New Micro and improved Motorworks

Azimov · #1 05-10-2003, 12:01 PM

Hey, have you seen the new micro at Wally World? It's a true 1/64 scale car exactly the same size as the Johnny Lightening slot cars. They are all released with bodies from F&F. They come in little nitrous bottles. Power is unreal, but traction is terrible. Although, a tire and rim mod from a true HO scale slot car would be a snap. The controller has a turbo function and the increase in power is amazing. The cars have a hardwired pager motor and an enclosed gearbox, and I hate the charger pad being inside the nitrous bottle. It's a real hassle taking the car on and off the charger base. But, over all, I think these things are really nice.
Also, I've noticed some improvements to the MotorWorks cars. First, they had the bullet shaped case and the Bit clone type cars. Then, they were put in a more squarish case and the cars were given switchable hubcaps and better performance. Now, I see new cars in the square case. Longer wheel bases and the same size wheels front and back. They seem like a total mirror image of Zips now. They even have some great truck bodies that I think will just pop right on a Zip chassis. Rat Shack better watch it's back, the clones are getting better.

One final thing. The new F&F true HO scale cars have a bit of deceptive marketing goin on with the packaging. The package says, "steering wheel controller". That really means the controller is round, not that the controller has a wheel on it. It uses the same button layout as most clones. And, there is a blurb on the package about a 5 min. charge giving a 20 min. run time. But, the instructions inside show an average charge of less than a minute and a 5 min. runtime.

kwikbb · #2 05-10-2003, 12:19 PM

Sweet! I'll have to swing by later and scope it out, how much are they?

Thanks for the heads up Azimov.

Azimov · #3 05-10-2003, 12:26 PM

Something like 17.95 USD. Two dollars cheaper than a Zip, but three dollars more than a Motorworks. These things are nice. True HO scale, I mean TINY! And they have dual cells inside. The only problem I see with them so far is the traction is very poor. I mean, the car mostly just spins the rear wheels on linoleum, and doesn't do much better on my track. This is in normal mode. In turbo, it spins and fishtails all over the place. I've got an old slot car chassis I plan to rob the tires from to give this thing some stick. From what I can tell so far, if it had good traction it would literally fly!

kwikbb · #4 05-10-2003, 01:04 PM

Nice, does it look like the wheels are comparable in size to MS/Bit?
Actually on my ZZ, I use MS tires... much better surface coverage and performance IMO.

Azimov · #5 05-10-2003, 01:19 PM

Quote:

does it look like the wheels are comparable in size to MS/Bit?

No, not at all. The wheels are teeny tiny. The rim diameter is the same as HO slot cars. I just put some front tires from an old slot car on the rear of this one with the body off, and it has unbelievable torque and speed. The turbo boost would be a serious case of whiplash. I'm gonna look for some Johnny Lightening tire and wheel kits and slap on this baby.
I'll post some PICs for you later showing a comparison to a Zip.
BTW, even with the new tires, the car still has so much torque that it fishtails on takeoff and cornering. But, it does have two cells in the car and three batteries in the charger.
And one more thing. I wouldn't call this car a clone at all. It is new and unique. The PCB is very different with a hole in the center for the batteries to stand up in. There's no PCB cover, and the chassis is a totally different design. The steering mechanics is different from Zips and Bits, though still magnetic. And the gearbox is completely enclosed keeping out the dust. After playing with this thing for an afternoon, I'm not so sure I'll be buying Zips anymore. This car is a true radio controlled HO scale car.

kwikbb · #6 05-10-2003, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Azimov
Here's some PICs of the little beauty.

Hey that's not funny... stop teasing

lol

Azimov · #7 05-10-2003, 03:15 PM

Here's some PICs of the little beauty.

Azimov · #8 05-10-2003, 03:17 PM

Another.

Azimov · #9 05-10-2003, 03:19 PM

The innards.

Azimov · #10 05-10-2003, 03:20 PM

one more.

kwikbb · #11 05-10-2003, 03:22 PM

Whoa you weren't kiding, those wheels are teeeeennny

Good detail though, oh yeah is the body plastic od die-dast?

Thanks, for the pics!

Azimov · #12 05-10-2003, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Hey that's not funny... stop teasing lol

Sorry, lol, the pic didn't load right the first time. I got it now though.

Azimov · #13 05-10-2003, 03:26 PM

The body is plastic. One piece, much like the other micros. Yup, the tires and wheels do look tiny next to a Zip, but they are true HO scale. Same rim diameter as HO scale slot cars.

kwikbb · #14 05-10-2003, 03:29 PM

that pan-chassis has ooddles of possabilities though! that in itself is reason enough to buy it, plus an encased gearbox........ oh the possabilities [drools on keyboard]

Azimov · #15 05-10-2003, 03:35 PM

Quote:

plus an encased gearbox

Yup, the gears and the biddnezz end of the motor are all encased like a mini transmission. I think the drive gear is in the center of the rear axel, but could be wrong as I haven't yet opened the gearbox. The more I look at this thing the more I like it.