
Well... that is roughly $800, which will buy me at least 6 or 7 different HL tanks which I can repaint, customize, and modify to my hearts content. For my money HL represents the best combination of performance and value. The upcoming HL Jagdpanther looks sweet, and the $650 I'll save over a Tamiya buys a lot of nice upgrades and accessories.$795
Don't know which "cheap" RC tanks you are referring to, but all the 1/16 HL smoke and sound tanks produced within the last year or so come with 10 speed control.Cheap RC tanks usually only have ON/OFF motor control.
HL makes at least two that I know of... a Panzer III Ausf. L, which would be the 50mm L/60 gun I believe, and a "Tauchpanzer" IIIH which would have the 50mm L/42 gun I think, I'm not sure about a 75mm variant. I have the Ausf L which in reality looks more like a Flammpanzer because of the slightly oversized airsoft gun tube, but it doesn't look bad and many that don't care about having a working BB gun have simply replaced the barrel with an aftermarket version. Regarding Tamiya's proportional control... I've never used one, and I'm sure it's probably smoother and more sophisticated than HL's, but that sophistication comes at a considerable extra cost. That being said, my HL tanks will crawl along real slow or move out smartly, depending on how far I push up the stick, it requires a bit of practice and finesse with the stick to run through the speed range smoothly, especially at the lower end, but it does work, and for $500+ less per tank I can live with it. As someone else rightly pointed out, most of us here are static model collectors, not RC tank enthusiasts, and we simply can't justify plunking down $500 to $800 for one tank that is not even built or painted yet. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the guys like GD who can put together a Tamiya 1/16 masterpiece, and more importantly can afford the price tag. Tamiya may be the Cadillac or Rolls Royce of the RC tank world, but for the majority of us Heng Long's products represent an excellent combination of value, performance, and upgradeability at a price that won't break the bank. It's also becoming pretty obvious that HL is making a real commitment to expanding their product line and improving quality while still keeping prices at an affordable level, and that can only be a good thing in my opinion.Panzer_M wrote:does HL make Pz III L42, L60 and 75mm vairents?
I totally agree! It is great to have a choice, isn't it.ostketten wrote:HL makes at least two that I know of... a Panzer III Ausf. L, which would be the 50mm L/60 gun I believe, and a "Tauchpanzer" IIIH which would have the 50mm L/42 gun I think, I'm not sure about a 75mm variant. I have the Ausf L which in reality looks more like a Flammpanzer because of the slightly oversized airsoft gun tube, but it doesn't look bad and many that don't care about having a working BB gun have simply replaced the barrel with an aftermarket version. Regarding Tamiya's proportional control... I've never used one, and I'm sure it's probably smoother and more sophisticated than HL's, but that sophistication comes at a considerable extra cost. That being said, my HL tanks will crawl along real slow or move out smartly, depending on how far I push up the stick, it requires a bit of practice and finesse with the stick to run through the speed range smoothly, especially at the lower end, but it does work, and for $500+ less per tank I can live with it. As someone else rightly pointed out, most of us here are static model collectors, not RC tank enthusiasts, and we simply can't justify plunking down $500 to $800 for one tank that is not even built or painted yet. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the guys like GD who can put together a Tamiya 1/16 masterpiece, and more importantly can afford the price tag. Tamiya may be the Cadillac or Rolls Royce of the RC tank world, but for the majority of us Heng Long's products represent an excellent combination of value, performance, and upgradeability at a price that won't break the bank. It's also becoming pretty obvious that HL is making a real commitment to expanding their product line and improving quality while still keeping prices at an affordable level, and that can only be a good thing in my opinion.Panzer_M wrote:does HL make Pz III L42, L60 and 75mm vairents?
