Brushless opinion

[CharliesTheMan]

So what is the difference between a CC sidewinder and a Mamba Max? Also, is the Sidewinder with ESC the price quoted?

Like SD said, the sidewinder wont handle quite as much amp draw, and it is designed to be used with 4600 and 5700 kv systems. The reason that I said there wouldn't be much difference for Alpine is because I knew that he wouldn't be running anything more than 5700 in the Slash. The Sidewinder is a wonderful system, as long as you don't need to run more than a 5700 kz system on 2S or 4600 system on 3S. A lot of people run more power than that, but that's all its rated for from the factory. With the Mamba Max, you can run a 6900 kv system if you choose.

Also, the sidewinder requires a USB power adapter, called the Castle Link, to connect to a computer. The Mamba Max has a USB port built into the ESC, so you don't have to spend the extra $20 on a Castle Link.

The price of $120 is for a sidewinder system, which consists of the Sidewinder ESC, and either a 4600 or 5700 kv motor. To take advantage of the computer programming, which is absolutely incredible, you will also need the Castle Link programming kit.

 

[WoodiE]

I've heard good things about the Castle Sidewinder and plan on getting this for my own Traxxas Slash in due time. From what I hear, I have not seen personally, a Traxxas Slash with a 5700Mv is insane - almost to much.

Sweetdiesel brings up a good point about the sidewinder - if you plan on using the brushless system in more then just the Slash then you might want to consider the limitations of the Sidewinder. For me I run mainly large scale now and my Slash so in my case the sidewinder is a good deal for me.

I guess the only next question would be, is programming really needed? As someone that's going to run the Slash in the backyard or up and down the street is it worth the time and money to re-program any brushless system or just use it as is out of the box?

-Michael

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Thanks for all of the input. I still dont know what I'm going to do. I get around 20 minutes of driving time right now with the stock titan 12t battery. If I'm going to lose runtime by switching to brushless without going big lipo's (all i got is for the crawler and mini's) and charger, I'm probably going to just hold off untill i have the budget to get the full setup with lipo batteries and all. Thanks again guys.

 

[Hyster]

Like SD said, the sidewinder wont handle quite as much amp draw, and it is designed to be used with 4600 and 5700 kv systems. The reason that I said there wouldn't be much difference for Alpine is because I knew that he wouldn't be running anything more than 5700 in the Slash. The Sidewinder is a wonderful system, as long as you don't need to run more than a 5700 kz system on 2S or 4600 system on 3S. A lot of people run more power than that, but that's all its rated for from the factory. With the Mamba Max, you can run a 6900 kv system if you choose.

Also, the sidewinder requires a USB power adapter, called the Castle Link, to connect to a computer. The Mamba Max has a USB port built into the ESC, so you don't have to spend the extra $20 on a Castle Link.

The price of $120 is for a sidewinder system, which consists of the Sidewinder ESC, and either a 4600 or 5700 kv motor. To take advantage of the computer programming, which is absolutely incredible, you will also need the Castle Link programming kit.

Thanks man, that pretty much answers my question.

One more thing, other than the limited programing, is there anything else that is not so good about the Velenion Brushless set up? ie burning up too soon...or something like that....

 

[Brushlessboy]

The Velenion System doesn't have programming as such. It has 3 profiles built in.
It has a sport mode, (general usage) which gives you 100% forward power, 100% reverse and full brake.
Then you have trainer mode (kids) where you are limited to 50% power in fwd/rev. This is an awesome feature for the kids.
Then you have race which is 100% fwd, full brake, NO rev. The good part is it takes about 6 seconds to change profiles.
It has low voltage protection that is turned on and off in seconds and is rated at 200amps continuous, and I think 320 burst. (not something most people recognise)
The Velenion motor has great power for 1/10 scale, (I also have 1 in my 1/14 ME16MT) but there are obviously much more powerfull motors out there.
The good thing is they are easily 3s compatible, unlike the novak GTB, (I've cooked 3 using 3s... Just cause I can) but I WILL recommend using a fan on the ESC once you start with 3s.
They are cheap, simple and very good power and reliability, in what they should be used for........

 

[flm_savage]

i just put a sidewinder 5700 combo in my firestorm and its great. i ran it super hard for about 15 minutes and it was just warm. my old mamba/6900 was pretty hot after the same treatment. I am running a 2S 6000 on it right now but i have a 7 cell maxamps 4700 on my desk at work that i can run down to give you a better idea on nimh runtime. (fyi that battery is still for sale)

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Yea, that would be awsome.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

Woodie, the prgramming is aweseome, but it's not something you have to have right off the bat. For $20, I think it's a very worthwhile upgrade once you get started.

With the prgramming, here are some of the things that you can adjust:

Motor Type
Brake/Reverse Type
Brake Amount percentage
Reverse Throttle percentage
Punch Control percentage
Drag Brake percentage
Start Power
Motor Timing
Arming Time
Custom Cutoff Voltage for LiPo
Throttle Deadband

Those are just the basic features. You can also custom map your acceleration and braking curves to match track conditions and traction and things like that.

Like I said, you can get started bashing around without it, but as someone who knows computers like you do, I would give you the $20 just to get one so you could see how much potential the programming unleashes to the user.

 

[chip cross]

All you guys, and your programming! LOL

Who brings there laptop to the dusty dirty track anyway?

I do, James go with the Mamba Max and a Traxxas motor the higher KV motors are a heat trap with 3 and 4 cell lipos. If you want something really crazy go with a Neu motor which cost more then the Slash. But your best bet is Mamba Max,Novak Cooling fan, and a Traxxas motor on a 3 cell lipo.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Thats the whole point I'm trying to make right now, I'm really not into buying new lipo's and charger right now.

 

[chip cross]

Thats the whole point I'm trying to make right now, I'm really not into buying new lipo's and charger right now.

Ok, buy the traxxas system then.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

So i picked up a mamba max 5700kv motor, now i said i dont wana go lipo, but i saw some venom 4000mah 3s lipos, and venom 4000mah 2s lipos at my lhs. Worth it? Right at $120 for the 3s i believe.

 

[rollinlow]

alpine get this thing brushless so i can see it run next weekend cuz i really want a slash

 

[alpinehyperlite]

So i picked up a mamba max 5700kv

Enough said. lol

 

[rollinlow]

is the gtg still on for sat.day ? I'm goin to try and get off

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I'm going out there, and i got some flyers posted around at a couple of my LHS, so yep, its still on, I still have not had a yes or no from anyone on here except for Chip.

 

[rollinlow]

well ill give u a answer tomorrow for sat.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Aight..

 

[flm_savage]

dang bro, i would have sold you a 6900 for stupid cheap. Bite the bullet as far as lipo goes. I am glad i did. the batteries sure do suck to buy. (just bought 2 1550mah 3s lipos for my 18's to the tune of $142.00) but the runtime and power is well worth it. The hyperion ac/dc charger rocks.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Yea, i saw you had one when sold the firestorm, Its aight, it was only 200 for the setup, and the castle connector/software. Ill probably pick up the lipo's on wednesday.