Starting over-need help. (long)

[N80]

The E-Revo looks like what I've been waiting for. I just think Traxxas is a heck of a company. I probably won't be able to get one for a while, but I do plan on getting one.

But I have a lot of questions. I've been out of the RC game for a while.

Let me explain where I'm coming from. I helped my son get started in RC, first with a basic Rustler that we modified for racing. Moved up to a T4 and raced that at the LHS track. Then I got a Revo 2.5 and raced it myself. I modified it a good bit but not radically. I was never a good driver but raced a lot and had fun. Now my son is no longer into RC. The T4 and the Revo got sold. The old Rustler still runs but doesn't get used much.

I never was fond of the mess and maintenance of nitro but loved my Revo. I want something I can pick up and go when the mood strikes me and I never have a lot of time on my hands.

Now there is the E-Revo and I'm inspired to get back into RC. For now it will probably be just bashing but I might like to start racing again too.

But I have a few concerns. First, I never did master the finer points of batteries and chargers, etc etc. We just have a cheap-o (Dynamite) charger for the old Rustler. Battery packs are old. Second, I personally think running those two Titans is going to get old, and boring.

So I'm trying to think up an economic upgrade path starting with the basic E-Revo and upgrading as the Titans get old, boring or just dead.

1) I'll have to start with a new charger. Which one? Do I need one that will charge two batts at a time? I suspect that Lipos will be somewhere in the future too, so it will need to be able to do that.

2) New batteries. Probably just start with 7 cell packs. Which ones? I do not plan on assembling my own packs, I want this to stay real simple for now. Lipos? What extra things do you need to run Lipos? Can the stock speed control handle Lipos?

3) Brushless. I loved the Novak BL system we put in my son's T4. I'd love a BL system that I could install with a minimum of soldering, etc. I've done it, but I'm not good at it. Will the stock speed control run brushed and BL?

Thanks for any tips you guys can provide. I haven't been on these boards in a while but I've always gotten good info here. And remember, I'm planning on doing this step-by-step and want to keep it as cheap (right!) as possible.

[mbeatle]

1) I have an MRC Superbrain 989 and it's great. It also charges Lipo if you go that route. There are a lot of chargers out there, but you don't need one that charges 2 batteries at once unless your time is incredibly precious.

2) SPC Ener-G 4600 mah packs are regarded well. You can get them from http://www.spcracing.com I plan on picking up a pair myself when my E-Revo gets close to shipping. You'll want a balancer to charge lipo, and buying a LVC (low voltage cutoff) is a very good idea as you can nuke lipos if you run them too low Yes, the stock ESC will run some, but not all lipo.

3) Stock ESC will not run BL motors. There are several BL setups available for monster trucks that include a new ESC.

I plan to run the Titans into the ground and then consider upgrading to brushless. With the 7-cell packs I think the truck will be plenty fast for me.

[N80]

Thanks. I will also probably do this incrementally. Use up the Titans and then move on. What is the general opinion about the Novak HV 6.5 BL and speed control?