XMODS-My take vs the 'Z'

[nojodash]

hi all, just wanted to chime in w/my thoughts about the 'hotly debatable' XMODS and how they compare to a Mini Z. First off, my son and I have Two Mini Z's and an Overland, the Z's are a bone stock Corvette CR-5 and my Warsteiner Mercedes with alloy rims and some suspension spring upgrades and foam tires, but that is about it for mods on them..

The XMODs that I have are the SKYLINE for me which I opened early! and the Red Supra for my 7 year old son for XMAS! I also got the light kit and Stage 2 motors and tire upgrade kit, but the only thing I put on my Skyline was the light kit. I also always use Nimh batteries, alks suck! First off, I really enjoyed being able to put together some of the body components on the Skyline and the fact that you can have interchangeable parts to customize your ride the way you like.. The chassis seems really nice but did not really like the feel of the wheels and wheel mounts and lugnuts used to put them on; seemed sort of weak in construction compared to the Mini Z... I did like the way the body mounted to the chassis, seemed nice and secure, also the lights were super easy to install, took maybe 2 minutes and was all set!

I also don't mind the TX that much and I counted 15 steps both ways which isn't great but not too bad for not being fully propo... Controller could have been better, but really for youngsters especially it is easier to use and not as bulky as our Perfex TX's we use for our Z's

Now for performance... First off, at a higher speed with the stock set-up, the turning radius isn't too bad, I could manuever about as well as our Mini Z's at speed, it is when you are going slow or want to back up fast and try to do a 'James Bond Reverse' that you really see the problems with the ability to turn sharply, at least with the stock set-up; I imagine some suspension tune ups and the AWD kit would remedy some of this, but wanted to just get a feel for it 'stock' before doing any add ons. I didn't mind the brake function, but it isn't as smooth/responsive as the braking function of my Overland; too much of a delay from brakes to reverse..I thought the speed of the stock motor was very good, almost as fast as a Mini Z, definately could give the Mini Z a run for its money on the track with a properly modded set-up (motor/tires/suspension/possibly AWD kit) ... One thing that was very noticeable was when I ran the XMod for a few minutes and then switched over to the Mini Z, the 'smoothness factor' really was apparent between fully propo and the 15 or so steps the Xmods has! No contest there, Mini Z is super smooth and the XMod is fairly smooth and to those that wouldn't know the difference, it would seem really smooth!

Anyways, my last thought I was thinking about as I was running the XMOD, is that to me it doesn't really seem like a Mini Z as far as how it runs. To me it seems like a better version of an Auldey Race Tin (albeit a very nice customizable/performance modifiable Race Tin!). I have an Auldey and it has an engine upgrade in it and man it can fly, but it is uncontrollable with the non propo controls. If the Auldey had the same type of TX controller as the XMODS, I think they would be in the same realm as far as how they would handle/perform...I don't know, could be wrong, though...Now if the XMODS were fully propo they would definately be in the area of Mini Z's as far as the handling department is concerned, at least in my opinion!

To sum it all up, which is better? Personally, I like both just about the same and I know my son really likes the Xmods a lot and probably will use them as much if not more than his Mini Z. Me, I'll use both the Z and X probably about the same, just a little more excited about the Xmods right no probably because I can't wait to hop them up and see what kind of performance/handling I can get from these! Later, thanks for reading my review! David

[Cubicle]

Thanks for psoting...its post like these that i really appreciate..i.e. believable with seemingly little bias. This summed it up for me....

One thing that was very noticeable was when I ran the XMod for a few minutes and then switched over to the Mini Z, the 'smoothness factor' really was apparent between fully propo and the 15 or so steps the Xmods has! No contest there, Mini Z is super smooth and the XMod is fairly smooth and to those that wouldn't know the difference, it would seem really smooth!

Now my personal question....do you own an epoch?

[vtheo]

cool beans...looks like i am gonna get a xmod... hmm... i wanna off road... i wonder how much modding it will take to make it compete with a overland...

[nojodash]

yes I do, and I really like it, the propo on it is really good, almost as good as the mini Z's, if only RS would of had at least 'Epoch' quality of control, they would of been excellent! Not to fond of the Epoch controller, but I did swap crystals and use my Perfex w/it and it was even better! The only thing I really don't like about the Epoch is the run times I am getting; only about 3 minutes per charge! later, David

[Cubicle]

So ...hate to ask...but ca you compare the epoch to the Xmod briefly? Im really debating between the 2 ....

Any info. you add will be helpful....

Thanks in advance.

[Btman]

I have been into RC cars for over 20 years and have owned a stock mini-z since they first came out over 3 years ago. I do not race(so far) and have only used my cars for recreational use. I personally believe that the XMODS are very good cars for the price. The steering really is pretty good in my opinion and the speed in stock form is very good for my 10' x 20' basement race area. I think these cars will help bring more people into the hobby. The parts already available for these cars and the excellent mini magazine/how to guide will teach a lot of people how to tune a car for different conditions. Overall, I would say that they are an excellent value.

[nojodash]

Cubicle, sure can review based on Epochs, but let me say that I am running a Spec 1.5-which is the Speed Racer version and I modded some bodies to fit 'cause I don't care for the Speed Racer bodies much...Anyways, I do know that the Epoch Spec 1 and the 1.5 are not nearly as good as the Epoch Spec 2's, so whatever that is worth... First, the Epoch is really cool, great handling, good speed-not as fast as a stock Mini Z or XMod in my opinion, and not for sure if it can be modded to be as quick or not..True Propo control- the TX is smallish/cheap feeling- I personally like the XMOD controller better as far as how it is presented.... Epochs are 1:43 scale as I am sure you know, and I do like that size, but something about it, for me and my son even, just doesn't quite garner the track time compared to our usage of our Mini Z's and I'm sure the Xmods...One thing I don't like is the short run time per charge(barely 3 minutes for me, although I've heard of others getting 6+ minutes per charge-and yes I have fresh batteries!) and I don't like it when the charge starts to run out the car stutters/stops/stutters! Anyways, hope that helps in your decision, I do know that a lot of people are very dedicated to the Epoch and prefer that over anything else...later, David

[dragon4450]

i just have one question, and please no one bash me for it. why is that every one wants to compare a $50 car to a $150 car? i mean it just dosnt make sence to me. i have played with mini z's and i really like them and yes the xmod and the mini z are both 1/24th scale, but still i dont get why someone would want to compare them when the quality of a $150 car would ( or shoud) be better. sorry just my 2 cents take it or leave it.

[Murcielago659]

We compare them because we want to know how good a deal we got.

[Cubicle]

Thanks David..I appreciate that tid bit...especially because it was compared with the 1 (or 1.5) as thats the Epoch i was concerned with. If im going to drop 60 plus on either the Epoch or XMOD its going to be the XMOD but if i can spend 50 or less on the Spec 1 Epoch well...now we have a dilemma ( or did...bought an Epoch). Truth be told ...a larger scale just gives me another exscuse to leave the house. Thanks a ton. Realistic non biased reviews are the only ones i pay attention to . The Mini Z should be better...but if the XMOD is even comparable ( a worth while comparison ) for 1/2 to 1/3 of the price HANDS down its the winner.

[Btman]

I have a mini-z, mini-x, xmod and epoch spec-2. They are all good cars with pros and cons in my opinion. The xmod is a very good car coming from Radio Shack. The mini-x is a good car but the original bodies lack detail. The mini-Z is a good car but the box stock handling is not as good as an xmod on slippery surfaces in my opinion. I personally like the xmod transmitter better than the epoch. My first RC car came from Radio Shack over 20 years ago. I own them for introducing me to a hobby that I have enjoyed off and on ever since. A lots of people will naturally compare Xmods to Mini-Zs because the Mini-Z is the most popular (though probably not the best ) 1/24-1/28 scale car on the market. There are many good cars in this class (ABC, Kawada, .....) That do not have the market share that Kyosho has. I personally think that the XMODS will bring more people into the hobby than ever before and that will be good for everyone. Because of the excellent mini magazine/set up guide that come with XMODS, many people will learn how to properly set up a car for different conditions for the first time. To me the whole XMODS concept from initial price, to packaging, to promotion, to upgradeability sets a new standard. Even if this car will never beat a mini-z at the track (and it probably can) it is still a winner in my opinion.

[anticasper86]

has anyone taken the drift path in rc cars?