Bashing Newb or Newb Bashing

[Griffin]

Hi all,

As I said in my introduction thread, I don't have a vehicle yet, but I want to get one in the next couple of months (after my income tax return ;) ).

I've been thinking about getting into the RC hobby since I went into my first hobby store (over 20 years ago :eek: ) and saw "Hobby-Grade" buggies. I've never been able to convince myself to get a vehicle though. Now that I've finally learned to save some money, I have been able to convince Mrs. Griffin to let me get one.

I have decided a few things about my wants and needs and they are:

1. Electric Vehicle, not nitro. I am new to the hobby and I want to try something easy to operate (and hopefully maintain :rolleyes: ).

2. I want to get a truck, not a buggy. It could be a Stadium Truck, a Monster Truck or even a Truggy. I prefer the look of the trucks over the look of the buggies.

3. I want to bash with my truck. I like the idea of zooming around the park or the parking lot. I may take it to a track, but it would be to run the track alone, not while racing someone. Maybe I will get into racing in the future, but for now I'll stick to bashing.

4. Because I'm new to the hobby, I want something somewhat durable and easy to maintain. My wife, kids and I are on one income and I have to sustain my hobby with my "allowance."

5. I want something that I can run pretty much "right out of the box." I am wanting to do hop-ups, but mostly as the need arises and parts need to be replaced or upgraded. I want something with good support and parts availability .

For the reasons above, I had originally considered buying a Losi-LST2. (http://losi.com/Products/Features.aspx?ProdId=LOSB0217) I thought this might meet my needs. After posting on several other forums, I think I should go up to a 1/10 scale truck.

Having been to several other forums, I am more confused than ever. There seems to be 3 schools of thought on the subject:

4WD Monster Trucks:

1. The Traxxas E-Maxx (http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/emaxx3905/trx_emaxx3905.htm) or even the previous version (http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/emaxx/trx_emaxx.htm), seem to be the favoured (most recommended) in this category. I have heard that these are hard on their stock ESC.'s and on batteries.

2. The HPI E-Savage (http://hpiracing.com/kitinfo/507/) has also been mentioned.

1/10 2WD Stadium Trucks:

1. The Team Associated RC10T (http://teamassociated.com/ae/t4/t4_home.htm) is the front-runner among the recommendations in this category.

2. The Traxxas Rustler (http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/rustler2006/trx_rustler.htm) or the Rustler VXL (Brushless) (http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/rustler3708/trx_rustler.htm) is another option.

3. The HPI E-Firestorm (http://hpiracing.com/kitinfo/10550/) has also been mentioned.

2WD Monster Trucks:

This one seems to be a hybrid of the other two categories.

1. The Traxxas Stampede (http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/stampede2006/trx_stampede.htm) or the Stampede VXL (Brushless) (http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/stampede3608/trx_stampede.htm)

These are the primary suggestions that have been made to me. I am trying to get as much research as I can into this before I spend any money. Any comments, opinions, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Griffin.

[pedeboi364]

any of the traxxas vehicles will do you wonders. They are incredibly durable, not very costly or hard to get up and running, and have an amazing array of aftermarket and stock-parts support. It really comes down to brushless vs. brushed and 4wd vs. 2wd.

[Griffin]

It really comes down to brushless vs. brushed and 4wd vs. 2wd.

So, for bashing, which would you choose and why?

[bugz2002]

2wd vs 4wd....i would have to say it all depends on were your going drive it. yeah your going bash it, i bash mine all the time, but i take my t-maxx to the beach and climb hills and the 4wd comes in handy, but if your just looking for speed and jumping it from time to time 2wd is the way to go. you will get a lot more speed from a 2wd truck then a 4wd truck. well thats my 2 cents hope it helps

[pedeboi364]

is really does depend where you drive. For the track, also depending on the surface, 2wd or 4wd. 4wd is better for rough terrain and crawling where as 2wd is more exciting and better for super-fast speeds and jumping.

[Griffin]

2wd vs 4wd....i would have to say it all depends on were your going drive it. yeah your going bash it, i bash mine all the time, but i take my t-maxx to the beach and climb hills and the 4wd comes in handy, but if your just looking for speed and jumping it from time to time 2wd is the way to go. you will get a lot more speed from a 2wd truck then a 4wd truck. well thats my 2 cents hope it helps

I'll mostly be driving in my condo's parking lot or in the park near by. Like I said, I may make my way to the track from time to time to drive around, but that's it.

[pedeboi364]

for that i would say get a traxxas rustler. It performs well on the street and the track, and it is made by traxxas, what's not to love??

[Griffin]

Hi Gang - Thanks for all of the input.

I think I've decided to go with one of the following:
Losi Speed-T (http://losi.com/Products/Features.aspx?ProdID=LOSB0101) or the Traxxas Rustler VXL. (http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/rustler3708/trx_rustler.htm)

Which would you go with? Why? Any other questions or comments?

Thanks,
Griffin

[pedeboi364]

rusty VXL, its platform has been around for 10+ years, so its got aftermarket support, it TRAXXAS TOUGH, has good wheels/tires A(at least compared to the speed-t) and it's easier to operate...did i mention it's traxxas tough and comes with the best customer service in the world?

[Griffin]

I really want to be able to drive off-road, most likely on grass construction sites, parks, etc. I am not all that interested in the speed. I want something that I can jump with, take on the aforementioned conditions and just have a good time with. To me, the speed would be alright for a couple speed runs, but I want to take this thing off-road and have some fun.

I would love to be able to afford an E-Maxx or E-Savage but they seem to be a bit out of my price-range. The E-Savage, though, is only about 20 bucks more than the Brushless Rustler (both with 2 sets of batteries.) Is the E-Savage any good and would it be worth getting over the Rustler VXL? How are the stock batteries and charger?

The thing I like about the Rusty, though, is that it would be cheaper to get more batteries and therefore more run-time with.

How would the Stampede fit into this equation? Is it a good compromise for off-road-bashing? If I were to get a Pede I think I would get the VXL as it costs the same as the Rustler VXL.

I would even consider going Nitro with the Pede as it is cheaper than the VXL. Should I re-consider my position about Nitro? Is Nitro all that difficult for a newb to run?

I don't know if I've exasperated everyone yet, but for some reason I am having a really hard time choosing the right truck for me.

Thanks for your help,
Griff

[pedeboi364]

nitro pedes are on the more annoying side for a n00b to run. I would get the stampede, it has better aftermarket support than the e-savvy and has higher ground clearance than the rusty. Also, you can go very fast stock and you it will be a rarity to break VXL parts as long as it's going under 45mph...

[jonelzoe]

The rustler is probaly a good idea or the stampede they are both great for bashing :D

[pedeboi364]

stampede is wayy more basher oriented. Although they are both TRAXXAS TOUGH, the rusty is better for the track and street cuz it's lower, where as the pede is higher and better for, well, anything!! cuz you can always lower the pede to make it a mean street machine where as you can't really raise a rusty with good effects

[Griffin]

What about the new hpi E-Firestorm 10T Flux (http://hpiracing.com/kitinfo/10553/)? It's hpi's new brushless set-up.

Does anyone know anything about the E-Firestorm. I am assuming that the Flux will only be better. I've read the specs, but honestly, being new and all, I don't understand them. :o

How would the Flux match up with either the Rustler VXL or the PedeVXL?

[pedeboi364]

rusty AND pede would simply dominate this truck on and off road. HPI does make a quality car but i don't trust the look of the all black ESC and motor, as well as the radio gear. Not to mention the thing won't even be out for another month. Just go traxxas tough; you'll never go back

[Philderbeast]

Look Griffin, If you are looking for on and offroad bashing, do the math and get a Stampede VXL. I will be getting a Stampede in the future as my Rustler is not well suited for grassy terrain. I had a nitro stampede when I was younger, and LOVED it. I will own a stampede again. Parts are everywhere, and has anyone mentioned they are CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!!!! You will not go wrong with the decision to get the Stampede, because even if you buy one, run it, and hate it, you can still sell it just about the same day you put it up for sale. Whatever you do decide on though, be sure to purchase a high quality battery for it. I learned from that mistake. My I suggest an SMC 4200 MaH Ni-MH matched cell stick pack. It is made by Intellect, and ran me around 80 bucks. Also, be sure to pick up a Peak Detecting charger. I have a Dynamite Vision peak 2 and I love it. I do not remember what it ran me though. I am serious on the batteries, they will make or break you experiance. I was not all that happy with my rustler xl-5 until I dropped in that battery, and I now have a new fave. basher on my hands. It raised the proformance so much, I litteraly was in disbelief and found myself saying Holy Crapola a-lot. Just my 2 cents

Oh, I forgot, has anyone mentioned to you that the new E-maxx is water resistant? How about the arival of the brushless E-Maxx, and wait for it....................................Brushless REVO!!!

[DJ1978]

I'll mostly be driving in my condo's parking lot or in the park near by. Like I said, I may make my way to the track from time to time to drive around, but that's it.


I hope I am not too late to chime in on this.. Get the Best you can afford. The Stampede is a very entry level.
The Rustler is a better choice.
I would highly recommend the Emaxx. If you can't afford it.. save up until you can...
It is a little more initial investment.... but well worth it. It will go places that the others that have been mentioned won't even get close to. It is VERY durable and a total blast to drive. After market support is terrific also. Stock they are great... upgraded they only get better.
Dan

[Griffin]

Nope - not too late. I figure it's going to be another month or two before I pick up my truck.

I'm pretty sure I am going to stay with a 2WD so I can run within my budget. 1 battery is way cheaper than two, especially when it comes to multiple sets.

I would consider getting a Pede and lowering it a bit. Is it difficult to lower one?

[pedeboi364]

it's really not that difficult to lower, and there are a few ways to lower it.
1) run no preload spacers on the shocks, although the truck is now low, it may handle a bit funky cuz the rear has sooooo much more weight on it
2) (aka, ,the better way) this may be a bit much for a n00b, but what you can do is buy some fuel tubing that will fit over the shock shaft (but still inside the shock body!!!) and put it on inside the shock, on the shock shaft below the piston on the shaft. You can cut the tubing to any length, and take it off easily

although these methods work fine, i really don't see why you'd want to lower a pede, if you have traction or rolling issues, widen and lengthen it and you will be surprised at how awesome this truck is

[Mouse4666]

ive looked at the flux and i know that it wont be as fast but it has a pretty good brushless systemive looked at the pictures and it looks exactly like a Castle Creations sidewinder which is a good sport brushless system