Kyosho Optima 2016 Re-release 4wd 1/10th Buggy - Full Review!

Here's my final thoughts on the Kyosho Optima 2016 Re-Release 4wd 1/10th Scale Buggy KIT.
Get your Kyosho Optima here: bit.ly/3bAiobZ
The Kyosho Optima 4wd 1/10th scale buggy was the "Optimal" performance vehicle of the 1980's. Now, Kyosho has re-released the vehicle to withstand today's brushless powerplants. In this video, I show off the unique packaging that brings you back to the '80's to experience how the hobby really started - it's like a display case of upgrade parts!
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Here's what electronics I selected for the Kyosho Optima:
Team Orion R10.1 Pro Speed Control:
• NEW!! Team Orion R10.1...
Team Orion VST2 brushless/sensored motor:
• NEW!! Orion VST2 Pro M...
Hitec 8330 Servo:
• Hitec HS-8330SH Servo ...
Take a look at the re-released Pactra Line of paints from Testors:
• Pactra Poly-Carbonate ...
Here's the Tires/Wheels I ran on my Optima:
Rear EVO Chainlinks Clay: www.raceaka.com...
Front EVO Chainlinks Clay: www.raceaka.com...
Rear EVO Wheels: www.raceaka.com...
Front EVO Wheels: www.raceaka.com...
The first OPTIMA model was heralded as a technical masterpiece at its release in 1985 and from then, Kyosho has set the standard in R/C development. Memories of the OPTIMA are fresh even after 30 years and its stylish form and ruthlessly efficient performance still resonate amongst modern racing machines. Now the new OPTIMA is ready to continue the battle for racing dominance, embodying the latest in technological evolution but with the distinctive OPTIMA style. The narrow backbone shaped chassis provides the platform for optimal geometry with large steering angles and double wishbone suspension with long 35mm suspension stroke. Recreated in the image of the original design, the 4WD chain system is housed inside a sealed compartment and the gears and gearbox at the center of the drive train are equipped with robust metal counter gear pinion and rear diff case. The drive train also features a slipper clutch and precision 48-pitch gear modules that reduce drive loss and fulfill the potential of modern power sources. Modern features include the choice of chain drive or belt drive as well as big bore shocks on front and rear that have been recreated in the original OPTIMA colors, plus hex screws. As a true racing partner, the OPTIMA is ready to race again with the latest advancements in driving performance.
Features:
Chassis: All plates and the main chassis bars are now 6061T6 aluminum (counter sunk). Aluminum chassis bars are slightly thicker for more durability.
Drive-train: Kit includes both chain and belt drive trains allowing use of more powerful motors. Diff gears now have ball bearings installed.
Gears: Now in 48 pitch gears. Sintered alloy gears combined with high impact nylon gears and newly added slipper clutch will cope with the current power plants.
Shocks: 10mm diameter aluminum cylinder with SUS shaft allows improved damping.
Tires/Wheels: Slightly modified tread designs and softer compound for superior grip and handling. Rear tires include inner sponge. 1 piece wheel design.
Bumpers: 2 Types of bumpers included (Wide and Narrow)
Motor Guard: Aluminum motor guard
Geometry: Updated geometry and servo fixture
Hardware: All Hex
Driver: Molded helmet design.
Option Parts: We will release various option parts.
Electronics compatibility: The 2014 Scorpion is compatible with the current standard servos, receiver units, ESC's, motors and battery packs.
Packaging: Similar to the original with blister pack showing some of the parts included. Some parts will be preassembled and parts will be bagged in steps following the instruction manual for easy assembly.
Specifications:
Length: 395mm
Width: 240mm
Height: 120mm
Ground Clearance: 36mm
Wheelbase: 260mm
Tread (F/R): 204mm / 204mm
Tire (F/R): 86f x 40mm / 86f x 40mm
Gear Ratio: 9.24:1
Weight: approx. 1,600g
Motor: 540 class size
Battery: Ni-MH / Li-PO Standard Size / short size
R/C System: 2 channel, 1-servo, ESC
Includes:
Pre-assembled kit (gearbox and oil shocks are pre-assembled)
Clear polycarbonate body
Decals
L-shape hex wrench
Cross wrench
Shock wrench
Shock oil
Grease
Threadlock glue

[@boostedgm1]

as a kid and still at heart early rc will always be with me,no matter how advanced and complicated they get

[@TheRCNetwork]

Agreed!

[@afrog2666]

Hehe, remember the first time you had to put a diff together? xD I thought that was pretty complicated..

[@racerj2.03]

This car was introduced one year before I built my first buggy. This is one that got away! I did however, run the Ultma in 1987, which I chose over the RC10. So as you can see I am one of the old-timers!

[@rcandgaminglabs8038]

Joseph Vilis same here bro! i went with the rc10 and the rest is history🏁

[@afrog2666]

My first truck was an RC10T, but by that point I had had my dear old hornet for ages, still miss that thing, planning a purchase of the re-release :D So you chose the Optima over the RC10? That`s pretty high praise for the Optima :)

[@rcandgaminglabs8038]

i love how they are re releasing alot of my favs from my childhood👍

[@TheRCNetwork]

Yep, really like the OPtima!

[@rcandgaminglabs8038]

The RCNetwork i bet! i was always a 2wd buggy and short course dirt specialist. actually just drove my first 4wd recently. my buddy let me drive his arrma 1\8 kraton and talion. amazing vehicles!

[@wheeliebad11B]

The optima and Ultima were real cool gear back in the 80's. I ran a few different variations back then and they were just too cool. Wish I still had one to this day. Now I'm wanting one again even though I'm not really into cars anymore.

[@lieutenantorion6475]

I just finished a Ultima off road racer and the e clips are a pain but brings back memories from the old days. Loved it. Great review

[@TheRCNetwork]

Yeah, those e-clips and those clear plastic washers on the shocks were the worse!

[@davesmith8925]

Man I love it! I had one back in 86 when I was in Jr High. I WILL Be Getting a new one. Have been wanting to get back into R/Cs. This will bring me back!

[@TheRCNetwork]

Yep, this does bring back the 80's! Good to see you getting back in!

[@brandonbentley8532]

The hobby shop I went to as a kid had one of these literally on the top shelf where us kids couldn't touch it. Very expensive complex kit back then. Awesome to see they really only had to modify the buggy slightly to make it handle modern brushless power. I actually had a rc10 because the kyosho stuff was so expensive to buy and run back then.

[@Gma7788]

This isn't the old buggy.

[@brifixit1962]

I purchased this exact thing in 1987, and I still have it!!

[@twofortats]

Just wow! I had this in the late 80's when I was 10 years old. Lost it in a move in 92'. Haven't rc'd since. Just ordered one.. a must for me, will be my special project for next year!! - Nice review

[@TheRCNetwork]

Nice! Yeah, there's a lot of nostalgia with the re-release kits....I could never afford one during the orginals, but having one now is pretty cool!

[@twofortats]

I first had an aristocraft kangaroo rc buggy (which was the total bomb) and then was able to upgrade to this one.. good times!!

[@LosihoTTT]

My Optima is in the mail. Can't wait !

[@TheRCNetwork]

+LosihoTTT Nice!

[@chrischupp9760]

Always loved the looks of that buggy

[@TheRCNetwork]

Yep, vintage perfectness!

[@humblerc841]

that's pretty sweet. i think if i was in the mood for a retro rig, this would be it. it looks like a great mix of the old school style and the new school tech. ah so many different cool rigs, only so much cash.

[@TheRCNetwork]

+humble rc I like that they took a stab at 4wd and made it work.

[@fpfree8821]

Wahey! Didn't know they'd done this! I still have my original. One owner since new. I was six when my dad got this for me and my older brother and taught us how to build it, drive it, maintain it etc. He did the pinstripe decals and paint himself but let us do the rest with his guidance. Lessons learnt still serve me amazingly often to this day. Still have nearly all of it incl. the almost complete vehicle, owners manual, the driver, chain,motor, servo controlled contact style speed controller, Tx, nicads etc. Yes only came with chain, we removed to run 2wd mostly, also still have the LeMans gold upgrade motor, and it was fully ball raced too. Later it got upgraded to an esc when they first came out. Man did it cop a flogging and only retired it when it snapped a front wishbone. It was the best 'toy' ever! Not running sadly but used it in a pic with my current RC passion as the thumbnail to one of my recent vids on my channel, check it out. Can take some more snaps dunno if you're interested. Any way, great vid, cheers. Sorry this so long.

[@TheRCNetwork]

Nice! It's always cool to hear stories like this!

[@Marco-Jansson]

Great review, didn't know they made a new version. I still have my 1985 Optima and it is still running.

[@TheRCNetwork]

Yep, Kyosho took a page out of Tamiya's playbook and re-released most of their 80's buggies.

[@powderriver2424]

I think this is great I was hooked on RC in 1980 I was 10, couldn't afford any until I bought a grasshopper in 83-84 sometime but in 1989 I was in Korea and was introduced to the Optima I was hooked that was the first car I had ever seen with so much control and suspension articulation the enabled a consistent speed around the track. So I bought a Optima mid it was not the version released in America it was the Asian version and I ran that in my local club on the Military base I was serving at. I kick myself everyday for selling that in 91.

[@TheRCNetwork]

Crazy! I think the Optima was the same price in the 80's as it is today, which says it was hella expensive back then

[@powderriver2424]

I believed I paid $225 U.S. I was friends with a Korean school teacher who owned a small hobby shop. He gave me that car for his cost because the taxes on goods was high. That car sold retail for nearly $300 on the Korean economy, however if could have purchased on a U.S. Base it would have been near the current selling price duty free, but it would not have been the Asian version but the U.S. version. I cannot remember, but the reason I opted for that version is that it came with some items that were extra for the U.S. car.( can't recall what it was now) as far as money goes, yes, this hobby was expensive as it is today but money went further it seemed.

[@rcplayer7581]

Powder River me 2 cant remember what i did with it but probably sold it

[@MikeLaRock88]

Grasshopper and Tyco Turbo Bandit were my childhood favs

[@theibault]

Great review Rich. Glad you enjoyed this gem. I just received mine today from Tower. It's going to jump all cars in my build queue just as soon as I finish it's older brother the Tomahawk which is half built on my table.

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Theibault Nice T! You should have a blast with this one!

[@Petriefied0246]

My second RC car was one of these, complete with chain drive in 1990! I gave away recently to someone with the time and money to restore it.

[@shahram72]

Great review. I owned the original and just got my re re this week. Can't wait to build it. It will be run lightly but will be a shelf queen mostly. This and my Subaru Brat which were my 2 cars long ago are my 2 favorite cars and will remain pristine. I don't even run the hard body on the Brat. Can't bear to scratch it.

[@TheRCNetwork]

+shahram72 Nice! I love the old Subie Brats

[@LockRockRCs]

Excellent review. I love the old cars, new when I was a kid. Don't miss the twin stick controller.

[@TheRCNetwork]

+LockRock RCs Thanks LRRC! Yeah, I could never think about getting these when I was a kid.

[@bigdaddyd82vapes92]

Beautiful buggy! She's so classy man! I really like how clean and well thought out all of your builds are! Nice job with this one bud! I never owned a Kyosho vehicle but, I love there shocks! I wasn't surprised to hear you say that the shocks on this buggy worked well. However I was shocked that they use them stinkin E clips! What a pain! Nice work sir !

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Bigdaddyd82 Vapes Thanks! It would have been nice if Kyosho ditched the eclips....

[@BasBoyRC]

One cool review and you are right it is the roots of RC. The manuals are a lot better than when they started as the Kyosho Progress one I had was terrible to work with.

[@Gma7788]

Not a cool video at all. It can't operate as the designer intended on an indoor clay track. The whole design must be changed if you're intending to use it on indoor clay tracks.

[@geotard]

I still have mine from 85. Looking to bring back up and running this December

[@TheRCNetwork]

Nice! Happy RCing!

[@boostedgm1]

Of the few kyosho cars I had hi rider, optima mid se,turbo optima and yes a raider.these optimal where my favorite.back when tower hobbies was either mail order or a phone call I got real lucky in a news letter when they where practically giving away optimal to make room for the lazer and it's following models ......now my kids and I are back in rc mostly tamiya re release it's been a blast this hobby for 30 years

[@TheRCNetwork]

Nice! I've seen so many people that had these as kids

[@kingchakazulu7762]

I bought that Hi Rider Vette from Tower when they had a closeout deal, God it was awful...

[@boostedgm1]

Lol same tower close out.vette was crap steering,suspension,plastic drive shafts

[@kingchakazulu7762]

That is too funny, i think it was like $79 dollars for it back in the early 90's... I was around 13 or 14 when i bought it, the instruction manual was also terrible. That was the first and last Kyosho for me until i bought this Optima last year, what a work of art...

[@boostedgm1]

Damn same age bout right on price

[@j0nnyism]

With modern equipment this thing performs as well as many modern buggys

[@popeye-pi7ci]

this was my first rc car that my dad got me, and i sold it a few years later and i could kick my self knowing what i know now, just ordered one from model sport......

[@TheRCNetwork]

Dang...wish I had an OG

[@P61guy61]

Well done review! I loved my Turbo Optima back in the day. Wish I had the belt drive. The chain was ok but not Optimal, pun intended. Guess I need to break out the ole buggy and run it again.

[@lawnshedguy]

Great review...thanks for posting. Now I just need my local shop to get some in stock. 😉

[@TheRCNetwork]

+lawnshedguy They're out there now.....plenty of places have them

[@ShenRC]

Great review!

[@TheRCNetwork]

+shenlonco Thanks SL!

[@ehunter2010ed]

nice review have a nice Friday: )

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Eric Dunlap thanks Eric. New Vlog video will be out in 51 minutes!

[@ehunter2010ed]

+The RCNetwork cool I will watch. Any D4 updates coming?

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Eric Dunlap I know I keep saying soon, but I finally got a ton of projects done and will have time for drifting. Stay tuned. Body is done, gotta tint the Windows and finish the scale items

[@brandoncortez5669]

sick dude. awesome review

[@LukesVintageRC]

Gotta buy one of those. I will no doubt do a review too on my channel.

[@Tech-NO-City]

I stomped on your train set

[@rcOhio]

+TheRCNetwork I'm in my early 40s and was hooked on rc as a teen. When the Optima came out I wanted it sooo bad but the price was too much for a kid of course (The grasshopper was more my budget). Do you happen to know how much the Optima kit was originally?! I just can't remember! Well now, all these years later I've had an renewed love for rc and have for about ten years! I've got quite the collection (including quads now) and this beauty of a re release will be at my door tomorrow! Very excited!

[@TheRCNetwork]

I believe I heard that the Optima is the same price now as it was in the 80's...which mean it was hella expensive back then! lolThanks for watching!

[@rcOhio]

The RCNetwork thanks for the reply! You've got a great channel and have earned a subscriber in me! I got my kit yesterday and am excited like a thirteen year old to start the build!

[@TheRCNetwork]

NIce! Yep, RC brings out the 13 year old in all of us!

[@chrischupp9760]

rc Ohio I had Grasshopper, loved it. Optima is a lot nicer

[@seanmcd72]

Quality video sir. Thumbs up

[@EvolVillainRC]

Great review, building mine up very soon! What shade of blue is on your body?

[@TheRCNetwork]

Hey Evol....thanks for watching! The Blue is Pactra's Blue Metallic backed with Black to get that darker color. The KIT comes with decals to replicate the blue/yellow scheme - by just painting the body white....but I wanted mine classic, but slightly different. The decals are super thin too.....BTW, watch out for those shock gaskets (worse part of the build)

[@powcar91]

Seems like a nice kit

[@TheRCNetwork]

+powcar91 It really is. Kyosho does a great job with all the details

[@warDialer300bps]

I appreciate the great review. Bought the same electronics as listed above, and wondered what size pinion did you use for the 8.5T motor?

[@TheRCNetwork]

I started with a 20t pinion and it was plenty

[@warDialer300bps]

Much appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to reply, and the time to put together such an informative video.

[@michaelblair4909]

I just finished building my Optima and have also copied the electronics as in this build. What is the lipo battery model used in the video or any other lipo battery model that will fit in the Optima?

[@asplenia]

Great job! Another great review! Asplenia.

[@TheRCNetwork]

+asplenia Thanks Asplenia!

[@oliverstoys8411]

Hi Rich, what are the wheels and tires are you using on that dirt track. Awesome video, hope you can make more rc content👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheRCNetwork]

I have links in the description.......if they don't work (since AKA's site is no longer around) there's a description in the URL

[@oliverstoys8411]

@@TheRCNetwork thanks 😊

[@2cwik4u104]

great vid Rich.

[@TheRCNetwork]

+2cwik4u104 Thanks 2cwik!

[@captainobvious9189]

I cannot stress enough how much i love e-clips, is there a more lightweight locking device?

[@TheRCNetwork]

I don't dislike E clips....I hate trying to find e clips when they go flying

[@captainobvious9189]

Lol, yeah they do that every now and then, i usually find them a few weeks later...

[@brandonbentley8532]

The RCNetwork we call them, oh shit clips, at my local track and always have since the 80s. All these reintroduced kits started coming back out reminding the guys today how much more work wrenching used to be. An eclip tool helps.

[@SHAYEN-cd5qw]

Great review 2 thumbs up

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Shayen RC Enthusiast. Thanks Shayen!

[@jongonegone1262]

HARD CORE RC RACERS FROM A MAINS OF THAT ERA ARE WAITING FOR THE OPTIMA MID. THE ONLY CAR THAT TOOK DOWN SHUMACHER AND YOKOMO AND TAMIYA. KYOSHO PULLING YOUR LEG MILKING IT, JUST RELEASE THE OPTIMA MID.

[@rcplayer7581]

jon gone gone ikr i had platnuim edition, i figured this came out the mid would too

[@user-dz2jv4in5z]

That’s old school!

[@mpower1001]

I had the optima turbo back in 1988, what was the difference between this and the turbo??

[@4WheelRCUK]

+Mp0wer I also ran a Turbo Optima back in the day. The main differences the Turbo had are: Option House gold shocks (much better action & damping), front & rear anti-roll bars, alloy underside chassis cover, different wheels & tires and a different bodyshell. I'm hoping Kyosho re-re the Turbo Optima, or at least enough parts so you can turn a re-re Optima into a Turbo :-)

[@anthonyladuca8165]

look dope

[@anthonyladuca8165]

media0.giphy.com/media/GsW8Gi4TEKIBG/200w.gif

[@keithrx3c]

Mine's on the way, should arrive next week hopefully. Don't like that small bumper, doesn't look like it'd protect much, might as well have nothing there at all. I noticed the wheels are one piece too, not 2 piece like the originals. Do the tyres have to be glued on?

[@TheRCNetwork]

+keithrx3c Nice! I ran the small bumper mostly because where I was running. The wheels are now a one piece design like modern wheels - And they're left and right specific - pretty cool way how they marked them. You'll see! Yeah, gotta glue them

[@retroshack2960]

Thanks for the review and I am really loving these Kyosho re--re's, I have recently got a Scorpion. The chasis engineering is just beautiful to look at. One question, seeing as you have driven it on track, what would you say would be the main performance disadvantages of trying to race this Optima against modern 4WD buggies?

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Blame Radio Shack Thanks for watching BRS! The Optima is a great buggy and could probably keep up depending mostly on the driver. If you were to give this buggy and the latest and greatest 4wd modern buggy to the same driver and do similar laps, there would be no comparison. Modern buggies are just so well engineered for todays larger high grip tracks with large triples and such. The Optima has a much higher center of gravity and the rear mounted motor is also another downfall compared to modern buggies. With all that said, this buggy should be cared for, and raced against like vintage rigs....

[@retroshack2960]

+The RCNetwork Thanks for the detailed reply, exactly the kind of info I was looking for. If I did race this at my local I don't think it would disadvantage me as I'm not a very good driver anyway haha. It would be worth it just for the fun of it. love your channel and keep it up!

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

What’s the closest thing to the Turbo Raider that you can recommend?

[@TheRCNetwork]

Of the re-releases, probably the Ultima, Scorpion or Turbo Scorpion - all are 1/10th scale 2wd buggies, they all just have more detail with the body vs. the raider

[@LukesVintageRC]

You did great although a little extra punch on the track would have been fine. Kinda defeated the purpose of a high powered brushless set don’t ya think 🤔

[@Kolsch221]

I had one and raced it. Mine was chain drive, does anyone know what year that was or model?

[@TheRCNetwork]

According to a quick google search - the Optima chain drive was released in 1985

[@Kolsch221]

@@TheRCNetwork thank you for the quick google search.

[@Hachman11]

what are the dimensions of your shorty pack. My pack does not seem to fit, it's very tight.

[@toysoldier46552]

Wonder if they are going to have the aluminum upgrades for this so you can run it full out.

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Anthony Eaglebarger (toysoldier46552) I kinda doubt it........but who knows

[@toysoldier46552]

The RCNetwork possibly another company will pick up after market parts in the future.

[@brandonbentley8532]

Guys, get an eclip tool! I always hated eclips too.

[@Massproduce201]

Hello what would you recommend as far as middle of the road electronics for this re release? Just wanna have fun with it but don’t want a slouch either, thanks!

[@TheRCNetwork]

check out Hobbywing's EZ Run electronics - not quite high end, but a huge step above stock/brushed

[@Massproduce201]

The RCNetwork how much kv would be ideal? I’m looking at a max10 combo, would 5400 kv be too much?

[@awmaister5529]

you had the same belt or chain choise back in the day(my dad had one original)

[@TheRCNetwork]

From what I heard, the chain came as a stock item in the kit and the belt was a later upgrade item. (at least on the original Optima)

[@KT_One]

@@TheRCNetwork That is absolutely correct. My Javelin came with different diffs to change power transfer with the chain. The belt drive was just one split, 50:50

[@WOOODYII2]

Very Nice

[@TheRCNetwork]

Thanks Woody!

[@johannd1013]

what would you say is its maximum range? Thinking about using this for an fpv car

[@TheRCNetwork]

All depends on the radio/reciever...but usually 1-2 miles, but must be line of sight, no buildings/mountains/etc

[@AzyxA]

Hoping you or someone else can help me out. I just finished building my Kyosho Optima re-release and when the buggy's front wheels steer to the max left or right the T-bone swing shafts will slightly dislocate and cause the car to studder as they "stick". I know you can adjust the rear toe adjustment but not the front. Is my servo swinging the wheels to far left & right? Should I find longer swing shafts for the front?

[@TheRCNetwork]

Yeah, I'd look into adjusting your endpoints on your radio

[@AzyxA]

@@TheRCNetwork How do you do this on the 2016 Kyosho Optima? I know how on my 1985 original but don't see a way on the re-release.

[@TheRCScotsman]

You have potentially cost me money!! :P

[@TheRCNetwork]

+RCing Around HQ Me too! lol

[@manuelbarrachina717]

Tengo un kyosho como ese y necesito conseguir unos engranajes iguales

[@sebastiotiger8633]

Is hard with the body? Decales?

[@TheRCNetwork]

Naw, it's pretty easy. The decals are really thin though....I believe they can be placed on with a water spray though

[@RCACTIONAUSTRALIA]

Nice 😎👍🏻🇦🇺

[@TheRCNetwork]

Thanks for watching!

[@ChristopheChardon]

The original red shocks, were crappy. They leak a lot. Do upgrade with the "gold" ones, first modern shocks.... The one on the Turbo optima and all the mid's that followed. The best buggy until the Schumacher's CAT... great memories

[@TheRCNetwork]

Nice! I have seen the gold versions...

[@mitemluh]

Are the decals sticker or water old school?

[@TheRCNetwork]

They are decals, but very thin. Almost like the old water ones.

[@mitemluh]

@@TheRCNetwork so they are stickers then?

[@CaptainCarling]

What method did you use to paint the shell?

[@TheRCNetwork]

I painted with Pactra Sprint white, which Kyosho recommends painting the entire body white. They include decals to make it the different box art colors. I chose to add the Pactra metallic blue toward the top though.

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

Didn't this kit come with a belt and chain set up options ?

[@TheRCNetwork]

The Re-re did. On the original, it came with the chain, but the belt was an upgrade

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

@@TheRCNetwork what I'm confused about.. ...motor location. ...I thought the belt version was always a mid motor ? And chain was the original and rear motor

[@TheRCNetwork]

@@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7 No, there was another model after this one...the Optima Mid, which did have a mid motor...not sure on the belt/chain on that one....I'd assume belt on the original

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

@@TheRCNetwork optima mid was belt. I never knew that the original optima had a belt option. I thought the original optimas were all chain driven. I always thought that main difference between optima and optima mid was chain vs. belt. Lol until a couple days ago, I didn't know the optima mid was a mid motor. I thought "mid" meant that mid production, they switched from chain to belt. 😂🤣

[@gamo98]

I had a optima mid car chain drive

[@Buckarooskiczek]

Thanks, Rich. Nice review but you, or perhaps Kyosho, definitely lost me at the e-clips...GAAAA! (I ran screaming from the room...)

[@charlesromulus7317]

I would choose to run traditional brushed motors in these re-release models rather than modern brushless systems to keep the vintage experience as close as possible.

[@TheRCNetwork]

I agree. It's just what I had available in the shop at the time

[@charlesromulus7317]

@@TheRCNetwork Definitely the more common choice these days. How far the tech has come in rc……😉🤣

[@NiclasHorn]

ffs i wanted Kyosho Optima pro 4wd

[@Evolution8R]

nice vid ya ol' fart! lmao

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Evolution8R I know, huh! lol

[@ChandlerThomasvoon100]

its still probably more durable than the b44.3.....

[@TheRCNetwork]

+Chandler Thomas Possibly! lol