Page 1 of 2

Newb Question: Modding a MicroSizer Collector's Set

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:18 pm
by JoeyRoland
Hello all,

I've finally gotten into Mini RC cars and I'm shocked at all the communities and websites out there offering tips and all. When I stumbled on bitPimps, I was floored looking through the galleries.

All that being said, being able to race with several people at once, (at least 4), is a big deal. With that premise, I bought a MicroSizers Collector's Set - specifically the Lamborghini model - because they're advertised as being able to race up to 6 cars at once.

Since that time, I found out that Radio Shack offeres ZipZaps SE series that allow up to 6 users. I guess it's a moot point now. Plus, the Lambo only cost $15 after shipping so it's not like it was a drain on my pocket.

But after doing some research, I've noticed that the body styles for MicroSizers is pretty limited. But my question is this:

Can I buy TOMY Bit Char-G bodies and accessories and throw them at my MicroSizer?.

I'm pretty sure the answer is "yes", but I didn't know if this particular chassis I got was any different. Basically, we're looking to buy 6 of these "Collector's Sets" and mod them as though we bought the Supra, etc. We dont' mind having to pay the extra bucks to buy the chassis and then the bodies just as long as we can race them all at the same time.

Thanks for any help and sorry to ask a question I'm sure was asked before. I'm just curious to see if this "Collector's Set" is any different. :???:

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:51 pm
by Maxximum Attack
All parts and bodies fit back just fine.
If you want to race more than one at a time, you should look for TOMY bit char-G chassis (good luck). These chassis will come in "illegal" frequencies that allow you to race multiple cars at once. Microsizers only carry 2 frequencies 27 + 49MHz.

The Super bit chasis is said to be glitchy, so you're warned.

Welcome to the boards man, there's a wealth of knowledge here, the search button is the key to unlocking it. Lurk for a couple weeks, read everything you can, then you'll start gettiong "visions" of mods you'd like to do. From there you can focus your searches.

Maxx

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:46 pm
by JoeyRoland
Hey Man,

Thanks for the welcome! :grin: I've been lurking around for only a week or so. Actually, as soon as I put in my order for the MircroSizer, I found this site and have frequented every day since. 8)

As for the Chassis I ordered, the only reason I ordered it was becaus it features "6-Way Racing." I think the two Collector's Sets are sold as 27MHz and 49MHz, as you said. But they supposedly have 3 sub-frequencies each, i.e 27aMHz; 27bMHz; etc.

Since the bodies for the TOMY bit char-G's will fit on these sets, I'm going to first look into building a track. I have a garden hose I never got around to throwing away. Hooray for laziness! After that, I'm sure it won't be long before I venture into modding the bodies I buy. As you mentioned, just looking over some of the galleries already gave me a million ideas. Whether I can do it or not is another story ...

Thanks again for the welcome, man! :-o

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:24 pm
by Maxximum Attack
If you wanna delve into micro RCs I suggest you look into these
Tomy Q-steer.

Here's a discussion thread:
http://bitpimps.lixlink.com/pages/phpFo ... php?t=8532

Bit's and microsizers are all but extinct. It's really hard to find bit stuff now :(

Maxx

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:05 pm
by CaboWabo
Welcome aboard JR.
As Maxx said, read around and search, you'll most likely find whatever it is you're looking for.

But yea, you can swap stuff between Bit Char-G and MicroSizers.

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:34 pm
by sat4life27
Welcome to da hood JR, looking forward to see what you can contribute to the community.

Happy modding!!!

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:58 pm
by Bird
JoeyRoland wrote:I'm going to first look into building a track. I have a garden hose I never got around to throwing away. Hooray for laziness!

Man... that reminds me of the "rope light" tracks sg219 and myself used to set up on my kitchen floor back in our early days... we had many nights of many hours of fun racing around on those tracks... I can only imagine how much fun it would be with 6 cars...

Anyways... like the others said... welcome... you definately came to the right place to help deepen your addiction.. er, I mean get craploads of deep micro knowledge...

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:59 am
by sg219
Bird wrote:
JoeyRoland wrote:I'm going to first look into building a track. I have a garden hose I never got around to throwing away. Hooray for laziness!

Man... that reminds me of the "rope light" tracks sg219 and myself used to set up on my kitchen floor back in our early days... we had many nights of many hours of fun racing around on those tracks... I can only imagine how much fun it would be with 6 cars...

Anyways... like the others said... welcome... you definately came to the right place to help deepen your addiction.. er, I mean get craploads of deep micro knowledge...
Ahhh....those were the days. :cool:


Clean your floor, damnit!!!!! :mad:



Welcome to the place to be for micros and MORE!! :-o

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:54 am
by JoeyRoland
Hey all,

Thanks for the warm welcome! :-o

Well, I've finally gotten my mitts on my car! :-D I got my Lamborghini in the mail yesterday! It's just awesome! There's no other way to really describe it. :???: Well, maybe "yellow" is a good adjective too.

My brother and his wife are going to the mall this weekend to start on their X-Mas shopping. I'm hoping that they'll either pick up a ZipZap just to have something to race, or they'll hopefully buy one of the sets I just got and use a different body style. Unfortunately, I just checked Target again because I thought the product read "Online Exclusive." I'm not even sure of that as now the Product Page says that it's not even in stock. :( . I'm sure we can find them if they really want them.

Also, to what you were saying, Maxx, I actually e-mailed MicroSizers yesterday to see if I could find out what specs are in these sets, i.e. gears, motor. They responded that they can be upgraded as a normal MicroSizer but that many of the accessories were discontinued. :sad: They did mention, however, to check out "Dollar General" stores. Maybe I can find one this weekend.

Anyway, again, thanks for the welcome all! I'm going to go clean that hose up now so I can bring it in the house without tracking mud through the house. 8-)

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:49 am
by richh
JoeyRoland wrote: Unfortunately, I just checked Target again because I thought the product read "Online Exclusive." I'm not even sure of that as now the Product Page says that it's not even in stock.
Hmmm... shows in stock for me. I ordered one of each and it came out to $26.55 with shipping and tax. Assuming this goes through, this belongs in "Da hook up" secton. Ferrari and Lambo sets for $13 each is as cheap as I have seen them.

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:02 pm
by JoeyRoland
Yep - it shows as "In Stock" for me now too. :???: That's weird. But I don't question progress!

When I ordered them, I orginally found them on Amazon. Even though I had a trial "Amazon Prime" membership, I didn't receive any shipping discounts. Plus, with ordering them from Target, you can always go to a brick & Mortar place and return them if something is wrong.


On a different note, I think it's time to live up to the title of this thread - specifically the "Newb" part.
On my Lamborghini, the controller has a selector for the car's frequency - A,B, or C. But, when I switch it to anything other than A, my car won't respond. I've been looking over the documention and I couldn't figure out how to switch to a different sub-frequency. In the manual, on the front page, it states:
Select a channel on the back of your controller that matches the channel on your chassis
Does that imply that my chassis is a 27MHz A? If so, how would I be assured that the next Lamborghini I buy is a 27MHz B?

Thanks for any help! I hope you enjoy these sets Richh! I think they're the same as the TOMY bit Char-G Super series.

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:09 pm
by crazydave
Well you know, technically your car is a Super microsizer, and not just a Microsizer, not that I thought that was really important, just thought I'd point that out to avoid any future confusion.

I'm not sure how the Microsizers are, but the Super Bit Char-G, which are the original cars, marketed in Japan, had different frequencies for each body style. For example, I got a Jota, which is 40a, and a The RX-7 FDS, which is 40b. So I only have to flip the switch to drive either car.

Since I'm pretty sure Hobbico only released the Ferrari and Lambo sets, in "Super" trim, I don't know if they only have two frequencies, or if the cars come with a random frequency. I'm kinda guessing they only have the two, knowing their half ass marketing approach, but I'm really curious to find out for sure now.

You could always dish out a little extra dough for one of the Super Bit Char-Gs that are still floating around out there. I found this Lotus, that's 27c, on ebay. Watch out for the shipping on this one, but even with the inflated shipping, its about what I paid when these came out.
Lotus Europa on Ebay

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:19 am
by JoeyRoland
Well, apparently, this car is only 27A MHz. :-?

Thank god I'm a clempto and don't throw anything out. Right on the front of the car's packaging, in the lower right corner, it says "27xA".

I guess the next one I order, I'll need to ask that it has 27xB or 27xC on it. At least it's better than trial and error - ordering one and hoping it's 27B/C.

Also, crazydave, the way you described driving different cars is exactly right. If I had a 27B on my hands, I would just flip a little switch in the back on the controller/charger and it could control other sub-27 frequencies.

So the good news is that the car trims do allow up to 6, but the bad news is that it all depends on the chassis you purchase - it's not selectable like I originally thought. Did I mention I was a "newb?" :grin:

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:51 am
by Maxximum Attack
We all knew this :lol: , but it was nice to watch your progression from "noob" to "noob that knows one thing" :lol:

I'm just kidding. Using one TX to control multiple cars really lessens the hassle. All cars can charge on all TXs so there is no real need to have more than one super TX. For the regular microsizers now, you can only control 27 chssis with a 27 TX, for obvious reasons.

When you get your track all laid out, snap some pics and post them up :-o

Maxx

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:44 pm
by JoeyRoland
Maxximum Attack wrote:We all knew this :lol: , but it was nice to watch your progression from "noob" to "noob that knows one thing" :lol:
:lol: I got there eventually! I'm just happy that I still had the packaging and was able to find the little 27A logo. Now, I have to see if Target allows me to choose which channel I can buy next time around. :???:

I still can't find the hose. I did, however, find a dead rat in my shed. Hooray for the city! :-o It was a bit chewed up so I spent most of last evening cleaning that up. It stunk so bad. I wonder if I'm the only one who's had to use some Lysol in a shed?