Advice to buy a new tank - good options, reliable and that dont break the bank

[keilau]

Hi the problem is that the seller put on the info that would bring all metal parts described on the information of the professional version
like idler wheel all wheel bearings, metal drive box .metal sprocket wheels and metal rocker arms and metal tracks.
I received the box of the professional version.
It was closed but I assumed it was open by customs and they removed the smoke oil.
But the version I received only had metal tracks, metal gearbox and metal sprocket wheel..
The seller was :
Model King Store
From AliExpress.
Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the box.
But I filed a dispute and won.
So I'm going to get funded of a good part of the value I paid and I kept the item according with AliExpress proposal for the dispute.
Of course I proved all this by pictures taken of the item announced in the store and opening the box when I received the item and confirmed it was. Or what I ordered but a lower version or with less metal components.

The Walker Bulldog that Model King Store promised you is probably 200 Euro more expensive than what they shipped you. You got a very good deal because Model King lied to you. Make sure you get refund credit to order the parts you need, not to wait for Model King to ship you the parts. Good luck.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805836174823.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.11.4fb71250iqTTPV&algo_pvid=e827db8b-d34d-4683-a2d5-5f7ddda81716&algo_exp_id=e827db8b-d34d-4683-a2d5-5f7ddda81716-5&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21202.69%21162.15%21%21%211472.00%21%21%402101d8f416998493969863556e1580%2112000035362949466%21sea%21US%211761413604%21&curPageLogUid=1uy4sgCJ8peM

Toucan Hobby is not any more expensive than Model King. And you get exactly what you pay for from them.

[cravo]

What are the metal parts that you expected but did not received? Is the HL RTR tank in a factory sealed box? Can you show a picture of the HL box?

Heng Long has several levels of metal versions of their RTR tank. The cheap one is called the PRO version and the more expensive, comprehensive one is called Professional version. Within each version, they have several sub-variance too. I would like to avoid the seller whom you bought from. Can you tell us the seller's store name?

Hi the problem is that the seller put on the info that would bring all metal parts described on the information of the professional version
like idler wheel all wheel bearings, metal drive box .metal sprocket wheels and metal rocker arms and metal tracks.
I received the box of the professional version.
It was closed but I assumed it was open by customs and they removed the smoke oil.
But the version I received only had metal tracks, metal gearbox and metal sprocket wheel..
The seller was :
Model King Store
From AliExpress.
Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the box.
But I filed a dispute and won.
So I'm going to get funded of a good part of the value I paid and I kept the item according with AliExpress proposal for the dispute.
Of course I proved all this by pictures taken of the item announced in the store and opening the box when I received the item and confirmed it was. Or what I ordered but a lower version or with less metal components.

[keilau]

Hi guys hope you all are fine.
sorry for the delay but customs took longer than what I expected.
Also other issue arrived the item I ordered did not come with all metal parts mentioned.
So I open a dispute on AliExpress and proof with videos and pictures from what was announced and what I received.
So after a couple of days AliExpress returned with a proposal to return part of the value and for me to keep the item because of shipping costs back to China and risks that the product did not arrive in perfect condition.
After I accepted I build it and test it.
First I did not receive the bottle of liquid to make the smoke (would like to know any alternatives or ideas it may arise because I also don't have the small funnel to put the drops inside, any ideas would be welcome.
Also my tracks when I drive on angle /side they detrack or go out of the sprockets. The sprockets are the metal ones but the older version without the alignment in the middle.
I think my tracks are way too loose from factory but when I take one link it seems they stay too tight as well.
I would like to hear from you what is your idea and opinion about this subject and dyi ideas on how to fix it if there are since the M41 does not have track adjustment.
Thanks in advance for the advices.
Pictures attached.

What are the metal parts that you expected but did not received? Is the HL RTR tank in a factory sealed box? Can you show a picture of the HL box?

Heng Long has several levels of metal versions of their RTR tank. The cheap one is called the PRO version and the more expensive, comprehensive one is called Professional version. Within each version, they have several sub-variance too. I would like to avoid the seller whom you bought from. Can you tell us the seller's store name?

[cravo]

Sorry that after all the waiting time, your model is not as expected. For smoke fluid, you can use the fluid they use in smoking vapes, or for smoke machines. For filling a small syringe could be used.

Nice idea.
I don't smoke and I heard that some people is using baby oil like Johnson's, does that work?
Or it's going to break the system?
I was disappointed because it's the first thing this happens in all years I'm buying from AliExpress but AliExpress stand by me and provided a good refund and let me keep the item.
The problem was in fact the waiting (most part on customs) and the model did not come as expected.
But what it worried me most is that I could not do anything until I receive the reply of AliExpress regarding the dispute because they could ask me to return it if we did not reach to an understanding.
After all agree I enjoyed mounting and start to play only indoors but unfortunately when I drive in an angle sometimes it detracks / the tracks come off.
it does not have a tension adjuster.
So I remove one link but would like to know your opinion.
Is it better just buy an upgraded sprocket wheel with the alignment?
Run it with some slop in the tracks for now?
Remove one li k on both tracks and run it to free the tracks and wear out a bit?
What you think?
I still did not have time to run it outside neither for longer periods, but on carpet running on side it detracks.
Any ideas on how to solve it?
Any upgrades I should consider?
Thanks in advance and wish you all a wonderful Sunday.

[Meter Rat]

Sorry that after all the waiting time, your model is not as expected. For smoke fluid, you can use the fluid they use in smoking vapes, or for smoke machines. For filling a small syringe could be used.

[cravo]

Two pictures one side with the track from factory and the other side with one link removed.
also I added 1 washer in each rocker arm of the suspension to reduce the slop to the sides but of course not too tight so it allows to move freely.

[cravo]

Hi guys hope you all are fine.
sorry for the delay but customs took longer than what I expected.
Also other issue arrived the item I ordered did not come with all metal parts mentioned.
So I open a dispute on AliExpress and proof with videos and pictures from what was announced and what I received.
So after a couple of days AliExpress returned with a proposal to return part of the value and for me to keep the item because of shipping costs back to China and risks that the product did not arrive in perfect condition.
After I accepted I build it and test it.
First I did not receive the bottle of liquid to make the smoke (would like to know any alternatives or ideas it may arise because I also don't have the small funnel to put the drops inside, any ideas would be welcome.
Also my tracks when I drive on angle /side they detrack or go out of the sprockets. The sprockets are the metal ones but the older version without the alignment in the middle.
I think my tracks are way too loose from factory but when I take one link it seems they stay too tight as well.
I would like to hear from you what is your idea and opinion about this subject and dyi ideas on how to fix it if there are since the M41 does not have track adjustment.
Thanks in advance for the advices.
Pictures attached.

[cravo]

We've sent real tanks to Ukraine faster than you're getting your RC model.

I'm glad they are faster because if they weren't people would die.
I'm not in a rush, and 8m not going to fight with it.
I just like the idea of getting a vehicle with metal tracks since my first Rc was an excavator with plastic tracks and i lived it. I have also more.3 RCS, 1 buggy 1/8 scale, a brushless sensored 1/10 crawler and a 1/14 brushless drift car.
At this moment o have lots of other things to solve and very occupied. Of course I would like it to arrive earlier but neither I have fault because customs are slow neither the seller so let's wait for further information and as soon as I have updates I will keep you posted.
As I said before this happens not only to me but to ALL packages that arrive to the country.

[MrChef]

We've sent real tanks to Ukraine faster than you're getting your RC model.

[cravo]

I hope the VAT does not exceed the the savings made.

I pay the value without the Vat to the seller.
So, I am expecting to pay the Vat Wich is the total Value presented at first with shipping .
If it's cleared by customs without Vat even better.
What I was not expecting is that they still did not hire enought people on customs to handle all the packages faster and I still have to wait for their clearing on customs, or to pay vat or to be authorized to be delivered.
Either way the package is less than two hours away by car. Let's see how much longer it will take since there is nothing else I can do.

[Meter Rat]

I hope the VAT does not exceed the the savings made.

[cravo]

Guys the package is held in customs a long time.
As far as i understood they have shortage of people on customs since long time and they continue to delay the delivery.
The Customs processes makes the package travel to one place to be checked then re-sent to another customs place (maybe to make the process to colect the VAT) and its still on that process since.
I already contacted local mail and they informed i have to wait until customs clear the package or proceed with the documention for me to provide info about the product and price paid in order for them to issue the value of the VAT to pay, and only after i pay (in case they do not clear it before) is when the package will be finnaly sent to me.
Although it cames by plane to a neighbourhood country by plane and after by normal transport it needs to go thru the customs procedures.
It was not sellers fault since this is a normal process for all packages comming into poland pass by the same exact procedure.
As soon as i have more informatons i will let you know.

[keilau]

Guys just a small update,
i got the info that the package already arrived to my city, it was dispached by plane.
Thats why i did not have news so long.
then from one day to another, package was dispached and at end of the day package on the dispach unit of your city :).
I think next week i will get it since i got the info on a saturday night and they dont deliver anything on sundays :(.
When i received it i will post some pictures or do an unboxing to give the feedback to all of you.
Wish you all a great sunday .

Can you share which website and which seller you purchased from?

I always advise people to buy from established seller only, but I cannot resist the dirt cheap price on e-bay sometimes. Currently, I have an order that arrived at US by air 10 days ago, but no update since. It is an e-bay seller.

[Meter Rat]

That’s awesome for you.

[cravo]

Guys just a small update,
i got the info that the package already arrived to my city, it was dispached by plane.
Thats why i did not have news so long.
then from one day to another, package was dispached and at end of the day package on the dispach unit of your city :).
I think next week i will get it since i got the info on a saturday night and they dont deliver anything on sundays :(.
When i received it i will post some pictures or do an unboxing to give the feedback to all of you.
Wish you all a great sunday .

[Meter Rat]

Keilau. Thank you for the links.

[keilau]

Do you have a link for these gearboxes, please? As I am unable to find them here in the UK.

For the Heng Xin gearbox, I got them from Toucan Hobby. They sell on AliExpress, e-bay and their own website.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805743856567.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.5 7.5939M7zWM7zWoG&algo_pvid=fec83e17-b051-4284-9348-7d145eb7cb7e&algo_exp_id=fec83e17-b051-4284-9348-7d145eb7cb7e-28&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2153.11%2137.18%21%21%21 3 86.00%21%21%402101d68d16973158871503158e1923%21120 00034894710460%21sea%21US%211761413604%21&curPageL ogUid=BVPU3QgFeJzZ

The Torro was purchased at the Taigen Tank website.

https://www.taigentanks.com/collections/taigen-tank-parts/products/taigen-tanks-steel-ball-bearing-v2-gearboxes

Both brands are well known in US and in Germany. But the Heng Xin seems to have ended their production and is more difficult to find. You may want to consider the Heng Long CNC gearbox.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802319189367.html?spm=a2g0o.home.qualitypicks.1.29e32145PhhjOw&gps-id=pcJustForYouTop&scm=1007.13562.333647.0&scm_id=1007.13562.333647.0&scm-url=1007.13562.333647.0&pvid=2bd4158a-9595-44a6-b453-013b2d13cb0f&_t=gps-id:pcJustForYouTop,scm-url:1007.13562.333647.0,pvid:2bd4158a-9595-44a6-b453-013b2d13cb0f,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238110%231995&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2186.76%2165.94%21%21%21630.53%21%21%402101f04d16973165983106961e9d4e%2112000020915991983%21rec%21US%211761413604%21

If you cannot find their distributor in UK, buying from AliExpress is definitely an acceptable option. The gearbox is small enough to ship by air at reasonable cost.

[Meter Rat]

Do you have a link for these gearboxes, please? As I am unable to find them here in the UK.

[keilau]

I also prefer gearbox with bearings but for now its another cost and as long as it runs its fine for me, like the traks,
when i will need to do an upgrade (if and when they fail) i hope i have already many hours of fun time, and then of course it will be time for the upgrades.
what is the gearbox and prices you are speaking? they are for the M41 Walker Bulldog or Merkava?

My favorite gearbox is the Heng Xin brand. They are far from the best, but I consider them to be the best value for HL tanks. The mounting is designed to improve integrity with the HL chassis. The motors used on the Leopard 2A6 are Maxhans390.

For smaller RC tank hull such Pershing or Sherman, I use Tamiya380 standard motors (not the sport tuned) with the Heng Xin gearbox.

My second choice gearbox is the Torro Version 2, which allows me to use with 390 motors on the Pershing.

The Heng Xin gearbox can be easily found on AliExpress. You may have to visit Torro shops in Europe to find the Torro gearbox.

I do not have the Walker Bulldog so I do not know which option applies to you.

[cravo]

I know what you mean. A lot is due to the terrain I sometimes run on. Although I find that the all plastic Tiger, runs better on the terrain that the bigger tanks with the upgrades struggle on. The Tiger and T72 are both good for the beach as they do not have bearings. The Tiger is all plastic, and the T72 has plastic road wheels and no bearings. It does have metal tracks, idlers, sprockets, and swing arms. That all have different running capabilities. The site you have found is now saved for future reference, until then I look forward to your experience with them, before I buy.

I will post or video of the M41 Walker Buldog, after all i bought this tank because of your advice ;).
The arrival date is still between 20th October and 26th October so, lets wait and see.
Sometimes we have to prepare the rc to be able to deal with what we do to them and also respect their limits.
Its an RC not something undestructible.
Other thing that is very important is cleaning after playing and preventive maintenance.