Best online hobby shop for new rtr

[BamaRuckus]

With me getting into crawling and looking to purchase a new rtr 1/10, what hobby shop do you like to buy from?

I don’t trust all of them I see online and want to buy from a reputable place that offer variety and decent prices. I see some bigger retailers pricing certain cars higher than others. I want to save money under $350 for a starter rig. I like the scx10 deadbolt but I noticed the axels may be weaker(maybe based on some reviews)?

FCX is a brand I seen,FMS, what brands should I avoid?

 

[Saltrock]

The real question is what do you want out of your truck? Do you want a dedicated line slaying rock crawler or do you want a scale trail wheeler?

 

[BamaRuckus]

trail/woods rig, not to many rocks here in SC but lots of dirt/sand, woods type terrain.

 

[high plains drifter]

Amain and RPP have been my go-to RC shops for years. Right now I don't really feel comfortable with Tower.

 

[JimrC]

If I was looking at the Axial brand, then it would most likely be the scx10iii basecamp over the deadbolt scx10ii personally.

 

[BamaRuckus]

What’s rpp and I like the base camp rig

 

[hnoroian]

In no particular order Traxxas, Axial, Vanquish, Element, and Redcat would be my top choices. I have a FMS and others makes but stick to the first 5, you can’t go wrong.

A $300 Deadbolt is a solid rig with probably the biggest backing of aftermarket, though dated it’s kinda hard to beat. A base camp is $320. Trx4 at $330. Vanquish rtr you wont find in your price range. Trailrunner and Sendero at $275, Utron at $300. Ascent at $290, Gen 8 at $330.

Not like I’ve been window shopping or anything, I need another truck like another hole in my head…

 

[hnoroian]

What’s RPP

RPP Hobby based out of Northern California, friendly, knowledgeable shop.

 

[HumboldtEF]

What’s rpp and I like the base camp rig

Oh trivia time! Not many will know this but RPP stands for Redwood Paper Products. I asked them at their jamboree one year, it used to be their father's business prior to becoming a hobby shop.

Anyway RPP is an online retailer that specializes in crawlers mostly. They're awesome, I always try to support them. They always have coupons if you spend more than a certain amount.

New Items

All the latest Radio Control Cars, Trucks, Bashers, Vintage, Rock Crawlers, Scalers, Semi Trucks, Drag Racers, Boats, Planes! Your one stop R/C shop in Ukiah, CA!

www.rpphobby.com

Amain is great too they're a much larger business and have a lot more variety and in depth items. They offer coupons too. If RPP doesn't have it I go with Amain.

As for brands to avoid I would say you named 2, FMS and FCX. They aren't terrible but they are not what I would call great. Most US retailers dont sell them so you need to order from oversees. You wont find much in the way of parts support and aftermarket support (parts).

Axial, Traxxas and Vanquish are all really solid choices.

EDIT: the Deadbolt is $299 at RPP right now, that would be my choice out of what you've mentioned Axial SCX10 II Deadbolt 2022 4WD RTR - Blue

 

[BamaRuckus]

Deadbolt and basecamp are leading at the moment I have not seen a rye TRX4 iii for 330, maybe the kit but I am not versed enough to buy good components yet but learning.

Rpp has the basecamp for 309 at the moment which is really really enticing. Anything I get will be slowly upgraded overtime anyways.

 

[cul8tr]

Asheville,NC? SC what area? I know you said online but if you were up for a drive you might like this shop.
Anderson RC in Thomasville,NC is hands down the best RC hobby shop that I have ever been to. It's 1.5 hrs from me so I don't go but once every 2-3 months. Work has really limited my visits there. That being said I spend to much money there.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Deadbolt and basecamp are leading at the moment I have not seen a rye TRX4 iii for 330, maybe the kit but I am not versed enough to buy good components yet but learning.

Rpp has the basecamp for 309 at the moment which is really really enticing. Anything I get will be slowly upgraded overtime anyways.

The Traxxas TRX-4 Sport is $329.99. You can order direct from Traxxas below. Or you can get it from AMain or RPP Hobby. I think AMain has become the best online store. RPP used to be the best, but their coupons got worse, free shipping minimum got higher, and their shipping charges have gotten insane.

Traxxas TRX-4 Sport Clipless | 4x4 RC Truck

TRX-4 by Traxxas - The Fastest Name In Radio Control

traxxas.com

I'd take the TRX-4 Sport over any Axial. Axial quality is bottom of the hobby-grade barrel. Traxxas and Vanquish are among the highest. Vanquish is significantly higher priced though. The Fordyce RTR, which is their offering most similar to the TRX-4 Sport, is $459.99.

 

[VoltSCX]

Deadbolt and basecamp are leading at the moment I have not seen a rye TRX4 iii for 330, maybe the kit but I am not versed enough to buy good components yet but learning.

Rpp has the basecamp for 309 at the moment which is really really enticing. Anything I get will be slowly upgraded overtime anyways.

If it were me I'd go for the Basecamp. I haven't owned one personally but I do have multiple 10.3s and they've both been incredibly solid and reliable trucks. The 10.3 platform just generally performs much better than the 10.2, at least it has in my experience. As for the TRX4, I wouldn't. I had one once and the electronics gave me nothing but problems, and of course they were expensive to fix because Traxxas.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

If it were me I'd go for the Basecamp. I haven't owned one personally but I do have multiple 10.3s and they've both been incredibly solid and reliable trucks. The 10.3 platform just generally performs much better than the 10.2, at least it has in my experience. As for the TRX4, I wouldn't. I had one once and the electronics gave me nothing but problems, and of course they were expensive to fix because Traxxas.

In what way(s) is the SCX10 III better than the SCX10 II? I would say the opposite if you are talking about the overly complicated transmission that was released with the SCX10 III. The Base Camp SCX10 III reverted to a simpler transmission.

RTR electronics fail. No shocker there. That's unfair to hold that against Traxxas, but not Axial. Axial electronics are just as likely to fail.

And how is the TRX-4 more expensive to fix? They both have massive aftermarket support and cheap replacement parts.

The Traxxas also comes with much better shocks that won't leak unlike Axial.

The Traxxas has the awesome clipless body mounting system.

 

[BamaRuckus]

This is great info guys! I was looking at the sport but I don’t understand what the sport vs other trx-4 differences are. I guess I need to do some research.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

This is great info guys! I was looking at the sport but I don’t understand what the sport vs other trx-4 differences are. I guess I need to do some research.

Any of the TRX-4 trucks are built like tanks. You won't find a more durable scale truck. Do not listen to the haters.

Going off of memory the TRX-4 Sport is lighter, simpler, cheaper and made to perform better. TRX-4 Sport has:
1. Lighter and less-scale body.
2. Single speed transmission instead of 2-speed.
3. Locked differential instead of the remote locking/unlocking diff.

Here is a link to the differences between the TRX-4 and TRX-4 Sport:

Traxxas | TRX-4 VS TRX-4 Sport – An in depth Comparison

Traxxas TRX-4 Sport is coming soon at the end of July. You may ask what is the difference between TRX-4 and TRX-4 Sport? Are the new truck inherit the good blood from the old version? Here we will be comparing these two cars. Its aim to find out what attribute of this new car is significant and is i

www.rcmart.com

Traxxas guide on the TRX-4 versions:

TRX-Series Truck Guide | Traxxas

traxxas.com

 

[89Industries]

TRX4 Sport is a defeatured TRX4. TRX4 has a 2 speed transmission, portal axles and lockable/unlockable differentials. TRX4 sport does not.

Pretty much the same with the Axial SCX10iii vs basecamp. Regular SCX10iii has a transmission capable of dig (locking the rear axle totally), 2 speeds, plus internal fenders and some other features.

Also, the Basecamp and TRX-4 Sport use generic non-licensed bodies. The more expensive trucks use a lot of licensed scale bodies from Land Rover, Jeep, etc.

I have also had good luck with Axial trucks. I don't own trx4 trucks but my trx-4m and slash leave me less than enthused with Traxxas but not sure why. they just aren't as interesting to me for whatever stupid reason.

The Deadbolt also comes with plastic links (metal on the basecamp and trx-4 sport). I'd say the Deadbolt is good if you like the body and plan to completely upgrade the whole truck since there is tons of stuff for SCX10ii at all price ranges and lots of other brands of trucks are based on the SC10ii also. But they fixed and updated a bunch of stuff with the iii for better or worse.

As far as quality, everybody on here loves vanquish and rave about the quality. But my Vanquish truck is the only one I had that schrapneled the gears in the transmission. So they all have there moments.

RPP is great, they always have a 10% coupon for purchases over $50 and free shipping over $100. Both apply to most but not all products. Some are limited by the vendor and some are just too expensive to ship free but RTRs will likely ship free.

Amain also good and has a warehouse in NC I think as well as their west coast warehouse. So shipping could be quicker. For reference, I live in Colorado and RPP gets to me in 2 days when they ship USPS and 3-4 days if it goes UPS.

Finding a good local place is also good to support. That way you can check stuff out before buying and get stuff immediately. If we don't support local shops then that all goes away (more than it already has).

 

[JimrC]

In what way(s) is the SCX10 III better than the SCX10 II? I would say the opposite if you are talking about the overly complicated transmission that was released with the SCX10 III. The Base Camp SCX10 III reverted to a simpler transmission.

RTR electronics fail. No shocker there. That's unfair to hold that against Traxxas, but not Axial. Axial electronics are just as likely to fail.

And how is the TRX-4 more expensive to fix? They both have massive aftermarket support and cheap replacement parts.

The Traxxas also comes with much better shocks that won't leak unlike Axial.

The Traxxas has the awesome clipless body mounting system.

Did the Axial basecamp use the simpler trans for cost reduction mainly. I don't find the trans too complicated in the scx10iii and that's coming from a newbie. I do use the dig feature every time I'm out and still using the stock mini servo for this without any issues to mention. Second gear was a let down so that's not connected. I also have a vfd trans which I've found liking a lot since last year.

Agreed, rtr electronics are garbage but good enough to get you into the hobby for a short time. As for Traxxas, I do find their own branded stuff a bit higher in price point ... maybe that's just here in Canada.

Granted, my Axial shocks leaked straight out the box but after a full rebuild with new seals ... mine are still leak free and were built at the beginning of October last year, so I'm not hating on these. Had the GTS shocks on another rig since May last year and no leaks to speak off. I'm kinda thinking it's a hit or miss when it comes to leaky shocks from what I read online.

I do like the clipless body system that Traxxas offers for sure

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Did the Axial basecamp use the simpler trans for cost reduction mainly. I don't find the trans too complicated in the scx10iii and that's coming from a newbie. I do use the dig feature every time I'm out and still using the stock mini servo for this without any issues to mention. Second gear was a let down so that's not connected. I also have a vfd trans which I've found liking a lot since last year.

Agreed, rtr electronics are garbage but good enough to get you into the hobby for a short time. As for Traxxas, I do find their own branded stuff a bit higher in price point ... maybe that's just here in Canada.

Granted, my Axial shocks leaked straight out the box but after a full rebuild with new seals ... mine are still leak free and were built at the beginning of October last year, so I'm not hating on these. Had the GTS shocks on another rig since May last year and no leaks to speak off. I'm kinda thinking it's a hit or miss when it comes to leaky shocks from what I read online.

I do like the clipless body system that Traxxas offers for sure

Probably mainly for cost reduction. I don't think many people loved the the original SCX10 III transmission, but it wasn't as bad as the Capra's.