Anyone into R/C?

If I were starting fresh.. I'd get a Sport. I hardly ever take my TRX4 out of low or unlock the diffs.

 

Good to hear, thanks for the reply. You'd go Sport over one of the similarly-priced competitors (Elements, Axials, etc)?

 

Just threw this thing together today. Mostly parts from my JLU, with the Injora rock buggy chassis. Wanted to see if I would like it. it cruises around okay but needs more weight up front. I am going to blw it all apart tonight and add JLU hi links, Injora front and rear axles plus 4 and work out where the reciever will go for its forever home.
Be Safe...

Dan

 

In order of what I'd go for.
Vanquish
Axial
Axial
Element
Traxxas
Red cat

For best performance look to replace servo tires/foams first on whatever you decide. Then esc and motor and then shocks.

2 speed I wouldn't mess with. Overdrive the front orr under drive the rear for best performance while crawling. Not necessary for trailing

 

Huh, why the Vanquish? Know it has great performance out of the box, haven't seen much in the way of aftermarket or long-term durability/support

 

I'd avoid Traxxas to avoid their ecosystem and proprietary junk.... It's a hobby grade rc. Don't get locked into branded accessories

 

Interesting, I've been pleased with the quality of the components in the TRX4M and its capability. I'm all for not having brand loyalty for the sake of variety in experience... any word on the durability and aftermarket for the Vanquish and Elements?

 

My junk TRX has been solid for years now...

 

It seems like Traxxas is really love-it-or-hate-it

 

Traxxas makes a durable rig but has a history of not supporting the aftermarket that supports them. Would force consumers to stay with Traxxas stuff if they could....

Vanquish was the top aftermarket for axial until they released their own rigs .... Top of the line... most of my axial trucks have been upgraded with vanquish parts. They have since released some trucks that need a gearset or bearing retainer or motor plate that could be upgraded

Element does really well with transmissions and shocks with their crawlers some stuff is a copy of the axial original design.


Really they have all come a long way but rtr electronics from them all are not desirable but will get the job done.

 

They were the standard of top of the line for axial upgrades prior to releasing their own truck. Just took those aftermarket parts and made a complete rig with them...

 

Traxxas have sent a number of cease and desist letters to mfg in the aftermarket. I would say they do not support aftermarket parts at all.

 

Don't fix what's not broken.. They're the best bang for the buck imo. Hours of fun each outing for about 600 bucks over the course of 5+ years. Upgraded/modded a couple things by choice (brass front portals, wheel weights all around, hobbywing 1080wp esc).. Only thing that actually failed was the steering Servo. I chalk that up to all the abuse with the added weight of the homemade steel exo cage and wheel weights. Upgraded the steering servo years ago and have been fine since.

 

Hmmmm decisions decisions, maybe a sale will make the call for me

 

If you are leaning more in the Crawling than trailing side the more performance oriented trucks will be more fun. Element Ecto and Zuul are nearly identical except body and wheel/tires. Same with the gatekeeper, (amazing buy for $270 right now, Highly recommended) they will be great performers out of the box, with a good amount of aftermarket support. The Phoenix/Fordyce RTR have the best tires of any rtr, and the best axles and frame, but are more expensive, I recommend the Fordyce as most people typically don't use the Dig or O/D functions of the phoenix's VFD Twin, I have 3 of them and only one truck that I use the full functions of. I would stay away from the Deadbolt, Plastic Links, dog Bone axles, its a cash grab from 8 years ago they just added new colors too. I would recommend the Gatekeeper or Fordyce at the top of the lists. But it also comes down to how much you want to spend and how much you want to modify the trucks.

 

They kinda are, they can work with really thick weight oils, but I have them on my bomber with a second shock to help them survive U4 Racing

 

The proline pro spec on my bomber have been great. I put long Traxxas big bores on my wraith and they are decent too. I've really been impressed with the pro line power stroke on my smt. The rc4wd kings didn't hold a candle to any of those 3.

 

The deadbolt has potential if you want to upgrade. But this is right about it's short comings and age... Have you considered building a vanquish VRD or scx10 pro and just taking care of business from the jump???

 

They definitely do not, I build a bomber for a friend with the Proline Slash shocks they are perfect, I have gotten my Kings to hold oil just find but they aren't super smooth. I wouldn't ever buy them but they came on the bomber.

 

The Problem for me on the dead bolt is the its $340. If it was $260 it might be a good platform to build out but for 299 you can get a Enduro SE which has universal axles up front and a better transmission in my opinion. It would be worth more upgrading to have a slightly more modern platform.

VRD and SCX Pros are going to be the best performers by far. If crawling is the goal and you wanna build ground up they are gonna be the best trucks available.