What are some alternatives to TRX-4M?

[Col_Sanders]

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 get what he is saying. I can spend $200 on an esc & motor for a 1/10 and not even think twice about it, but I can not bring myself to spend $160 for an esc, motor and a receiver for a truck that I spent $150 to buy new.

With that said, there are brand new TRX4m takeoff esc/motor/rx combos on ebay for $45. I would have just done that. Or if I had an RX laying around, may have tried the $70 brushless Injora setup.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Yesterday, my son got the Redcat Ascent 18 at our local hobby store. Cool rig but still comes with ESC/RX combo. Worst case scenario, there is a bit of room if he needs to replace it with a FlySky RX and some small ESC.

After all of this, he got himself right back into the same position while spending nearly double the money in the end. Spending less would have given him the electronics for the TRX-4M and he would have been left with one really good rig. Instead he has another RTR from a lesser brand. I don't understand this thinking at all, but it is his money and free to waste as he likes. In all honesty, the TRX-4M is the best 1/18th scale rig.

 

[bgredjeep]

I'm curious how the trx4m was "gotten rid of". Like given away? Thrown away? Sold cheap as parts?

 

[TRX4M Defender]

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.

IMO the trx4m is by far the most reliable and well build crawler in the mini scale (1/24, 1/18 ish). Your other options are the scx24 and fcx24/fcx18 but those are poorly built in comparison, with weaker components and not even waterproof. It sounds like you just got unlucky. Simply buy an injora esc (I have it and highly recommend it for slow speed control) and also either an original or injora motor. All injora parts should be waterproof. Here is a package w/ both esc and motor:

Amazon.com: INJORA MB100 20A Brushed Mini ESC with 180 Motor 48T for TRX4M Upgrade 1/18 RC Crawler : Toys & Games

Amazon.com: INJORA MB100 20A Brushed Mini ESC with 180 Motor 48T for TRX4M Upgrade 1/18 RC Crawler : Toys & Games

www.amazon.com

Then, buy a dumboRC x6 transmitter and receiver: It has significantly better range than the original, this should get you about 400m of range, and it has many channels:

Amazon.com: DUMBORC X6 6 Channel Rc Transmitter and Receiver X6FG Built-in Gyro Mixed Mode Out of Control Protection RC Controller for Remote Car/Boat/Tank : Toys & Games

The total cost for getting your trx4m back running should be nothing more than 70 bucks. I would recommend either returning your trx4m and getting another one, or going ahead and buying the replacement parts I sent. I think the trx4m is a great car and you just got a bit unlucky. I have owned axial and fms micro crawlers so I make this statement based on personal experience.

Parts do break, but w/ a trx4m, it will happen less than any alternative you choose.

Best of luck!

 

[TRX4M Defender]

After all of this, he got himself right back into the same position while spending nearly double the money in the end. Spending less would have given him the electronics for the TRX-4M and he would have been left with one really good rig. Instead he has another RTR from a lesser brand. I don't understand this thinking at all, but it is his money and free to waste as he likes. In all honesty, the TRX-4M is the best 1/18th scale rig.

100% agreed. He could have either returned his 4m and bought a new one, or gotten injora esc+motor and dumbo rc transmitter. Would have all been upgrades and he would still have a trx4m. I have owned both fms and scx crawlers and they do not stack up in terms of build quality or durability to the trx4m.