New Crawler...

[ClayB]

hey guys, I'm wanting to get into crawling (and RCing in general) but I dont know anything about anything! I've been doing some research, and I think I want to go with an Axial, but I'm not sure which one would be best for me. As far as the lingo goes, and what all the acronyms mean, I am CLUELESS! MOA, LCC, MRC, SNG Servo, Dig, or anything having to do with the electronics, controllers, batteries etc. A basic 101 rundown of everything would be great if someone wanted to take the time. I would really appreciate it!

As for what I am wanting to do; I mainly want to crawl. However, there really doesn't seem like there is much of a market, or places to do it in the Charleston (SC) area. So I think I would get more use out of my rig, if it was something I could roam the back yard with, also. But like I said, Crawling would be the primary function. I would like to build my own rig for the most part, or at least be able to customize it along the way, how I wanted to. I think I am pretty much set on going with the 1/10 scale. For articulation, I ont think I want to do anymore than a can n a half, 2 cans MAX. But so far, just from browsing the forums, I think I like H8tz2luze's Berg Build the most. But I also like slowngreen's Bully rig.

Ok, sorry for such a long post. but any recommendations as far as what to go with, what to stay away from, tips tricks, (anything!) would be helpful! Thanks guys!

 

[slowngreen]

Well you can do a rig like H8ze2luze or mine but they are all custom, you have to peice them together wich costs alot more to get started. You can go Axial or losi or Venom and all of them expecially the Axial are gonna have more than enough upgrades to keep you busy and having fun with "building it up". An axial "RTC" is a ready to crawl rig, not the greatest of parts in my opinion but thats just me. You could go with a ARTR and just add your own electronics wich is a good option too, same with the Venom creeper kit.

You could go with a LCC (Losi Comp Crawler), wich take alot of work to make them "newb freindly" but if you do everything right then they are a great rig stock.

As far as crawlers in your area, heres a link to another forums "south carolina" section, you might browse through posts there and find some one locally.
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=112

 

[h8z2luze]

Well the acronyms would be...

MRC = Mini Rock Crawler a.k.a. Losi mini crawler

SNG = slowngreen haha he makes a good chassis and is a member here.

MOA = Motor on axle

LCC = Losi comp crawler

COG = Center of gravity

Dig is a disengage of one axle so you an lock up the rear and spin the front and have it turn on a dime.

On articulation you really only want to go about a can. Anymore and you will tend to roll.

For a beginner that is not going to compete I would recommend the Axial RTC or the new Losi nightcrawler. They both can be modified a lot and have great aftermarket support. HOWEVER neither one has dig. You could buy a LCC tranny to put in the night crawler fairly cheap though then you would need a dig servo and a 3 ch radio.

I could go on forever. You can go so many different ways with crawlers. Give the same crawler to 10 people and when they get done I can almost bet none of them will turn out the same way.



EDIT: damn lloyd you beat me to the response haha.

 

[ClayB]

thanks for the posts guys! Since I started looking into this, I have been leaning towards the AX10 ARTR, but now it looks like its pretty much a toss up between the 2 Axials, and the Losi. Although I would probably get quicker use out of the RTC, or Losi.. I'm on a pretty tight budget

H8z2luze, you say I could easily put dig in the Losi Nightcrawler, what about the Axials?

 

[abadk9420]

If you look at my threads you can see what a AX10 ARTR can look like when it has been turned into a comp rig, they are easy to install a dig into, the VP dig is very nice, and I like my DNA dig, it works well, some people have a hard time setting them up.

Here is a link to my Photobucket where you can see all of the transformations my rig has gone through. http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn124/abadk9420/

 

[ClayB]

Ok, the more searching I do, the more I like the Axial RTC. Next question is, what are the advantages/disadvantages of Berg and/or Bully axles? Same question with a MOA setup.

 

[slowngreen]

I will never ever run a shafty rig again (I dont think). MOA's are just so much better in my opinion because you have less moving parts, lower center of gravity right from the start since theres no tranny in the middle and the list goes on. But they might need alot of "tuning" to get them dialed in wich might no be the easiest for a beginner to do.

Abadk9's is a perfect example of what an artr can turn into and that always gives you something too look forward to as far as getting new upgrades!

 

[h8z2luze]

I dont think I will ever run a shafty again either. But yes the MOA's are expensive and take a lot of time to get right. Seems like you are always fabricating parts as well.

 

[ClayB]

Well if that's the case, I think a shafty is my way to go. Unless I get a raise and have you guys do my fab work for me that is where I don't have the tools or experience. I think I just got a Nylint for free. It doesn't look like much, but its a start!

So what about axles? (if I go with the Axial) I think I am leaning towards Berg, but just because they are lighter. Thoughts?