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What are some alternatives to TRX-4M?

drabina

Pebble Pounder
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Messages
109
Location
NJ
My son had a TRX4M (mini) and liked the car very much. Unfortunately, the ESC/RX combo died taking the motor with it (or the other way around). Right now, it looks like the cost of fixing it will be close to a price of new TRX4M. Are there any decent alternatives to a TRX4M? Any with a separate ESC and RX? He already has the big TRX4 so we are looking for a 1/18 scale.
 
The Redcat Ascent-18 is comparable. I think they're about $120 right now but Horizon has them on sale ( not that I have a lot of confidence in what Horizon says they have in stock though). I do think that the TRX4-M is a better rig overall though and has more parts support/ avail upgrades.

If it were me I'd keep the TRX4-M and pick up a Hobbywing 1080wp ESC for $40 and a new TX/ RX like the Dumbo RC off Amazon for another $40.
 
$80 go brushless from Injora.
Ascent I say yes mostly because it has ball bearings instead of bushings like the trx4m.
I've already given away my rtr radios. If I had 1 I'd gladly send it your way.
Radiolink CL9030 brushed esc 90amp and 2-4s rating $29 Amazon. I kept a few for a backup but gave them to friends in need on the trail.
 
i like the redcats but my money would be on upgrades
these guys here know there micos so if your not sure ask someone or search for some reviews

we also have the manufacturers on here from time to time so you can ask them directly although there not on much these days but they are here sometimes they will even make custom stuff for ya lol
if your nice to them

there some crazy stuff outhere for the trx4m and its not all crazy exspensive ether
 
found this just now
 
You could get another whole truck for the cost of the upgraded parts to fix your truck but then you would have still only have one stock truck that runs. If you get the upgraded parts then your truck will be running and it will be better than stock. It seems like a good deal to just get a whole new truck but you are stuck with stock then. Find some good upgraded parts and you will be happier, well I know I would be happier with a modded truck over a stock truck and a stock parts truck.

tldr; Get the upgraded parts instead of a new stock truck.
 
Thanks for the replies. My son already got rid of the TRX4M because cost of fixing it was too close to a new one. I am just trying to find a replacement for him but would like to get one that has a separate ESC and RX. So far all the cars we had with combo ESC/RX have been trouble for us. My son has the FlySky Noble radio that he could get an extra receiver for. They make some small ones with a built-in antenna that we use for carpet buggies.
 
Anything you get is going to cost to upgrade. The reason is the upgrade parts are better. I would suggest an SCX one twenty four scale personally. There are a ton of aftermarket parts but they do cost, the smaller trucks are cheaper but there is going to be some money spent.
Why are you so against spending money for parts when you got an expensive radio?
 
I'm so confused. You've got a several hundred dollar radio already, but spending $80 to get a brushless motor and esc (fusion mini) and an extra rx was too much to spend on fixing/upgrading the car you already had?
 
the trx4m is probably the best of the minis anything you get in that size is gonna need upgrading the combo esc and reciver is the new rtr thing it seems everyone is going that route so buying another brand you will most likely have the same problems unless you upgrade

if the upgrades your talking about are costing you so much than you need to find another supplier cause sounds like some one is taking advantage of the situation the parts dont cost that much unless you want to buy the best of the upgrades

i got a upgraded motor and aluminum transmission for under $20 the esc shouldent be more than that ither mine was$12 and you have a radio just need a reciver also under $20

heres a few listings from aliX

 
I am not against spending money. I just didn't want to spend amount in stock parts that would total about the 80% of the whole truck's cost. That's all. All of our RC cars are upgraded. It is just that the mini is used the least and when it broke, we are now exploring other options/trucks. Again, the old TRX4M is gone so either my son buys the same truck or a different one. That's why i was asking for opinions on other comparable 1/18th crawlers.
 
FMS has some good deals right now, not sure when the end. Still has a 2n1 receiver/esc, but another alternative. Other than that Redcat ascent 18 is what you are looking at.

Seeing you have other RCs and upgraded, Even at the cost of replacement it would have been better than a whole new model. Too bad it’s gone, hope it went somewhere good.
 
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Thanks for the replies. My son already got rid of the TRX4M because cost of fixing it was too close to a new one. I am just trying to find a replacement for him but would like to get one that has a separate ESC and RX. So far all the cars we had with combo ESC/RX have been trouble for us. My son has the FlySky Noble radio that he could get an extra receiver for. They make some small ones with a built-in antenna that we use for carpet buggies.
OOF! This is why questions should be asked before actions.

You can’t justify upgrades not costing more than the vehicle or RC isn’t for you. That’s not even how simple economics work.

The TRX-4M is the best mini. End of story. Others will have similar issues of failures and you’re still going to have to pay to fix it.
 
The Rabit hole of Rc is deep and your pockets will need to be as well … almost any hobby that includes and required gears electrics and manufactured parts will hit your wallet one way or another whether biking, project cars, off road, Rc among many others… there is a price to pay if you want to play …. Sowing should be pretty affordable tho not for me …. The injora route and investing in a ok radio that the receivers don’t cost an arm and a leg is the key to building your herd if that’s what you want and need… injora brushed motor/esc is around 30 dollars and is a good set up you will need an Rx/Tx …. I have a dumbo xp7 and a flysky fsgt5 as my costume radios and the receiver can be had for less than 20 dollars … I would buy the flysky over the dumbo for the memory setting advantage over the dumbo but both work great and are fairly priced
 
I think this person is a troll. They say they have an expensive radio but they can’t afford a few upgrades for their one eighteen scale truck? Something doesn't add up.
 
I think this person is a troll. They say they have an expensive radio but they can’t afford a few upgrades for their one eighteen scale truck? Something doesn't add up.
You will take time replying and calling me a troll but you can't spend 10 seconds to read the original question I posted? I stated there that my son "had TRX4M" and now we are looking at alternatives to replace it. I also stated the reason why. What's so hard to understand?
 
looking at alternatives to replace it.
Still stand at my last post with regards to decent alternatives.

Thrown in MN or WPL for alternatives but they don’t have the performance out of the box but you can get them there. Have him build something up too from other rollers available.
 
You will take time replying and calling me a troll but you can't spend 10 seconds to read the original question I posted? I stated there that my son "had TRX4M" and now we are looking at alternatives to replace it. I also stated the reason why. What's so hard to understand?
Most of the members here understand and come aboard because things break and are finding ways to fix/upgrade it rather than just replacing the vehicle with another one … there is many other alternatives to trx4m but they will likely have the same fate as your kids trx4m specially at the hands of a kid… I have replaced many motors servos and escs throughout the years as part of ownership… nothing last forever I speak from experience as my 5 & 7 year olds love to rip and throttle through everything and anything specially if they can bounce and bop through the trails run the motors back and forth until they wheelie out and tumble around. As mentioned most of the members here will give you thinker/fixer info rather than vehicle replacement.
 
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I guess I'll throw in one last reply here and I need to also disclose that I don't have a TRX4M nor a Redcat Ascent-18-

The TRX4M is a damn good rig in the 1/18 category. And there aren't many others out there with the TRX4M's track record as well as with Traxxas itself. They design and manufacture quality rigs and components and they have a huge parts inventory as do countless other aftermarket companies. Also I believe that there are more people on RCC that own or have some experience with the TRX4M over any other 1/18 vehicles collectively, which may be why this thread kinda got away from you in that regard.

There are a few others out there that are close to the "whole package"... like the Redcat Ascent 18 but you're likely to run into the same or similar issues regarding electronics... Most companies cut corners on things like ESC's, servos, and transmitters. Anyway... the 1/18 field is pretty limited in comparison to 1/10 offerings so again... folks here are naturally going to gravitate towards the recommendation to keep the TRX4M. Too late now... I get it but people here really are trying to help despite the dismay in a couple of the comments.

From everything I've read and seen in videos, when the TRX4M is up and running, it's a great quality and fun rig with very few needs in the upgrade dept. As others have stated, if you do decide to get another 1/18, just be prepared to maybe spend some extra funds on the electronics... whether you decide to stay brushed or go brushless. After the initial money spent, it shouldn't be a money-pit.. unless you or your son are really thrashing the hell out of it.
 
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