Heng Long MERKAVA review, build out and field testing.

[Owl64]

Hi @Rubicon99,
your review is very interesting and helped me to decide to buy the HL Merkava.
I have a some question for you about the model
1) The gun machine above the cannon has sound and lights or I should buy an upgrad part?
2) The pro version that I would buy from MotionRC Europe has the turret with 340° or 360°?
3) Could you tell me the measure of the battery compartment? I would use a battery of 8000mah but I'm not sure to have the enough space to enter it in the tank
4) I will use the tank to do IR battles and I would use the Legodei IR kit and the Legodei IR emitter. Do you have some suggestions to change the position of the emitter?

Last but not least I really aprecciate any suggestions from everyone of you

Thanks
Owl from Italy

P.S. I'm sorry for my terrible english!

[Rubicon99]

Hi @Rubicon99,
your review is very interesting and helped me to decide to buy the HL Merkava.
I have a some question for you about the model
1) The gun machine above the cannon has sound and lights or I should buy an upgrad part?
2) The pro version that I would buy from MotionRC Europe has the turret with 340° or 360°?
3) Could you tell me the measure of the battery compartment? I would use a battery of 8000mah but I'm not sure to have the enough space to enter it in the tank
4) I will use the tank to do IR battles and I would use the Legodei IR kit and the Legodei IR emitter. Do you have some suggestions to change the position of the emitter?

Last but not least I really aprecciate any suggestions from everyone of you

Thanks
Owl from Italy

P.S. I'm sorry for my terrible english!

As an Italian American I totally understand the "terrible English". I grew up around family speaking in "broken Italian English".

To answer some of your questions.

The machine gun does not have a flash option as it comes from from suppliers. The flash unit is available via the aftermarket. It is up to you if you want to add it.

340 or 360 turrets? I don't like the slip rings set up of the stock 360 turrets especially if you are going to add a battle system. The slip rings can be problematic. Best in my opinion is to remove it and to just lengthen the wires so you can make four or five full rotation in any given direction and then simply reverse the same number of turns the other direction to "unwind" the wires. If that is not something you want to do then go with the 340 turret.

The battery box is designed around the stock Heng Long battery which is sadly rather small. I use a 5000mah NiMH 7.2v sub "c" six cell pack installed inside the tank with the battery leads running into the factory battery box. This NiMh are "safe" to store and charger in the tank so I used one in my Merkava. The hull is large and mostly empty so there was plenty of room for even a larger battery should I need one. The battery box could be removed to make more space, but the real issue is the battery box access opening which is also rather small and not convenient to access.

The IR emitted in my Merkava is mounted in the barrel. This is the optimum position for IR battling (numerous reason). It means you will have to delete the airsoft option though. Another location you could use is the internal machine gun position. This position on the Merkava does not allow for elevation and depression of the emitter and could put you at a disadvantage depending on the terrain you battle in.

I have some new video of my Merkava posted on my Instagram @fsttanks and I will have some longer videos of it posted soon on my YouTube, Fsttanks1. Feel free to stop by and have a look. Both are open accounts so anyone can view them.

[Owl64]

Rubicon99 do you add the muzzle flash also?

[RichJohnson]

With the Merkava there is no gunner sight hole that moves up and down with the gun so you need to put the IR bulb in the barrel. That takes the place of the muzzle flash.

[Rubicon99]

Rubicon99 do you add the muzzle flash also?

Not on the Merkava because the IR emitter is in the barrel. Barrel flash is also not of high importance to me on my tanks that their primary intent / function is IR battling. I typically only install flash on my "show and tell" demonstration tanks.

[keilau]

PART 1: Continued




Nylon axle supports bushings? Normally I would use bearings but I am going to leave these in for a while and see how they preform over time.

The Heng Long single pin metal track makes the track motion look unnatural. The mostly exposed pin makes the track look even worse. Does it run well? Do you have a better track suggestion?

Did you replace the nylon bushing for the motor drive axle yet?

[Rubicon99]

The Heng Long single pin metal track makes the track motion look unnatural. The mostly exposed pin makes the track look even worse. Does it run well? Do you have a better track suggestion?

Did you replace the nylon bushing for the motor drive axle yet?

The real Merkava track is single pin so HL got that part right. The track and tank are running amazingly well.

Yes I left the nylon bushing in because they actually had a good fit. Part of the long term testing I wanted to do. I did although grease the bushings and drive shafts. So far after running the tank multiple hours in sand, super fine silt and general dirt and rocks the bushing are doing great and the drive shaft do not show any signs of a wobble.

[keilau]

The real Merkava track is single pin so HL got that part right. The track and tank are running amazingly well.

Yes I left the nylon bushing in because they actually had a good fit. Part of the long term testing I wanted to do. I did although grease the bushings and drive shafts. So far after running the tank multiple hours in sand, super fine silt and general dirt and rocks the bushing are doing great and the drive shaft do not show any signs of a wobble.

Does the plastic track have totally enclosed pins, or is it exposed just like the metal track? I am not concerned about the the integrity of the track, just the look of it.

[Rubicon99]

Does the plastic track have totally enclosed pins, or is it exposed just like the metal track? I am not concerned about the the integrity of the track, just the look of it.

It is identical to the metal track except plastic.

[keilau]

Any review or comments on the "Metal Chassis Tracks Wheels for 1/16 Heng Long RC Battle Tanks IDF Merkava MK IV TH22665-SMT4". The sellers is Heng Long RC Store. US$700 including shipping.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805434054374.html?src=criteo&albch=criteo_New&acnt=criteo-B4&albcp=232508&device=pc&clickid=6552a8c942792cf0ee1f6982405f33c8_1699915977_3256805434054374&aff_fcid=8a7410a39f8f4d3293b3df94a895cdac-1699915996512-07384-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=8a7410a39f8f4d3293b3df94a895cdac-1699915996512-07384-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=a8f1833960a340e4853ecf96646c5011&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

[Rubicon99]

Any review or comments on the "Metal Chassis Tracks Wheels for 1/16 Heng Long RC Battle Tanks IDF Merkava MK IV TH22665-SMT4". The sellers is Heng Long RC Store. US$700 including shipping.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

The standard lower hull is excellent and I can see no reason to upgrade it to an all metal hull except to add weight. Some people really like super heavy tanks and will love the all metal hull. But of the HL all metal hulls I have seen not one really adds reliability or improves overall performance in a measure that justifies their expensive price tags.

[RichJohnson]

agreed, though with the leopard 2, the metal hull of taigen and henglong offer, the stops dont break off. but darn are they heavy.

[keilau]

The standard lower hull is excellent and I can see no reason to upgrade it to an all metal hull except to add weight. Some people really like super heavy tanks and will love the all metal hull. But of the HL all metal hulls I have seen not one really adds reliability or improves overall performance in a measure that justifies their expensive price tags.

agreed, though with the leopard 2, the metal hull of taigen and henglong offer, the stops dont break off. but darn are they heavy.

I am an engineer who worked in aerospace industry for many years. I am a firm believer in the technology flow down principle. Only a very small portion of the space technology can be apllied to auto, household appliance and other daily applications. But of the few that did, it improves the reliability and functionality of the low cost items.

In a metal chassis of RC tank, the high price allows the manufacturer to experiment some fancy features. What are those that can be implemented on a low cost chassis at reasonable cost and yield huge benefit? One good example is the ball bearings that I installed on the road wheel and swing arms of the Tongde M60 Patton tank. (Thanks, @Rubicon99.) Same can be said about the bearing gearbox and 390 or Mabuchi motors.

[keilau]

I just visited the "MODEL KING STORE" at AliExpress and purchased a plastic basic version Heng Long Merkava. At $184 shipped to US and taxed, it is the best price I can find anywhere, about 20% cheaper than Toucan or MotionRC. It is a 2 weeks shipment so I assume by air. I also hope to receive the tank package in good condition.

This is the first time I purchased a whole tank package on AliExpress. In previous experience, AliExpress wanted buyer to pay the return postage if the package is damaged, making buying large items from them not practical. @carvo recent experience gives me hope to give AliExpress another chance.

It is my understanding that the basic version Merkava comes with metal suspension arms. I will get wheel ball bearing, metal sprocket and idler wheel. I am fine with plastic road wheels. 390 motor or better is for sure. Still contemplating whether to stick with Heng Xin gearbox (ML 59) or try something different. It is also my impression the plastic track is better than the metal track in driving, if not durability. Looking forward to get suggestions and pointers from our more experienced members and current Merkava tankers.

[Rubicon99]

I just visited the "MODEL KING STORE" at AliExpress and purchased a plastic basic version Heng Long Merkava. At $184 shipped to US and taxed, it is the best price I can find anywhere, about 20% cheaper than Toucan or MotionRC. It is a 2 weeks shipment so I assume by air. I also hope to receive the tank package in good condition.

This is the first time I purchased a whole tank package on AliExpress. In previous experience, AliExpress wanted buyer to pay the return postage if the package is damaged, making buying large items from them not practical. @carvo recent experience gives me hope to give AliExpress another chance.

It is my understanding that the basic version Merkava comes with metal suspension arms. I will get wheel ball bearing, metal sprocket and idler wheel. I am fine with plastic road wheels. 390 motor or better is for sure. Still contemplating whether to stick with Heng Xin gearbox (ML 59) or try something different. It is also my impression the plastic track is better than the metal track in driving, if not durability. Looking forward to get suggestions and pointers from our more experienced members and current Merkava tankers.

On the Merkava the metal track and plastic are about equal in running reliability, but the metal is far stronger and longer lasting if the tank is run hard.

The only real downside to the metal tracks on the Merkava is that they are noisy like all metal tracks, BUT this is amplified more so on the Merkava because of its huge empty internal space and turret that just work so well at making an echo chamber.

Plastic road wheels and metal arms actually work well and can last a rather long time even with hard outdoor use. The tank just does not roll as smoothly as it would with bearing wheels.

Did the $184 included sale tax? Motion RC at least for where I am does not charge tax and shipping on items over $100 is free. By far the lowest overall TYD price for US inventory items that are coming from a trusted supplier with good CS.

[keilau]

Plastic road wheels and metal arms actually work well and can last a rather long time even with hard outdoor use. The tank just does not roll as smoothly as it would with bearing wheels.

Did the $184 included sale tax? Motion RC at least for where I am does not charge tax and shipping on items over $100 is free. By far the lowest overall TYD price for US inventory items that are coming from a trusted supplier with good CS.

On my Tongde M60, I have the plastic road wheels and 4 ball bearings on each suspension arm. It is the perfect combination that I like a lot.

Yes, the 184.41 total charge includes $13.64 sales tax. Shipping is free. MotionRC.com does not have the plastic version Merkava. Their upgrade version plus tax will be quite a bit more. Normally, I would have sent the order to one of the Toucan sellers who usually gives me additional discount off their store price. This time, I am curious to find out if AliExpress works as well as @carvo described.

[Rubicon99]

On my Tongde M60, I have the plastic road wheels and 4 ball bearings on each suspension arm. It is the perfect combination that I like a lot.

Yes, the 184.41 total charge includes $13.64 sales tax. Shipping is free. MotionRC.com does not have the plastic version Merkava. Their upgrade version plus tax will be quite a bit more. Normally, I would have sent the order to one of the Toucan sellers who usually gives me additional discount off their store price. This time, I am curious to find out if AliExpress works as well as @carvo described.

I have used Aliexpress many many many time for tank parts and such. They have been reliable in the past but shipping times have slowly increased over the years so I stopped using them as much.

[keilau]

I have used Aliexpress many many many time for tank parts and such. They have been reliable in the past but shipping times have slowly increased over the years so I stopped using them as much.

Yes, most AliExpress RC tank sellers charge $120-150 for air shipping to US. It is much cheaper to buy from independent sellers who have stock in the US. Toucan Hobby, MotionRC, or BangGood among them.

The "MODEL KING STORE" at AliExpress use the "free shipping" format. That means they include the shipping cost in their quoted price. The "MODEL KING STORE" software is buggy. I visited them after I logon to AliExpress. I got different total price at different time for the same Heng Long tank. The difference in price was usually about $100, about the difference in shipping between local (in China) vs. international shipping to US. I ordered the Merkava when I got the low $184 price. They did not ship, nor cancel my order yet.

It is just an experiment for fun. If it does not work out, Toucan has US stock and the total cost will be $50 more.

I buy 1:16 scake RC tank parts at AliExpress a lot these days. I can find parts that are not available at e-bay or Amazon. For typical parts package, air shipping is usually $10-40.

[keilau]

I placed an order for metal sprocket, idler wheel and a Heng Xin ML-59 gearbox with Toucan Hobby. The parts will likely arrive much earlier than the Merkava.

Do I need any bearing for the suspension? If yes, what size?

This build journal of the Merkava by Rubicon99 should be an excellent guide to help me buildup the tank.

[Rubicon99]

I placed an order for metal sprocket, idler wheel and a Heng Xin ML-59 gearbox with Toucan Hobby. The parts will likely arrive much earlier than the Merkava.

Do I need any bearing for the suspension? If yes, what size?

This build journal of the Merkava by Rubicon99 should be an excellent guide to help me buildup the tank.

No bearing are needed in the suspension. They are nice to have in the wheels though for longevity.