R/C FAQ

Why choose us?

Show Me Your Hobbies at the Battlegrounds offers one of the largest R/C inventories in Western PA. We carry some of the best names in the industry including Traxxas, Team Associated, Axial, and more. Cars, trucks, crawlers, kits, boats, you name it. If we don’t have it, there is a good chance we can order it for you. Along with our inventory, our knowledgeable staff has years of experience to help find the best vehicles, updates, and other R/C parts for you.

Why should I get into R/C?

R/C offers hobbyists a variety of ways to have fun, from learning how to build and upgrade a vehicle to action-packed crawling, drifting, racing, and more. It is also a social activity that enables you to meet other R/C enthusiasts and hear their stories of the good old days, or their plan to build the ultimate crawler! Whether you enjoy a relaxing drive or challenging friends and families to an R/C competition, the possibilities are endless!

How can I get into R/C?

Before you buy, start by renting a crawler at an indoor crawling course. This will allow you to try R/C at a lower cost to see if it is right for you. Our own course even has a discount for renters who decide to get serious about R/C. If you choose to purchase an R/C vehicle from us on the same day as renting, you get 50% of your admission back, plus a free 2-hour pass for our crawler course!

Which R/C vehicle is right for me?

This depends on where you plan to run your R/C vehicle. They can take on a range of conditions: roads, hills, water, etc. Cars are best for flat surfaces. Trucks and bashers are great for all-terrain. Crawlers are built for rocks, hills, and other obstacles. Come into our shop to speak with our staff today! We will set you up with the best option for your budget and the R/C adventures you want to embark on.

What are crawlers?

R/C trucks that are made for crawling! Rocks, hills, mud, and everything in between. These vehicles can be run almost anywhere and are easily upgraded to make them even more powerful!

What is the difference between crawlers and bashers?

Crawlers are high-torque, low-gear vehicles designed for moving over rough terrain, like the indoor course at the Battlegrounds. They are commonly used in rock crawling competitions.

Bashers are built for agility and speed, making them ideal for performing spins, jumps, and other stunts.

What should I upgrade first?

Upgrading your R/C is mostly a personal preference. All of Show Me Your Hobbies' vehicles can run as-is, right out of the box. However, for many hobbyists, upgrades take their skills to the next level!

Which upgrades you invest in depend a lot on the type of vehicle you have, but in general, we recommend starting with steering servo. For a tailored recommendation, contact our shop and speak with our team. We will help you figure out what you need to max out your R/C fun.

Are electric vehicles making a comeback?

Electric vehicles are faster and more upgradeable than ever before! Their power, handling, and control now rival or outperform most gas-powered and nitro R/C vehicles.

Airsoft FAQ

What is airsoft?

Airsoft is a sport in which participants fire 6mm BBs from replica guns in an effort to hit their opponents before being hit. Players who are hit are eliminated until only the winner remains. Although similar to paintball, airsoft pellets do not leave visible markings on their target. This means that airsoft is also a sport of honor and integrity, since hits are usually self-reported by eliminated players.

Does airsoft hurt?

The impact of airsoft pellets does sting, but you can eliminate the majority of the risk by wearing proper protection and playing safely.

Who can play airsoft?

In our experience, almost anyone can play! At our Battlegrounds facility in Pittsburgh, PA, we accommodate a wide spectrum of people, including persons with mild to severe physical disabilities, and some with minor mental disabilities. Everyone reports having a great time! The only real limitation we have at the Battlegrounds is our starting age, which is 9 years old. We find this is the best age to start, since those age 9 and above are typically responsible enough to both handle the replicas and follow rules.

Where can I play airsoft?

We recommend you look for local fields to attend. There are many indoor and outdoor facilities around the United States that feature open play for the general public to enjoy this sport. It is also very common to play in the woods on private property. If you are going to do that, we recommend first checking local and state laws to ensure you are abiding by them. We DO NOT support playing in an urban environment and/or near any vehicles. Not only is this a quick way to get into trouble, but risking property or health can give the sport a bad name. Always play safe!

What is FPS and or an FPS limit?

FPS stands for feet per second and quantifies the velocity at which the replica fires. The higher the FPS, the harder and faster the projectile travels. Most airsoft fields and arenas establish an FPS limit to keep players safe from unnecessary injury. Most indoor facilities set their limit to around 350 FPS, and most outdoor facilities set their limit to around 400 FPS. We recommend checking your local facility's FPS limit before showing up to play so you can be sure you meet their unique requirements.

What equipment do I need to play airsoft?

You need an airsoft replica and a way to power it. You also need ammunition for your replica. We recommend nothing less than a .20-gram BB weight. You will also need safety equipment, which at minimum should include full-face protection that consists of a full-face mask with lenses rated for airsoft. Another option is a pair of airsoft-rated glasses or goggles that seal fully around the eyes, along with metal mesh lower-face protection. We also recommend chest protection and gloves to avoid the sting of airsoft pellets.

What is BB weight and why are there different ones?

Airsoft BBs come in all colors and weights. We can not get into all of it here, so we will stick to the basics. Commonly seen BB weights are .20, .25, and .28 weight. For safety reasons, most facilities limit the weight you can use, and those weights are usually adjusted for the range at which you will be engaging opponents. Always check local field rules to make sure you meet the requirements for BB weight.

Why should I play iarsoft?

From the amazing community of players to the action-packed days that come from airsoft battles, there is nothing not to love about this growing sport. As a game of honor and integrity, airsoft is also a great way to meet new friends and learn new things from players of all ages, backgrounds, and genders. In airsoft, there’s always something to learn!