What’s Trending in the RC Model Industry
Suffering from mid-winter blues? It's time to pull out that model kit you got for Christmas and get to work. Many new remote control products hit the 
market over the holidays and if you had been a Good Boy (or Girl), chances are you might have received one of the newest units on the market.
The remote control hobby industry is relatively huge with so many types and styles to choose from. Model airplanes, helicopters, quadracopters, boats, trains, trucks, cars, submarines, RC model trucks...all these and more can confound the newcomer to the industry. Figuring out where to start can cause much indecision.
Wink's Hobbies in Ithaca has the best trained and knowledgeable staff on hand to assist you whether you are just starting out or a pro. The remote control hobby industry has been around far longer than you might imagine.
RC Hobby History
Radio control has been around since Nikola Tesla demonstrated a remote control boat in 1898. World War II saw increased development in radio control technology. The Luftwaffe used controllable winged bombs for targeting Allied ships. During the 1930s the Good brothers Bill and Walt pioneered vacuum tube based control units for R/C hobby use. Their "Guff" radio controlled plane is on display at the National Aerospace museum. Ed Lorenze published a design in Model Airplane News that was built by many hobbyists. Later, after WW2, in the late 1940s to mid 1950 many other R/C designs emerged and some were sold commercially, Berkeley's Super Aerotrol, was one such example.
Originally simple 'on-off' systems, these evolved to use complex systems of relays to control a rubber powered escapement's speed and direction. In another more sophisticated version developed by the Good brothers called TTPW, information was encoded by varying the signal's mark/space ratio (pulse proportional). Commercial versions of these systems quickly became available. The tuned reed system brought new sophistication, using metal 
reeds to resonate with the transmitted signal and operate one of a number of different relays.
In the 1960s the availability of transistor-based equipment led to the rapid development of fully proportional servo-based "digital proportional" systems, achieved initially with discrete components, again driven largely by amateurs but resulting in commercial products. In the 1970s, integrated circuits made the electronics small, light and cheap enough for the 1960s-established multi-channel digital proportional systems to become much more widely available. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_model)
Hobby Grade RC
We all realize that the RC models found in department stores are really simply kids' toys. They are not made to be tweaked or to withstand a whole lot of abuse. (Odd thing for a child's toy, right?) Anyway, getting yourself over to your Ithaca hobby shop will surely open your eyes as to what is available and you'll be finding it hard to choose.
Many newcomers to the hobby start off with RC cars and trucks. With so many new products on the market, we decided to look at two excellent beginner RC cars.
Two New RC Cars Bring Excitement
Traxxas Slash Pro 2WD Short-Course Truck is a force to be reckoned with. Not only does this beast go 30+ mph, it’s nearly indestructible as well.
Traxxas is the best brand in the industry, hands down. And this truck is one of their most prized possessions. Not only is the price there with this truck, the quality, speed, and excitment are too.
The Traxxas Slash Pro is a 2WD short-course truck. It measures in at 24.8 x 9 x 11.9 inches and weighs around 9 pounds. And this thing can take a beating.
It’s a secret weapon that every beginner should have.
You can drive this beast just about anywhere that you could think of. Dirt, sand, grass, off-road, on-road, in the house (I wouldn’t recommend that), you name it.
Some of the features of this truck include:
Waterproof electronics box
Professional 2.4 GH control
Traxxas iD Battery and Fast Charger
XL-5 Electronic Speed Control
Titan 12-Turn 550 Modified Motor
Brushless Transmission
Ultra Shocks
Front and Rear Bumpers
Nerf Bars and Body Mounts
Much, Much, More
In addition to all this, you also get some of the best customer service out there and a Traxxas Lifetime electronics warranty.
So if you’re a beginner and considering to take the leap into the RC hobby, then look no further.This truck was made for you.
The Best Off-Road RC Car
We picked the best off-road RC car, and this thing is as crazy as it gets.
Welcome, the Traxxas X-Maxx.
The Traxxas X-Maxx is a four wheel drive, brushless, electric, ready to run RC truck.
With its 8-inch tires, 4-inch clearance, 19-pound weight, and 29-inch length, this thing is the definition of a behemoth.
This truck takes RC to a whole new level.
It’s loaded with Traxxas-exclusive innovations.These innovations include things like stability management, a self-righting feature, clipless body mounting, and more.
The chassis is easy to work on and maintain, and the battery system is secure. With waterproof electronics, the X-Maxx is ready for all elements.
The X-Maxx comes with two 3s LiPo batteries, which get it over 35 mph easy.
The massive brushless motor will make you wet your pants the second you pull the trigger. And the huge shocks absorb just about anything.
Let’s just say if you showed up at your friend’s house, he would cry all the way back to his mommy http://rcroundup.com/radio-controlled/rc-cars/
Interested in learning more? Stop by Wink's Hobbies in Ithaca for the lowdown on the newest RC model trucks, cars, model airplanes, trains, boats and more. We would love to show you around the best Ithaca hobby shop!
