Zip Zaps (or whatever they're called)

[Crazy Cooter]

Anyone own any of these?  I've been looking for a couple micro RC cars and they look like they'd fit the bill to play around with (for the relatives kids of course;))

I'm wondering how long they run on a charge and how well they handle small bumps like the joints in hardwood floors.  Also, how many can you run at the same time?  I only say two frequencies.

Mostly i want to play slot cars without the slots.

[crashwg]

I have a pair of the 1st Gen ZipZaps.

I've never timed it but I'd have to guess 3~5 or so of run time.
Joints in hardwood floors would be just fine, but carpet is like mud!  If you ain't going at full speed the car will pretty much stop moving.
Frequencies, 2 

But... They changed them not too long ago.  They now have analog steering (as apposed to the magnetic all the way left or right that they used to have).
And you can run 6 now I believe!

I can't imagine that the batterie life has improved much with the 2nd gen either so don't get your hopes up.

My opinion would be to get an xmod.  They're probably like 8" or so if I had to guess, so alot bigger than a zipzap but still smaller than the usual RC car.

[clanggedin]

I have about 10 or 15 of these (Bit Char-G) that I imported before Zip Zaps really took off. You can pick up modified motors for these that make you car super fast. If you don't have sticky tires on your car it will flip over when you turn. That was the last hobby I had before I started building and refurbishing arcades.

Carpet didn't effect the ones with the modded motors, but the stock ones went pretty slow. I didn't have any problem with these going over the joints in my floor.

The ones I own have 4 frequencies. I have unique bodies liek police cars and fire trucks too. I have my police car modded with small leds on the top that run off a watch battery.

X-Mods are pretty cool too. You can do way more stuff to them than the Zip Zaps.

[Crazy Cooter]

Unfortunately, X-Mods are too big.  The little lady would have a fit.  I figure the ZipZaps are small enough to not be an issue.  Only 3-5 minutes though?  I was hoping for more.  They charge in like 60 seconds though right?

[GameOver]

I got my kids some 2 xmas' back - Sponge Bob driving a boat & Patrick driving an innertube, and the Wild Thornberries (sp?) Humvee and Jeep.  I wasn't terribly impressed with them.  They were slower and not as good handling as some of the knock offs my kids friends had at the time.  Maybe the newer ones are better.  I'd say 5 mins was about right before they run down.  If I recall, about 20 secs to charge.

I'll sell ya mine if I can find 'em and they still work!  The kids don't play with 'em anymore.