Discussion: Heng Long's 1/16 scale M1A2 Abrams RTR, Upgrade Edition!

[Spinny Testaverde]

Anyone else coming up with action camera mounting solutions to get some nice POV footage from this beast?

[karltrek]

I don't think you can bind other transmitters to the tank but here are the instructions for swapping stick functions to put throttle on the left.

I have found that some of the tanks sold by Motion RC have the 6.0 system and not the 6.0S. So on those tanks, you can't swap the sticks. This only works on the 6.0S and newer.

Honestly, after driving the tanks around with the sticks swapped I ended up moving them back to the stock settings. I kept moving the turret.

[RCGuy83]

Is there a way i can use my own transmitter (flysky) to work with my Abrams?

also I would sure like to swap throttle control to the left stick.

I don't think you can bind other transmitters to the tank but here are the instructions for swapping stick functions to put throttle on the left.

[Woohoo\o/]

Some fpv with a 15 dollar aio camera.

https://youtu.be/8dh7oQPp6Rw

[Woohoo\o/]

Is there a way i can use my own transmitter (flysky) to work with my Abrams?

also I would sure like to swap throttle control to the left stick.

[barron06]

When I follow the instructions to change my throttle stick to the left by holding the "G" button and pushing the left stick down I get a beep but not a dong tone. And nothing changes. This works fine on my other tanks. Is there some other setting I am missing?

I get he same results. The only thing that happens is that the tail lights toggle on/off. I think Rubicon99 posted something on this. My take home message from what he wrote was that we have a lower/different version module. This for my Abrams. i haven't tried my Leopard. Both were purchased last month. MRC said we had the latest controller in this shipment, so maybe this is a "feature". Personally, I rather have the option of changing modes than individual control of the headlights/taillights.

[JoeM723]

Alpha I actually have not purchased a FPV camera for my tanks yet, I was just wondering if there was a camera small enough to fit in the regular CITV slot. Unfortunately I don’t have a 3D printer so I will probably just mount a regular FPV camera onto the turret.

[Alpha]

shocktrooper Welcome back home! I'm glad to see you're back in action and enjoy your T-90 and Leopard. More tanks on the way, yes and yes! A Vulcan... I will take that under advisement...

JoeM723 I posted this in my Abrams Pro Plus Customization thread. I designed a 3D Printed replacement for the Abrams' CITV that could fit my specific FPV camera, which is a prototype and not on the market. Which camera do you have?

[JoeM723]

Not sure if this has been covered in this discussion or not, but does anyone have instructions or a walkthrough of how to get a FPV camera into the empty Camera slot on the top of the tank? I think I saw it in the Motion RC video but can’t remember, any info is appreciated.

[shocktrooper]

JDMac761stBP Another member here bought an Abrams for around $250 from a local hobby store reasoning it was the TK6, as I presumed it was too based on the price. However I believe he ended up returning it after discovering that it was in fact an obsolete 5.3 version. Accordingly, unfortunately everyone should be wary of what they're buying, and double-check before purchasing from a local store or even Amazon. Heng Long told me directly to my face that their own Amazon store is mostly being used to sell off the TK5.3, since they're fine in that configuration for most budget-minded drivers. But for actual RC Hobby tankers, the TK6 is truly leaps and bounds ahead of the earlier TK5 series. In summary, if shopping online or at a store this season for Heng Long tanks, keep in mind that just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's the latest TK6 version, so please ask the seller to clarify first! I'd hate to see anyone overpay for something they didn't want.

To be clear, all of Motion RC's tanks use the latest TK6. We are not bringing in anything with the older electronics.

Although I have not been very active on this site for a good while...I am back...and now I'm a brand new RC Tank enthusiast with 2 new HL tanks (T90 & Leopard 2A6) purchased from Motion RC (where else?...duh!), and I see that Sir ALPHA is still, 'da-MAN' out here with all the intelligence, know-how and integrity that I remember. Your videos on the new tanks at Motion really got me going bro! You and 'Pilot-Ryan' are my RC heroes man! As a former 'Cold War' era, Vulcan SP crewman/TC....I have "rolled" with the tanks (their mission bodyguards) on the ranges of Ft. Stewart, the NTC of Ft. Ord/Mojave, and the woodlands and plains of 'West Germany'. I too know what tanks should look like and how they should move. These Heng Longs' are spot on and ya just can't beat the price for what 'cha get! Well done MotionRC & ALPHA! Its' good to be back! Now lets get some more in stock ASAP so my best pal can get a few of 'em too! He's chomping at the bit and so am I! I want an M1 real bad now! If HL could ever decide to make an SP Vulcan....that would be F-ing AWESOME! I could be a interim tech advisor on the layout, etc. LOL! Getting those six, 20mm cannon barrels to spin at true scale speed, and emitting "hits" at 100 rounds per second could be a tuff-job..but THAT... would make for some interesting RC tank/ ground war- play...yes? Every body could get involved...tanks, "tracks", airplanes, war jets, attack helos...everyone! Get busy guys...lets start a movement! HA! All my respects,
...shocktrooper out....

[karltrek]

When I follow the instructions to change my throttle stick to the left by holding the "G" button and pushing the left stick down I get a beep but not a dong tone. And nothing changes. This works fine on my other tanks. Is there some other setting I am missing?

[Woohoo\o/]

Poor mans mato tracks. It'd be nice to have metal tracks but can't right now lol because if I go mato rubber/metal tracks I'll also need to upgrade to metal sprockets. Just too much money. I will eventually go all metal.

[Woohoo\o/]

Ok yeah I kinda figured

[Rubicon99]

Will I see an increase in speed running a 2s Lipo? I'm assuming so since I used to work at a hobby shop and that was the first upgrade to stock traxxas brushed cars. Made quite a decent boost in speed/torque.

Not really because the stock HL Li-ion battery puts out a similar peak voltage as a 2 cell Lipo ~8.4v. I think you are thinking of a 7.2v NiMH vs 2 cell Lipo in which case there would be a slight speed increase.

[Woohoo\o/]

Will I see an increase in speed running a 2s Lipo? I'm assuming so since I used to work at a hobby shop and that was the first upgrade to stock traxxas brushed cars. Made quite a decent boost in speed/torque.

[Woohoo\o/]

Okay wonderful. I will get home and start getting into this.

[Rubicon99]

Yes in Florida (cape coral) there are a couple left.

Rubicon you're right. Okay so would lengthening the wires help with rotation or just simply having the cables neat do the trick? Again thanks as always.

Depends....Slack yes, but not flopping around. Most of the time HL stock wires are good lengths. Might have to increase the length of one or two only. Usually I lengthen the IR bulb and barrel flash(if installed) wires because these are the easiest to pull out place should there be a bind.

[Woohoo\o/]

Rcguy yes I can confirm fpv is a game changer. I did it with my old Abrams. It's like the game world of tanks but real life with rc tanks. I'm hoping this will become more of a thing such as fpv drones.

[Woohoo\o/]

Yes in Florida (cape coral) there are a couple left.

Rubicon you're right. Okay so would lengthening the wires help with rotation or just simply having the cables neat do the trick? Again thanks as always.

[Rubicon99]

Decided to stiffen up the tub. The front of the Abrams is low so I couldn't allow the bar to extend all the way however it is rock solid.

I have a question. I want to DIY my own 360 turret. Is this possible? Do they sell a universal slip ring I can get from Amazon or local tech store (radio shack/best buy) ? Things are going real slow due to the covid19 virus.

Don’t worry to much about 360 rotation and wiring. Just make sure you neatly bind the wires together with small zip ties or even tape. You can get a good number of full rotation before any wire binding even starts to occur. The simple thing most folks do is to just remember to counter rotate the turret back the same number of turns to keep the wires from binding. Even if the wires do start to bind your turret rotation slip clutch gear will start to engage as the turning tension increases. This makes for a good warning that something is wrong.

The wire slip rings are good, but even they have binding issues from time to time. The top tier r/c tank manufacturer Tamiya does not even use wire slip rings in their tanks and all their tanks all have 360 deg turret rotation.

Stiffening the hull is a good idea especially if you intend to add all metal road wheels, upgraded motors, heavy metal/rubber padded tracks, more powerful battery, balancing weights and then run the tank hard. All my HL Abrams have some form of lower hull stiffeners. It is not necessary for the “plastic” tanks as the Abrams hull works like a “unibody” when all six hull screws are installed and tighten correctly. But with magnets only holding the upper and lower together like you are running the stiffeners become a must.