Back in 2013, a friend of mine bought one of the 2012 HPI Falken Tire Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (Part #: HPI108220) and I always loved the livery and colors of it! I wish I bought one for myself but I had a TC6.1 that I just started racing at the time and I really didn't feel the HPI's were as competitive but I loved all their bodies!

Since they're discontinued, they've been really difficult to find but so far, I've managed to locate a new clear body (Part #: HPI108370) so at this point, I'm trying to piece together the rest of the car, starting with the original chassis (Sprint 2 Sport) but would much rather find a new or used in good condition RTR kit.

Also, I later found out from my post in the RCTech.net forum here... that the blue Falken logo decal on the tires came with the RTR kit but the decal sheet for the body also includes them - which I feel completes the look of this kit so although you can still buy the tires/wheels separately, they don't include these tire decals.

So I'll see where this journey takes me but I really look forward to adding this car and the HPI BMW M3 GT2 (HPI106168) to my collection! Please let me know if you or anyone you know is willing to sell theirs!

Since I recently bought the Losi Mini JRX2 (yeah, I was a little late to the part - lol documented here...) I figured I'd buy the JRXT which just so happened to be released on 2/23/23, less than 1 month from when I bought my JRX2!!!

So yep, I had to get this too to add to my collection, especially since this is a limited edition (only 5000 made)! So I bought this today from TowerHobbies.com here... but I was also going to buy a replacement motor for my Balde Nano QX (documented here...) so I added the JRXT to my cart as a Pre-Order and I got free shipping on both the JRXT and my motor!

Total paid was...

$159.98 (Subtotal)
-$20.00 (Applied 1k Reward Points)
$0.00 (FREE Shipping)
$13.35 (Tax)
$173.33 (Grand Total)

Tower Hobbies has a $30 discount code (NEWYEAR) that ends today plus I had enough points to apply another $50 credit towards my order so I pulled the trigger on this little guy!

Total paid was...

$169.99 (Regular Price)
-$30 (NEWYEAR Code)
-$50 (Reward Points)
$N/A (Free Shipping)
$7.51 (Tax)
$97.50 (Grand Total)


BACKGROUND:
I was more of a Team Associated fan than Team Losi but this strikes a nostalgic cord with me as some classmates of mine were big Losi fans and loved this car and had the original JRX2 when it first came out in 1988. I always remember us talking about it and I liked the car when it came out but never got one. I did end up getting an RC10 Graphite several years later though. So I figured I'd get this little guy! But I'll update the rest of this later...

I bought a heavily used Robby Gordon Traxxas Slash Body off of eBay just now. Total paid was...

$34.99
N/A (Free Shipping)
$2.92 (Tax)
$37.91 (Grand Total)


...I'll simply use this body along with the pics I have to re-create it for this project. I already purchased the decal sheet last year from Callie Graphics who can create any decal you want and I also bought 2 clear Slash bodies around that time!

I still have my original box from the Robby Gordon Slash (Part #: TRA58034-1-GORD) that I bought at my local Hobby Town USA back on 1/12/2016, so just over 7 years ago to the day, I bought this abused body to make sure the one I attempt to re-create matches identically, so we'll see..

...I'm doing this since I ended up selling everything (documented here...) but I never used the Robby Gordon body. Instead I kept it as a shelf queen and ended up buying a generic Blue & Black Slash body (TRA6833X) to bash at the time and after I sold my Slash with the Blue & Black body, I ended up selling the Robby Gordon body later on eBay (which I now regret ). So the only thing I have left from my original Slash purchase is the original box which looks amazing with the box art btw. So when I get around to this project, it should look great! Heck, maybe I'll make a 2nd one that has OBA (On-Board Audio) which I have all those parts to do (documented here...)!!!

By the way, I kept track of all my purchases back then and the extra stuff I bought later for it...Continue Reading

I pulled the trigger on the 1/10 scale Traxxas TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco (Part #: TRA92076-4) today! I bought it from NankinHobby.com which is an AWESOME hobby shop out of Michigan. They have 4 locations and the guy there (Joseph) is one of the nicest guys in the hobby (and in this hobby that IS saying a lot btw )

Total paid was...

$549.95 (Subtotal)
-$50.00 (Traxxas Fall Savings)
-$100.00 ($100 Hobby Store Credit)
$N/A (Free Shipping)
$399.95 (Grand Total)

...I also used a $100 credit I had with this shop. Earlier this year they ran a mystery box promo. Each mystery box costs $50 that can contain anything from chargers, planes, a mini-T or mini-B, all the way up to a grand prize of a Kraton 6S EXB!!! So I bought two of them and if you don't win anything (which I didn't), you get the amount you spend back in store credit! So I used this up on my purchase today.

Now I know Traxxas just released their all 2022 new 1/18 scale Bronco & Defender crawlers (TRX-4M) but I already have an Axial SCX24 posted here... that I really like and I want a bigger crawler to handle bigger terrain. Btw, it's nice that Traxxas supports the local hobby shops with their new release by making them only available locally now and then allowing pre-orders for online to start next month in Dec. but again, maybe down the road as I'm happy with my 1/24 scale yellow Jeep!

So I'll update this thread with more pics and an unboxing video once I get everything!

...Continue Reading

Today I MIGHT have bought a Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 Brushed - Limited Purple Edition (TRA83056-4-PRPL). I say "MIGHT" b/c I found it online late at night at a hobby shop's website out of MI so I wasn't able to call them and confirm if they truly have it in stock. If they do, then this could be a gem as I'm currently bidding on one on eBay (which has a buy it now price of $1k btw) but I probably won't get it as the seller has a reserve that hasn't been met yet. I don't want it that bad but if I get a good deal on it, I'll simply try to flip it to make some money on the deal. So we'll see...

Total paid was...

$299.99 (Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 Brushed)
$28.88 (Free Shipping)
$N/A (Tax)
$328.87 (Grand Total)


So far I received an email confirming my order but I still need to call the Hobby Shop tomorrow to confirm they truly have it in stock. In the past, I've ordered things from websites, only to be told later they didn't have it in stock after all. We'll seeeee...

But if this goes through, here's a teaser pic...

...Continue Reading

The goal of this project will be to simply add the EZ-XPORT Module (more info about this blogged here...) to my HobbyZone Super Cub S BNF (HBZ8180B) which will let me add the HobbyZone X-Port modules (especially the Sonic Combat Module to dogfight!) AND still keep SAFE.


The stock receiver (SPMA3170) has SAFE but it doesn't have the X-Port feature that was included in the previous Super Cubs (i.e., DSM, LP, even the 2006 original Red/White model) and this newest receiver doesn't have an extra channel (i.e., Aileron which was included in the previous models) to plug in the EZ-XPORT Module, which will then allow me to add/use the HobbyZone modules (i.e., Aerial Drop Module, Sonic Combat Module, Night Flight Module).

One option to make this work on my Super Cub S AND still keep SAFE, is I can replace the stock receiver with the E-flite Apprentice S receiver (EFLR310013) which has SAFE and enough channels to add the EZ-XPORT Module!

To do this, I will have to buy a brushed ESC (since the stock receiver is an ESC/Receiver combo) and since the Turnigy 30A ESC doesn't come with plugs/connectors, I'll buy the E-flite EC3 Male (EFLAEC301) plugs (which they refer to as "Device" for Male ends and "Battery Connector" for Female-EFLAEC302) and simply solder this to my new ESC.

Last, I'll then need to buy 3.5mm Female Bullet Connectors and solder these on to the Turnigy ESC. I have 4.0mm bullet connectors as these are bigger than the stock bullet connectors that come on my Super Cub S receiver, so I emailed Horizon Hobby tech support (which recently changed btw and is HORRIBLE - they used to have the best and easiest support but now they won't take your call and will make you wait days to email back and forth - just horrible!) and they confirmed the stock bullet connectors are the 3.5mm size.

I finally got this, In fact, I got 2 of them!!!

Total paid was...

$40.00 (x2 Cowls @ $12/each)
$N/A (Free Shipping)
$N/A (No Tax)
$40.00 (Grand Total)

I'll update with pics when they arrive but in the meantime, here is a link to a thread that describes it in full detail...
EZ-XPORT Module Review By RCG...

Background:
The X-Port technology was an option that was available on some older HobbyZone & Parkzone RC planes back in the early to mid 2000's.

Some of the modules that plug into the X-Port (which can still be purchased today, as of 2021) include (see my post for more info on these modules here...)...
1. Aerial Drop Module (HBZ6023)
2. Sonic Combat Module (HBZ4020)
3. Night Flite Module (HBZ3510)

Then around 2009, a guy created the EZ-XPORT Module which allowed any of the HobbyZone modules listed above to be used with any receiver!

This afternoon, I bought the HobbyZone Super Cub DSM RTF (HBZ7400) from an RCGroups.com member. Total paid was...

$175.00 (Plane ARF Kit, Engine & Radio!)
$23.99 (Shipping)
$N/A (Tax)
$198.99 (Grand Total)

This plane is NIB even though it's been discontinued for years! I already have the latest BNF version (red/white color w/SAFE Part #: HBZ8180B) but the plane that I just bought today is the blue/white version which is DSM so it binds to any Spektrum radio, but the MAIN reason I got this version is b/c the receiver has the X-port feature built into it which can be used with the different HobbyZone modules (i.e., Aerial Drop Module, Sonic Combat Module & Night Flight Module) and I have all of these accessories! In fact, years ago I jerry-rigged an Aerial Drop Module to my original Parkzone T-28 here...

I tried finding this DSM Super Cub online and saw one recently on eBay but it was used and the guy said it needed a new battery and wasn't sure if anything else was wrong, plus he was asking $99+$148 for shipping so after taxes, it would be around $250 and no guarantee everything works.

So get this...I manage to track this plane down at a hobby shop who says he thinks he has one still NIB but it's in his warehouse. I call weeks later, nothing, the guy didn't even check so I gave up. Then I finally get a call from them over a month later saying they have it! Cool right!? So they tell me they will call me back with a shipping quote. Now mind you,...Continue Reading

Today I bought a new BlitzRCWorks T-28 Trojan 1100mm (aka Banana Hobby)! Total paid was...

$199.99 (T-28 Trojan PNP)
$FREE (Shipping)
$18.99 (Tax @ 9.5% )
$218.89 (Grand Total)

...so I got an email from RCG about a thread I subscribe to for the Duraplane T-28 Trojan 1100mm and a member posts 2 links here... to the Banana Hobby website (see screenshot below...) saying they are selling 2 versions of the Durafly T-28 v2!!! so I created a new thread about it here... which has all the specs about this plane.

Now, I've been waiting for Hobbyking to either come out with a new color scheme (since I really don't like the Centennial Edition ) or re-release the popular Red/White scheme. I've searched RCG's classifieds and have sent countless PM's to members to see if they have sold theirs but came up empty handed. I've even had a search saved in eBay so if it ever comes up there, I'd be notified...but not one alert. So NOW I FINALLY GET A CHANCE TO OWN THIS AGAIN PLUS IT'S UPDATED TO HANDLE 4S AND IS BASED ON THE VERSION 2 MOLD OF THE DURAFLY WITH DIVE BRAKES, FPV, ETC!!!!

Yes, there are others, like the Eleven Hobby, Dynam, Airfield, even E-flite which make ones near this size. Eleven Hobby is probably the closest match to the Durafly but it doesn't have any navigation lights. E-flite's T-28 this size doesn't have nav lights either and I never liked that the cowl is all foam so it would look horrible after any bumps/crashes. Whereas a plastic cowl can simply...Continue Reading

***NOTE***
This project was/is going to be for building a Super Cub but afterwards, I ended up finding a NIB DSM RTF kit which has this receiver!!! Click here... for that thread. Since I can't merge this thread into that other one without messing up the date/time stamp of the posts, I'll keep both threads for now.

Today I bought a new receiver (Rx) from eBay for a Hobbyzone Super Cub project! Total paid was...

$45.00 (Receiver - Part #: HBZ7357)
$FREE (Shipping)
$3.59 (Tax)
$48.59 (Grand Total)

I'll come back to this thread with more details later. I own the Hobbyzone Supercub S w/SAFE (HBZ8180B) which is the BNF version but I want to either swap the receiver out with this new one that I bought today because it has the X-Port built into the receiver which lets you plug in various modules (i.e., Aerial Drop Module, Sonic Combat Module or the Night Flite Module)! So either I'll swap receivers or I may keep mine original w/SAFE (since it's discontinued) and simply buy all the parts for a new Super Cub (see this post for part #'s from another blog here...)

More details to come...


Here are some pics of the accessories I can use with this Rx...
1. Aerial Drop Module (which includes Parachute Jumper &
2. Sonic Combat Module
3. Parachute Jumper & Streamer Bombs (included w/Aerial Drop Module but I have a spares of each!!!)


...Continue Reading

Today I bought a new Bachmann Santa Fe Flyer Ho Scale Ready To Run Electric Train Set! Total paid was...

$85.99 (Train Set)
$N/A (Free Shipping)
$6.86 (Tax)
$92.85 (Grand Total)

This set looks like the one I had when I was about 5 years old and I loved that set. My dad got it for me and set it up on our ping pong table down in our basement and I played with it all day and everyday! I know I had additional cars and other pieces that my dad got me to add to it so I'll start with this and then when I get time, I'll see if I can setup a nice railyard someday...

I ended up buying it from Amazon but I tried buying it from Macy's (both had the same price $85.99) but I guess they ran out b/c when I tried to click on the payment button, it showed they were out of stock. The regular price is over $100 and the cheapest I found them on eBay was $87.99. Amazon wins again! Bummer I couldn't get it from Macy's as they offer Rakuten cash back but it was still a nice deal as I've been looking at this as another starter set for about 2 months now so the sale made it easier to pull the trigger on it! Below are some pics of my model set and I'll update this once it's delivered...

After 28 years, my local HobbyTown USA will be closing towards the end of this month (1/30/21). It was a great place with great memories and a really good on-road racetrack. Rumor has it that NorCal Hobbies is interested in it but not sure if they will keep it a HobbyTown...probably not.

Yesterday I went down there to pick up 2 Traxxas Slash OBA kits and they gave me one of their Tamiya vinyl banners/posters! So I hung it in my garage just now and it sure looks great!!! The Tamiya Hornet was my first hobby grade RC so this made it extra special! Thanks for the memories and banner HobbyTown USA!!!





Here are some pics of their on-road racetrack...


...Continue Reading

Today I bought a used Robbe Modelsports Gemini ARF from an RCG member. Total paid was...

$105 (Robbe Gemini)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$105.00 (Grand Total)

These came in a RTF (apparently for Europe only) and ARF versions. I bought the ARF used from a member on here since these are discontinued and are hard to find.

I've always loved the Air Hogs Storm Launcher and I sold my original SL years ago but found a NIB Orange SL on eBay. Well, I'm now kinda hesitant using it since those are also very hard to find but I came across the Robbe Gemini and from what I saw, the Gemini looks to be a much better flyer. Plus, you can use your own electronics, which is what I'd like to do to my SL. I found a used Gemini so I can save my SL for another day maybe.

At first I tried looking on eBay and found one, damaged, seller from outside USA and wanting a ridiculous $100 shipping on top of the $100 for the Gemini...nope! So then I dug through the classifieds here on RCG and simply sent a PM to some really old classifieds. One guy got back to me and said he sold his but didn't update his thread and the other guy got back to me and said his was still for sale!!! Btw, his original classified is going on 5 years this coming May! So just goes to show...it never hurts to ask!!!

The seller said his requires an Rx, Propeller and Battery. So I'll find out which is the recommended for each to use but the seller is including some servos at no cost, so that's cool.

Here is a link to the RCG review...

So I'll update this blog with pics when I get it...

I'm linking my original posts from the Traxxas Forum that can found here...

Instead of making a new thread for the different things I do to my X-Maxx or break (lol - they're adding up), I want to create this blog to keep track of my repairs, issues and other things for my X-Maxx.

I started this in the Traxxas forum here... but that forum isn't as nice as RCG as this gives me complete control of my RC blogs/vlogs and I can edit, delete and basically be my own moderator. So this will be my reliable RC journal for my X-Maxx from now on. Enjoy!

This afternoon I went to my LHS and bought a new axial SCX24 crawler (1/24th scale)! They also ended up having a 10% off sale that was nice since it basically covered the tax - lol! Total paid was...

$119.99 (axial SCX24)
-$11.99 (10% Off)
N/A (Shipping)
$11.06 (Tax)
$119.06 (Grand Total)


Cool story...what was really nice is I was looking for a battery cover for a friend's radio that he lost. I They are discontinued and eBay and Amazon sellers are gouging people for nearly $30-$45 for a $6 part. So I called my LHS to see if they still happen to have one lying around unsold and the owner (Tom) said he didn't but he has several of the radios and I can come and pick up the battery door at no cost! So I did but I wanted to buy something from him to show my appreciation for being so kind and generous so I ended up buying this 'lil guy!


Here are some pics (Unboxing video & run video below)...





...Continue Reading

IF-And I Stress IF This Is Legit, I Bought A New Traxxas Slash 4X4 OBA Ultimate Today. Total paid was...

$300.39 (Traxxas Slash 4X4-Ultimate w/OBA)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$300.39 (Grand Total)

================================================== ================================================== ====

***EDIT - THIS WAS A TOTAL SCAM***


Just wanted others to know I confirmed this was a scam and the website is Sepratama.com so hopefully others come across this and steer clear! They are a scam, just wish someone would remove their website as I found info on them going back to 2018 & 2019 asking if they were legit...

================================================== ================================================== ====

I found a website that had a brand new Traxxas Slash 4X4 OBA Ultimate (Part #: TRA68077-24) for only $300.39 shipped (regular price is $589.95). I know, it sounds like a scam and for this reason I called and spoke with a rep at PayPal credit card about scams and found their FAQ section on their website for fraud and I'm completely covered. PayPal credit backed by Synchrony Bank and it offers the same fraud protection as any credit card! So what do I have to lose? Aside from time and energy dealing with having to open a fraud case. But IF this is legit...then this is one of the best deals I've found and I'm going back to buy more stuff!!!!

The checkout process was pretty much the same when I selected PayPal for my payment...Continue Reading

Note! I created another thread here... of some Traxxas Slash OBA kits I tried buying but they turned out to be a SCAM! Figured I'd link it to find it easier...

Traxxas has discontinued all the OBA (On-Board Audio) Slash trucks and I was able to locate one of each (2WD, 4X4 & 4X4-Ultimate) from different locations! ***UPDATE*** I ended up calling the hobby shops the next day and it turns out the hobby shop selling the 4X4 & Ultimate OBS Slash trucks didn't have either one. He looked through his inventory but said he must of sold them and needed to update his website - darn! Figured it was too good to be true! The other hobby shop selling the 2WD OBA-White confirmed they do have it so at least I have this one coming to me! Tracking estimates delivery to be 12/2. Total paid was...

$269.95 (Slash 2wd w/OBA - White)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$269.95 (Grand Total)

$439.95 (Slash 4X4 w/OBA - Color TBD)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$709.90 (Grand Total)

So get this, eBay emailed me this morning (11/24) about another Slash 2WD OBA-White that sold for $369.99+$61.05 shipping! So this is nice to know that I can flip this truck for some profit now but if I wait a little longer I might even get more for it or I can part it all out to make the most profit, so we'll see!

I've always liked the OBA sound and I use to own a Slash 2wd Robby Gordon edition that I ended up converting to OBA myself back in 2016 and documented it here...) I really enjoyed that truck but I was able to sell it and parted out some it (i.e., Robby Gordon orange body) along with other stuff and made a very decent profit so I'm hoping I can do the same again!

I'll update this blog with anything else I end up doing which is why I love this blog btw! I get to keep track of my RC escapades over the years!

Here are some stock pics from Traxxas...

2WD OBA...




4X4 OBA...