The Legend Returns - vintage RC at its finest!
The Kyosho Optima 1/10 4wd Buggy was originally released in 1985, and was a technical masterpiece that set a new standard for RC performance. 30 years later, the original Optima has become the white buffalo of vintage enthusiasts and collectors around the world. With a blend of vintage style and modern technology, the Optima is once again ready to lead the charge in a battle for on track dominance.
The Vintage Series Optima features the same narrow backbone shaped chassis that provides the platform for optimal geometry with large steering angles, long 35mm suspension stroke and double wishbone suspension. Recreated in the image of the original design, the the 4WD chain drive system is housed inside a sealed compartment and the gears and gearbox at the center of the drive train are equipped with a robust metal counter gear pinion and rear diff case. The drive train also features a slipper clutch and precision 48-pitch gear modules that reduce drive loss and fulfill the potential of modern power sources.
Modern features have been added that include the choice of chain drive or belt drive as well as big bore shocks on front and rear that have been recreated in the original Optima colors. The rear hubs feature inserts that allow you to tune the amount of outboard toe in. The battery compartment allows the use of standart NiMH packs, as well as standard and shorty type LiPo. The distinctive Optima Spike Tire pattern has been recreated with softer, high grip rubber compound. Plus, the kit includes a complete set of hex screws and ball bearings. These features combined create a car that looks like the original, with performance that far exceeds anything the original car was capable of.
Features:
- Chassis: All plates and the main chassis bars are now 6061T6 aluminum (counter sunk). Aluminum chassis bars are slightly thicker for more durability.
- Drive-train: Kit includes both chain and belt drive trains allowing use of more powerful motors. Diff gears now have ball bearings installed.
- Gears: Now in 48 pitch gears. Sintered alloy gears combined with high impact nylon gears and newly added slipper clutch will cope with the current power plants.
- Shocks: 10mm diameter aluminum cylinder with SUS shaft allows improved damping.
- Tires/Wheels: Slightly modified tread designs and softer compound for superior grip and handling. Rear tires include inner sponge. 1 piece wheel design.
- Bumpers: 2 Types of bumpers included (Wide and Narrow)
- Motor Guard: Aluminum motor guard
- Geometry: Updated geometry and servo fixture
- Hardware: All Hex
- Driver: Molded helmet design.
- Option Parts: We will release various option parts.
- Electronics compatibility: The 2014 Scorpion is compatible with the current standard servos, receiver units, ESC's, motors and battery packs.
- Packaging: Similar to the original with blister pack showing some of the parts included. Some parts will be preassembled and parts will be bagged in steps following the instruction manual for easy assembly.
Specifications:
Length: 395mm
Width: 240mm
Height: 120mm
Ground Clearance: 36mm
Wheelbase: 260mm
Tread (F/R): 204mm / 204mm
Tire (F/R): 86f x 40mm / 86f x 40mm
Gear Ratio: 9.24:1
Weight: approx. 1,600g
Motor: 540 class size
Battery: Ni-MH / Li-PO Standard Size / short size
R/C System: 2 channel, 1-servo, ESC
Includes:
- Pre-assembled kit (gearbox and oil shocks are pre-assembled)
- Clear polycarbonate body
- Decals
- L-shape hex wrench
- Cross wrench
- Shock wrench
- Shock oil
- Grease
- Threadlock glue
Needed to Complete:
- 2-ch, 1-servo R/C system for cars
- 540-class motor (30-27 turns recommended)
- ESC compatible with motor
- Battery pack for chassis
- Battery charger
- Paint for painting the polycarbonate body
- Batteries for R/C transmitter
- Tools (1.5, 2.0, 3.0mm hex wrench)
This product was added to our catalog on April 7, 2016
If you buy this kit, get ready for a frustrating and hair-pulling experience. First off, mine came with so many missing parts and hardware I was shocked. Amain was great getting me all the missing parts!
Over the years, I have built dozens of RC car kits both for myself, friends and for resale. But this Kyosho kit is what I would qualify as "Unbuildable". The hardware is so bad that even with a brand-new set of hex wrenches, the screws strip in seconds. As I mentioned, about half of the parts were missing. Amain got them to me in days.
The instructions are vague. The drive train is impossible to get right. I used the belt-drive option figuring it would be less of a hassle then the chain drive which I saw online was a mess to work with. I tried both and still couldn't get it right. I literally spent a week trying to get the belt drive to no avail but would get so frustrated I would put it away after an hour and work on something else, and I have an engineering degree! I bought a high-end motor & ESC just for this but I'm going to use them on a Tamiya buggy I'm building instead.
This Kyosho nightmare is going into my "RC Junk Closet". Hopefully I can find a use for some of the good parts - like the included shocks - for something else.
I wasted $300 on this lemon. If you have your heart set on this buggy, buy one that is already built and working.
Or, my advice is to spend a few more bucks and get a Team Associated, Losi or the Tamiya Super Avante. The Tamiya Super Avante is my next project. Tamiya has great kits, great instructions and all the parts are always included. If you don't feel like building, I purchased (from Amain of course) a Team Associated RB10 RTR 1/10 Electric 2WD Brushless Buggy w/2.4GHz Radio & DVC. It's not 4WD but it kicks butt!
Do not waste $300 on this Kyosho Optima 1/10 4wd Buggy Kit [KYO30617B]. You'll WILL regret it.