Here are a few of the recent featured video uploads:

Here are a few of the recent featured video uploads:

The new Traxxas 5840 GoPro R/C HERO camera lets hobbyists see the view from behind the wheel of their RC car, airplane, or boat in full TV quality video. This miniature waterproof camera easily mounts to vehicles by using the included self adhesive mounting plates and quick release brackets to capture a driver seat view.

The RC HERO 170 degree wide angle lens captures all the action with 30 fps video.  If still shots are preferred, choose still mode to shoot 5 megapixel action. RC HERO can be set to shoot a still photo every two or five seconds for real time lapse photography, or burst mode to shoot three shots at a time. After a run, download the video or stills to a computer with the included USB cable, or plug RC Hero right into a TV with the included RCA adapter. Two lithium or NiMH AAA batteries are needed to power RC Hero for up to two hours of video capture or 1400 stills.

With the waterproof housing, RC Hero is perfect for boat and marine applications. Point it over the bow for a driver perspective or look behind to capture the roost from the prop. The adjustable brackets let modelers set the camera angle in their car or truck, and RC Hero is built tough to handle high performance driving in all terrains. R/C Hero can also be a perfect fit for full size action in a car, motorcycle helmet, or wherever your action is.

Visit the Traxxas RC Cars Trucks category on RCSLOT for a full line of Traxxas products.

When referring to the performance and handling of a particular boat, the configuration of the hull will have a big impact on the overall handling and performance of a boat on the water. When referring to the different types of hulls, there are five primary configurations for R/C boats: Deep-V’s, catamarans, hydroplanes, sailboats and Mini’s.

Deep-V

Deep-V’s are definitely the most popular hull style for boats and capable of tremendously high speeds. A Deep-V gets its name after the profile and look of the hull’s distinctive V shape. This hull setup relies on hull strakes for improved stability and cornering ability, and its Deep-V design helps the boat absorb the impact of larger waves on rough water. Additionally, the V-shape causes the boat to bank in the turns to assist turning. When you hit the throttle, the nose will typically come out of the water and as the boat gets on plane, it will ride on the rear back-third of the hull.

Catamaran

Catamarans are modeled after off shore race boats. Due to their wider hull footprint acting as 2 sponsons, they provide additional positive stability when compared to a Deep-V. While it is more stable, the fact that a catamaran has more of its hull in the water equals increased drag and slightly reduced top speed.

Hydroplanes

When drivers talk about speed and performance on the water, they are clearly talking about Unlimited Hydroplanes. Hydroplanes skim across the surface of the water at tremendous speeds and capture the look and feel of their full scale counterparts, even down to the huge turbine exhaust ports at the back of the hull. Hydroplanes are designed mainly for oval racing and feature a turning fin on the backside of one of the sponsons to help in cutting the tightest lines possible around a course. RC hydroplane boats are considered to be the Formula One of RC Boating due to their high speeds and performance driven designs.

Sailboats

For the best in relaxation, sailboats provide the lowest maintenance and are very fulfilling in regards to boat handling skills. With only the wind as power, skills must be focused to learn how to adjust the sails and take best advantage of wind currents. There is nothing like tacking to the wind, seemingly defying its direction.

Minis

When a driver wants to run a boat but doesn’t have access to a huge piece of open water, a mini RC boat is the perfect choice. Minis are smaller than other boats, but they feature similar handling and performance characteristics of their larger counterparts. Minis are available as RTR that demand very little preparation to get on the water and provide an inexpensive, economical way for someone to get their feet wet in the sport of RC boating. Some mini boats can even be driven in swimming pools if a boating fix is needed.

Check out the RC Boats category at RCSLOT for all your boating needs.

Pro Boat is pleased to announce their new ready to run nitro catamaran with the most advanced features in its class. The Pro Boat Blackjack 26 Super Sport RTR, model PRB2800T, has been updated with a powerful Pro Boat .18 marine engine which allows nitro boat hobbyists a fast and furious afternoon at their favorite pond or lake. The included Tiger Drive electric system fires up the engine quickly and reliably. Any modeler interested in speed and class will need the new Blackjack 26 SS.

• Powerful Pro Boat .18 marine engine comes preinstalled
• Race-quality offset rudder with built-in water pickup
• Tiger Drive electric starting system for quick, reliable engine starts
• Expected release date – September 2008.

For more Pro Boat and other RC boating products, visit the RC Boat category on RCSLOT.

We need your help to grow the HobbyZip community. Upload a video today and share it with friends, clubs, racers, pilots, and more.

HobbyZip has been created to become the ultimate source for Hobby Videos. From R/C racing, flying, crawling, and bloopers to product reviews, updates, how-to’s, and more, if its hobby-related then we want it.

Do you have video clips of a recent competition, quick shots of your airplane spiraling out of control, or tips and tricks others could benefit from? Create a free account today and start sharing your fun with the world!

If you do not see six videos above, make sure you have the most up-to-date Adobe Flash Player. Oh yeah, in addition to the above HobbyZip launch, for those who received the RCSLOT.com May coupon code in a recent purchase or anyone that missed it, use the code MAYNITRO now through 5/31/2008 to save $10. Simply enter the coupon code during checkout with your next purchase of $149 or more and $10 will be subtracted from the total. Thank you for your help and support, RCSLOT.com – Hobby Shop HobbyZip.com – Hobby Videos

]]> http://www.rcslot.com/blog/rcslot-launches-hobbyzip-hobby-videos.html/feed 0 http://www.rcslot.com/blog/pro-boat-coast-guard-motor-lifeboat-rtr-prb3500.html http://www.rcslot.com/blog/pro-boat-coast-guard-motor-lifeboat-rtr-prb3500.html#comments Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:15:44 +0000 RC Cheesehead http://www.rcslot.com/blog/pro-boat-coast-guard-motor-lifeboat-rtr-prb3500.html Pro Boat Is Ready for Adventure.
Coast Guard Lifeboat 30″ EP RTR.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Heavy Weather Patrol and Rescue Boat is designed for carrying out missions ranging from death-defying search and rescue to environmental protection and maritime law enforcement. Authentically modeled with a preinstalled lighting kit and full deck and hull detailing, Pro Boat’s new Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat RTR – model PRB3500 – is a realistic scale version of the 47-foot Patrol and Rescue Boat.

• Authentically detailed fiberglass composite hull
• Preinstalled lighting kit
• Dual water-cooled motor and battery operation
• Sealed water-cooled electronic speed control with reverse
• ProBoat 27mHz AM 2-stick radio
• Length: 30.75″ (781mm)
• Beam: 9.4″ (238mm)
• Motor Size: Two (2) water-cooled 550-size electric motors
• Radio: Pro Boat 2-stick 27MHz (installed)
• Hull Material: Fiberglass Composite
• Battery: Two (2) 7.2V Battery packs, 8AA abtteries for the transmitter. (all sold seperatly)
• Kit/RTR: RTR

Click Pro Boat RC to see all the RTR Pro Boat models available from RCSLOT.

Now consider that all these cells could be replaced with two of these:

This Thunder Power 5000mah 4S 14.8v LiPo battery weighs well under 1 lb and is capable of delivering an amazing 250 amps of burst current! It will also deliver 125 amps continuous! Not only would two of these batteries weigh less and take up less space, they would also out-perform the NiMh cells, no comparison.

What will the higher voltage LiPo batteries do for my performance? Well typically speaking higher voltage will directly translate to higher RPM’s and higher RPM’s usually translates to higher speed and more power, or more torque. With RC Airplanes it will mean more prop speed, and possibly require changing your prop to achieve the desired results, but ultimately giving you more power and speed, and typically longer run times. For RC Cars and RC Trucks, whether you’re talking on-road or off-road, higher voltage will give you higher top speeds and greater acceleration. With RC Rock Crawlers higher voltages will allow you to gear down without loosing the needed wheel speed, ultimately giving you better low speed control and torque without sacrificing top speed, I know top speed typically isn’t a big concern with RC Crawling, but some wheel speed is necessary for certain obstacles and climbs, and some drivers actually prefer to have higher wheel speed. Now for RC Boats higher voltage translates to greater prop RPM’s and that translates to higher top speed and faster acceleration. Now who doesn’t want a faster RC Boat? LiPo battery technology and brushless motors have pushed RC Boats well beyond the 100mph mark, and they will likely keep taking the record higher and higher as technology improves.

Whatever area of RC you may enjoy, you could most likely experience performance gains and longer run times if you switched to LiPo batteries. Check out the awesome selection of LiPo batteries and chargers RCSLOT has to offer. Batteries can be found in the RC Airplanes Batteries category and also the RC Car Truck Batteries Accessories category. You will find batteries of all shapes and sizes in these two categories along with chargers and accessories for batteries. Always feel free to contact RCSLOT if you have any questions.

Problems can easily be avoided by using the correct equipment. First don’t buy the cheapest LiPo battery charger you find, spend the extra money, you won’t regret it. Also look into purchasing a good LiPo charger/balancer combo. Many LiPo batteries have safe charging circuitry integrated into the battery pack. This circuitry prevents over charging, over discharging, and in some cases helps to balance the pack out. If your pack has a “charge” connector on it, always charge through that connector.

Lithium Polymer cells are 3.7 volts each, compared to NiMh and NiCd cells typically being 1.2 volts each. Terminology for LiPo is significantly different as well. First you will notice that most LiPo packs are 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S and now even 6S. The “S” stands for series and translates to 2S = 7.4volts, 3S = 11.1volts, 4S = 14.8 volts, 5S = 18.5volts and 6S = 22.2volts. You will also see “P” which refers to parallel wired cells, cells wired in parallel do not increase voltage. The next abbreviation you need to know about is “C” and it is very important to understand. Let’s look at a 5000mah 3S 11.1V LiPo battery pack. The specs for this particular battery are 20C constant, 30C sustained and 50C burst. What this translates to is: 100 amps constant, 150 amps sustained and 250 amps burst. Basically you multiply the “C” rating by the mah, then divide by 1000.

RCSLOT has a great selection of LiPo batteries and LiPo battery chargers to choose from. Check out our selection in the RC Airplanes Batteries category and RC Car Truck Batteries Accessories category. We also have a category specifically for RC Rock Crawlers, check it out! Always feel free to contact RCSLOT if you have any questions, we will be happy to help you select the correct LiPo batteries and LiPo battery chargers for whatever application you may have.