Help with solid 4x4 truck with good support

[PounceTheBear]

I know this has been asked plenty of times, but I wasn't able to find an answer. I'm looking for a solid 4WD rc that has plenty of support - spare parts, upgrades, etc. I really don't want to go over $500, but I really like the Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer (not likely to buy, I really like the scale design of the chassis and suspension)

I was going to use part of an old deer plot and build a small track - some good straightaways, few jumps, and some technical turns.

I've been in and out with some scale rigs, and started with an old HPI RS4 in the early 2000's, but now I want to go fast and turn left sometimes.

I've heard mixed signals on Traxxas, Losi, and Techno (new to me). I was thinking of a stadium/short course truck. 4WD. Electric/Nitro (either is fun)

Of the stadium/short course trucks, which one will have the best support for aftermarket parts, accessories, and the inevitable replacement parts?

TL;DR - Looking for a 4WD stadium/short course truck. Which is going to have the best support: accessories, parts, spares?

edit: brain fart with stadium/short course fix

 

[Sniper4370]

Traxxas Slash.
I have a Losi Baja Rey myself. Never drive it.
The Traxxas will have plenty of support. I would just buy one and drive it for a while. See what you like, what you don't. What breaks or, you want to upgrade. Then look at different truck from there.

my .02

 

[ScaleLifeNewbie]

I second Traxxas Slash. Ton of spare/upgraded parts to buy, Traxxas support is one of the best IMO, and it’s decently priced


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[PounceTheBear]

Traxxas Slash.
I have a Losi Baja Rey myself. Never drive it.
The Traxxas will have plenty of support. I would just buy one and drive it for a while. See what you like, what you don't. What breaks or, you want to upgrade. Then look at different truck from there.

my .02

Thanks! Any lean towards nitro/electric?

 

[meatmonkey]

Since brushless motors and Lipo batteries became commonplace in the early 2000's Nitro has taken a back seat. The smell and sound is cool and all, but they are a lot of extra maintenance, and always filthy with oil residue after a run. Plus your always buying expensive nitro fuel. If you are patient, know how to tune a carb, and don't mind all the extra maintenance then by all means, pickup a nitro rig. I've sold off some of my nitro's and converted the the Hyper 7 I really liked to brushess.

My vote is for a Tekno SCT410.3. Very high quality, no upgrades needed, handles very well, and extremely durable. I know it seems much more expensive than a Slash 4x4 at first, but by the time you get done upgrading the slash to metal driveshafts, various RPM suspension parts, hinge pins, knuckles, and so on, your going to save money and headache in the long run going with the Tekno. Mine has been nothing short of awesome in the three years I've had it, and I only bash it hard at sandpits, skate parks, motocross tracks. No easy track days for this one. Only thing it really needed was a simple lexan box made to go around the center diff to keep debris out of the pinion/spur gears.

There is a reason there is so many upgrade and replacement parts available for the slash, because once you start exceeding a certain use/abuse level it needs them all.

 

[Sniper4370]

Thanks! Any lean towards nitro/electric?

I would go electric. The noise of the nitro is a big turn off for me. Depending on how far away your deer lease is, the neighbors might not like it either.

Since brushless motors and Lipo batteries became commonplace in the early 2000's Nitro has taken a back seat. The smell and sound is cool and all, but they are a lot of extra maintenance, and always filthy with oil residue after a run. Plus your always buying expensive nitro fuel. If you are patient, know how to tune a carb, and don't mind all the extra maintenance then by all means, pickup a nitro rig. I've sold off some of my nitro's and converted the the Hyper 7 I really liked to brushess.

My vote is for a Tekno SCT410.3. Very high quality, no upgrades needed, handles very well, and extremely durable. I know it seems much more expensive than a Slash 4x4 at first, but by the time you get done upgrading the slash to metal driveshafts, various RPM suspension parts, hinge pins, knuckles, and so on, your going to save money and headache in the long run going with the Tekno. Mine has been nothing short of awesome in the three years I've had it, and I only bash it hard at sandpits, skate parks, motocross tracks. No easy track days for this one. Only thing it really needed was a simple lexan box made to go around the center diff to keep debris out of the pinion/spur gears.

There is a reason there is so many upgrade and replacement parts available for the slash, because once you start exceeding a certain use/abuse level it needs them all.

He did state that he planned on building a track to run it on. Not bashing the piss out of it at a skatepark. Also, he said he didn't want to go over $500. The Techno, at $400, would also require a Tx/Rx, ESC, servo, tires/wheels and a body body to complete. Not to mention batteries and a charger. The Slash can be had RTR for less than $400.



Not saying the Techno is a bad option. Just doesn't seem to be what he was asking for IMO.

 

[PounceTheBear]

Since brushless motors and Lipo batteries became commonplace in the early 2000's Nitro has taken a back seat. The smell and sound is cool and all, but they are a lot of extra maintenance, and always filthy with oil residue after a run. Plus your always buying expensive nitro fuel. If you are patient, know how to tune a carb, and don't mind all the extra maintenance then by all means, pickup a nitro rig. I've sold off some of my nitro's and converted the the Hyper 7 I really liked to brushess.

My vote is for a Tekno SCT410.3. Very high quality, no upgrades needed, handles very well, and extremely durable. I know it seems much more expensive than a Slash 4x4 at first, but by the time you get done upgrading the slash to metal driveshafts, various RPM suspension parts, hinge pins, knuckles, and so on, your going to save money and headache in the long run going with the Tekno. Mine has been nothing short of awesome in the three years I've had it, and I only bash it hard at sandpits, skate parks, motocross tracks. No easy track days for this one. Only thing it really needed was a simple lexan box made to go around the center diff to keep debris out of the pinion/spur gears.

There is a reason there is so many upgrade and replacement parts available for the slash, because once you start exceeding a certain use/abuse level it needs them all.

Thanks! I checked them out a bit more. The quality sounds great, but not looking for a kit at this time. (I should have probably stated that, my bad) I also wanted to know if you have any experience with a Losi truck?

I would go electric. The noise of the nitro is a big turn off for me. Depending on how far away your deer lease is, the neighbors might not like it either.

He did state that he planned on building a track to run it on. Not bashing the piss out of it at a skatepark. Also, he said he didn't want to go over $500. The Techno, at $400, would also require a Tx/Rx, ESC, servo, tires/wheels and a body body to complete. Not to mention batteries and a charger. The Slash can be had RTR for less than $400.

Not saying the Techno is a bad option. Just doesn't seem to be what he was asking for IMO.

Thanks for the input. After looking more into the Teckno trucks, I got sidetracked and saw a Losi truck. I have always liked that name, just have never bought from them. Do you have any experience with those?

 

[svt923]

Thanks! I checked them out a bit more. The quality sounds great, but not looking for a kit at this time. (I should have probably stated that, my bad) I also wanted to know if you have any experience with a Losi truck?

Which Losi are you talking about? The Tenacity Pro series of trucks are generally solid though some people have been breaking front driveshafts.

Another option to look at is the Arrma Senton BLX. They are stupid fast on 3S, amazingly durable, and a good value at $320 RTR. Our local shop has been selling way more of the Arrmas than comparable Traxxas models and there have been very few who regretted that choice. My buddy got a BLX Arrma for his 10 year old son while at an event and let him rip on a 7 ft tall ramp. It held up so well that he bought another one for himself.

 

[rkj__]

Which Losi are you talking about? The Tenacity Pro series of trucks are generally solid though some people have been breaking front driveshafts.

Another option to look at is the Arrma Senton BLX. They are stupid fast on 3S, amazingly durable, and a good value at $320 RTR. Our local shop has been selling way more of the Arrmas than comparable Traxxas models and there have been very few who regretted that choice. My buddy got a BLX Arrma for his 10 year old son while at an event and let him rip on a 7 ft tall ramp. It held up so well that he bought another one for himself.

When I wanted to try something faster than my crawler, I picked up a Senton 3S BLX. Top speed was insane. The truck was over-geared for an amateur driver like myself. I never did get around to swapping the pinion though (easy). I also found the servo a little slow, so it was hard to keep it pointed in the right direction. That's also a pretty easy fix though. The metal shielded bearings don't really like wet conditions. I had a few lock up on me. Also, the shocks leaked significantly after about 10 packs.



That sounds like a lot of negatives, but for how fast, and inexpensive the truck is, it's understandable. The overall durability was pretty good. It took a lot of hard hits, and the only things I ever damaged were a tire, the body, and bumpers. Nothing functional ever broke. Arms, chassis, and electronics all held up.



In the end, I decided 50mph RC was not for me, but, I don't regret buying the Senton. I've since sold it.

 

[PounceTheBear]

Which Losi are you talking about? The Tenacity Pro series of trucks are generally solid though some people have been breaking front driveshafts.

Another option to look at is the Arrma Senton BLX. They are stupid fast on 3S, amazingly durable, and a good value at $320 RTR. Our local shop has been selling way more of the Arrmas than comparable Traxxas models and there have been very few who regretted that choice. My buddy got a BLX Arrma for his 10 year old son while at an event and let him rip on a 7 ft tall ramp. It held up so well that he bought another one for himself.

I saw the Tenacity/Baja Rey versions. About $430.

The Arrma looks nice. I guess the only thing I like more about the Traxxas is the "dummy-proof" charging system.

With any truck I get I will need a charging system. I like what I have seen so far about Traxxas, and what I'm seeing of the Arrma now that you mentioned those. If a 10 yr/old can smash it around and stay intact, I might be leaning more towards that

 

[svt923]

I saw the Tenacity/Baja Rey versions. About $430.

The Arrma looks nice. I guess the only thing I like more about the Traxxas is the "dummy-proof" charging system.

With any truck I get I will need a charging system. I like what I have seen so far about Traxxas, and what I'm seeing of the Arrma now that you mentioned those. If a 10 yr/old can smash it around and stay intact, I might be leaning more towards that

Spektrum sells a similar battery/charger setup with their smart battery system, I haven’t used them but it is very much the same concept. The Spektrum batteries also come with the connectors needed to plug and play with Arrma vehicles since they are both owned by the same parent company.

 

[PounceTheBear]

Spektrum sells a similar battery/charger setup with their smart battery system, I haven’t used them but it is very much the same concept. The Spektrum batteries also come with the connectors needed to plug and play with Arrma vehicles since they are both owned by the same parent company.

Thanks!

https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...-short-course-truck-rtr-blue/ARA4303V3T1.html

Was looking at them on Horizon Hobby, and they have a list of extras to make it "plug-n-play" sort of.

Battery charger:
Smart S2100 AC Charger, 2x100W

Battery:
11.1V 5000mAh 3S 100C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC5

100c or 50c? What's the main difference?

With that setup, I wouldn't need a 'Charge Adaptor', that's for something that is not Arrma/Spektrum?

 

[svt923]

Thanks!

https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...-short-course-truck-rtr-blue/ARA4303V3T1.html

Was looking at them on Horizon Hobby, and they have a list of extras to make it "plug-n-play" sort of.

Battery charger:
Smart S2100 AC Charger, 2x100W

Battery:
11.1V 5000mAh 3S 100C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC5

100c or 50c? What's the main difference?

With that setup, I wouldn't need a 'Charge Adaptor', that's for something that is not Arrma/Spektrum?

Spektrum has 2 different connectors, the IC3 which are used on the Arrmas that come with brushed motors and Axial RTRs and the IC5 which are used on the brushless Arrmas. They look similar but the IC5 is much larger.

With that said, it looks like the battery comes with the IC5 and the charger has a built in IC3, the adapter would only be needed to connect the battery to the charger.

As for the C rating of batteries, that is a measure of how much power can be safely output by the battery. In theory, a 100C 5000mah battery can output 500A of continuous power until drained while a 50C pack of the same capacity would produce 250A. RC cars never actually approach those types of loads so the theory doesn't exactly apply to reality. In application, a car running a high C rating pack may have a bit more punch when you hit the throttle than a lower C rating but this may or may not be noticeable. With that said, a 50C rated 5000mah pack will be more than plenty to push a truck around without breaking a sweat. Going higher on the C rating is never a bad thing but the additional cost may not produce much difference in the driving experience.

 

[rkj__]

As for the C rating of batteries, that is a measure of how much power can be safely output by the battery. In theory, a 100C 5000mah battery can output 500A of continuous power until drained while a 50C pack of the same capacity would produce 250A. RC cars never actually approach those types of loads so the theory doesn't exactly apply to reality. In application, a car running a high C rating pack may have a bit more punch when you hit the throttle than a lower C rating but this may or may not be noticeable. With that said, a 50C rated 5000mah pack will be more than plenty to push a truck around without breaking a sweat. Going higher on the C rating is never a bad thing but the additional cost may not produce much difference in the driving experience.

I seem to recall a discussion about high C rating batteries performing better at low temperatures.



Side note, plastic is more brittle at low temperatures.

 

[PounceTheBear]

Spektrum has 2 different connectors, the IC3 which are used on the Arrmas that come with brushed motors and Axial RTRs and the IC5 which are used on the brushless Arrmas. They look similar but the IC5 is much larger.

With that said, it looks like the battery comes with the IC5 and the charger has a built in IC3, the adapter would only be needed to connect the battery to the charger.



As for the C rating of batteries, that is a measure of how much power can be safely output by the battery. In theory, a 100C 5000mah battery can output 500A of continuous power until drained while a 50C pack of the same capacity would produce 250A. RC cars never actually approach those types of loads so the theory doesn't exactly apply to reality. In application, a car running a high C rating pack may have a bit more punch when you hit the throttle than a lower C rating but this may or may not be noticeable. With that said, a 50C rated 5000mah pack will be more than plenty to push a truck around without breaking a sweat. Going higher on the C rating is never a bad thing but the additional cost may not produce much difference in the driving experience.

Thanks. Yeah, I'm not going to be racing it. Just playing around. Highly doubtful I'd notice a difference at that level. Not terrible getting into the short course truck. Charger, two batteries, adaptor, truck, gets me out a little over $500. Kind of where I was looking to be.

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[PounceTheBear]

I seem to recall a discussion about high C rating batteries performing better at low temperatures.



Side note, plastic is more brittle at low temperatures.

As in they may break while jumping and thrashing around?

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