Looking for a competitive racing buggy but aren't too stoked with the high cost of entry that usually requires? The Duratrax 835E should prove an attractive choice, bringing a well-equipped 1/8-scale racer at an affordable price point.
Ideal for entry-level RC hobbyists, the vehicle comes factory-assembled and ready to race out of the box. Body is pre-painted and decaled, too, so all you need to do is throw in batteries (4S LiPo or 2S LiPo, plus four AA alkaline batteries) to get up and running.
The Duratrax 835E is a 1/8-scale electric buggy that pairs a 2200kV Onyx brushless motor and a 120A waterproof ESC, mounted on a countersunk 3.25mm anodized aluminum chassis. All throughout the body, it uses beefy, heavy duty parts, including 3.5mm shock shafts, 4mm shock towers, 4.5mm tie-rod turnbuckles, 5,, camber turnbuckles, hardened steel driveshaft and gears, threaded big bore aluminum oil shocks, droop screws, front and rear sway bars, a whole bunch of hex head hardware, and lots of gray-anodized aluminum parts. It comes with a Duratrax 2-channel 2.4GHz radio system.
Want one? The Duratrax 835E is available now in three color schemes (black, white and yellow), priced at $399.99.
[Tower Hobbies]
Specs:
Length: 19.9 in (505 mm)
Width: 11.9 in (302 mm)
Height: 7.5 in (190 mm)
Wheelbase: 12.8 in (325 mm)
Weight w/battery: 8.4 lb (3.8 kg)
Remember the Tamiya TXT-1 from over a decade ago? If you loved that wicked beast of a monster truck, then we doubt you'll feel any differently for its sequel: the Tamiya TXT-2 Agrios.
Billed as a 4x4x4 monster truck, the 1/10-scale vehicle boasts not just four-wheel drive, but also four-wheel steering. You will need to add a second servo controlling the rear axle to enable that (doesn't come in the original box), but we doubt it's something you'll want to pass up doing.
The Tamiya TXT-2 Agrios features a polycarbonate stadium truck body that's mounted on a newly-designed chassis constructed from both tough plastic and aluminum. Since monster trucks need monster power, it runs on two 540-type brushless motors, allowing it to crush every scale car in sight. Features include a centrally-positioned gearbox, a resin-covered aluminum shaft side frames, shielded ball bearings, resin upper frame, and special front and rear axle cases with 3-bevel differential gears and a two-level transmission.
Named after the mythical Greek giant Agrios, the vehicle should handle itself well over any terrain, ably overcoming every obstacle in its path. Do note this ships as a kit, so you're likely to have a gargantuan workload putting this together.
You can get the Tamiya TXT-2 in stores now, priced at $729.
[Tamiya]
Specifications:
Scale: 1/10 scale
Construction type: assembly kit
Terrain use: multi-purpose
Drive-train: 4WD
Drive type: gearbox
Drive line: solid axle
Differential type: gear
Suspension: 4-link
Steering mechanism: direct servo
Team Durango has announced a new 1/8-scale truggy. Called the Team Durango DEX408T, it's a large-scale offroad racer that's built to withstand "the very highest level of 8th scale competition."
Sold as a kit, it's an electric version of Team Durango's nitro-powered buggy platform. Don't mistake it for a mere conversion, though. Instead, the truggy is reengineered as an electric racer from the ground up, ensuring it brings quality performance and durability unique to its powertrain, all while being compatible with 95 percent of the kit parts from its nitro-powered DEX408 brethren. That's right, you can quickly outfit your truggy with upgraded performance parts as soon as you can get it up and running.
The Team Durango DEX408T Truggy brings a laundry list of premium features. Specs include a specially-designed 6061-T6 aluminum chassis plate, machined alloy suspension hangers, machined aluminum bulk heads, 15mm Big Bore shocks, aluminum shock caps, and a hub/steering assembly that's fully ball-raced. To save on weight to the rotational mass, it uses composite cross shafts and inserts, while the composite spur gear boasts reduced wear rate and improved acceleration.
No word yet on exact release date or pricing, but the Team Durango DEX408T Truggy is expected to be in stores soon.
[Team Durango]
by sunny on April 28, 2013
Just as they did with the RTR T4.2RS, Team Associated is releasing a ready-to-run version of one of their winningest buggies. Called the Team Associated B4.2RS, it's based off the RC10B4 Kit that's taken home multiple trophies in both IFMAR and ROAR championships.
Fully assembled, painted and decaled out of the box, the electric off-road buggy shares many of the same performance parts as the kit platform its lifted from. As such, expect serious performance from this 1/10-scale 2WD -- one that won't leave you lacking when you hit the local tracks for the weekend.
The Team Associated B4.2RS RTR runs on a Reedy 3,300 kV brushless motor that's paired up with an XP SC500-BL brushless water-resistant ESC (LiPo cutoff plus Dean's connector) and XP 2.4 GHz 2-channel radio system with metal gear servo. Features include molded composite chassis, factory-finished polycarbonate body, water-resistant enclosed receiver box, anodized aluminum coilover shock absorbers, sealed gear differential with adjustable slipper clutch, vertical ball ends for roll center adjustments, and high-traction compound tires. Since it's based off the RC10B4, you get a whole load of hop-ups instantly available from shops, so you can upgrade your buggy as your competitive needs call for it.
No release dates available yet, but the Team Associated B4.2RS RTR will retail straight from the Team Associated site for $249.99.
[Team Associated]
Specifications
Power Source: Electric
Terrain: Off-Road
Body Style: Buggy
Scale Size: 1:10 Scale
Assembly Level: Ready-To-Run
Length: 377mm (14.84in)
Width: 250mm (9.84in)
Wheelbase: 273mm (10.75in)
Weight: 1530g (3.37lbs)
Drive: 2WD
by sunny on April 27, 2013
Looking for a new stadium truck with enough punch to give you a competitive edge, but don't really fancy building a new one from a kit? You might want to wait for the Team Associated T4.2RS, a new ready-to-run vehicle based on the world-class RC10T4 that's been previously available strictly as a Factory Team kit.
Shipped fully assembled, painted and decaled, the electric 2WD truck is based completely on Team Associated's 8-time ROAR National Champion. As such, the 1/10-scale stadium truck shares many of the same parts, along with a few upgraded features to get you running neck and neck with the best in the tracks.
The Team Associated T4.2RS RTR runs on a Reedy 3300kV brushless motor, paired with an XP SC500-BL brushless electronic speed control and an XP 2.4 GHz 2-channel radio system. Details include an Interceptor-T polycarbonate body, a molded composite chassis, heavy-duty sealed gear differential with an adjustable clutch, blue anodized aluminum V2 coil-over shocks, white hex drive wheels, high-traction compound tires, and rugged steel turnbuckles. Of course, the vehicle can be upgraded as your skills improve with the existing line of hop-ups available for the race-winning RC10T4.
We can't find an exact availability date for the Team Associated T4.2RS, but it should retail soon, priced at $259.98 from the Team Associated website.
[Team Associated]
Specifications
Power Source: Electric
Terrain: Off-Road
Body Style: Truck
Scale Size: 1:10 Scale
Length: 390mm (15.35in)
Width: 316mm (12.44in)
Wheelbase: 288mm (11.34in)
Weight: 1756g (3.87lbs)
Drive: 2WD
by sunny on April 24, 2013
Team Associated is releasing a good load of new vehicles under their novice-friendly Qualifier Series set. One of my favorites in the new line is the Qualifier Series Rival Mini Monster Truck.
While it's far from a menacing monster at 1/18-scale, the truck does look beastly next to similarly-scaled rides, especially with those chunky monster truck tires. Line up a few 1/18-scale cars in front of this thing and it will just be like destroying a fleet of sedans in a monster truck derby.
The Qualifier Series Rival Mini Monster Truck comes in RTR form, with a factory-finished body and all parts shipped pre-assembled. Details include a Super 370 electric motor, an XPS micro electronic speed controller, XP 2.4GHz radio system with XP micro servo, symmetrical lower suspension arms, and full-precision ball bearings. Designed for offroad terrain, the 4WD truck features four fluid-filled adjustable coilover shocks for managing the suspension. To ensure novices can get up and running as soon as they crack the box open, battery pack and charger are both included. Like other vehicles in the Qualifier Series line, it's compatible with other 1/18-scale performance parts and accessories from Team Associated, so you won't have a shortage of upgrade options.
No MSRP is available, but the Qualifier Series Rival Mini Monster Truck should hit stores in June.
[Team Associated]
Specifications
Scale: 1:18
Power: Electric
Length: 225mm
Width: 188mm
Weight: 605g
Wheelbase: 154mm
Drive: 4WD
by sunny on April 23, 2013
Team Associated has announced a new mini-touring car for RC fans enamored with miniature racers. Called the Qualifier Series APEX Mini Touring, it's a 1:18-scale electric racer aimed at novice drivers.
As the name indicates, it's part of the new Qualifier Series, which consists of RTR vehicles that are affordable and easy to use, making them ideal entry points for beginners to the RC scene. While we doubt this can stand toe-to-toe with old reliables in the tracks, it still makes for a nice backup vehicle, especially for those looking to race just for fun.
The Qualifier Series APEX Mini Touring comes fully-assembled, with all paint and decals applied. It comes in two colors, blue and yellow, so you can start your own little fleet at home. Details of the 4WD touring car include a Super 370 motor, XPS micro ECS, XP 2.4GHz radio system with XP micro servo, coil-over adjustable shocks, symmetrical lower suspension arms, full precision ball bearing, seven-spoke wheels, and treaded high-grip racing tires. It's compatible with many existing parts and accessories for 1:18 racers, so you can tweak it to your heart's content if you end up outgrowing the stock configuration.
No MSRP is available, but it will hit your favorite stores in May.
[Team Associated]
Specifications
Power Source: Electric
Terrain: On-Road
Body Style: Touring Car
Scale Size: 1:18 Scale
Assembly Level: Ready-To-Run*
Length: 206mm (8.11in)
Width: 140mm (5.51in)
Wheelbase: 154mm (6.06in)
Weight: 590g (1.3lbs)
Drive: 4WD
by sunny on April 22, 2013
Looking to get into the 1/8-scale nitro buggy class? Here's a good beginner set to help you ease into it: the Team Associated RTR RC8.2 RS.
While designed (and marketed) towards new racers in the category, this is, by no means, a poorly-equipped machine. In fact, it might well qualify as a seriously-powerful nitro 4WD beast (yep, it's competition race spec). For one, it's an RC8.2 -- the same one that won the ROAR Nationals, the Dirt Nitro Challenge and the Silver State Nitro Challenge.
The Team Associated RTR RC8.2 RS, however, is sold in ready to race form (just add batteries and fuel), allowing you to go from box to track without much hassle in between. Details include a Reedy .21VS engine (with pull start and 2-chamber tuned exhaust), 16mm Big Bore 6061 aluminum shocks, a high-torque XP DS1510MG metal-gear steering servo, 3mm thick shock towers, hard-anodized aluminum chassis, and a XP 2.4GHz radio system. You can choose between two RC8 bodies and color schemes, with all decals pre-applied and the bodies pre-painted. Of course, you also get the benefit of numerous Factory Team performance parts available for upgrades, so you can tweak your 1/8-scale racer without encountering much difficulties.
Set for availability in May, the Team Associated RTR RC8.2 RS will retail for $499.99.
[Team Associated]
Specifications:
Scale: 1:8
Power: Nitro
Length: 470mm
Width: 305mm
Weight: 3570g
Wheelbase: 323mm
Drive: 4WD
