by sunny on July 29, 2010
Venom recently introduced a new entry to the increasingly popular short course racing class of RC trucks. Called the Venom Gambler, the 2WD vehicle brings the sporty LOORRS (Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series) racing trucks into the hands of short course RC fans.
According to the company, the vehicle was devised from the ground up, incorporating all the latest innovations in truck design into its 1/10-scale frame. Most notable of the features is the MORdrive system, which lets you adjust the truck's center of gravity by changing the rear transmission's position from mid-motor to rear-motor on the fly. Yep, just like having two chassis in a single ride.
The Venom Gambler is powered by a high-performance 3300 Kv brushless motor, with a fully-programmable 80amp waterproof ESC and a VR3S 3-channel 2.4ghz radio. Chassis accommodates a variety of battery packs (6, 7, and 8 cell NiMH and 2 to 3 cell LiPO), boasts a water-resistant radio compartment and conceals all sensitive wires to keep them protected.
Aggressive body is reinforced with rugged bumpers, mud flaps and side nerf bars for short course racing durability. The Beadlox wheels and tires use a three-piece system that feature elliptical tire beads for improved performance.
Available in late September, the Venom Gambler comes in four colors (black, white, red or blue), priced at $289.99.
Specifications
Length: 21.73" (552mm)
Roof Height: 7.89" (200.5mm)
Width: 11.65" (298mm)
Wheelbase: 13.01" (330.5mm)
Ground Clearance: 1.51" (38.5mm)
Motor: V540 3300kv Brushless Motor
ESC: 80amp Waterproof Brushless ESC
Radio: VR3S 2.4Ghz 3-Channel Radio
[Venom]
Cheap stadium trucks may not offer the best performance (nor availability of parts), but find the right one and it can make for plenty of weekend fun. While we doubt the Electrix RC Circuit will be the "right one" for most people, the sales page does offer enough enticements to probably make some folks take a closer look.
A ready-to-run off-road stadium truck, it comes painted and decaled right out of the box, leaving you with nothing to do but to get on a track and drive it. It uses standard components and mounts too, allowing for a decent range of hop-up possibilities, in case the default rig (hey, it's cheap) doesn't sit well enough for your standards.
The Electrix RC Circuit is a 1/10th-scale, 2WD vehicle that boasts "hard to abuse" qualities, being built from durable nylon composite material and, hopefully, halfway decent parts. It comes with a Dynamite 20-turn motor and a novice-friendly snap-lock battery system (clipless) for even simpler set-up.
Let's be honest. If you're anywhere past a beginner, you're probably better off looking past this. With those seeking out a stadium truck starter or an upgradeable machine to play with, however, this could actually work out well. Provided you cross your fingers and pray the "durable" part is at least a minute over half-baked, of course.
You can get the Electrix RC Circuit in either red or gray colors for $119.99 starting in August.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 16.9 in (430mm)
Width: 12.9 in (328mm)
Wheelbase: 11.6 in (295mm)
Weight: 3.44 lb (1560 g)
Chassis: Molded composite
Suspension: 4-wheel independent long-travel
Drivetrain: 2WD with gear differential and slipper clutch
Tire Type: Front: Directional Rib Rear: Spike
Motor or Engine: Dynamite 20T
[Horizon Hobby]<
by sunny on April 29, 2010
Losi just announced the 1/10th-scale Bind-N-Drive Night Crawler, a transmitter-less version of a similar RTR from the company. It's pretty much the same vehicle as the original Night Crawler with the exception of the Spektrum DSM 2.4GHz Technology transmitter removed from the package.
What separates a regular rock crawler from a night crawler? I honestly didn't know. Turns out, they're specifically designed for scaling rocks in the dark, when you're not likely to see what's going on in the ground. To facilitate that, the Night Crawler BND sports a red-accented black body, red wheel rings and brilliant LED lights (both front and rear) to easily distinguish it on the course during after hours.
The Night Crawler BND comes with a 540-sized crawler-specific 55T motor and high-torque metal gear steering servo, a combination that should work well for scaling tricky obstacles in rocky terrain. Front and rear solid axle features a worm gear drive (for extra brakes when there's no power), with a smaller differential case for higher ground clearance. Other notable features include red anodized vertical chassis plates, 4-inch adjustable aluminum shocks, three-piece 2.2 beadlock chrome wheels, Losi Rock Claw tires, molded 4-link suspension setup and competition-legal Grappler Pro body.
Many crawlers in the market require a few modifications before being truly ready for the rocks. Losi claims that's as far from the case here. Armed with an electronics package with a LiPo-compatible, crawler-programmed ESC, all you need to do is bind it to a DSM-equipped transmitter and it's ready to run out of the box.
Pretty hot, right? The Losi 1/10 Bind-N-Drive Night Crawler is now available for $299.
[Losi]
Specifications:
Type:Rock Crawler
Scale:1/10 (2.2)
Length:17.5 in (444.5mm)
Width:9.875 in (250.8mm)
Wheelbase:12.3 in (312.4mm)
Weight:4.18 lb (1.9 kg)
by sunny on April 13, 2010
The gospel of short-course racing is spreading like the plague and it is quickly becoming a part of all the major RC races around the world. It's for good reason too, since the category is one of the most compelling in the industry, dotted with vehicles that easily count as among the most exciting.
1. Traxxas Slash
The most popular short course truck in the market, the Slash is available in both 2WD and 4WD versions. Able to clear 40-mph out of the box with intense durability, generous tuning options and sublime handling to boot, it's easy to see why it continues to win praise among fans, racers and award-giving bodies alike. Beginner-friendly, it's arguably one of the best bashing RC models ever made. While it can race on stock electronics and motor (my first one hung in there with nitro buggies on an impromptu dare with nothing but a 2s LiPo extra), a few hop-ups should be necessary if you want to absolutely destroy competition - and you will.
2. Associated RC10
Maintenance can be a pain in the ass, but you can't fault the RC10 for its durability and performance. It may be a step down in ruggedness compared to either the Slash or the Blitz (sadly, it's true), but add the right upgrades and it can offer noticeably better performance. Very, very noticeably heightened performance. The construction is topnotch too, although some stock parts are quite flimsy to begin with. One thing to note is that it's geared for racing as much as it for bashing - a quality that you'll appreciate if you're getting a short course racer specifically for the purposes of competing.
3. Kyosho Ultima SC
Based on the RT5, the Ultima SC is one of the newer short course racers to hit the scene and it's doing so in all the right ways. Designed for race performance and strict compliance with ROAR regulations, it's literally ready to race the moment you hit the pavement. It doesn't mean you'll beat my Traxxas, of course, but the stock G20 Turn HP Electric Motor should do a good job all on its own. As a side bonus, you don't see many drivers take this to the races too, so you'll have something unique to let loose on the unsuspecting masses.
4. HPI Blitz
Widely recognized for its impressive strength and durability, the Blitz isn't too shabby a performer either. In fact, it strikes a good balance between those qualities. Arguably the toughest short course racer around, we've seen it take beatings that no RC deserves - yet still manage to keep running. It will likely require a bit more aftermarket parts to be truly competitive on tracks, but it's one vehicle that will literally last you for the long haul.
5. Losi Strike
While it doesn't come with the most flattering looks, the Losi Strike does offer good off-road performance with decent durability. It's far from the most popular short course truck around not because it's a poor model. Mostly, it's simply for the sheer fact that the top dogs of the category are too damn good and it has a lot of catching up to do. Regardless, it offers excellent toughness during races, with all-metal gears and that heavyset frame. Do note that the added size might make it ineligible for some of your local SCT races, so better make sure before buying.
by sunny on April 12, 2010
Relatively new compared to other categories of model racers, short course trucks are probably the most exciting vehicles to come out of the radio-controlled scene in a while. Quite literally, they have taken off-course racing by storm. How did they do that? For the very simple reason that they're awesome. Here's why.
1. They're realistic as hell. As fun as truggies and buggies are, rarely (if ever) do you see them going neck-to-neck in real life. Short course trucks, on the other hand, are based on popular off-road racers. Which ones do you think would folks rather drive?
2. They're durable. Full-fendered, short course race trucks just absorb contact better than many off-road racing vehicles. Designed to hold their ground even during slight collisions, they leave truggies and buggies in the dirt, as far as durability is concerned.
3. They're great for bashing. While built for racing, the extra durability makes short course trucks just as perfect as backyard bashers. Who needs a monster truck when you can bash with a ride that you can take down the tracks for serious racing too?
4. They handle and perform similar to real trucks. The rear squats down when accelerating, the brakes dive down when halting and the long-travel suspension helps it powerslide through corners. Simply put, RC short course trucks drive just as loosely as their real-life counterparts, making this one of the most realistic racers in both looks and performance.
5. They're very affordable. Given how amazing short course trucks are, they're extremely affordable. All you have to do is look at top short course trucks, like the Traxxas Slash and the Associated SC10, to realize that you can take home the top of the class for such a modest amount.
by sunny on April 5, 2010
The DuraTrax Vendetta SC isn't a special-looking ride (especially when you first see it out of the box). Despite the largely plain looks, though, this short course truck has gained many fans because of its impressive performance.
Able to run on dirt tracks just as well as on your paved garage, it comes with one of the most tunable chassis among 1/18th scale trucks in the market. Fine-tuning is definitely the name of the game here, allowing you plenty of legroom to make adjustments for optimal performance on any surface. The included manual comes with a generous slew of tuning tips for various components, including the shock mounts, camber, wheelbase, track width, ride height and more.
The Vendetta SC is a surprising vehicle. Running on a brushed VR3 motor, it's fair not to expect much speed. Once you unleash it on the dirt, though, the truck just blasts off, showing off fiery acceleration, intense jumps and hard-nosed performance around corners. Weight distribution is fantastic, the suspension soaks up impact even from high falls and the steering servo brings plenty of torque.
Sure, I ragged on the looks to start with. Don't get me wrong, it's not ugly. In fact, it has plenty of cool touches, including stylish decals, gnarly bumpers and a well-thought-out plastic frame - overall appeal is very casual though. On the downside, it appears to use too much plastic parts (but it performed sturdily throughout our runs) and dirt tends to accumulate in the chassis (just wrap off any exposed parts with tape to be safe).
Overall, the DuraTrax Vendetta SC's speed and handling are totally uncharacteristic of what you'd imagine small-scale RCs to bring. It's crazy good. With a good amount of hop-up parts now available, it's a short course racer you can improve on too. Highly recommended, especially at the $219.99 price point.
Specifications:
Length: 12.75"
Width: 6.6"
Wheelbase: Adjustable 7.25" - 7.5"
Motor: 380 VR3 brushed
Drive Train: Front and rear differentials
Batteries Used: 6 cell NiMH (sold seperately)
Radio equipment: Included two channel 2.4GHz Tactic radio, 2.4GHz Tactic TR-324 3-ch receiver, and standard size Tactic TSX200 steering servo.
Price: $219.99 (price may vary)
by sunny on April 2, 2010
Robitronic's growing line of entry-level RC cars just got a big, new friend. Called the Robitronic Shadow Monster Truck, the 1/10th scale off-roader brings the same qualities we've seen from the company's previous releases: easy to use, economically-priced and rigged to perform.
Built as an RTR out of the box, the vehicle ships fully assembled with a pre-finished, airbrushed-style Lexan body, four-dualspoked chrome wheels and chunky high-grip tires. Stock motor (unspecified model) isn't likely to deliver all that much power, but with a 12-turn capable ESC pre-installed, it allows for plenty of upgrade potential - something you will likely want to do once you've gotten the hang of driving your new monster truck.
Chassis is specially-engineered for bashing on bumpy ground, with Robitronic claiming it's capable of "braving even the highest and widest jumps without breaking a sweat" (which it won't, by the way, since cars don't sweat). With a suspension already fine-tuned for stable driving and a beefy steering servo, it should deliver stability and agility that rivals more expensive contemporaries in the field. Other features include an adjustable slipper-clutch, front and rear bumper guards and maintenance-friendly rear wheel drive.
The Robitronic Shadow Monster Truck is fully ball raced and ships with a 27MHz wheel type radio. It's available now for around $160.
[Robitronic]
Specifications:
Wheelbase: 290mm
Length: 470mm
Width: 335mm
Height: 205mm
by sunny on March 24, 2010
Last year, Traxxas introduced a 1/16th scale version of the E-Revo, their power-packing electric monster truck. Incorporating the relatively new Velineon brushless system, which is specifically designed for more diminutive models, it's one small package that doesn't disappoint.
The first thing you'll notice is how big it is. I was looking forward to something really small, yet ended up with a 13-inch long truck that looks gigantic next to 1/18th scales. Parts are good quality - the plastic is thick, the GTR shocks are smooth and everything looks particularly stylish.
If you were expecting wimpier performance from such a sized-down ride, you're mistaken. Out of the box, the E-Revo VXL can go an impressive 30mph. With an added battery pack, it can clear 50mph without breaking a sweat (okay, maybe a little). Vehicle details include a Velineon 380 Brushless Motor, VXL-3M ESC, 23-tooth pinion gear, 50-tooth spur gear, Traxxas 2080 mini steering servo and an all wheel shaft-driven drive train.
Of course, none of that matters until you drive it and this truck performs admirably on that end. Extremely durable, I've had the chassis bottom out with absolutely no damage. It didn't mind any moderate crashes either. Suffice to say, this is built strong. Not only does it deliver in speed, it performs jumps very well (with dependable in-air control, plus enough power to do backflips) and runs over uneven terrain admirably. I actually can't believe it managed to stay on its feet after all the punishing driving I put it through (save for one time).
Overall, the Traxxas E-Revo VXL 1/16 manages to live up to its larger counterpart's reputation. It brings incredible speed, great handling and downright durable performance. Well worth the $280.
Specifications
Length: 12.9"
Width: 9.4"
Wheelbase: 7.9"
Height (overall): 4.6"
Motor: Velineon 380 Brushless
Drive Train: Front and rear sealed differentials, single speed tranny with slipper clutch.
Included Battery: Traxxas "Series 1" 6 cell battery pack and charger. A second battery pack and connector are optional and are sold separately.
Radio equipment: (Included) Traxxas 27MHz TQ radio, Traxxas 2216 4-channel micro receiver, Traxxas VXL-3m Electronic speed controller, and Traxxas 2080 mini steering servo.
