Toy Grade vs Hobby Grade equipment.
When it comes to R/C there is really two levels available. Toy grade and Hobby grade. The big differences between the two is quality and price. Toy grade is found in big box retailers and toy stores everywhere. They don't cost much because they are not meant to last. They're fun to fool around with but will get broken pretty fast and are not easily repaired. They are not meant to be disassembled so parts are rarely available. They're considered disposable. They're TOYS!
Hobby grade is subdivided into entry level, intermediate and advanced and are completely different from toy grade. Entry level is for the newcomer and will let you learn how to control a vehicle or aircraft, provide modest performance, and replacement parts are available. Cars, trucks and boats have competition classes just for this type of vehicle. Most of these come pre-assembled but some are available as kits. Performance or "hop-up" parts are also available to add to your vehicle as your skills improve. Entry level for planes is similar. The planes are called trainers and they fly slower and are less maneuverable. This allows you to develop the necessary skills needed to fly successfully. Most trainers also have replacement parts available as crashes happen when learning to fly. Hop-up parts for trainers are rare as the airframes for these aircraft are not built for high performance. Once you learn to fly you can move up to faster more agile aircraft, or get some of those performance parts that are available for cars, trucks and boats. This is the intermediate level. Advancing forward doesn't have to be expensive as you can add just a little at a time. Some low cost changes can provide big increases in performance and many, if not most, people in the hobby find this a comfortable and cost wise level to stay at even if they have the skills to advance.
The advanced R/C'er is someone who has mastered the skills needed and whether it be on Air, Land or Water has probably also maxed out the performance of whatever type of craft they have and want more. But Bigger, Faster, more Horsepower does cost money. The aircraft, ground or waterborne vehicles at this level are generally much more complex and require the use of top tier parts and radio equipment. Some advanced stuff is even available pre-built with everything needed but usually you will be buying a kit and adding the high performance components (engine or motor, speed controller, batteries, other optional accessories) that you prefer. The costs can add up quickly when you move up into this area of the hobby. You can easily spend multiple thousands of dollars once you step up to this level. There are national and even international competitions. Trophies and sometimes cash awards are given out along with the prestige of representing your country. There are also a handful of Pro R/C drivers that actually make a good living (+$100,000) on the race circuit. Of course most hobbyists at this level just want to have something at the field, pond or track that stands out from the crowd and gives them some bragging rights!!
The radio equipment is also completely different between toy and hobby grade. Toy radios are very short range and prone to interference. Also if two people have the same product they usually won't be able to use them at the same time as they will be on the same channel. Some toy grade radios do have several channels to chose from but many don't.
Today's hobby radios allow many users at the same time and are almost completely free of interference and the range is more than you'll ever need. Depending on your needs hobby radios can cost less than $100 to several $1000. Many planes can be flown on 4 channels (throttle, ailerons, rudder, elevator) or less. Cars, trucks and boats most often use just 2 channels (throttle, steering) or 3 (brakes, gear shift, trim tabs). Scale Planes and Scale Boats will need radios with many channels for control and the optional features that will be added. Those optional features can include almost all the functions of the full size type. For planes that might include retractable landing gear, lights, sliding canopy, bombs, etc. Almost anything can be duplicated. It's the same with boats. If it's on the full size you can make it work on the scaled down version. Scale modeling can be very rewarding.
So if you want something to play around with in the backyard, toy grade stuff might suit your needs. If you want something that will stand up to use and allow you to join the world of R/C, hobby grade is the only option.
When it comes to R/C there is really two levels available. Toy grade and Hobby grade. The big differences between the two is quality and price. Toy grade is found in big box retailers and toy stores everywhere. They don't cost much because they are not meant to last. They're fun to fool around with but will get broken pretty fast and are not easily repaired. They are not meant to be disassembled so parts are rarely available. They're considered disposable. They're TOYS!
Hobby grade is subdivided into entry level, intermediate and advanced and are completely different from toy grade. Entry level is for the newcomer and will let you learn how to control a vehicle or aircraft, provide modest performance, and replacement parts are available. Cars, trucks and boats have competition classes just for this type of vehicle. Most of these come pre-assembled but some are available as kits. Performance or "hop-up" parts are also available to add to your vehicle as your skills improve. Entry level for planes is similar. The planes are called trainers and they fly slower and are less maneuverable. This allows you to develop the necessary skills needed to fly successfully. Most trainers also have replacement parts available as crashes happen when learning to fly. Hop-up parts for trainers are rare as the airframes for these aircraft are not built for high performance. Once you learn to fly you can move up to faster more agile aircraft, or get some of those performance parts that are available for cars, trucks and boats. This is the intermediate level. Advancing forward doesn't have to be expensive as you can add just a little at a time. Some low cost changes can provide big increases in performance and many, if not most, people in the hobby find this a comfortable and cost wise level to stay at even if they have the skills to advance.
The advanced R/C'er is someone who has mastered the skills needed and whether it be on Air, Land or Water has probably also maxed out the performance of whatever type of craft they have and want more. But Bigger, Faster, more Horsepower does cost money. The aircraft, ground or waterborne vehicles at this level are generally much more complex and require the use of top tier parts and radio equipment. Some advanced stuff is even available pre-built with everything needed but usually you will be buying a kit and adding the high performance components (engine or motor, speed controller, batteries, other optional accessories) that you prefer. The costs can add up quickly when you move up into this area of the hobby. You can easily spend multiple thousands of dollars once you step up to this level. There are national and even international competitions. Trophies and sometimes cash awards are given out along with the prestige of representing your country. There are also a handful of Pro R/C drivers that actually make a good living (+$100,000) on the race circuit. Of course most hobbyists at this level just want to have something at the field, pond or track that stands out from the crowd and gives them some bragging rights!!
The radio equipment is also completely different between toy and hobby grade. Toy radios are very short range and prone to interference. Also if two people have the same product they usually won't be able to use them at the same time as they will be on the same channel. Some toy grade radios do have several channels to chose from but many don't.
Today's hobby radios allow many users at the same time and are almost completely free of interference and the range is more than you'll ever need. Depending on your needs hobby radios can cost less than $100 to several $1000. Many planes can be flown on 4 channels (throttle, ailerons, rudder, elevator) or less. Cars, trucks and boats most often use just 2 channels (throttle, steering) or 3 (brakes, gear shift, trim tabs). Scale Planes and Scale Boats will need radios with many channels for control and the optional features that will be added. Those optional features can include almost all the functions of the full size type. For planes that might include retractable landing gear, lights, sliding canopy, bombs, etc. Almost anything can be duplicated. It's the same with boats. If it's on the full size you can make it work on the scaled down version. Scale modeling can be very rewarding.
So if you want something to play around with in the backyard, toy grade stuff might suit your needs. If you want something that will stand up to use and allow you to join the world of R/C, hobby grade is the only option.
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