M2 Bradley

[Rubicon99]

The main complaint I'm seeing thusfar... is the sound of the main gun, rate of fire is way too high... we had Single shot, Lo and Hi rates. Lo was ~100 hi was ~200.

Would you rather TD not release the M2 at all then? To TD it is mostly a toy not a Tamiya hobby kit grade RC tank.

Don't worry about the rate of fire I am sure once we get it into our hands we will quickly find a way to slow it down. As for the gun sound well none from any mass market manufacturer is really correct. But again the after market control boards that are sure to come out for the M2 will address the proper sounds.

[SoCalBobS]

The main complaint I'm seeing thusfar... is the sound of the main gun, rate of fire is way too high... we had Single shot, Lo and Hi rates. Lo was ~100 hi was ~200.

I think it's going to take a Clark board to make the right sound suite, since they're using the machine gun circuit to activate the multi-recoil. And yeah, there may be a lot of holes. That's too bad. As far as the crew kit goes, a coat (or two or three and some pigment!) will improve them.

[sfcfury]

Would you rather TD not release the M2 at all then? To TD it is mostly a toy not a Tamiya hobby kit grade RC tank.

Don't worry about the rate of fire I am sure once we get it into our hands we will quickly find a way to slow it down. As for the gun sound well none from any mass market manufacturer is really correct. But again the after market control boards that are sure to come out for the M2 will address the proper sounds.

LOL... nope... don't make it all!!
I'm asking a pre ordering man! Just said it was my main complaint... I mean really... the tank shot sounds never can be duplicated... but with the brad only having the 25mm cannon... could get a lil closer to it sounding realistic on the model... vs the way the main tank gun sounds

[tank_me]

Or, just link the IR LED to the TOW missile firing since it would could be regulated like the cannon on a tank. The 25mm is really only for fighting other light armored vehicles and infantry as it would more than likely bounce off a main battle tank.

[Rubicon99]

Or, just link the IR LED to the TOW missile firing since it would could be regulated like the cannon on a tank. The 25mm is really only for fighting other light armored vehicles and infantry as it would more than likely bounce off a main battle tank.

This was my plan too. Simple and logical approach if one is going to battle other tanks with their M2.

[SoCalBobS]

The IR LED is inside the TOW launcher, per Carson. It uses the normally main gun circuit. The auto cannon runs on the MG circuit, hence the too fast sound. Don’t know where the stock IR receiver goes, but Rubicon’s method is how I’ll install the LegoDEI.

[HDMM]

We really need a US distributor to pick up these Tongde tanks....the shipping from DKLM is extremely high to get it to the states. Last I priced out the M60 with metal upgrades and shipping was $199 to FL. I just can't justify that. Motion RC would be a good candidate......

[RichJohnson]

We really need a US distributor to pick up these Tongde tanks....the shipping from DKLM is extremely high to get it to the states. Last I priced out the M60 with metal upgrades and shipping was $199 to FL. I just can't justify that. Motion RC would be a good candidate......

Yeah but when you pay 295 for the tank the total comes to around 500. Im used to paying that for taigen shermans and more for tamiya tanks.
I myself havent really used many henglong tanks becuase I preferred better quality like taigen and tamiya but now the TD metal version is way better than a henglong. Its got alot of metal and ball bearings in it, the stuff I want to make the tank last long with tough use.
It just comes down to if you want the tank your going to have to spend for it or your not going to get one.
Back in the day tamiya was it and people were scratch building other tanks with urethane kits and such and using tamiya electronics. It was a builders only hobby back then and then henglong came out and yeah they were cheap and you got what you paid for they were broke in the box alot. They slowly got better and I mean slowly until competition showed up like taigen and mato. That really pushed henglong to get better. Hence I preferred taigen shermans over henglong because of the weight gerth and ball bearings and rubber tires etc.
How would you feel if the M60 or M2 Bradley was made by Tamiya and cost 1000 bucks. Would you not save and buy one or just decide its out of your price range?
Every person has a budget on their hobby. I enjoy doing this alot and spend most of my free time working on this stuff and playing with it so I am willing to put big money into quality tanks.

[HDMM]

Yeah but when you pay 295 for the tank the total comes to around 500. Im used to paying that for taigen shermans and more for tamiya tanks.
I myself havent really used many henglong tanks because I preferred better quality like taigen and tamiya but now the TD metal version is way better than a henglong. Its got alot of metal and ball bearings in it, the stuff I want to make the tank last long with tough use.
It just comes down to if you want the tank your going to have to spend for it or your not going to get one.
Back in the day tamiya was it and people were scratch building other tanks with urethane kits and such and using tamiya electronics. It was a builders only hobby back then and then henglong came out and yeah they were cheap and you got what you paid for they were broke in the box alot. They slowly got better and I mean slowly until competition showed up like taigen and mato. That really pushed henglong to get better. Hence I preferred taigen shermans over henglong because of the weight gerth and ball bearings and rubber tires etc.
How would you feel if the M60 or M2 Bradley was made by Tamiya and cost 1000 bucks. Would you not save and buy one or just decide its out of your price range?
Every person has a budget on their hobby. I enjoy doing this alot and spend most of my free time working on this stuff and playing with it so I am willing to put big money into quality tanks.

I have plenty of budget, but paying $200 for shipping is throwing money out the window (in my opinion) when that is more than half the price of the tank itself. I could be using that $200 towards a aftermarket board, etc. It's just hard for me to justify.....Like you said $299 for tank, $199 for shipping then you are paying $500 for the tank which is the norm when your buying Taigen / Torro, but the TD is at least 80% plastic still...... the TD tanks have a all plastic hull just like HL, yes do seem more robust and they do have some nicer features than HL, I'll agree to that and I think they will only get better as they go. I only have a few HL tanks myself, mostly for loaner tanks for my club or for guests to use. The majority of my tanks are Tamiya, followed by Taigen and Torro. I'm glad to see TD come out with some new products that none of these other guys weren't interested in making...we just need a US or North American Distributor to make them more available to people. Do I want a M60...why yes.....yes I do....but don't want / need one bad enough that I'm going to give out $200 just to ship it. I'll wait and see where this all goes.

[RichJohnson]

I have a very expensive 3d printed DKLM M60 kit I built that I have more than 4 times what a TD cost me. Still after I saw Rubicons review and his M60 from TD I decided it was worth the money.
Im surprised they can sell them that cheap really, they are nice tanks. I look forward to getting a couple more.
I dont look at it as shipping is a wasted cost over the price of the tank. I roll it into a total price. Its 500 bucks. Is it worth 500 bucks. Yes it is. For sure the M60 is worth 500 bucks.

If you are going to wait for a US distributor your going to wait a long time. If ever, and still your gonna pay for shipping probably 50-100. It just comes down to is the tank worth the overall cost and how bad do you want it.

[HDMM]

I have a very expensive 3d printed DKLM M60 kit I built that I have more than 4 times what a TD cost me. Still after I saw Rubicons review and his M60 from TD I decided it was worth the money.
Im surprised they can sell them that cheap really, they are nice tanks. I look forward to getting a couple more.
I dont look at it as shipping is a wasted cost over the price of the tank. I roll it into a total price. Its 500 bucks. Is it worth 500 bucks. Yes it is. For sure the M60 is worth 500 bucks.

If you are going to wait for a US distributor your going to wait a long time. If ever, and still your gonna pay for shipping probably 50-100. It just comes down to is the tank worth the overall cost and how bad do you want it.

Guess we'll see what happens...in the meantime, I don't "need" one that bad. You know how the line blurrs between "want" and "need" LOL. Even Available through Amazon wouldn't be too bad of a option maybe, if that ever happens. Just have to give them some time since these tank releases are pretty new. If DKLM is the only option, then I'll reconsider at a later time. Forgebear has some now too, but by time your convert from Pound Sterling to USD then shipping it like closer to $600. Kenny from DAK was considering looking into carrying these....don't know if anything will come of it.

[SoCalBobS]

Until Tongde accumulates enough inventory to support mass world wide sales, I think we'll be dependent on specialty sellers like DKLM. Companies like his deserve our support in the same way we're asked to support "local businesses".

[Rubicon99]

IMO you will not see TD tanks in US inventory unit they have a better track record of reliability and all the broken parts in shipping are a thing of the past. No US company wants to deal with the volume of warranty issues that will absolutely come with selling them. The US consumer is spoiled with easy return / refund policies for the smallest complaint or inconvenience.

Now I really like the TD tanks and own more then one. The price to my door is a bit high, but within reason. The thing I hate about the high price of "shipping" is the LONG delay from the time of ordering and the actual time it is shipped (not delivered). This has routinely been four weeks and several emails each time. Now that is unacceptable for air freight prices of an "in stock" item. This weighed heavily recently in my decision to skip buying another TD M60 and buy a Merkava instead. The Merkava arrived in three days, had I ordered another M60 I would still be waiting with some time left to go before it arrived.

The M2 I am waiting to see in person before I order one. I am sure it will be a nice tank but I am just a bit old school and need to see what I am buy before dropping down money on one and waiting an indeterminate amount of time before receiving it.

We should all be thanking SoCal Bob for his willingness to buy one of the first off the line so we can all see real world photos and videos of what to expect.

[HDMM]

Until Tongde accumulates enough inventory to support mass world wide sales, I think we'll be dependent on specialty sellers like DKLM. Companies like his deserve our support in the same way we're asked to support "local businesses".

I've been buying stuff from Carson for awhile actually, he's always been good to deal with. I certainly don't blame him for the high price of shipping.

[HDMM]

IMO you will not see TD tanks in US inventory unit they have a better track record of reliability and all the broken parts in shipping are a thing of the past. No US company wants to deal with the volume of warranty issues that will absolutely come with selling them. The US consumer is spoiled with easy return / refund policies for the smallest complaint or inconvenience.

Now I really like the TD tanks and own more then one. The price to my door is a bit high, but within reason. The thing I hate about the high price of "shipping" is the LONG delay from the time of ordering and the actual time it is shipped (not delivered). This has routinely been four weeks and several emails each time. Now that is unacceptable for air freight prices of an "in stock" item. This weighed heavily recently in my decision to skip buying another TD M60 and buy a Merkava instead. The Merkava arrived in three days, had I ordered another M60 I would still be waiting with some time left to go before it arrived.

The M2 I am waiting to see in person before I order one. I am sure it will be a nice tank but I am just a bit old school and need to see what I am buy before dropping down money on one and waiting an indeterminate amount of time before receiving it.

We should all be thanking SoCal Bob for his willingness to buy one of the first off the line so we can all see real world photos and videos of what to expect.

I agree, I think it will be awhile to see any of these in US inventory, but I can be patient (sometimes) . Yes, it does take quite a while to get these from overseas, pretty frustrating actually high the cost. A friend of mine here in FL has got one of the TD M60 tanks from DKLMRC, the base versions before the metal upgraded ones were available. The "plastic" version of the M60 is not that impressive, the gearboxes look extremely fragile. I think the metal version would be much better and that's what I'll get eventually. The M2 certainly looks interesting....looking forward to the post / reviews when SoCalBob gets his.

[SoCalBobS]

We should all be thanking SoCal Bob for his willingness to buy one of the first off the line so we can all see real world photos and videos of what to expect.

Some people go to casinos, I bet on product from halfway around the world based on a web pic! Seriously though, 1) I love unique products. TD’s M60 was one. The M2 is another. After years of Tigers and Shermans it is a breath of fresh air. 2) I like tinkering, repairing and maintaining. If it’s flawed out of the box it’s a challenge. The M60’s broken gearbox was an example. Instead of despairing I got Carson to replace it and it runs fine now.

So let’s play. a Bradley’s length is 6.55m. 1/16 scale would make it 41cm. If it’s 1/15 scale, it’d be 43cm, so slightly less than inch difference. An M60 is 7m long (excl. barrel). 1/16 scale should make it 44cm long. It’s actually 45cm long. Numbers are rounded off a bit, but both fall between 1/16 & 1/15. Add in the 6 foot rule, and their differences aren’t gross. 6 foot rule? That’s about minimum viewing difference on the field of battle. No one said they were finescale!

[Rubicon99]

I agree, I think it will be awhile to see any of these in US inventory, but I can be patient (sometimes)/. Yes, it does take quite a while to get these from overseas, pretty frustrating actually high the cost. A friend of mine here in FL has got one of the TD M60 tanks from DKLMRC, the base versions before the metal upgraded ones were available. The "plastic" version of the M60 is not that impressive, the gearboxes look extremely fragile. I think the metal version would be much better and that's what I'll get eventually. The M2 certainly looks interesting....looking forward to the post / reviews when SoCalBob gets his.

The metal M60 is definitely the way to go. Night and day difference in running and durability over the all plastic version. It's a rather good running tank after a few simple "tweaks" and a nice platform to build into a more detailed model. The consensus out here with those of us that have them is to dump the metal tracks and go with a set of TDs plastic tracks. The metal tracks are super tough but also SUPER heavy. Far more then other metal track from similar sized tanks. They really bog down the 380 motors on soft terrains like sand and grass.

Socal Bob is a good source to rely on when it come to reviews. So if he like the M2 that means it will have promise.

[keilau]

I agree, I think it will be awhile to see any of these in US inventory, but I can be patient (sometimes)/. Yes, it does take quite a while to get these from overseas, pretty frustrating actually high the cost. A friend of mine here in FL has got one of the TD M60 tanks from DKLMRC, the base versions before the metal upgraded ones were available. The "plastic" version of the M60 is not that impressive, the gearboxes look extremely fragile. I think the metal version would be much better and that's what I'll get eventually. The M2 certainly looks interesting....looking forward to the post / reviews when SoCalBob gets his.

I ordered the TongDe US M60A1 from a Canadian e-bay seller. He had only the plastic basic version and charge $45 for shipping from Canada. I then got the metal gearbox, sprocket and idler wheels from DKLMR.com. I use the Tamiya 380 motor with it.

The manufacturing quality of the TD M60 left a lot to be desired. Until they catch up with Heng Long in quality, I don't expect TongDe would be popular enough to attract a US distributor.

Nova Hobby in Canada is a reliable seller. They told me that there is no more M60 stock until near the end of 2023. They still have a few TongDe German Leopard 2A7 available if you are intersted.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155514870250?hash=item24356899ea&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4Dh15%252F4416kqN%252FRX2QxMWd9VbddbCkE8GK8o7%252BOdBu%252B0ehdkwqhMAuPk%252BF%252B%252FR6zAHMrwM%252Fi88elrqOZg%252FY5qGEZinZzMbpVLlyPJACO1QApDCKarD2U%252F2lm5av1WCQs1dn61Yty7BXYoIiLut8Tg%252FFs4teQqjES0YZYZ%252BYBAQnjMwfZH1a6cIykQBGrPAsCWPLzI3xTHP6OZs4%252BImHePSd3ClDXyxmtkl87DtzsPCqXcGCf47hWu%252FojAM8O1vMAQcMDPRVLqw8y3au5Lb%252FXH8kSYi5BnqRmAsAaV%252B3juMJ3N%7Campid%3APL_CLK

[SoCalBobS]

A couple more tidbits from DKLM:

As shipped, it uses the stock IR Rx mushroom magnetically mounted on the turrret top.



The TOW Launcher does not need to be raised to fire. That's just cosmetic Here's a shot of the manual explaining how to do it:



Notice there is a user added option to operate the rear door.

[SoCalBobS]

A minor update for anyone who pre-ordered:

Carson says the sample he received for evaluation had torsion bars that were too stiff, so the factory is modifying (replacing?) them. He thinks they may still be shipped during the first week in September.

Another possible modification; I bought a couple servo of speed reducer modules that I hope can be used with the TOW Launcher to make it rise more realistically, and potentially make the rear ramp work the same if I decide to implement that.