Size doesn’t matter, but no one actually believes that, especially when RC cars are involved. People often think that bigger is better, which isn’t always the case, depending on what kind of an experience you’re looking for in an RC car, of course.
For newcomers and first time drivers, RC scale sizes tend to be a bit confusing, to say the least. One day you’re looking at an RC kit and there are some weird numbers like 1:24, 1:14, 1:8 and so on. So what do these numbers even mean?
Well, since the vast majority of RC car models are based on actual cars, these numbers represent size comparison between a model car and the vehicle it was based on. Therefore, a 1:8 RC scale means that the model is just eight times smaller than the actual car.
That’s quite big, wouldn’t you agree? If it was slightly larger, you could hop into it and be on your merry way. No need for radio control whatsoever.
But, there’s a good reason why some RC models are smaller and others are bigger, which we’ll explain in detail down below. So, stick around and you’ll learn everything you need to know about RC scale sizes and which one to purchase.
The Role of Scale Sizes in RC Cars
The overall size of an RC car plays a pivotal role in determining its performance. As you might imagine, larger models pack more punch in both terms of speed and offroad capabilities. This goes for all RC models, regardless if they are cars or big RC planes. The reason for that is that they can have more power through bigger motors and the rest of the components.
More hardware means more everything. All the same reason why smaller models are slower and often less capable than their giant counterparts. But is that a bad thing, then? Should you just avoid the small ones and purchase the largest model possible right off the bat?
Short answer - no you shouldn’t. The fact of the matter is that larger models do, in fact, have more power, which also makes them rather difficult to control. Therefore, the bigger toys are more suitable for professionals.
Smaller RC models may have less power and are generally smaller, but they are easier to control and drive and thus more suitable for beginners. That said, let’s have a look at all the RC scale sizes, so that you can pick the one that suits you the most.
The Tinies
As the name suggests, tiny RC cars are exactly that, lilliputs compared to some other models available in the market. They are great for kids and beginners who prefer to have fun driving an RC car, especially indoors.
Now, don’t expect too much from tinies as they can’t go fast nor can they drive over obstacles efficiently. Still, they’re great for learning the ropes as they are still radio controlled and require input from the driver, in order to operate. Tiny RC cars come in these scale sizes:
- 1:24
- 1:28
- 1:35
- 1:43
- 1:64
The Silver Lining
If you want an RC car that’s more than a toy but not as complex as a smaller version of an actual vehicle, then a medium-sized RC car scale is ideal for you. These are truly the silver lining types as they are somewhere in between.
In other words, they have power and speed but not so much that you need to be a pro, in order to handle them. In the end, they are suitable for drivers of pretty much every skill level. Their performance and handling are just right, so you don’t have to worry about managing them. Medium-sized RC cars come in following scales:
- 1:12
- 1:14
- 1:16
- 1:18
The Giants
Okay, giants may be overexaggerating it a bit, but these RC models can be quite huge. After all, if you have an 80 pound RC car that’s 40 inches long, it’s safe to say that it’s pretty huge. Solely for comparison purposes, you can fit a kid in there and drive them around, not that you should because that’s totally unsafe and irresponsible, but it’s possible, nonetheless. So yeah, imagine what kind of power that machine packs, which is why it’s recommended that you gain some experience driving smaller models before you get one of the big ones. Large RC cars come in these scale sizes:
- 1:5
- 1:8
- 1:10
Pro Tip: RC Car Scale Sizes May Vary
Speaking of sizes, you shouldn't get additionally confused if two RC car models have the same scale but differ in size. As mentioned before, scales represent a size comparison between a model and an actual car.
Therefore, a monster truck in the real world will always be larger than a desert buggy, which also applies to RC cars. That said, a 1:5 RC model of a monster truck will tower over a 1:5 RC model of a desert buggy. Just something to think about when making a purchase.
What Do RC Car Scales Affect?
If you’re wondering what RC scale sizes affect besides performance and handling, you’re at the right place. You might’ve guessed that the size may also affect the price, which is correct. Larger RC models have more materials and components, which makes them all the more expensive to purchase.
And if you’re buying a kit, so that you can assemble the car yourself instead of buying an RTR RC car (Ready To Run), you’ll need more time, skill and more tools to complete your project. All of these factors affect what you need in one way or another. That’s why research is essential before buying a specific RC model. You don’t want to regret your decision later on.
For example, if you’re a beginner and you want to buy a large and more expensive model you can certainly do so. However, you may also crash it into the wall at the first test drive, meaning you’ve wasted time and money in the end. In other words, take your driving skill and budget into consideration before buying your first RC car.
There are numerous models out there and most of them are quite realistic compared to the real thing. That said, you can start with a basic and easy to handle model before you move on to a more complex one. That way you get to actually enjoy your hobby to the fullest.
How to Choose the Ideal Scale Size for Your RC
Simply put, everything comes down to what kind of an experience you wish for. That and the fact that you have to account for your driving skill level, knowledge about RC cars and whether you consider this to be a recreational entertainment or a serious hobby.
If you want to enjoy RC cars without too much commitment or excitement, then medium-sized RC cars are ideal for that purpose with 1:12 scale model being the overall all time favorite among the RC enthusiasts.
The main reason this RC scale size is so popular, if not the most popular, is that it’s generally considered to be an all-purpose RC scale size with optimal speed, handling and performance among all of the RC products, regardless of the model.
If you want more than just a bit of fun, larger scales are your go-to models. However, large RC cars have a lot of speed and power, as mentioned before. That doesn’t just mean you need to know how to drive, control and handle them, but they also need regular inspections and maintenance.
Screws can get loose, tires can wear out fast, especially if you go offroad, batteries get spent and so on and so forth. If you spot the issue on time, everything can be repaired and maintained so that your RC can last.
Understanding RC Cars With RC Visions
Starting out as an RC hobbyist can be quite overwhelming at first. Truth be told, even something small like understanding Rc scale sizes is enough to give anyone pause. But worry not.
Here at RC Visions, we help out those who need it, no matter if they are professionals or newcomers. We have a great collection of RC car models, kits, parts and, of course, guides that will help you not just better understand RC’s but also enjoy your new hobby to the fullest.
RC Scale Sizes Do Matter
Big, small, medium or somewhere in between, RC cars really do come in all shapes and sizes. This may not seem as much, but scale sizes do matter, in fact.
The overall size of an RC determines not just the price, but also the performance, speed, handling and maintenance, to name a few. Therefore, if you’re shopping for your first or a new model, take RC scale sizes into consideration as it can greatly affect your overall experience.
FAQ:
What are the RC scale sizes?
As mentioned before, RC scale sizes represent a size comparison between an RC model and an actual vehicle. Of course, RC models are smaller, otherwise they wouldn’t be radio controlled. This is why scale sizes are there to portray exactly how smaller a model is compared to the actual thing.
Which is bigger - 1:12 scale or 1:16 scale?
Smaller number is always bigger, even though that may not make any sense at all. But, it is what it is. In this case, an RC model that is twelve times smaller than a real car it was based on is bigger than a model that is sixteen times smaller than an actual vehicle.
What's bigger, 1/10 or 1/8 scale?
Just like in the previous example, the smaller number wins the race or size in this case. 1:8 means the model is just eight times smaller than the real deal, whereas 1:10 means the model is ten times smaller than the car that inspired the model.
Is a 1/10 scale RC car big?
Technically, 1:10 RC car scale size fits into a large category. Being just ten times smaller than a real car means the model is quite big, indeed. And if it’s a model of a monster truck, which is simply huge, then a 1:10 scale model’s overall size could be compared to a small horse or a large dog.