Heng Long MERKAVA review, build out and field testing.

[Rubicon99]

There are hundreds of RC tank sellers on AliExpress. It is impossible to generalize them. Can you tell me what is the difference between these 2 listings below:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805908421490.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_l ist_main.5.66b51802F8oio7&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Henglong 3958 Israel Merkava MK IV Main Battle Tank Remote Control Model 1/16 Metal Tracks Off-Road Fire RC Car Toys Gifts - AliExpress

Two different "drop shippers" using slight variations of the Aliexpress template. I highly suspect that "tank zone" is the only one that is actually direct from HL. All the rest just advertise the product at slightly different margins and take a "cut" when one sells, much like people and companies do on Amazon.

[keilau]

I never saw any buggy issues, what they have is sometimes it shows different versions when you open and you need to choose the right version and then it will show you the price, usually it shows the cheapest version and then you need to select from the available options provided and the matching price will be accordingly with your preference.
Also sometimes they have promotions and the prices are lower as well.
I use aliexpress at a long time and i never experience anything like this, neither on Model King Store neither any other.
What happens is that in special ocasions they do rebates to the prices of the products to sell more or sometimes because they are still receiving the goods to ship after and because of that they make better prices, thats all.
And also if something was buggy was Aliexpress not the seller because they are advertising on aliexpress platform, which is reliable and proven at many years already and without flaws.
Best Regards.

There are hundreds of RC tank sellers on AliExpress. It is impossible to generalize them. Can you tell me what is the difference between these 2 listings below:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805908421490.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_l ist_main.5.66b51802F8oio7&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Order will ship in 7 days. If shipping is delayed an automatic refund will be issued.

Henglong 3958 Israel Merkava MK IV Main Battle Tank Remote Control Model 1/16 Metal Tracks Off-Road Fire RC Car Toys Gifts - AliExpress

[cravo]

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.

I never saw any buggy issues, what they have is sometimes it shows different versions when you open and you need to choose the right version and then it will show you the price, usually it shows the cheapest version and then you need to select from the available options provided and the matching price will be accordingly with your preference.
Also sometimes they have promotions and the prices are lower as well.
I use aliexpress at a long time and i never experience anything like this, neither on Model King Store neither any other.
What happens is that in special ocasions they do rebates to the prices of the products to sell more or sometimes because they are still receiving the goods to ship after and because of that they make better prices, thats all.
And also if something was buggy was Aliexpress not the seller because they are advertising on aliexpress platform, which is reliable and proven at many years already and without flaws.
Best Regards.

[keilau]

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

4mmx7mmx2.5mm bearings, I presume, 2 pieces per wheel?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.