what's going on with these?

[Starkweather]

Are Epoch's still in production? I freaking love these cars, and I'd love to see 1/43 scale r/c continue. I just don't see much online about these, I got my spec-2 a few years ago and regularly blast it around the house. I think these are really well made peices of kit, and would love to see a spec-3. I know there was some BS with distribution in the states, but I'm suprised this forum isn't more busy. Love to see graphite chassis (not sure it's needed but WTF) ball diffs, alum. motor mounts, basically an evolution. Does anyone know what's going on with this car? M18' s are fun, but I love my epoch.

[LBRC]

Let’s see; yes, no, and maybe.

Are Epoch's still in production?
Like most things they are manufactured in production runs, if you need 60,000 cars Epoch can too up and have them on your door step in approx. 30 days. For anything less, the shop here has cars, and Apex USA has cars with the ability to order more at any time since they own the distribution rights to them here in North America.

I freaking love these cars, and I'd love to see 1/43 scale r/c continue.
You might just get your wish, Even Kyosho seems to be testing the waters.
Mini Mini-Z (http://www.rcc51.com/mini%20mini-Z.html)

I just don't see much online about these,
Too true, a result of bad press (some disserved, some not), poor marketing, a poor choice of associates, and nothing really new, yet.

I got my spec-2 a few years ago and regularly blast it around the house. I think these are really well made pieces of kit, and would love to see a spec-3.
Again maybe, the problem is that Epoch as a company’s primary product line, income, and consequently focus does not come from radio controlled cars or toys. The “Indoor Racer” was a promotional tool that worked, but like some second son in a Vicky move it’s left to making its own way in the world without much in the way of parental backing. If Apex’s new owner succeeds in finding a client base, which BTW needs to be more than a few thousand on line sales, then we will get our Spec-3 or an Evolution equivalent, if not then it will continue to be a kiosk and promotional item.

I know there was some BS with distribution in the states, but I'm surprised this forum isn't more busy.
I suspect if there where more bodies, upgrades, and such, both commercial and homemade that’s gets people interested, epically more model and other bodies/wheels that could be adapted not just manufacturer bodies.

Love to see graphite chassis (not sure it's needed but WTF) ball diffs, alum. motor mounts, basically an evolution.
I’ve been working on, making, and even selling a few home made parts, not enough feedback to know how well they are actually doing yet. Have a working ball diff with an improved version almost ready to be unveiled, it’s the axle and wheel attachment that I’m not satisfied with yet.
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album99/Arfin_opp_1_400.thumb.jpg http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album99/Colored_mounts.thumb.jpg http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album86/MVC_530L.thumb.jpg

I would like to add an HFAY type series to your list, a Mini-Z and two Wide-L track is still too large for most home racers but an Epoch and Mini-96 or single Wide-L could fit almost anywhere with an inexpensive laser timing system.

Does anyone know what's going on with this car?
Yes, but so much is up in the air.

M18' s are fun, but I love my epoch.
Agree.

[Starkweather]

Thanks for the details reply. Couple more questions though. First off, what business is Epoch primarily involved in? I tried searching but the word Epoch brings up way too much stuff. I'm assuming they are based in Japan. Are Epoch's still popular in that part of the world? It seems to me boosting the popularity of these cars shouldn't really take much. First off, Apex's website SUCKS. No content to speak of. Show some videos, change the design, whatever, it needs to change. Anyone even remotely into R/C cars who drives one of these usually loves them, so they just need something to grab hobbyists attention! Then there is the usual stuff, like more performance parts and bodies. (350z, Mustang, some exotics etc.)

Also, you seem to know a lot about the "behind the scenes" with this car. Is there going to be a Spec 3? Is there really anything coming down the pike?

[hobbycar]

FYI, if you want to see one of LBRC's super epochs in action check out my videos:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8566776847438976536

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8443467152185546624

-hobbycar

[LBRC]

FYI, if you want to see one of LBRC's super epochs in action check out my videos:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8566776847438976536

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8443467152185546624

-hobbycar
hobbycar
Do you mind if I put a copy of your videos on/in my site/gallery lbspd.com?

Starkweather
Your first problem when trying to find the car on the net is that it’s unfortunate official English name is RC 1/43 Indoor Racer :mad:, the second is of course English :( .
Epoch Co. Ltd. is the manufacturer’s name, similar to the Mattel found on the bottom of a Hot Wheels car, as a company Epoch is also similar to Mattel in size and the scope of its products. They are one of Japan's, and the worlds for that matter, leading manufacturers of die-cast, white metal and related transportation toys and models with several proprietary brands including M4, and MTech. Won’t help much but here are some of their websites:
www.epoch.gr.jp/ & epoch.jp/mtech/mtech/m_hobby.html

You are among the many who think a Apex needs a new web site, it actually needs two, one for the Hobby Shop and Race Center, and another for Apex USA Ltd. the company who currently owns the North American distribution rights for the Indoor Racer (remember that’s the cars unfortunate English name) and related products. However the distributor and importer site would ideally be a single page of pictures, maybe a video, and contact info for dealers and retailers only, directing individual customers to authorized retailers and sites like this, after all info and personal sales is what Epoch1-43 was created for.

A Spec-3? I more than most certainly hope so, maybe - maybe not, only time will tell. Hopefully something will happen soon, one thing you can be certain of is that when anything does happen this will be a good place to find out about it :) .

[chuckyluv]

lbrc...how do we purchase the upgrades/parts u produce. ex. motor mount diff and front wheel/bearing kit. i missed the apr 22 gtg but talked to arch and othrs. are there any body sources available to your knowledge.. thanks for all the info and past work. these are a great mini 96 cars. and my first 2 are not enough to keep my thinking of ridding my 1/18 and larger all together!!!!chuckluv from mini z racer and now epoch 1/43 :)

[hobbycar]

hobbycar
Do you mind if I put a copy of your videos on/in my site/gallery lbspd.com?


Go for it! That would be cool.

FYI, the videos have been viewed 2240 (w/ the MiniZs) and 706 times to date.

-hobbycar

[LBRC]

Hobycar - Thank you!

Chuckyluv
Simply PM or Email and I will tell you back with what, I have, what I don’t, how long it would take, and how much. The problem is that I’m out of motors and now down to the wire on making a choice between the 2.3 ohm red and 3.3 ohm orange since the minimum order quantity is quite large.

I have plenty Turbo’s and a halfway decent set of instructions for installation, however advanced soldering skills are needed for installation.

I also have plenty of battery packs; both the 195 NiMH and 340 LiPo but as yet have not finished a decent tutorial for chassis modification and installation.

I am currently making a batch of motor mounts (takes about a week), however every motor set I have left has already been spoken for and I expect it will be at least a month or two before I get more motors in. I also need to make a good set of instructions for removing the axle and modifying it to fit the ball bearings.

As for custom modified chassis or ready sets since I am getting ready for my pilgrimage down to RCX and a very important meeting afterwards, it will be mid May before I can start on any more, even if I solve the motor shortage problem.

Have been working on a web-page once I get the motors, the tutorials done, and some completed parts and cars stockpiled I will put it up.

For a Mini-96 track: After receiving an email from Arch I started wondering how a ball bearing front hub, turbo,195 mah, upgraded steering servo car with a stock motor in an aluminum bb motor mount would do on the Mini-96 track. I don’t think the ball bearings and high current battery would ease/level the current drain enough to solve the steering instability caused by the Aquaspeed, although it might just be enough for a 36 gage BSRT.

Bodies; unfortunately nothing much happening yet. So far the only thing I’ve found that really fit was the NASCAR Windracer even then only the Dodge was wide enough. I have/had some lexan bodies that I sent to Steelwoolghandi for painting but he hasn’t got around to them yet. The banked oval race crowd in Santa Maria are adapting die-cast bodies and working on an aluminum body. As for an Epoch body the first new bodies would likely be something like NASCAR since the math is simple they have more fans willing to buy something related to their passion, than existing micro RC fans, the good news is that once the car gets going again when could then put our vote in for something fun, maybe like this Bugatti.
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album87/20903_1.jpg

[chuckyluv]

we gotta talk!!!! no joke!!! i got that covered!!! :)

[arch2b]

lbrc, i wasn't kidding when i said the dc club is full of experienced modder ;) when you get to production, will you be selling thru the epoch shop or via standalone site? not sure if you have discussed thi with david yet?

chucky, i still have lbrc's stuff here so you can give it a run next gtg. hsi car is really quick and smooth.

[LBRC]

A lot will depend on how things work out, for example I sent you the wrong chassis originally I planed on sending you one with a motor plug on the stock motor output wires so you could bypass the turbo and try the orange motors without it, the red motors are too hot but the orange seem to work if not quite as well without, if so and I can come up with a reasonable priced diff to go with it then there would be a much greater demand since installing the turbo is not for everyone. More and more it’s starting to look like a good aftermarket differential might be the real key, especially since a few people who have managed the turbo installation without a hitch ran into trouble while removing and modding the differential for installation into the Shotgun motor mount.

Then there’s the future of the Epoch in general, let’s say for instance that a future epoch, call it a Spec-3 for lack of a better name just happened to come out a little more upgrade friendly with features like a turbo plug or at least solder tabs on the circuit board and replaceable batteries, well then obviously a large scale production of turbo’s, motor upgrades, battery packs, and such would definitely be called for at which time hopefully a bunch of people/companies would hop on the band wagon and start making and selling upgrades then I wouldn’t have to.

The way things are right now I can make and sell a Turbo, battery pack, motor mount w/bearings and motors for about $50 but that just covers the production costs and doesn’t even come close to any labor compensation especially since I have to make each item by hand one at a time. I do it solely for love of the car and scale.

:rolleyes: Ok that’s a lie I secretly hope that the hobby will take off to a point where I could still keep the wife happy but spend the rest of my days happily playing with all the wonderful toys that didn’t even exist before I had to support myself. Am better now back to reality. :o

Then there’s the installation problem, relatively few people have the ability to install them without assistance so for most a complete chassis is the only feasible option which is even more labor intensive. So for now I plan on putting up a webpage with instructions and some sort of order process for the dedicated, for the future we will just have to wait and see.

[chuckyluv]

lbrc...youve got skillzzzz!!!! the roll of the car is un believeable. i must complement your work and only hope to learn more.... :eek:

[arfin]

lbrc...youve got skillzzzz!!!! the roll of the car is un believeable. i must complement your work and only hope to learn more.... :eek:

Sooo True! I can't believe how it just rolls so smooth, like a die cast car or something. Especially compared to a stock epoch :eek: wow those things come to a completed stop.

LBRC, just letting you know we appreciate what you are doing, and gives me hope knowing that you are helping out apex in whatever way you can. Thanks man!

[Reaperman93010]

is it just me or is there *zero* information about these on the epoch or mtech websites anymore? That's very odd for a car that's still in production. Especially since a lot of the out of production mtech 1/43 models are listed. unless I'm missing it

http://epoch.jp/mtech/index.html
though the mtech trains look somewhat neat. I like how the tracks stack.

[will3kgt]

I've raced LBRC's LiPo Epochs many times and I have to say I enjoy them just as much if not more than Mini Zs. Whenever the upgrades are ready or if a ready-to-run car is available pencil me in for an order. Perhaps he can set up a service in where he turns your stock car into a 1/43 scale beast for the price of parts & labor for the not-so mechnically inclined. I love to send my car to him for upgrading. Just something to think about.

[steelwoolghandi]

I have/had some lexan bodies that I sent to Steelwoolghandi for painting but he hasn’t got around to them yet.

I have been working on one of the bodies and making the mistakes on it I like how things are turning out and I think I have it down how I can paint these without making them look cartoonish or goofy. Also if I don’t get these done soon LBRC is going to send the UK mafia after me.... :rolleyes:

[Starkweather]

I was wondering what the status of the Indoor Racer is in Japan. Are they popular? Probably not like the Mini-Z, but I was just wondering.

[Reaperman93010]

since nobody else seems to know if they're popular in japan, I'm going to say that they're not. I think they're viewed as a decent toy put out by an okay model company. Just like we think of the revell or jada toys.

I've never seen them mentioned on any japanese sites including any of the epoch websites. not even the epoch/mtech website here:
http://epoch.jp/mtech/index.html
you'd think it would at least be there somewhere...

honestly I don't even know what they're called in japan, or if I have the proper keyboard to search for it--but I have looked.

[arch2b]

my contact in tokyo said they were considered toys there. considering what else they have going on over there i can't blame them.

given the right development here, they could be the next 'microsizer' which was extremely popular.

[Starkweather]

Well technically ALL R/C models are "toys"!

I put the Epoch more on par with a mini-z than a bit char-g though... proportional steering, a diff, adjustable suspension, the handling and speed out of the box... one close look at one and I think it says "hobby class". Kinda suprised with all the crap Japan has going on with mini-z's there isn't some kind of epoch race series. But I don't know too much about professional R/C racing so maybe I'm just talking out my patoot!

[will3kgt]

Well they must think they're profitable "toys" since Kyosho is coming out with their own 1:43 car.

[Reaperman93010]

It may be splitting hairs, but I think the kyosho cars are even a bit farther from 1:43 than epochs are. It'd be somewhat interesting to calculate what the scale is actually going to be on them. I suspect they're not all that much smaller than 1/28. 1/32 is about as low as I'd call them, those are very subcompact cars they're modeling.

'hi, I'm kyosho, I know I could sell a whole buttload of tiny cars with red ferrari bodies, but I'd prefer to sell bodies of obscure subcompacts that you probably can't pronounce.'

[Starkweather]

...may be a double post...

Anyway, I agree. I don't think anyone says to themselves, "Man, someday I'm gonna own a sweet car... Like a Daihatsu."

And what are the supposed great features of these things that are going to make them so expensive? I heard they are FM, big deal. If you look at those pictures, it really looks like Kyosho just studied an Epoch chassis and made their own spin on it. Defintely not worth, what, 180 bucks (?!?) when I could get another Epoch that performs as well if not better for all we know. Seriously, anyone know the deal with the "Mini-Z Lit"?

Oh, and 20 bucks says when they come here they are called "Micro-Z"

[arch2b]

someone ran the numebrs and the lit is reported to be a 1/28 scale rc of the full size car. it just so happens that the bodies they chose for the lit are extremely small in real life.

[Reaperman93010]

I doubt it's a coincidence. They're probably trying to keep everything ~1/28 and needed a smaller chassis for subcompacts. I guess 'miata' is probably going to be about as cool as cars on that chassis are going to get.

I still think they look a bit small. are the wheels on the lit larger than the epoch? subcompacts have small wheels, but not epoch size.

[Draconious]

once they put a classic mini cooper on it... it will sell more. LoL I can see some one modding that, and having it race against MR02s LOL LOL...

And yes they are supose to be 1:28...

[losilover14]

Hobycar - Thank you!

Chuckyluv
Simply PM or Email and I will tell you back with what, I have, what I don’t, how long it would take, and how much. The problem is that I’m out of motors and now down to the wire on making a choice between the 2.3 ohm red and 3.3 ohm orange since the minimum order quantity is quite large.

I have plenty Turbo’s and a halfway decent set of instructions for installation, however advanced soldering skills are needed for installation.

I also have plenty of battery packs; both the 195 NiMH and 340 LiPo but as yet have not finished a decent tutorial for chassis modification and installation.

I am currently making a batch of motor mounts (takes about a week), however every motor set I have left has already been spoken for and I expect it will be at least a month or two before I get more motors in. I also need to make a good set of instructions for removing the axle and modifying it to fit the ball bearings.

As for custom modified chassis or ready sets since I am getting ready for my pilgrimage down to RCX and a very important meeting afterwards, it will be mid May before I can start on any more, even if I solve the motor shortage problem.

Have been working on a web-page once I get the motors, the tutorials done, and some completed parts and cars stockpiled I will put it up.

For a Mini-96 track: After receiving an email from Arch I started wondering how a ball bearing front hub, turbo,195 mah, upgraded steering servo car with a stock motor in an aluminum bb motor mount would do on the Mini-96 track. I don’t think the ball bearings and high current battery would ease/level the current drain enough to solve the steering instability caused by the Aquaspeed, although it might just be enough for a 36 gage BSRT.

Bodies; unfortunately nothing much happening yet. So far the only thing I’ve found that really fit was the NASCAR Windracer even then only the Dodge was wide enough. I have/had some lexan bodies that I sent to Steelwoolghandi for painting but he hasn’t got around to them yet. The banked oval race crowd in Santa Maria are adapting die-cast bodies and working on an aluminum body. As for an Epoch body the first new bodies would likely be something like NASCAR since the math is simple they have more fans willing to buy something related to their passion, than existing micro RC fans, the good news is that once the car gets going again when could then put our vote in for something fun, maybe like this Bugatti.
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album87/20903_1.jpg


hey lbrc u talked about santa maria. not a very known town and its like 5 min away from my house. do u live near there? is there any special like epoch thing there?

[LBRC]

Me no I’m over a thousand miles north, however if the city manages to approve a minor rezoning request about a mile from the Santa Maria airport will be the new home of the North American distributor and one of the largest indoor raceways in the country.

[losilover14]

is it by anychance called Apex racing? because i tried to find it today but no luck. well lemme kno if itell be open before the 4th of july weekend because debbies rc world will be my new home in VA

[epoch1-43]

And what are the supposed great features of these things that are going to make them so expensive?

It also has ICS which means you can plug it into your PC to adjust various settings; only the AD band Mini-Z boards have this type of functionality. :)