Another dead FCX24M Land Rover!

[snakestretcher]

After the gearbox stripped a gear in my Disco and the car was replaced by the shop, my Defender 110 has also died within just a few weeks, after nothing more challenging than running on a carpet and climbing a couple of books. The drive train began to shudder under power and the whole thing eventually died. Power was getting to the ESC. I'm starting to think this is more than a coincidence, and there's something inherently wrong with the design. And yes, all batteries were new and fully charged! Anyone else have this issue? Sorry to be whining so early in my membership!

 

[fstnd]

I'd be whining too with such initial RC experience. Are there no upgrades available? I often hear people completely swapping everything in crawlers with "upgrades", just to make them not break anymore

 

[snakestretcher]

I'd be whining too with such initial RC experience. Are there no upgrades available? I often hear people completely swapping everything in crawlers with "upgrades", just to make them not break anymore

After just a couple of weeks I really don't need to be messing around 'upgrading' a broken model; I expect it to work. I'll talk to the supplier and see what they suggest.

 

[Doom!]

After the gearbox stripped a gear in my Disco and the car was replaced by the shop, my Defender 110 has also died within just a few weeks, after nothing more challenging than running on a carpet and climbing a couple of books. The drive train began to shudder under power and the whole thing eventually died. Power was getting to the ESC. I'm starting to think this is more than a coincidence, and there's something inherently wrong with the design. And yes, all batteries were new and fully charged! Anyone else have this issue? Sorry to be whining so early in my membership!

Sounds like you are justified in being concerned. Hope it's just a luck of the draw type situation. I haven't had any issues with my FMS rigs yet. Hopefully the vender will take care of you.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I agree entirely! If you WANT to upgrade, fine. But it is MORE than reasonable to expect some amount of longevity from ANY RC in its stock form.
I ALREADY have a pile of parts that don't go together and need lots of 'upgrades' before they will work. No need to spend another couple hundered for more broken parts that don't go.

I hope you get this worked out quickly!

 

[Panko75]

Sorry to be whining so early in my membership!

I read something about these FCX24s having a "V1" and "V2" variant, and the "V1" variants are known to have problems with the gears. See if you can't get your vendor or FMS to send you the V2 parts, or a replacement V2 model.

No worries about complaining, when you pay $100+ for a product it should work. Youtubers praise FMS all the time so you go in expecting some semblance if quality.

I'd be whining too with such initial RC experience. Are there no upgrades available? I often hear people completely swapping everything in crawlers with "upgrades", just to make them not break anymore

This a big reason why I'm not into crawling, they look great but they seem to require more work than bashers.

 

[Doom!]

This a big reason why I'm not into crawling, they look great but they seem to require more work than bashers.

In my experience, crawlers require a lot less maintenance than bashers.

 

[snakestretcher]

Sounds like you are justified in being concerned. Hope it's just a luck of the draw type situation. I haven't had any issues with my FMS rigs yet. Hopefully the vender will take care of you.

Yes, I have had no issues with either my FMS Unimog or Blazer Pro. Both fine performers, unmolested by mods. What I find hard to understand is why FMS supply a metal replacement gear in the 'bits' bag with the FCX24M models. Wouldn't it make more sense to fit it at the factory if its purpose is to replace the nylon gear (which strips teeth), and fitted as standard? In all other respects those Camel trophy Land and Range Rovers are very nice models.

 

[Doom!]

What I find hard to understand is why FMS supply a metal replacement gear in the 'bits' bag with the FCX24M models. Wouldn't it make more sense to fit it at the factory if its purpose is to replace the nylon gear (which strips teeth), and fitted as standard? In all other respects those Camel trophy Land and Range Rovers are very nice models.

When FMS releases a new model, they sometimes include hop up parts that are only available in the initial release. Once the initial run is over the parts will be sold separatly. It' kind of a bonus for folks who buy the initial release to boost sales.