need direction!!!

[xxtcrageless]

So part of the sons christmas we are looking at getting him a crawler. I've looked at traxxas axial.... best bang for the buck? i see some come with lighting kids and 2 speed transmissions, was going to possibly stick with a 1/18-1/24 depending on what i find, whats actually needed compared to shiny chrome? i can set a course up for him at home in the country no big deal! thanks for the time reading guys

 

[9x19]

I've only one, and it's 1/10 scale, so not much help... but interested in the responses you get.

 

[Relimar]

So part of the sons christmas we are looking at getting him a crawler. I've looked at traxxas axial.... best bang for the buck? i see some come with lighting kids and 2 speed transmissions, was going to possibly stick with a 1/18-1/24 depending on what i find, whats actually needed compared to shiny chrome? i can set a course up for him at home in the country no big deal! thanks for the time reading guys

How old? Best bang for the buck is an axial Basecamp, solid rig, 1/10 scale, upgradeable with plenty of aftermarket support. Trx4 is also a solid choice, pricier at $500 but great scale bodies and capable, can buy as a builders kit just need a body. Redcat just came out with a good lcg 1/10 crawler as well. If he's younger a mini crawler would be good, a trx4m (great), redcat ascent-18 (solid cheaper choice), axial scx24 (I find the 24th scale to be too small to be fun to work on). FMS has a number of good options for cheaper Chinese based rigs, 1/10 and 1/18. Beyond that you get into vanquish, scxpro and higher end comp-like and comp crawlers.

 

[D3MON]

IMO if you plan on using outdoors, i would shy away from Micro scale, TRX4m, redcat ascent 18 and scx24 are relatively all close to the same size. all around 6" wheelbase.
yes they are cheap but they are small enough were i find them hard to enjoy unless restricted to a specific spot, then carry to the next spot. it might just be the terrain around where i am, but always feels like a chore just getting from point A to point B without getting stuck on small rocks and gravel a million times. fun at first then the shiny wore off, for me at least.
Whereas with 1/10 you can run at a spot, then drive to the next spot more easily. or even just taking it for a walk lol.

i would stick to the more known brands, Axial, Redcat, Element (Team Associated), etc. if you have a hobby shop local, i would get a brand they carry and have parts for, if not the above brands are some of the best. Traxxas is OK, but they are high in cost for what you get compared to Axial/Redcat offerings, that and i can't stand them as a company.

crawlers are also very modular, you dont really "need" a whole lot mostly preferences that will be aquired after running them, but what you do find you need after learning them, you can upgrade to incorporate it. i would highly recommend getting a good hex wrench set for the majority of sizes you will need. standard "L" keys wear out quite quickly and can start causing more headaches and cost due to stripped/ruined parts.
something like in the link below is what i use alongside my machined driver kit, and has done me quite well.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-To...mvl2lot80NMyPzZa2S4OIWFHnEG92soRoCEQIQAvD_BwE

 

[xxtcrageless]

hes 10, but has racing experience, thanks

How old? Best bang for the buck is an axial Basecamp, solid rig, 1/10 scale, upgradeable with plenty of aftermarket support. Trx4 is also a solid choice, pricier at $500 but great scale bodies and capable, can buy as a builders kit just need a body. Redcat just came out with a good lcg 1/10 crawler as well. If he's younger a mini crawler would be good, a trx4m (great), redcat ascent-18 (solid cheaper choice), axial scx24 (I find the 24th scale to be too small to be fun to work on). FMS has a number of good options for cheaper Chinese based rigs, 1/10 and 1/18. Beyond that you get into vanquish, scxpro and higher end comp-like and comp crawlers.

IMO if you plan on using outdoors, i would shy away from Micro scale, TRX4m, redcat ascent 18 and scx24 are relatively all close to the same size. all around 6" wheelbase.
yes they are cheap but they are small enough were i find them hard to enjoy unless restricted to a specific spot, then carry to the next spot. it might just be the terrain around where i am, but always feels like a chore just getting from point A to point B without getting stuck on small rocks and gravel a million times. fun at first then the shiny wore off, for me at least.
Whereas with 1/10 you can run at a spot, then drive to the next spot more easily. or even just taking it for a walk lol.

i would stick to the more known brands, Axial, Redcat, Element (Team Associated), etc. if you have a hobby shop local, i would get a brand they carry and have parts for, if not the above brands are some of the best. Traxxas is OK, but they are high in cost for what you get compared to Axial/Redcat offerings, that and i can't stand them as a company.

crawlers are also very modular, you dont really "need" a whole lot mostly preferences that will be aquired after running them, but what you do find you need after learning them, you can upgrade to incorporate it. i would highly recommend getting a good hex wrench set for the majority of sizes you will need. standard "L" keys wear out quite quickly and can start causing more headaches and cost due to stripped/ruined parts.
something like in the link below is what i use alongside my machined driver kit, and has done me quite well.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-To...mvl2lot80NMyPzZa2S4OIWFHnEG92soRoCEQIQAvD_BwE

part of what I'm leaning towards is axial, just wanting ideas, traxxas seems to cost more for what you get, and overall not happy with the quality on the slash or 4tec, just got back into the hobby after years away

 

[WickedFog]

I am biased towards the SCX24. Although, I don't buy the RTR any more. I just buy individual parts and build them. The less Horizon I put in my RC's, the better You can click my Build Thread Contributor badge to check out the current build, or I have three others in my RC Showcase. Click on that badge to see the somewhat finished ones.

As you can see, there are a lot of ways you can build them. And with a good ESC and brushless motor, they'll move pretty quick. Like faster than you can walk a trail. Check out Furitek hopups for them. Plus there are a ton of companies out there making parts for them.

 

[TeknoJ]

I am partial to element stuff, but the scx10 based platform is good too, I built one from parts.
The minis are great but it’s true sometimes you have to pick them up and carry them to a spot where they can work their magic.
Spray foam and cardboard boxes builds a great mini scale indoor crawler course.

 

[nino]

hes 10, but has racing experience, thanks



part of what I'm leaning towards is axial, just wanting ideas, traxxas seems to cost more for what you get, and overall not happy with the quality on the slash or 4tec, just got back into the hobby after years away

The TRX4 is the toughest crawler out there (except maybe Vanquish stuff, but that's a whole different level). And one of Traxxas' best platforms.

 

[Doom!]

Everybody has a favorite, but you really can't go wrong with any of the major brands.
Depends on price range and how much room you have to play in.

I am going to give recommendations for being good right out of the box.

For mini size crawlers 1/24, Axial would be my Choice, Either the Deadbolt or the AX24 The AX24 has a few more bells and whistles 4 wheel steer and under chasis lighting. Lots of upgrades available.

For 1/18 Scale I would recommend the Redcat Ascent 18 Very capable. The Traxxas Bronco is nice if you want scale looks and don't care about performance straight out of the box.
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For Larger Scale 1/10 rigs I personally like Element Crawlers. Highly recommend the Ecto for straight out of the box Performance. Also the Recat Ascent Fusion and Vanquish Phoenix (Note: all of the 1:10 trucks you will need to buy Batteries and Charger separately)