So you’ve seen the videos on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. An RC car going shopping all by itself. And now you’re thinking, “Hey, I want one of those RC shopping cars too!” But before you dive in and spend money to get one, it’s smart to ask yourself a few questions. Since each RC shopping car is pretty much custom-built, here are some things to consider before going shopping with an RC car.
What do I want to carry in the cargo box?
Are you thinking inside or outside the box? Not the cargo box, but whether you just want to use the RC vehicle for shopping, or do you have other uses in mind? Knowing what you plan to carry will help you decide how sturdy and spacious the cargo area needs to be. With a handy cargo box on your car, you can do much more than just go shopping.
How big should the cargo box be?
Which begs our next question. Size does matter, especially when we’re talking about small-scale vehicles. A small box might be fine for buying small merchandise, but if you’re hauling anything with weight or bulk, make sure the dimensions (and car chassis) can handle it.
How far can it go?
The farther the better. But its range is limited by the radio controller and FPV video transmission distance. Some RC shopping cars can drive hundreds of meters away, and some can go beyond one kilometer. If you wanna go farther, you need a ground station up on your rooftop. Think about your range needs, such as are you planning to drive to your nearby neighborhood store or beyond that?
RC ground vehicles with FPV can travel quite far, as proven in the video below.
What is the best radio protocol to use?
There are tons of RC radio protocols like ELRS (Express LRS), FrSky, or Spektrum. Some give longer range, better latency, or more reliability. Choose one that matches your goals. If long-range is desired, go for ELRS.
How far can I be standing when driving?
Good question, but a tough one. Can you drive from your house while the car goes to the nearby supermarket to pick up groceries? You could, if you maintain an elevated position, such as standing on the upper floor of your house. A multi-storey apartment is even better! Typically, you need some line of sight (LOS) on the vehicle to maintain control and the video feed. Driving across from a wide parking lot or a field on equal level can let you go as far as 1 km or even more. Again, depending on your radio controller, protocol, and video transmitter strength.
Do I need a line of sight (LOS) when driving?
Line of sight (LOS) is often required for reliable control and video feed. If your path is full of buildings or trees, that could block your signal. Having said that, you could still have objects like trees, cars, and bushes between you and the RC vehicle, while still being able to drive. But your range will be reduced. If you really need to go far, stand somewhere higher. If you’re high enough, you don’t necessarily need a constant line of sight.
Should I use an analog or digital FPV system?
Analog is cheaper and has low latency, but digital (like DJI) gives you clearer video but at a higher price. If you’re an aspiring YouTuber, go with analog if you’re low on budget. Then, attach a GoPro or wide-angle camera at the back of your car to record your RC exploits.
Do I need a video recorder?
You might want one if you are producing videos for the world to see. Some analog or digital goggles have built-in DVRs (Digital Video Recorders), but these recorders store what you see on your goggles, which may offer the best quality pictures. We’d recommend getting an external DVR to record the 180-degree view of your RC car, just like one below.
Must I use a pan and tilt FPV camera?
Pan and tilt camera systems help you interact with people while RC car shopping, via the head-tracking feature on FPV goggles. This means the camera imitates what your head motion. With the built-in audio support, you could nod to say yes or shake your head to mean no. The camera will move accordingly. We highly recommend this function. Otherwise, your car would look pretty still and boring.
How long does the battery last?
This really depends on your setup. Most RC shopping cars last between 45 minutes to 1 hour per charge. We tested our car with a 2,000mAh LiPo battery, and it can last up to one hour. If you want more time, use a 3,000 mAh battery. Or better still, switch to Li-Ion battery, which offers longer duration with a smaller form factor. Here’s a simple rule of thumb – the slower you drive, the longer you drive.
Will I get motion sickness?
In some people, FPV or VR goggles can trigger motion sickness. This ailment is most severe when viewing fast-moving videos. But your brain can easily be trained to overcome this since we don’t expect our RC vehicles to speed like Formula 1. So, try short sessions first and take breaks when needed.
How much is it?
The actual cost varies. A basic build might be a couple of hundred dollars, but a full-fledged system with pan/tilt FPV, digital video can cost more. The biggest chunks of the cost lie in the car, the FPV goggles, and the radio transmitter. These make up almost half of the total cost.
Ask and You Shall Receive
Asking yourself the right questions upfront saves you time, money, and headaches down the road. So if you plan to get your own RC shopping car, contact us and we can help set the right budget for your right needs.
