I'm going to have to side with Jim on this one. Going by your $209 Deadbolt math, the Gen7 I just ordered only cost $146 (that includes the use of a coupon code, and $24 of e-cash, as was calculated into the Deadbolt.)
I calculate $199 - 20 code - 20 ecash = $159. To get $24 ecash you must pay an annual subscription fee to Tower, but that's still $155. How do you get the additional $9 off? What coupon codes are you using?
A waterproof 15kg servo is totally adequate for a 1.9 rtr and will actually turn the tires at a standstill, unlike the Axials included servo (what is it, 60 oz of torque?) While they both used sealed can motors, the Redcat's 550 motor will live a much longer life, with more oomph than the Axials 540. They both use the same esc, so that's a wash. The Gen7's Flysky rx is directly compatible with the ever popular gt3b/gt3c tx's too.
While a little unconventional in the rc crawler world (but extremely common in 1:1) with its single triangulated design, the Gen7's BP custom's chassis is just a slightly different version of BPC's Gen6 (Hey, so that's where the name came from!) which would have been considered an upgrade for an SCX10... does coming in a Redcat box make it less so?
15kg-cm is definitely an upgrade from the 11kg-cm 150oz-in Deadbolt servo, as is the 550 motor (though its added weight does raise the COG a bit). I've bound Axial's stock RX to my GT3B so that's a non-issue. As for the link design, while I can't comment on the physics engineering, I can say that I consider the metal links upgrades.
Metal links, especially steering, absolutely make the car more durable.
Um... I'll have to respectfully disagree with you there. Plastic flexes under stress. Metal doesn't, and that leads to breakages like servo gears, link mounts, c-hubs, axles, etc when the rig takes a tumble.
While the deadbolt's chinesium metal locker is certainly stronger than the Gen7's unit, the argument of plastic lockers breaking from just mentioning their existance just isn't true. 2 years of use on 2s, and occasional 3s, with sticky tires, without breakage on our E10 axles (same internals) has been proof enough for me. For that matter, the diff cups and/or screws have been known to tear out of the Axial units, why do you think there are so many aftermarket spools? One could spend $10 for a pair of HSP spools for the Gen7 and be ahead of the game, the axle shafts on the Redcat are bigger (splitting hairs, I know) than the Axial to boot.
It's been widely accepted that Axial's rtr tires are nothing special (I didn't think they were that bad) so I can't see Redcat's first licensed tire being any worse. Including beadlock wheels (of the variety that WILL mount Proline tires) is a nice touch too, as other than cosmetic reasons, no one will need to replace them anytime soon.
I probably won't use it, but the Gen7's included battery and charger will have little "Johnny" up and running on Christmas day. To be truly rtr, you're going to have bump up the Axial's total investment.
The big benefit to the Axial is the availability of direct bolt-on aftermarket parts... their OEM supply chain still sucks though. I'm not anti-Axial as I've had a few myself (still have one) but I've also had (and actually kept) a handfull of Redcats too. To just flat out say that the Redcat is junk, is totally unfounded. Even at the same pricepoint, I still would have chosen the Gen7 over the Deadbolt for the reasons above, as my kid's entry to 1/10, but again, the $63 price discrepancy (by your math) just made that choice even easier.
Um... I never said Redcat was junk. I just meant that most people's experience of RTR servos is that they are underpowered and break quickly. I like Redcat and am glad that Axial, Vaterra, RC4WD, Traxxas, and Gmade have some low-priced competition to drive costs down, especially for n00bz entering the hobby.
Regarding the Everest 10 plastic lockers, are you saying that all of the that broke on their maiden run were flukes? If yours hasn't broken in 2 years of running then they must've changed the plastic's formula to something like delrin, which is good to hear. Still, for noobz sake, please show us a link to the $10 HSP metal locker you mentioned, just in case someone does manage to break/strip one.
I agree, Axial Trepadors aren't great tires, but they're R35 sticky and can be sipped to increase traction. Hands down, the Gen7 wins for including real beadlocks, however; I hate de-glueing tires and having to spend more money on beadlocks.
Including a battery and charger was a nice touch from Redcat. Don't get me wrong; I'm not complaining, but since lipo is the same cost, why not include a 2200mah 3s instead of the heavier, bulky, outdated nimh? If it's a safety issue then maybe include a 50-cent lipo-safe charging bag?
I'm not anti-Redcat either. In fact, I've had them, and I recommend the Gen7 to peeps. But if we're going to compare apples to apples, let's be fair so that people can choose based on the facts and know what they're getting.
Thanks for all the stimulating, non-attacking dialog. I hope we can continue to share our knowledge and experience without getting upset, making sweeping generalizations, or stinging remarks. thumbsup
