by sunny on February 8, 2010
As one of the few competition-ready 1/10th scale RC crawlers on the market, the Venom Creeper is almost guaranteed to be noticed by fans of this class of vehicles. Boasting terrific climbing abilities, killer looks and easy-to-assemble parts, it's also one of that can appeal to even those still deciding on whether to try their hand at crawling.
Like most kits, you get a clear polycarbonate shell (rock buggy style) upon opening the Creeper's box, along with a nice decal sheet (which includes some metal flake stickers and Venom logos). The anodized parts come in either red or green (the box tells you which ones are inside), which should play a part into how you'll eventually style your own (that one in the picture looks badass, by the way, with its red parts and black shell). Both the thick threaded tires and true bead lock wheels are hella attractive too, apart from being particularly well-suited for the task.
The Creeper's nylon gear transmission case (via aluminum plates bolted to it) ties everything together, making for a thick, protective design that should keep your parts safe during trying runs. Plenty of aluminum parts here, so durability should be far from an issue.
Shocks integrate both external coil springs and internal anti-roll springs. The idea is to reduce the amount of body roll while maintaining maximum ride height, which did seem like the result. It wasn't as pronounced an improvement as I expected, though. Regardless, the shocks should be perfect as is - no need to fiddle with it.
Axles tend to take severe abuse during crawling and the ones here are built out of a combination of steel, aluminum and glass-filled nylon. Suffice to say, these things are strong. You can trust them not to give out for the most part, although I'd still recommend carrying spares just in case.
The kit doesn't include a battery and an engine, so you'll have to spend some time picking which ones to shell out for. Both electronics and drivetrain come with the set, though, so that's two less things to worry about (although you can replace them for even better performance).
Overall, the Venom Creeper is not only good-looking, it's a serious crawler that's ready to face the stiffest competition. Both experts and beginners are bound to get a lot out of this kit - we cannot recommend it enough.
Specifications:
- Length: 17.5" (445mm)
- Height: 8.25" (210mm)
- Width: 10.75" (267mm)
- Wheelbase: 12.5" (317.5mm)
- Tire Dims: 127 x 55 R2.2
- Weight: 5 lb (2.27 kg)
- Chassis: Aluminum Plates
- Drive Train: Shaft Drive
- Radio: Futaba 4PK
- Servos: Venom High Torque Metal Gear
- Batteries:Venom 7.2v 3000mAh NiMh
- Shock Type: Oil Filled Threaded Body
- Body: Clear Poly-Carbonate Body
- Ball Bearings: 30 Ball Bearings
Venom Official Site
by sunny on February 5, 2010
During the time of its release, the Losi XXX-CR 2WD was among the cream of the crop in the field of competition-ready buggy racers. A couple of years after that, it remains relevant in the scene - a credit to the innovations it brought forward in delivering a high-level of racing experience.
Available as a kit, the model comes with a lightweight, lowered body shell, which makes for improved drag and a lower center of gravity. It also includes a multi-element rear wing system, which incorporates two wings (a wide wing and a smaller one on top of it) in one, providing high-speed stability. Want even more aerodynamic handling changes? Install the bundled front wing and feel the difference in steering response.
The XXX-CR comes with a composite, non-graphite (EA3) chassis, a durable foundation that holds the vehicle together. It uses Losi's VLA suspension technology, featuring optimized travel and plenty of tuning possibilities. You'll see it in action first-hand as you watch the buggy work through jumps and carve through turns with unflinching stability.
One of Losi's biggest selling points for this car is its predictability. True enough, this has been proven by hobbyists again and again - this is a dependable racer that will respond the way you tuned it to. Other features include a low-maintenance differential assembly, a three-gear transmission, a new bellcrank system and Red compound tires (Big Shot at the rear and extra-wide in front).
A guaranteed performer, there are few buggies that have really seen and done it all as much as the Losi XXX-CR 2WD. If you like tried and tested, this is absolutely the way to go.
Specifications:
- Type:2WD Competition Off-Road Buggy
- Scale:1/10
- Length:15 in (381mm)
- Width:9.875 in (251mm)
- Wheelbase:10.5 in (266mm)
- Weight:Varies with battery and equipment used
- Chassis:Team Losi Racing's EA3 composite
- Suspension:4-Wheel independent
- Motor or Engine:not included
- Speed Control:not included
- Radio:not included
- Servos:not included
- Batteries:not included
- Charger:not included
- Gear Pitch:48
- Wheel Size:2.2 in
- Kit/RTR:Kit
- Shock Type:Hard-anodized threaded aluminum, oil-filled, Ti-Ni shafts
- Body:Buggy-type with multi-element wing, clear polycarbonate
- Ball Bearings:Complete (includes rubber sealed bearings)
Needed to Complete
6-Cell battery pack
Charger
Motor with pinion gear
2-Channel surface radio system with steering servo
Electronic Speed Control
Modeling tools
Polycarbonate-compatible paint
by admin on February 4, 2010
Massive in frame and beautifully laid out, the Traxxas Summit RTR storms in as one of the meanest (if not the absolutely scariest) monster truck currently available out there. An industry-first, it comes equipped with remote-locking differentials that let you lock and unlock both front and rear units directly from your transmitter.
Tough in every way imaginable, this 1/10 scale touts a polycarbonate body, reinforced with a plastic exoskeleton roll cage to ensure additional protection. Suffice to say, extreme conditions won't look all that daunting when you're driving this thing through.
In terms of performance, the Summit’s powerful Titan 775 high-torque motor, superb handling and unconventional power will literally shame everything in its path. Confidently blaze down tracks and aggressively attack jumps at high speeds of over 20 mph. Come across an impossible-looking climb? While every other car turns around, you can simply drop the transmission into first for a stump-pulling 70:1 gear ratio, lock the differentials and crawl your way past it at maximum traction. Literally, it lets you go where no no solid axle RC truck has gone before (well, I think).
With fully-waterproof electronics, unmatched suspension travel and independent ride height adjustment, you can pretty much set this monstrous machine anywhere and have it perform, right? Well, yes and no. Sure, it's a genius of engineering and should handle water, mud and rocks rather easily. However, those metal parts rust (and believe me, they will), so we recommend keeping water immersion to the minimum necessary. You've been warned.
The Traxxas Summit RTR, simply put, looks and feels exceptional. Sure, it's expensive. Expect to get your money's worth, though, in overall performance and smug satisfaction.
Specification:
- Scale: 1/10
- Length: 22.17 inches
- Weight: 175 ounces
- Height: 12.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 14.84 inches
- Track width: 18.48 inches
- Motor: Titan 775 High-Torque, Fan cooled 10-turn
- Speed control: Waterproof EVX-2 Forward/Reverse/Brake
- Radio system: TQ-4 four channel radio system
- Transmission: High-Low Two-Speed
- Differential Type: Remote operated T-lock, limited slip, sealed
- Gear pitch: 32-pitch
- Chassis type: Modified Tube
- Chassis material: Composite Nylon
- Top Speed: 20+ mph
Average retail price: $499.99
More info and pics here at Traxxas Site
by sunny on February 1, 2010
No-maintenance brushless motors have revolutionized the hobby of RC racing in some ways. HPI's popular stadium trucks first caught on to this brushless trend with the release of the E-Firestorm 10T Flux, a 1/10th scale 2WD that's fully geared for fast-paced, competitive action.
Aggressively styled, the vehicle sports a pre-cut lightweight DSX-2 body shell that comes painted and decked in custom graphics. Meant to hang with the fastest stadium racers, all parts are factory-assembled with the authentic-looking ground assault tires glued to the wheels.
The E-Firestorm Flux promises high-quality performance, boasting a vehicle built on top of a durable framework that's meant to absorb heavy wear and tear. Take off the shell and you'll find a tough composite chassis with components strategically placed to provide balanced weight distribution.
Sporting a Flux Warp 5700kv motor and Flux Motiv ESC, the vehicle's brushless system is tuned to deliver both speed and power in heaps. Many races over the past year have proven its mettle, showing off blistering bursts that sees it reach top speeds of up to 60mph in quick fashion.
On the downside, the E-Firestorm has been known to suffer from occasional cogging (very rare, though) of the sensorless ESC during acceleration, which sees the truck's responsiveness take a temporary hit. The smooth start does allow you to go from 0 to max rather quickly, which completely makes up for the hitch. Braking is also handled fairly well, allowing for great transitions between runs and stops. With a soft suspension, cohesive drive train and excellent electronics, it delivers where it matters - action-packed performance.
The HPI E-Firestorm 10T Flux is a great balance of speed and handling, making it a perfect stadium truck to dive in the thick of the action with right out of the box.
by sunny on January 23, 2010
The 1979 Rough Rider, arguably among the most beloved RC models of all time, turned up as one of the year's most interesting reissues, when it came out in the form of the Tamiya Buggy Champ 2009. Celebrating the model's 30th year anniversary, it aims to give new enthusiasts a taste of the good old days, laced with a hint of modern twist.
Maintaining the wondrously charming look of the old kit, the re-introduced racer brings back the classic in all its glory. Most of the parts stay faithful to the '79 Rider, from the tough, 2mm-thick FRP frame, easy-to-paint white shell, all-terrain wheels and block-treaded rubber tires. If you owned one in the past and are looking to rekindle some old passion, this one's likely to do it.
The addition of several new reinforcements, such as a plastic roll cage and an improved front bumper capably brings it up to modern durability requirements. You’ll also find considerably improved performance with newly-tuned and improved operational parts, including an ESC and Type 540 motor.
Hardcore purists will probably bemoan the much-improved handling (compared to the terrible one on the original). However, the inclusion of updated front and rear suspensions, front axle, and wheel hubs make it possible to pit this in races along with newer models. The Buggy Champ also comes with a clear waterproof case to ably protect the car's internals.
Like the old version, the limited-edition Tamiya Buggy Champ 2009 comes as a self-assembled kit, allowing you to savor the classic in its entirety before rolling it out to the tracks. The geeky free shirt that comes with the box also adds a fairly nice touch.
Specifications:
Types: RC 1:10, Buggy, Electric-Powered, On Road
Overall length: 400mm
Width: 210mm
Height: 150mm
Wheelbase: 250mm
Tread: F170mm R175mm
Tire Width / Diameter: F19/74mm R35/83mm
Motor: Tamiya 540 size
by admin on November 26, 2009
Coming just in time for the indoor racing season, a brand new bomb is about to drop on the RC industry in the form of the Traxxas Slash 4x4. All new from the ground up, the highly-anticipated, 1/10 scale race vehicle is building a buzz that has both old and new fans excited.
Produced using the latest innovations that's bound to leave competitors scrambling to catch up, the truck exhibits simplicity and versatility on all corners. Using just three gear meshes to drive all four wheels, it eliminates the need for a multi-gear transmission, facilitating utmost efficiency. The integrated design marries all parts seamlessly, allowing for unencumbered operation and easy maintenance (note the single-screw motor access and slide-out differential).
The Slash 4x4 uses a Velineon Brushless Power System that lets it post speeds of up to 60 mph (with a 3S LiPo) without much struggle. A rigid chassis supports it both on and off track, maintaining a balanced weight throughout the whole ordeal. Telescopic driveshaft components allow for increased rear suspension travel, letting you handle difficult terrains as capably as a full-sized, short-course pro.
Sporting officially-licensed BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A Tires, the Slash 4x4 can bulldoze its way through any obstacle with ease. Durable waterproof protection leaves the truck's electronics safe from hazards such as water, mud and snow, while the smooth undersurface keeps it free from acquiring debris while on the go. Other notable features include a TQ2.4Ghz radio system, Revo differentials and Castle Mamba Monster compatibility (no drivetrain upgrades needed).
The Traxxas Slash 4x4’s realistic look, great handling and unusually simple maintenance place it among the top RC vehicles soon to be available on the market. Made for aggressive and controlled driving, it's more than just a new toy car - it's a whole new platform for racing.
US $122.50
