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

[Meter Rat]

That’s awesome for you.

[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.

[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.

[Meter Rat]

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

[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.

[MrChef]

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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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 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.

[Meter Rat]

Please, this is not meant to offend. I think you have been “ripped off” as we would say in Britain, and a victim of “if it sounds to good to be true it usually is”. You asked for advice, and you were given plenty, including a list of reputable companies.
I hope this company honours its promise and refunds the money, and you are able to get the parts you require. At least this way you will get to install the parts yourself and learn more about your model.

[cravo]

Please, this is not meant to offend. I think you have been “ripped off” as we would say in Britain, and a victim of “if it sounds to good to be true it usually is”. You asked for advice, and you were given plenty, including a list of reputable companies.
I hope this company honours its promise and refunds the money, and you are able to get the parts you require. At least this way you will get to install the parts yourself and learn more about your model.

what i did is just what I normal do
I check what I want with all the options or metal parts that I want and I search for the better price.
I think I did not do anything wrong.
If the seller offer is the same I get thr one that's is cheaper with same specifications, Wich I did.
If the seller does not comply with what it was advertised AliExpress steps in and decide and that was what happened.
It's not my fault the .Odel did not came as expected but seller fault in advertising wrongly or in the time of packing, packing the wrong .model.
The refund will be issued by AliExpress and not by the seller and I manage to proof by videos and photos that's I was right.
bellow some pictures of the box of the item.

[DANOEL]

what i did is just what I normal do
I check what I want with all the options or metal parts that I want and I search for the better price.
I think I did not do anything wrong.
If the seller offer is the same I get thr one that's is cheaper with same specifications, Wich I did.
If the seller does not comply with what it was advertised AliExpress steps in and decide and that was what happened.
It's not my fault the .Odel did not came as expected but seller fault in advertising wrongly or in the time of packing, packing the wrong .model.
The refund will be issued by AliExpress and not by the seller and I manage to proof by videos and photos that's I was right.
bellow some pictures of the box of the item.

Good luck...still fighting with aliexpress a month later for a item I ordered and the seller sent me totally different item worth about $1, the run you around in circles, keep moving the wait / response time and then keep denying my claim. First claiming the package doesn't match my order...well no kidding. Now it's tied in with paypal because I got nowhere with aliexpress. This is a game some of the sellers play on there, Ive had false tracking numbers, wrong items sent, etc. It's frustrating....but were dealing with chinese drop shippers o nther for the most part.

[cravo]

Good luck...still fighting with aliexpress a month later for a item I ordered and the seller sent me totally different item worth about $1, the run you around in circles, keep moving the wait / response time and then keep denying my claim. First claiming the package doesn't match my order...well no kidding. Now it's tied in with paypal because I got nowhere with aliexpress. This is a game some of the sellers play on there, Ive had false tracking numbers, wrong items sent, etc. It's frustrating....but were dealing with chinese drop shippers o nther for the most part.

I know but my case AliExpress steped in and I showed evidence from the start.
and like in 3 or 4 days they solved it for me usually by email is where you see the results ok the AliExpress site you only see refund proposal but not the total proposal that they only show you by email.
In my case they confirmed I was right after proofing 2ith pictures from the seller and specifications of the item comparing with pictures of what I received.
All went smooth, but still I am awaiting for the refund that it can take from 3 to 20 days .
I don't want to be smart than anyone but his was my first issue / dispute I had with AliExpress and never have received anything different from what I ordered.
I just what I normally do provide the info of 2hat I am searching and compare prices for the same product with exactly the same specifications. Who has the better price is were I make the order.
I think all of us do the same.
If then they don't provide what you order is another issue, and it's out of my control.
The box was open inside but I think it was due to customs, but other than that product was new it just Did not bring what it was advertised:(.
So I think two reasons:
One - the seller is trying to be smart and putting a box of the pro version and inside supply a non pro version.
Second - a mistake packing the product.
I always try to ask the seller to check if all is in order and working properly before posting to prevent any issues and returns it may arise.

[DANOEL]

I know but my case AliExpress steped in and I showed evidence from the start.
and like in 3 or 4 days they solved it for me usually by email is where you see the results ok the AliExpress site you only see refund proposal but not the total proposal that they only show you by email.
In my case they confirmed I was right after proofing 2ith pictures from the seller and specifications of the item comparing with pictures of what I received.
All went smooth, but still I am awaiting for the refund that it can take from 3 to 20 days .
I don't want to be smart than anyone but his was my first issue / dispute I had with AliExpress and never have received anything different from what I ordered.
I just what I normally do provide the info of 2hat I am searching and compare prices for the same product with exactly the same specifications. Who has the better price is were I make the order.
I think all of us do the same.
If then they don't provide what you order is another issue, and it's out of my control.
The box was open inside but I think it was due to customs, but other than that product was new it just Did not bring what it was advertised:(.
So I think two reasons:
One - the seller is trying to be smart and putting a box of the pro version and inside supply a non pro version.
Second - a mistake packing the product.
I always try to ask the seller to check if all is in order and working properly before posting to prevent any issues and returns it may arise.

Hopefully it all works out, just keep a eye out for your refund. Even Aliexpress plays games. I've found that if you received something broken, and have the pics, etc, they take care of it right away. I always seem to get a run-around on a "sent me something different" case. They keep sending some info to paypal, but i dont know what it is because I cant see it...but every time they do...paypal moves the date back further to resolve this. Im going to call them today and hoepfully get a human on the phone.

[keilau]

Please, this is not meant to offend. I think you have been “ripped off” as we would say in Britain, and a victim of “if it sounds to good to be true it usually is”. You asked for advice, and you were given plenty, including a list of reputable companies.
I hope this company honours its promise and refunds the money, and you are able to get the parts you require. At least this way you will get to install the parts yourself and learn more about your model.

I totally agree with what you are saying. I never heard that AliExpress issued refund. They will ask the seller to issue the refund, but there is nothing they can or will do if the seller just ignores AliExpress. @carvo may prove all of us wrong and get the refund.

When I purchased on AliExpress, I add another level of protection by using paypal. I get the refund from paypal if the seller sends me the wrong item on purpose. And yes, it happens on AliExpress all the time. Not all AliExpress seller accepts paypal because they do not see the money until after I officially accept the item. I hope that @carvo used a payment method that has similar protection.