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Michael James

Michael's Radio Controlled Vehicles Blog

By Michael James, About.com Guide to Radio Controlled Vehicles

Are You Ready to Go Nitro?

Monday April 3, 2006
I love my nitro truck. It fulfills my desire to go fast and it lets me fiddle, tweak, modify, and tinker to no end. Fun, you betcha. But buying and owning a nitro RC requires serious commitment. The expense alone is enough to keep some people out of the gas-powered arena. However, having deep pockets isn't the only criteria for nitro RC ownership. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from buying a nitro RC. Heck, I think they're the coolest toy on the RC playground. But before you go buying your first nitro RC, make sure you understand that there are significant differences between nitro and electric RCs.

Are you planning to get a nitro RC? View Nitro RC Poll Results

Photo © M. James

Comments

April 4, 2006 at 6:44 pm
(1) kemp says:

For me its not so much that nitros cost that much more to buy but the cost of keeping them is costlier. I can buy recharge batteries every now and then for my electrics but nitro fuel, plugs and new tires after just a few runs realy add up. I like both kinds but the nitros expense keeps going and going

April 7, 2006 at 3:35 pm
(2) Lily J. says:

Which do you prefer, Nitro RCs or Electric RCs? I understand the price difference in the two but what about handling, Which of the two do you think rides better?

December 17, 2006 at 5:56 pm
(3) Phil H says:

Ive had electric, now im on nitro and loving it. More power! More speed! And with holes cut into the body you can refuel with the engine running!

May 26, 2007 at 9:35 am
(4) paul says:

i have lots of electric cars, and one nitro. i say nitro is better if you have alot of spare time. tuning is a pain, but if you want a serious hobby chose nitro. smartech nitros are good starter vehicles.

July 21, 2008 at 7:58 am
(5) G says:

I found that a RC car that you’re easily able to use given the landscape close to your home generally provides you with the most joy. With a nitro you require a lot of open space. Electric you can run just about everywhere. As they say, horses for courses.

October 7, 2008 at 11:35 am
(6) jake horsfield says:

i think both because electrics are alowed on road but nitros faster

January 8, 2009 at 6:06 pm
(7) Rob L says:

Nitro every day… the speed – the power – the fumes – aah I can smell them now..!!

March 26, 2009 at 11:02 pm
(8) joey says:

i use both i use nitro in warmer temp and i use electric colder temp.

March 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm
(9) Tom says:

im just getting into nitro going to buy my first they look so much fun and im into engines so tweaking with it isnt a problem just hope it doesnt hurt my wallet too much! cant wait to get one.

September 13, 2009 at 9:39 am
(10) Rick R says:

I’m into nitro powered RC. They are faster, they last longer, and when you run out of fuel you just fill up again. Unlike electric when you run out of charge you are out of fun. But there are upsides to electrics. Such as acceleration, You hit the gas and you are going 30mph. I prefer nitro.

November 17, 2009 at 7:46 pm
(11) Clyde says:

I have been hearing a lot of people saying that nitro is faster then electric and was just wondering how this rumor got started? Every electric I have owned has walked circles around my nitro. I had a E-Maxx and a T-Maxx, the e-maxx was much faster and bashed a lot better. My E-Revo will outrun any nitro 4wd truggy/buggy that I have seen, of course besides a nitro 4-tec or the like. Brushless technology is producing tons more power then nitro, at a better rpm and pulls into higher speed.

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