Speed Controllers

Most sport kits and RTR vehicles come with mechanical speed controls. They work fine and stand up to abuse but need attention and require frequent maintenance. Electronic speed controls are more efficient, provide smoother control, and allow longer run times with faster speeds. High performance (i.e. more expensive) speed controls offer traction control options, braking and throttle profiles, timed current limiting, and computerized programmable throttle and brake curves. When choosing a speed control consider which options you will really need.

If you don't race, you may want a speed control with reverse (most tracks do not allow the use of reverse on the track). If you do race, but only use stock motors, a moderately priced ESC may do the job for you. The best ESC values are found in radio combos such as Hobby Shack's Hitec Lynx AM (or FM) with one servo and one Novak Explorer Sport ESC combo. This combination gives you dual rate for steering and a forward-only electronic speed control which is great for sport use and racing limited to "stock" motors.