Conference vmszoo::rc

    I have the new edition catalog from Tower Hobbies on my lap right
    now. In it they have the Platinum shocks, regular price $29.99.
    
    They also have a package of shock oil that has all three weights
    inside for $9.99. Depending on the car the shock package will tell
    you which oil to use.
    
    I have never seen a speed control for that low of a price. I won't
    say thats its junk,but I will say that you get what you pay for.
    ----Let the buyer beware----
    I have A Novak speed control in my car and it seems to work great,
    but it doesn't have reverse. I have not seen a speed control with
    reverse for less than $90.00 range to start. I have had good success
    with the novak control, and have also been told at my local hobby
    shop that the Tekin is also a good one.
    
    If you want to call Tower Hobbies their numbers are:
    
    1-800-637-4989......Orders only
    1-800-637-6050......Order assistance
    
    Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm   Fri. 8am-5pm  Sat. 9am-5pm  Sun. 10am-7pm
    
    All times are Central times
    
    Coooop
    
    P.S.
    
    Platinum shocks (rear) part# TE1387
    Oil Package  TE1380
    
    
    P.S.S.
    
    The platinum shocks go on sale between 6-1-88 and 6-7-88 
    for 25.99 Part # for sale price----TX5824
    Novak speed controls go on sale during the same period for 64.99
    without reverse. Note...backing up is illegal in competetion races.
    

    I've seen that Aristo-Craft speed controller.  It is enormous, about
    the size of a pack of cigaretts.  I doubt if you could even fit
    it into most cars.
    
    The Futaba MC112B speed control sells for around $57.  It includes
    dynamic braking and reverse.  However...
    
    The unit I received was defective.  It literally smoked on me one
    day.  I've returned it to Futaba, but haven't gotten it back after
    about a month.  I spoke with them before I returned it, and they
    alleged that they had received a batch of bad MOS/FETs from Japan,
    and my unit would be replaced with a better one.
    
    I just called them today to bitch about the long delay in getting
    the unit back.  I started with a Service Department munchkin, and
    worked my way up to some senior manager.  I insisted that it couldn't
    possibly take four weeks to repair something, and that they march
    right down, put a new unit in a box and mail it to me.  They agreed!
    
    While it worked, the Futaba performed admirably.  While not as small
    as the Novak or Tekin models, I felt the brake and reverse hardware
    was pretty handy.
    
    Ed.
    

    I had a Futaba MC112 that I got at a local hobby shop for $72 which
    worked pretty well, but since I didn't need braking and the reverse
    wasn't very smooth I sold it (for $50) and got an MC108 (for $63) that
    works somewhat better (I can turn the braking off and get smoother
    reverse). I've ordered a VanTec RET-41 speed controller ($69?) that I'm
    hoping will work better, as it's opto-isolated from the receiver and
    chops at 5 times the rate of normal speed controllers, but it's not
    here yet..... 
    
    Willie

    I have a Futaba M112B that I like very much -- got it for $60. 
    The braking comes in handy!  Pratt Coin & Hobby in Georgetown has
    the Option House platinum shocks -- can buy them for $25.

    As nice as the dynamic brake is, you shouldn't overuse it.  It tends
    to pit the motor brushes.  Ever notice the huge arc when the motor
    is braked?
    
    I tend to reserve it for crash avoidance.
    
    Ed.