This text is machine translated.
Small cars for great driving pleasure
Remote-controlled model cars really make the eyes of small and large boys shine. Especially when the father is going to bet with the son. But also many girls are tech-enthusiastic and find model cars really cool. In order to let the children also use the remote control transmitter once, it is necessary to find the right model car. It must be fun on the one hand, but it must not overtax or overtax the Kidds on the other.
About remote-controlled model cars
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What are the advantages of a remote-controlled model car?
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At what age can children handle remote-controlled model cars?
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What types of remote-controlled model cars are there?
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How does a remote-controlled model car work?
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Was ich in der Selection of a Remote Controlled Model Car
What are the advantages of a remote-controlled model car?
A remote-controlled model car primarily offers gaming and driving fun for the children. And that's good as well. But there is far more potential in a remote controlled model car!
The operation of the remote control requires a certain fine motor, which is continuously deepened and improved while driving. The much-quoted feeling of finger-tip is promoted playfully in the truest sense of the word.
But the mental abilities are also strengthened. Depending on which side you are looking at your model, you have to control it on the transmitter so that the model actually drives in the desired direction. Many adults had already had enormous problems to steer correctly when the model car was rolled directly onto it.
In addition, the technical understanding is also awakened and further developed. When the model is put into operation under the guidance of the parents, children learn very quickly that the polarity must be observed when inserting the batteries and that the batteries do not emit an infinite amount of current.
If the models become more technically complex, the children can step into the technology more and more and more and thus create a solid basis for a broad basic technical understanding. This may be the basis for a larger successor model in the scale 1:10, which is supplied as a modular system.
At what age can children handle remote-controlled model cars?
When selecting the first remote-controlled car, the age and in this context the motor skills of the child must be taken into account. For babies and toddlers who constantly put their toys in their mouths, remote-controlled model cars are more likely not to be suitable. There is a much too great risk that attachment parts that can be swallowed or inhaled may come loose from the transmitter or the model. For this reason, manufacturers always specify a recommended minimum age.
However, if a model is recommended for children 6 years and older, it does not mean that a child 5 years old would not be able to handle it. If the fine motor is developed far enough and the control elements on the transmitter can be used without any problem, there is nothing in the way of driving pleasure. The only important thing is that the model does not drive too fast so that the child has enough time for the necessary control movements. Even if it doesn't run all around at the beginning, with some practice, the children have "the turn" very quickly.
What types of remote-controlled model cars are there?
Remote-controlled on-road model cars
These vehicles require a smooth surface for driving and are partly modeled on large models true to the original. These can be power-generating sports cars that want to be moved quickly, or trucks or other special or construction site vehicles.
Remote-controlled off-road model cars
These vehicles can be operated on smooth and uneven surfaces. Monster trucks and buggies or a mixture of both types of vehicles, the so-called Truggys, are perfectly suitable for the terrain. Rough-studded tires, sufficient ground clearance and powerful drives provide pure driving pleasure.
Video game and movie stars
For the smallest, the vehicles they already know from film and television are often the most interesting. But the fast racers from popular video games are also very high in the course. Logically, if the children have already virtually controlled the vehicle, it is high time to experience the driving experience in real life.
The climbing maxes among the model cars
The popular crawler presents a real remote control challenge. Because you need a lot of finger-tip feeling, in order to make these models climb safely over obstacles. And the best thing: In bad weather, you can easily set up an obstacle course consisting of building blocks and other aids in the children's room and then have fun with your model.
Insight into the off-road driving of a Crazy Crawler
Rough-studded tires, long spring travel and a powerful drive characterize Rock-Crawler.
Out of the box, ready, go!
Remote-controlled model cars for beginners are usually delivered ready to drive (RTR = Ready to Run). All you have to do is insert batteries into the transmitter and the car. If a drive battery is used in the vehicle, it must be charged before first use.
The right size is what matters. The scale of the entry-level model cars ranges from 1:10 with a vehicle length of approx. 38 cm to 1:32 with a vehicle length of approx. 15 cm. Some smaller vehicles are offered in the scale 1:58, which are then only suitable for use on smooth surfaces indoors.
How does a remote-controlled model car work?
Remote-controlled model cars are also called RC cars, where the abbreviation RC stands for Radio Controlled. Even the low-cost entry-level model cars now have high-quality remote control technology at their best, which would have been unthinkable years ago. Whereby the electronics function according to the same principle as with the high-quality model construction remote controls, which are used by professionals.
The mechanical position of the control sticks is converted into an electronic PWM signal (pulse width modulation) and then sent to the model via high frequency (27 or 40 MHz or 2.4 GHz).
An electronic system is installed in the car that receives the radio frequency signals from the transmitter and filters out the control signals for the individual functions. These control signals are then forwarded to the steering servo and the drive controller. The steering servo converts the electrical impulses into a mechanical steering movement, while the drive controller controls the drive motor forwards, stop, backwards depending on the position of the control stick on the transmitter. The control is usually proportional. This means that if the steering control stick is only deflected a little at the transmitter, the wheels on the model also only make a small steering movement.
Some entry-level model cars even come with "right" rotary knob remote controls. The steering wheel is used to operate the steering sensitively and the pistol grip pull-off lever is used to control the driving function.
Exception:
In the lowest price class, only push buttons on the remote control transmitters are available for the driving and steering functions. In this case, of course, the control is not proportional. For steering, for example, there is only the center position and full deflection of the front wheels to the right or left.
Beginner model car with rotary knob remote control system
Practical advice
For remote controls that transmit at 27 or 40 MHz, you have to observe the number of channels. If two or more models are operated with 40 MHz transmitters at the same time, there is mutual interference if the transmitters do not work on different channels. For transmitters with 2.4 GHz, there is no mutual interference due to the digital coding of the transmitter and receiver. In addition, 2.4 GHz transmitters are much more compact, since the transmitter antenna is only approx. 3cm long.
Was ich in der Selection of a Remote Controlled Model Car
Whether it is an on-road model or an off-road model, the decision of the children is the only one. Because they should like the model car and they should also have the fun while driving and playing.
But the vehicle type must also fit. If you want to drive with an on-road vehicle on the meadow or in the forest, you will not have long joy in your model car. In case of doubt, buggies are the perfect all-rounder, which can be moved both in uneven terrain and on tarred surfaces.
The speed must match. A remote-controlled car model that is too slow will quickly become boring. If it is too fast, the children do not have it under control and often come up against obstacles. This is not fun and the risk of accident damage to the model car is also very high. As a rule of thumb, the younger the child, the slower the model car should drive. This means that young drivers have sufficient time to control or compensate for any possible tax errors. But unfortunately the maximum speed is not always indicated by the manufacturers. You may find driving videos on the product or on the web that estimate the actual speed of the vehicles.
Another important criterion is the remote control or, better said, the control elements of the remote control. These must be arranged in a child-friendly manner and be easy to use. In addition, the battery compartment flaps on the transmitter and the model should be secured with a screw so that children cannot remove the batteries.
So that the model car drives straight when the transmitter is not controlled, there should be a steering trim on the car. This trim simply compensates for manufacturing tolerances and allows the straight run to be adjusted cleanly.
A cool design in a futuristic look is nice, but the remote control must also fit well for children's hands.
Finally, our tip:
Driving a model car alone is not half as much fun as in the group. And if a course with street painting and pylons is built up in the entrance of the courtyard, the driving pleasure for young and old is perfect when trying to undercut the best lap time.