new zipzap faulty?

weapon · #1 11-08-2002, 10:04 AM

hi all..

i've been lurking for a while but this is my first post so "hello, my names weapon". basically i'm a rookie to microRCs so please bear with me :\

that being said.. after waiting for ages i finally got meself a new zipzap yesterday from RShck....a black civic, 27Mhz.

rushed home put it together charged it up and drove it around the wood-floors for about only 2 mins max before it ran outta steam....

so i charged it again.. released it... placed it on the table and it wouldn't respond? touch the antenna on the remote to the car's antenna, then it kinda trys to work? lift the car up and try it and the wheels tend to chug along? no hair or anything is stuck in the axels...

damn, this this is brand new... could it be one from a bad batch? or do any of you have an idea on how i could overcome it? i mean i only got 1 ride outta it!!

thanks.
.wpn.

payaso · #2 11-08-2002, 10:25 AM

Are you using new batteries in the controller? Try switching out the batts for new ones and see if that helps.... And welcome to the forums.

silla

weapon · #3 11-08-2002, 10:36 AM

thanks for the welcome & response silla..

yeh man, i put in brand spanking new energizers.... i figured if the energizer bunny can last hours then me new zipzap could last at least a couple minutes! ok, i know stupid joke... sorry

rt144 · #4 11-08-2002, 11:38 AM

sometimes if the batteries are not quite long enough, they will stutter, try bending your connections in your controller so the battery fits a little tighter. it's worth a try! i recently bought rechargable batteries and they seem to work better! i also had to bend my connections! i also put the copper wire on the antenna aand that helped

8 zip zaps
honda s 2000 microsizer
5 clones!

lnx_author · #5 11-08-2002, 02:46 PM

fwiw... i have a bunch of zz cars and gear, but was interested in the veracity of the MicroSizer braggadocios' posts about how great they are...

(note: this is in reponse to this thread, on an 'out-of-the-box' experience with a zz, but a with diametric view)

- so i bought one - 49MHz, Mitsubishi Lancer, yellow

- body is cartoonish, but the detail is nice (translucent headlights/rear lights)

- controller is funky, heavier and larger than the zz, but adequate... buttons are bigger, which is a bonus (i use joysticks on my zz controller)

- inserted brand-new AAs in the controller and put the car together...

- charging the car was a bit confusing at first, because you don't have the 'click catch' of the zz controller, and lining up the MicroSizer (i wear reading glasses and can't see up close) was a hassle - but i suppose once you get used to charging, not really a problem...

i then extended the antenna, and...

i can see why the MicroSizer folks like the speed; BUT the car and/or controller combination made for a poor initial experience on my wood flooring, as the tires are slicks; the car stuttered worse at the same range as a zz 27MHz; occasionally the car would only spin in circles, despite letting go of the turn button or trying to turn left or right... runtime was about same as zz out of the box...

interestingly, when i switched to the zz 49MHz controller, the stuttering was gone, the circle-spinning stopped, and handling and turning improved! it wasn't that hard to adapt to the reverse handling at all... the MicroSizer controller worked fine w/one of my 49MHz zz...

the included MicroSizer motor would not work in a zz, but a zz motor works just fine in the MicroSizer... fortunately i had 'gripped' zz tires to put on the MicroSizer's rear wheels...

overall, the MicroSizer is pretty nice, but for my money, i'll stick with the zz, thank you (and pocket the US$10 saved on each car purchase)...

just thought i'd pass on my thoughts; i owed it to the other MicroSizer posters to see what the units are like...

(btw, the MicroSizer is $29+change at my local Target; an order form in the box states a $36 [!!!] price for the same... i like the bonus printed cardboard sheet of track goodies included in the car's box, too!)

cowfish_29 · #6 11-09-2002, 10:55 AM

yeah, the handling can be kinda funky out of the box with Microsizers. They just take a little bit of tuning, you can get em to handle pretty well.

about the zz conroller...thats pretty strange. That particular controller might have had better range than the zz one, and maybe you are just used to it, so you could drive better.

General Lee · #7 11-09-2002, 12:35 PM

I have read alot of posts about the 27MHz ZZ's poor range. Is this the exception or the rule?

If given the option would you choose a 49MHz ZZ over a 27MHz if you did not plan on doing any range mods?

What is the typical out-of the box range for a

27MHZ ZZ ?
49MHZ ZZ ?
27MHZ MS ?
49MHZ MS ?

I just purchased two 27MHz Honda Civic Coupes as Christmas presents for my nephews who I don't think will be able to do any of the mods discussed in these postings.

I have a 27MHz Suburu Imprezza MS without any crip cap and get decent range with no mods at all. About 20 ft on new batteries.

alpha1 · #8 11-11-2002, 03:39 AM

The range is affected by a lot of variables. There really isn't a set range. It all depends on the strength of the signal from the transmitter, and the sensitivity of the receiver. The statement that 27Mhz cars have a shorter range than 49Mhz is not true. 1/10th scale R/C cars run on both 27 and 75Mhz with up to 1/4 mile range in an open field. 27Mhz bands were originally used on CB radios, and their range was up to 1 mile. Because of the size of the transmitter on these cars, you can't expect it to overcome any interference from larger items such as TV's, Microwaves, and cordless phones. Typically speaking, you can expect about 10-15 feet for these cars.