The 5 Essential Questions for New RC Enthusiasts
If you’re a potential new RC enthusiast, let me be the first to welcome you aboard! As a fellow enthusiast, I have identified five essential questions for you to ask yourself before making your first purchase.
QUESTION 1: WHAT DO YOU FIND COOL AND INTERESTING ABOUT RC?
WHAT THIS CAN HELP ANSWER: Vehicle type, accessibility, social aspect, and level of engagement.
As a beginner, what hooked me on the hobby was watching the four-wheeled vehicles race around a track. Although I appreciated airplanes and boats, I didn’t grow up around runways or waterways, so it was more of an abstract appreciation of their performance. On the other hand, cars and trucks were the personal connection that ignited my interest. Seeing today’s technically advanced vehicles in a smaller form factor spoke to me. I may never be able to afford to drive a Dodge Charger and drift around curves, but I can do it in a smaller physical space outdoors on a track designed for all skill levels. It was exhilarating.
It wasn’t just the experience that I found important. I wanted to share this hobby with my teen, so I needed the experience to be a way for us to bond. Therefore, whatever option I ended up selecting needed to allow for jump-in fun with a minimal learning curve for all age groups.
However, the question I didn’t ask was, “what RC car do you want?” or “what car do you like?” Because to a certain degree, those things will come out in the wash. The focus for new RC hobbyists needs to remain on why this is exciting, why this is fun, and why you like it Bazgar blog. These are the factors that turn “new” fans into “amateur” fans, “amateur” fans into “intermediates,” and “intermediates” into lifelong “professionals” who will share their expertise with the future generation of “new” fans. The RC hobby has always cultivated its own topsoil of “cool and interesting.”
QUESTION 2: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH RC PRODUCTS?
WHAT THIS CAN HELP ANSWER: Shared experiences, preferences, dislikes, and reasons for returning to the hobby.
This question will vary from enthusiast to enthusiast, but it’s essential to consider. What drove you to the RC hobby? Did you engage with RC cars as a child? Was it a hobby enjoyed by a parent or an older sibling? Or did you find the products just plain cool?
Your memories of RC products can help inform your predicted involvement with the hobby. If you focus on the aspects you enjoyed, you can be sure that those aspects still exist and may have become more accessible or easier. Also, if there were other aspects you didn’t particularly like, such as short battery life or expensive repairs, you can focus on products that reduce those issues and help you identify which products are suitable for a beginner.
Finally, if you stepped away from RC in the past, what were those reasons? Were there aspects of the hobby that you found disappointing? Are you returning because some of those stumbling blocks have been removed, or because your love for radio control now outweighs them? Being honest with yourself about the things you liked or did not like can help you find a product that reduces those worries but still scratches that “RC itch.”
CONCERN 3: HOW COMFORTABLE ARE YOU IN CONDUCTING REPAIRS AND UPKEEP ON YOUR VEHICLE?
RESPONSE: Energy intake, upkeep schedules, and overall upkeep of your car.
If you’re worried about having to suddenly become a mechanic to maintain your new RC vehicle, don’t be. Each vehicle comes with a user’s manual that provides detailed instructions on necessary maintenance and upkeep, and there are plenty of online resources to guide you through any repairs or maintenance you may encounter. So, even if you’re not comfortable with repairs, you can still enjoy the hobby.
However, if you enjoy fixing things and customizing your RC model, advanced models in every style of RC allow for a significant amount of tinkering, including building your gear from scratch. Purchasing a standard set of tools is a wise investment, and specific sets can be bought online or at a local hobby store.
QUESTION 4: WILL YOU BE PREDOMINANTLY ENGAGING WITH THE PASTIME IN PHYSICAL STORES OR ONLINE?
RESPONSE: Comfort in obtaining new products, accessories, resources, engagement with other enthusiasts, and where I’ll be doing the majority of my research in the future.
There are many ways to engage with the RC community, including physical hobby stores and online resources. While online resources have connected enthusiasts worldwide, don’t forget the benefits of visiting your local hobby store. The staff will have first-hand knowledge and tailored advice for your particular skill level and interest in the hobby. If you value the social aspect of the hobby, your local hobby store could be a great place to meet other enthusiasts.
QUESTION 5: HOW IMPORTANT IS SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT TO ME IN THE SATISFACTION OF MY HOBBY?
RESPONSE: Where to find resources for local events, enthusiast groups, racing clubs, or other events coordinated for RC enthusiasts.
There’s no right or wrong way to engage with others in the RC hobby. It’s important to ask yourself if events and groups are a good way to gain more knowledge about the hobby or if you prefer to engage with others virtually. Many live events have been rescheduled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and online streaming of events is also available. Your local hobby store can also be a great resource for finding local events and groups.
Ultimately, finding the right RC model and engaging with the community in a way that fits your interests and preferences is key to enjoying the hobby to its fullest. Remember why you started in RC in the first place, and have fun!