by sunny on November 1, 2011
Billed as the "perfect 1/18th scale fun package," the HPI Mini Recon is a tiny bundle of monster truck awesomeness that will have you mini-bashing the afternoon away. Small but durable, you can smash it into everything in sight and the damn nugget will just keep running.
Sold as an RTR, this miniature RC model comes painted, trimmed and decaled, ready to have its shiny finish muddied and put through a real backyard workout. It's decked in an "extremely tough composite material" on the body, tub chassis, shock towers and suspensions parts, though, so you don't have to worry about breaking it in a day. Maybe a week. Just kidding. HPI claims this thing is "nearly indestructible."
The HPI Mini Recon features a heavy-duty 4WD shaft system that capably handles the travails of your favorite outdoor tracks. A high-torque RM-18 motor (370-size) pumps the power, allowing it to push at an impressive pace both on pavements and trails. Other details include "super smooth" ball differentials, factory-fitted long-stoke shocks, twin point steering, fully covered electrics, six-spoke rims and high-grip Micro Block tires.
Designed for novice hobbyists, it comes with everything you need to get cracking, including an HPI TF-40 radio set, 7.2V NiMh battery, charger and AA batteries for the transmitter. All you have to do is take it out of the box and drive.
Seriously, this thing sound gnarly for a 1/18th scale ride. The HPI Mini Recon is available now, priced at $179.
SPECIFICATIONS:
CHASSIS LENGTH: 232mm
WIDTH: 174mm
HEIGHT: 108mm
TRACK: 145mm
WHEELBASE: 160mm
DRIVE SYSTEM: Shaft 4WD
TIRES: Micro Block
[HPIRacing]
by sunny on July 20, 2011
Looking for a new monster truck to wreak backyard havoc with? How about this: the Traxxas Captain's Curse, a 1/10-scale model of the 2007 Monster Jam World Freestyle Champion pickup.
If you're not familiar with the ride, it's a truck based on a 1941 Willy's pickup, decked in red and black paintwork depicting a pirate theme. Traxxas' precise recreation duplicates every bit of the original, complete with pre-applied paint and decals featuring official Monster Jam graphics.
Based on the best-selling Stampede monster truck, the Traxxas Captain's Curse is an electric 2WD pickup, packing a high-torque Titan 550 motor and an XL-5 ESC. Designed for romping through mud, water, snow and other unusual outdoor terrain, it boasts fully-waterproofed electronics, a high four inches of ground clearance and realistic giant tires on beadlock-style wheels.
It can go at top speeds of over 30 mph, with off-road handling ably taken care of by the metal-gear transmission, Torque-Control slipper clutch and planetary gear differential. Whether you're recreating your favorite Monster Jam races or just running over everything in sight at the park, this truck looks fit for the job.
Available as a ready-to-race unit with a bundled TQ AM 2-channel radio system, the Traxxas Captain's Curse is priced at $385.
[Traxxas]
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 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 February 9, 2010
Everybody loves a good monster truck. Not everybody likes their big-wheeled, scale model car crushers to take up lots of space, though. That niche is what the CEN Racing MG-16 should ably fill up, bringing monster truck action in a 1/16th scale frame.
Can't get excited for such a small package? It may be small, but it wields huge fun. Boasting massive nitro power, four-wheel drive and authentic monster truck looks, you may have to eat your words when experiencing the entertainment it has to offer.
MG-16 comes with a pre-painted, pre-decorated body shell, with attractive colors. Granted, it comes across as more adorable than mean, but the scale is well-done, with good proportions for the 2.2-inch off-road wheels and suspension. Overall, it's a great-looking RC automobile.
While other might belittle this truck's durability because of the size, the vehicle's chassis does a great job of absorbing bumps and crashes. Reinforced by a high-impact composite material, you can rest assured this won't break on you at the wrong time. Most parts of the drivetrain are sealed and protected too.
Powered by a 2.5cc pull-start nitro engine, the MG-16 manages impressively quick acceleration that can ably stand up to larger monster truck RCs. The four coil-over, oil-filled shocks and long suspension arm works very smoothly, providing the necessary help to keep the mini-monster stable through any terrain.
One caveat: this truck can't do very good jumps. When you use it for such stunts, make sure to let it settle upon landing before grabbing the throttle. Otherwise, you'll have it turning over and spinning. Badly.
Despite that, the CEN MG-16 remains a solid bundle of fun with enough durability to make it worth your while. You won't regret getting one.
More info at CEN Racing Site.
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 January 28, 2010
Let's be real. Driving a real monster truck is always in the back of your mind while fiddling with large-wheeled mammoth RC models. Well, Exceed RC's Mad Beast is still far from the real deal, but it's a little closer - being a huge 1:8 scale of the real thing.
Physically, the behemoth's pre-cut body shell is a dead-ringer for the cab of tractor trailer trucks, making it look even more scary. The plastic-like finish isn't flattering, but the pre-painted tribal flame design and pre-applied decals does cover it up a bit. It sports chrome-covered plastic wheels, treaded claw-pattern tires and great-looking bumpers (both front and rear) that help solidify the "I will run your car down" feel.
The Mad Beast draws power from a .28-level engine, which comes complete with a pull-start and a rear exhaust, allowing it speeds of up to 35 mph - which is a decent number for a monster truck. An especially-installed carburetor provides easy fine-tuning for the vehicle, apart from giving it better fuel efficiency.
Like most properly-done big-wheelers, it should perform capably on any surface, whether you want to run through grass, climb up hills or barrel through your backyard. Exceed claims it delivers great cornering and handling, with help from the adjustable threaded aluminum shocks and heavy duty steering servo. Package includes a 27Mhz three-channel computerized AM transmitter.
When it comes to monster trucks, bigger is usually better. The Exceed RC Mad Beast is definitely large and looks to be one huge pile of awesome, especially at its affordable price point. You'll need to supply 12 AA batteries, low igniter and nitro fuel, by the way, to get cracking on this ride.
Specifications:
Length: 21.25 inches
Width: 17 inches
Wheelbase:14.25 inches
Engine: .28 Level engine
Drive Train: Sealed Diffs., 2-speed tranny, & reverse module
by sunny on January 28, 2010
Whether you want something larger than your normal racer or looking to quench your thirst for blistering speeds, the 1/8th-scale HPI Hellfire Truggy is a vehicle that capably steps up to the plate. Built for stadium truck racing, it makes its mark by having one of the biggest adjustable range of features in its category.
There's no way to mistake it for just another truck. The blazing red, strong polycarbonate body looks hellishly sexy, with all the paint and decals already applied right out of the box. Paired with large dish truck wheels and Aggressor tires, it looks ready to slug it hardcore with the craziest trucks you can bring to the meet.
Comfortable when bashing in the backyard as it is slugging it out in the tracks, the Hellfire sports an HPI Nitro Star K4.6 HO big block engine that's been reworked for even more power and torque. With a simplified chassis design and an adjustable motor, it allows for effortless tuning, more so than majority of vehicles built in its class. It should manage great handling with a unique captured outer pin suspension, hard-anodized aluminum shocks and new steering geometry.
Do note that the stock Aggressor tires are more attuned to bashing than racing. As such, we recommend outfitting it with a different set before taking it out on the tracks (HPI has a number of options that should fit the bill).
Out of the box, the HPI Hellfire Truggy will easily prove to be a powerful RTR set. It does need some tweaking to get it primed and ready for competitive conditions, though, whether you intend to race it or bash it against other monster truggies. HPI delivers the goods, regardless, and this is one sweet ride you'll enjoy getting to know.
Specs:
Fully assembled and Ready-To-Run 1:8th scale racing Truggy
Wheelbase - 348mm
Total Length - 513mm
Total Width - 415mm
Total Height - 173mm
Weight - 9.2 lb (ready to run, less fuel)
HPI TF-3 steerwheel radio system fitted
High torque HPI SF-2 steering servo
Includes 6v receiver pack & charger
150cc fuel tank
17mm hex hubs
