Considering getting into XMods - have a question or two...

[momofx]

I stumbled upon this site and xmod videos on youtube and I want to get into the xmod hobby

Now, I know there are Gen1 and Evo Xmod kits, so...

1. Is it better to get the Evo one or the Gen1 or the Street edition?
2. Is it possible to use other body's or model car body's for the Xmod?
3. Will I regret this hobby? (I am an electronics guy btw) lol.

Mo

[zippo855]

1. Is it better to get the Evo one or the Gen1?
everyone has their preference on what they think is the best chassis to use. i think its 6 of one half a dozen of the other. I started out with evo, and personally think that they are easier to do things with. but the gen 1 you can do quite a bit with as well. get different camber easier, more of a "hobby grade" type of electtronics setup. has a sepearate esc, rx, servo incorporated into it. the oevo has it all as one bundle basically.

2. Is it possible to use other body's or model car body's for the Xmod?
the evos can run any xmod body, the gen 1 doesnt go long enough to run a few of the evo bodys. and check out the project section and the picture gallery area, you can see you put almost any model body on these xmods

3. Will I regret this hobby? (I am an electronics guy btw) lol.
(click the link in my sig, i have a ton of xmods, and i dont regret it one bit)


theres some answers for ya,
Chuck

[momofx]

Wow talk about a quick reply! Thanks Chuck. I just realised my local radioshack has only the Street edition xmods left - are these any good or should I just try to find an Evo or Gen1? Btw, I am VERY much into modding everything and electronics and circuitry are one of my main hobbies...

I was hearing the street edition cannot be modded but I would like you hear you guy's answers - thanks.

[zippo855]

most of the street edition bodies dont have body kits available for them. and the crystals are fixed, instead of removable. but you can transplant one of the old style crystal holders, or a mini z crystal holders onto the boards.
but the cars themselves are just as modable as the evos, bearings, gpm, awd, aftermarket parts, etc.

[momofx]

Ok great - so it sounds like the street edition is not a bad option after all! Do you guys think $25 is a good deal for the street edition brand new? My local RS has the LAST ONE left (he said it was on clearance sale for $25)!! Think I should go jump on it right now?

I did not ask the guy on the phone which body style he had but I guess its okay since I can change the body out if I wanted...

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

[maxinflixion]

Originally Posted by momofx

Ok great - so it sounds like the street edition is not a bad option after all! Do you guys think $25 is a good deal for the street edition brand new? My local RS has the LAST ONE left (he said it was on clearance sale for $25)!! Think I should go jump on it right now?

I did not ask the guy on the phone which body style he had but I guess its okay since I can change the body out if I wanted...

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

I picked up my first one at RS clearance for $25 and quickly bought another one and an extra "broken" one at a discount of $15.

As a computer guy and serial upgrader, I instantly started tinkering and within a week or so had ordered enough aftermarket parts to build a nearly $200 Xmod. (see it here http://www.xmodsource.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18663 )

That being said, I have had a blast and although I have slowed down considerably over the last week or so due to work being busy as heck, I cannot wait to run them outdoors now that the weather has turned.

You won't regret it.... All the time

[lol]

Street and Evo are the same thing except the Streets have more reinforced parts but with fixed frequency crystals. Any of the Evo upgrades will work on the Streets.

[zippo855]

I'd jump on it. They are normally 50 bucks so half price makes it that much easier

[momofx]

Well I just got back from RS and here is what I got together with what I paid ...

Xmods Street Audi R8 - $24.95 clearance
RS 8 Pack AAA NiMh 750mA with Charger for Xmods - $12.95 clearance
9V on Sale - $1.99

Do you guys think I got a steal lol? What do you guys think about the RS Xmod batteries and charger I got - are those good enough or should I return them and get something else you guys would recommend? I got em anyway because it was the last one as well lol.

Oh and I thought it would be nice to show a pic since you all have been so helpful

[lol]

Put the batteries in the freezer over night, then let them return to room temperature and charge them. They are like 5 year old batteries.

[mycrors4]

Originally Posted by lol

Put the batteries in the freezer over night, then let them return to room temperature and charge them. They are like 5 year old batteries.

this is true..... welcome to the addiction my friend.. the addiction will empty your pockets even if you try to keep the money in your pockets.

[lol]

Should be a good 10-15 minutes on RS Batteries. They will probably last a few minutes longer as the batteries are old, but just keep charging them. Use another charger btw, use the 15 Minute chargers, they charge them properly, the RS Xmod Charger doesnt charge full, just enough for you to run your xmod.

[momofx]

I just looked up the Lipo battery setup for these and they run on 7.4V - is that safe on a stock setup?!

How long does a typical dual 500mA Lipo (like the ones on Ebay) setup allow you to drive for?

How many charge cycles do they accept ie. how long will the Lipo last?

Now these require a special charger as well don't they? If I do this I am thinking about returning the RS Battery Kit... not worth it if all 8 batteries are basically "bad" even though it comes with a charger....

Thanks for your valuable advice

[Howlsatmoonlight]

Its safe to run, because unless you also upgrade your motor, the stock motor won't draw enough voltage from the battery to fry your FETs. I don't know the mAH rating on my lipo pack (its from an RC heli) but I can usually drive 20-30 minutes before needing a recharge.

Yes you will need a special charger, I would look on ebay for combo packs.

[xmodsunlimited]

here you go-

http://cgi.ebay.com/XMODS-EVO-HD-Lit...#ht_500wt_1182

[momofx]

Thanks, so basically I can get a 7.4V Lipo or Lith. battery and a matching charger to be on the road again for longer huh? Thanks for the link too.

[Howlsatmoonlight]

Not only will it run longer, but you will notice a sizable speed increase, as the higher voltage allows the motor to draw more power. Going from Nimh AAA's to Lipo gave me a 5+ mph increase on a stage 2 motor.

[RCrally]

spend the money on ball bearing better than a better nimh battery set.

[momofx]

Yeah I'm in the process of gettin that too - ****it to think I was just gonna get this, put batteries and play... look at me now lol.