ZipZaps Info Weblog

Mon, 28 Oct 2002 14:36:44 GMT

Slow week: Amazing how getting all your wisdom teeth "extracted" can put a damper on just about any hobby (or other train of thought).

I'd be glad to post other people's news, ideas, or opinions. Just e-mail me via the link on the page.

Mon, 21 Oct 2002 20:21:02 GMT

Neat New Sign: Well I stopped by Radio Shack at lunch to see if they had any new ZipZaps in, and they don't. The 9 they got in were gone within one day on Friday. The did get a neat new sign that had the ZipZaps logo on it and said something like "due to popular demand we are temporarily out of stock . . . . ". I'd really like to get one or two more before I go into the circuit board and try some modification/experimentation.

Mon, 21 Oct 2002 14:04:18 GMT

Back. I picked up a few "off-frequency" (57MHz/35MHz) "BitChar-G" cars from Tomy while I was in Boston. They are basically the same thing as Microsizers but I'll have to test to see if they have any of the resistor / capacitor issues for power and range that the Microsizers are supposed to have. My goal is to have a nice comparison of how ZipZaps, Microsizers, and the BitChar-G cars all compare to one another and how well they work together (how many parts are interchangeable).

I also got one of the "3.0" motors for the Char-G which is a bigger number than the 2.6 which is the highest you can get in the Microsizers line. I also got an off-brand "pink" 3.8 motor which I need to test to see if it will do any damage to the units and if the speed/power is much greater.

Fri, 11 Oct 2002 18:31:37 GMT

Gone Fishing: I'll be away for a week (but taking a ZipZap with me - probably shouldn't have it in my carry-on), but during the trip I'll check out one of the big RC stores on the East Coast that has a bunch of the Microsizers and Char-G stuff - also checking out any Radio Shacks to see if I can finally get my Mustang!

Thu, 10 Oct 2002 17:59:07 GMT

Testing: Well it certainly does not look as good for the ZipZaps in testing as I had hoped - that is when compared to the Microsizers (I don't particularly like either brand name by the way). I picked up a Microsizer and tested it vs. the ZipZaps and in speed, acceleration, turning radius, and power the Microsizer does seem to have an advantage. I am going to have to tweak the gearing and motor combinations (and try to interchange the engines - supposedly possible) to see what works out the best.

More as it comes.

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 18:35:29 GMT

Well, looks like the guys at ExtremeTech have already published a pretty good comparison of the ZipZaps vs. Microsizers analysis. We'll try to add to what they've done going forward.

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 13:46:29 GMT

Microsizers are starting to pop up at the big chain stores and ToysRUs - I had a good look at one compared to a ZipZaps car and have mixed feelings about the two. I will put a full review together soon, but here are my initial findings. Microsizers are a bit smaller - perhaps 3/4 the size of a ZipZaps. The level of detail, options, and overall quality of the ZipZaps far exceed that of the Microsizers - just compare the controllers and the car tops to see how much better the ZipZaps look and feel. But the Microsizers have a much smaller turning radius (which makes them easier to use on a table / desktop) and are possibly faster and more powerful (even with the NOS enhanced ZipZaps) - will do testing this weekend. In the end it will be good to have competition and availability of micro-RCs this Christmas so that both lines will continue to inovate and keep the prices down (Microsizers list for $40 each, but it is now easy to find them for $25 and I attribute this only to the ZipZaps being available).

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 19:49:09 GMT

There is a new Yahoo Group for ZipZaps users and hackers!

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 18:49:14 GMT

I created a quick and dirty Motor / Gear Ratio Chart - WOW! to show just how dramatic the NOS/Red Gear combination is over the stock Green/Blue.

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 13:15:15 GMT

"The Fast and the Furious™" Street Tuner Upgrade Kit - Got it! I was wondering how significant the new motor and gear combinations would be. All I have to say is, AMAZING (and really not fair). Not only did the car go significantly faster (I'll back up and do some real-world timing soon), but with the new "slick" tires and the suspension pack it actually cornered better than the slower version. I figured that speed would increase the turning radius, but with the other mods it was actually an improvement. The modified car would run circles around any non-modified car without much skill at all.

I will have to see how significant the yellow "NOS" nitro engine is over the red "High Performance" engine. I also noticed a little slip of paper in with the new "trading cards" that said that for best performance you should match the transfer gear color with the gear color on the axle - this makes sense to me, but I had not seen it anywhere else before.

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 21:23:55 GMT

Yes it's true - Volkswagon Bugs!!! Coming Soon.

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 19:47:40 GMT

ZipZap RC Cars: These things are crack. From Matt Croydon's journal

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 19:30:09 GMT

If the UPS Tracking system is accurate, I should have The Fast and the Furious™ Street Tuner Upgrade Kit and the ZipZaps™ Grand Prix Race Track Barrier Wall Kit tonight. I am anxious to see how the NOS "Yellow" motor performs and see how big the race track actually is - I'll share as soon as I know.

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 19:07:47 GMT

Techs weather port closure. Several industries are feeling the pinch from the six-day shutdown of West Coast ports, but the IT sector seems to be faring better than most. - This can't be good news for getting more ZipZaps from production in China (maybe they can fly in?)

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 19:00:59 GMT

Test Results: ZipZaps Turning Radius / Diameter. Thinking of making a track for your new toys - some things to consider.

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 15:44:26 GMT

New Images of the Nickelodeon Upgrades for ZipZaps due out soon.

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 14:47:23 GMT

I am starting to catalog the Starter Kits with information and pictures.