by sunny on March 3, 2011
Robitronic has steered clear of short course trucks for as long as they could. The relatively new platform is apparently too hard to resist and they're finally jumping in the fray with the Robitronic Smasher.
A 1/10-scale electric vehicle, the short course racer comes ready to run right out of the package. The plastic body has a pretty straightforward design, but we do love the lines, as well as the graphics and paint job it comes with.
The Robitronic Smasher is a 2WD truck, powered by a brushed 20-turn 540-sized motor matched to the company's Speedstar 2 ESC. Chassis takes a cue from other short course racers, affording the vehicle plenty of ground clearance and heavy-duty performance during jumps, with extra long A-arms and oil-filled shocks supporting it over difficult terrains.
Other details include a sturdy gear differential (Robitronic claims it will make for plenty of maintenance-free action), sliding universal joints (for friction-free power transfer) and an adjustable slipper clutch (for easier driving). It's got a nice set of chrome wheels you can dirty up in the tracks, too, adding extra points to the vehicle's appearance.
No pricing or dates for the Robitronic Smasher are listed on the press release, but you can check out the company's website for details.
Specifications
Height: 205mm
Wheelbase: 330mm
Width: 294mm
Length: 538mm
[Robitronic]
by sunny on February 21, 2011
Bigger isn't always more fun. If you like your RC trucks smaller with the off-road power of the best 4x4s, you probably can't do wrong with the Losi Micro Trail Trekker.
A 1/24-scale truck, it measures a compact 6.89 x 3.35 x 4.13 inches and weighs a light 8.1 oz. Despite the diminutive size, it can handle difficult terrain with the best of them, armed with 4-link suspension articulation that should handle plenty of challenging obstacles you can throw its way.
Compared to the Micro Crawler, the Losi Micro Trail Trekker sports a longer wheel base and revised suspension geometry, making for greater maneuverability when riding uneven ground. All-terrain features include full-time 4WD with locked differentials, front and rear solid axles, twin vertical plate chassis, all-terrain treaded tires and chrome off-road wheels.
The body comes fully done up in either black or silver, with red design and Losi graphics. Of course, it comes with a micro motor (same one that the Micro Crawler used), a micro steering servo and a space-saving 2-in-1 receiver/ESC combo unit. A 4.8V 220mAh NiMH battery and an accompanying charger are included, along with a Losi 4Ghz DSM radio system.
According to Losi, the true-scale looks and impressive performance makes the 1/24-scale electric Micro Trail Trekker unlike any crawler they've ever made. That sounds mighty intriguing, especially at the affordable $149.99 price.
Specifications:
Type: 4WD OffRoad Truck
Scale: 1/24
Length: 6.89 in (175mm)
Width: 3.35 in (85mm)
Height: 4.13 in (105mm)
Wheelbase: 4.8 in (122mm)
Weight: 8.1 oz (229.63 g)
Radio: Pistol-style Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM Technology
Shock Type: Coil-over, friction dampers
Ball Bearings: Complete
[Losi]
by sunny on December 6, 2010
One of the more interesting RC releases to hit the shelves this holiday season, the Traxxas Stampede 4x4 VXL injects one of the scene's most popular monster trucks with a full-time 4WD. Not only is the ride brutish in appearance, the performance should live up to everything you expect from anything that looks this badass.
Fully-assembled and painted, the truck can be driven right out of the box at over 40 mph. Trade in the default batteries (Power Cell 8.4V NiMH) for a 3S LiPo and that shoots up to a whopping 60 mph over whatever terrain you can throw its way.
The Stampede 4x4 VXL comes with an all new rigid chassis, based partly on the design from the award-winning Slash 4X4, that fully integrates the individual components for an efficient and compact layout . Details of the truck include a brushless Velineon 3500 motor, VXL-3S ESC, fully-waterproofed electronics, adjustable four-position wheelie bar, dual-bellcrank steering, unique shock guards for the suspension arms and shocks, new heavy-duty driveshafts, All-Star black chrome wheels and Talon multi-terrain tires.
All-weather and all-terrain, the Traxxas Stampede 4x4 VXL is being billed as a 100% monster truck that handles like a racing machine. It's available now, priced at $695.
[Amazon]
Specifications
Length: 19.69 Inches (500mm) / 15.63 Inches (397mm) without wheelie bar
Front Track: 13.39 Inches (340mm)
Rear Track: 13.39 Inches (340mm)
Center Ground Clearance: 2.90 Inches (74mm)
Weight: 66.45oz (1.88kg)
Height (overall): 9.21 Inches (234mm)
Wheelbase: 10.83 Inches (275mm)
Shock Length: Long (front), XXLong (rear)
Tire Diameter: 4.80 Inches (122mm) (front and rear)
Wheels (front/rear): 2.8" Black-Chrome (All-Star™)
Wheel Diameter: 2.8 Inches (72mm) Outer; 2.8 Inches (72mm) Inner
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 26, 2010
Looking to take your RC down the tracks for the first time? No need to mince words, you'll probably lose. Just because your chances of winning are slim doesn't mean you shouldn't do your best, right? After all, giving it all is how you improve in this game.
1. Aim for consistency. Your first couple of times racing should be about trying to get consistent lap times. Forget about beating that obnoxious loud dude and his beefed-up truck. Instead, aim to run a consistent course lap to lap.
2. Let faster trucks have their way. Sure, you can be competitive and refuse to give way during tangles. Do realize it's the easiest way to slow everyone down, including yourself, apart from heightening the chances of accidents occurring. Unless you've got a good shot at winning, wrecking your truck isn't worth the ego boost. You can get them later - after putting in some practice time.
3. Make sure your car can handle the occasional nervous driving. Racing brings out everyone's nerves. That means a potentially disastrous trigger finger at the most inopportune times. As long as your vehicle can recover and keep itself from spinning out, you'll be fine.
4. Watch experienced racers run the course. If you get the chance, watch some of the more experienced drivers handle the course. What lines are they talking? Where do they go fast or slow? Which jumps are they going for and which ones are they passing on? Seeing that gives you a good idea of how you should handle the tracks come race time.
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.
