Traxxas the way to go?

[PainKiller]

What is your budget?

I wanna keep it under $600 per truck. My son is smitten with the Maxx and I’m liking the Rustler 4x4 Ultimate. They’re each in the mid $500 range. And maybe another $300 for a charger and some batteries but that’ll be separate. So my budget is $600 per truck for 2 trucks ($1200 for both).

Also , I like that Tekno that was mentioned above. However , I’m not terribly mechanically inclined so I definitely wanna keep it RTR. That being said , what’s the best RTR basher on the market?

 

[332_RC]

Also , I like that Tekno that was mentioned above. However , I’m not terribly mechanically inclined so I definitely wanna keep it RTR. That being said , what’s the best RTR basher on the market?

Arrma Kraton 6s

 

[TeknoJ]

Can’t go wrong with a Tekno! Or a 1/5th scale

 

[Tunedfrog]

I wanna keep it under $600 per truck. My son is smitten with the Maxx and I’m liking the Rustler 4x4 Ultimate. They’re each in the mid $500 range. And maybe another $300 for a charger and some batteries but that’ll be separate. So my budget is $600 per truck for 2 trucks ($1200 for both).

Also , I like that Tekno that was mentioned above. However , I’m not terribly mechanically inclined so I definitely wanna keep it RTR. That being said , what’s the best RTR basher on the market?

Great choices, there are tons of upgrades available.

 

[TeknoJ]

Just a thought how about something mini?? Like the arrma grom line of cars???? They look fun!

 

[Tunedfrog]

Lets not forget a couple 1/24 crawlers for them terrible weather days.
My wife hates that she has to rearrange her shoes because I toss them
down the hall for a crawler course.

 

[PainKiller]

Lets not forget a couple 1/24 crawlers for them terrible weather days.
My wife hates that she has to rearrange her shoes because I toss them
down the hall for a crawler course.

Hahaha , good idea. I’ll have to try that.

Lets not forget a couple 1/24 crawlers for them terrible weather days.
My wife hates that she has to rearrange her shoes because I toss them
down the hall for a crawler course.

Just a thought how about something mini?? Like the arrma grom line of cars???? They look fun!

Mini’s are not out of the question. How’s the 1/16 E-Revo VXL? I’ll look at Arrma too.

 

[332_RC]

@PainKiller If your 1st thought is the Traxxas Maxx, go with it!

 

[Tunedfrog]

Arrma has some awesome rigs.
If you wanted to build something from scratch, go to Jenny's RC
The parts are new and cheaper because they break down rigs and sell the parts.
I bought all my parts for my Xmaxx and Erevo when I built them.

 

[PainKiller]

@PainKiller If your 1st thought is the Traxxas Maxx, go with it!

My son’s heart is set on the Maxx (so far , at least). For me , my first thought is the Rustler 4x4 Ultimate. So that’s what I’m leaning toward. His bday is in a couple weeks so that’s when I’ll pull the trigger. In the meantime , I’m in research mode.

 

[WickedFog]

I wanna keep it under $600 per truck. My son is smitten with the Maxx and I’m liking the Rustler 4x4 Ultimate. They’re each in the mid $500 range. And maybe another $300 for a charger and some batteries but that’ll be separate. So my budget is $600 per truck for 2 trucks ($1200 for both).

Also , I like that Tekno that was mentioned above. However , I’m not terribly mechanically inclined so I definitely wanna keep it RTR. That being said , what’s the best RTR basher on the market?

Ok. Can you solder? I only ask because Traxxas has a proprietary battery connector. They try to get you to use their smart batteries. There have been a few problems with the Traxxas chargers that folks have posted about here, so I can't recommend them. Their batteries are seriously overpriced as well, so I wouldn't recommend them to anyone either.

If you can solder, then the first thing I'd do is hack the Traxxas connectors off and solder on some EC5's or XT connectors. Then you can run whatever batteries you want (with same connector of course), and you can buy a good charger for less money.

For a charger, I am sure folks here are getting tired of me recommending the Hota D6 Pro, but I have yet to see a better charger for less.

For batteries, there are tons of choices. Some good, some bad. You need to know what size batteries will fit in it, and that is often privileged information that RC manufacturers often don't care to put anywhere in the product description or manual. But if you can find that info, we can recommend some batteries.

Just an idear. If you can't solder, and you buy from a local hobby shop, I would tell them if they will solder on new battery connectors, you'll buy them. Just a thought. But they will likely be reluctant, because then they can't sell you Traxxas batteries and a charger

 

[PainKiller]

Ok. Can you solder? I only ask because Traxxas has a proprietary battery connector. They try to get you to use their smart batteries. There have been a few problems with the Traxxas chargers that folks have posted about here, so I can't recommend them. Their batteries are seriously overpriced as well, so I wouldn't recommend them to anyone either.

If you can solder, then the first thing I'd do is hack the Traxxas connectors off and solder on some EC5's or XT connectors. Then you can run whatever batteries you want (with same connector of course), and you can buy a good charger for less money.

For a charger, I am sure folks here are getting tired of me recommending the Hota D6 Pro, but I have yet to see a better charger for less.

For batteries, there are tons of choices. Some good, some bad. You need to know what size batteries will fit in it, and that is often privileged information that RC manufacturers often don't care to put anywhere in the product description or manual. But if you can find that info, we can recommend some batteries.

Just an idear. If you can't solder, and you buy from a local hobby shop, I would tell them if they will solder on new battery connectors, you'll buy them. Just a thought. But they will likely be reluctant, because then they can't sell you Traxxas batteries and a charger

Excellent information, thank you. I have no idea how to solder. So will Traxxas rigs only accept Traxxas batteries?

 

[WickedFog]

Excellent information, thank you. I have no idea how to solder. So will Traxxas rigs only accept Traxxas batteries?

You can use an adapter, but it can also create a bottleneck in the battery cables. People use them, but for a big, fast rig like the Maxx, I wouldnt.

Where are you looking to buy the RC's? Still searching?

 

[PainKiller]

You can use an adapter, but it can also create a bottleneck in the battery cables. People use them, but for a big, fast rig like the Maxx, I wouldnt.

Where are you looking to buy the RC's? Still searching?

Yeah , still shopping around. Direct from Traxxas has free ground shipping. But I have yet to look at Amain and some other big dealers. I signed up for news letters and promos on Amain and a couple others so maybe I’ll get a promo of some kind.

 

[Tunedfrog]

You can use any battery with the correct cell count, size and correct connecter.
The problem is if you buy Traxxas batteries you have to use Traxxas chargers.

Read up on @Greywolf74 date thread, very interesting material.

https://www.rctalk.com/forum/threads/lipo-comparison-thread-lipo-and-nimh-aas.136829/

 

[WickedFog]

Yeah , still shopping around. Direct from Traxxas has free ground shipping. But I have yet to look at Amain and some other big dealers. I signed up for news letters and promos on Amain and a couple others so maybe I’ll get a promo of some kind.

If you buy them online, you can always just take them to a hobby shop and they will likely be able to solder on some connectors for you for a small fee. I'd call ahead first.

One thing I will say, if you don't think you can work on whatever you buy, get ready to learn. Sadly, hobby grade RC isn't a hobby where you just turn them on and drive them. You're going to have maintenance, breakage, and you will eventually have to replace parts.

But that is the fun of it. And it's a great way to teach kids motor skills and other skillsets that will benefit them a lot in life.

But don't be discouraged. There are plenty of folks here that will help you along the way. There have been a few that joined here claiming they aren't mechanically inclined, can't solder, and now they are building RC's from the ground up.

 

[PainKiller]

You can use any battery with the correct cell count, size and correct connecter.
The problem is if you buy Traxxas batteries you have to use Traxxas chargers.

Read up on @Greywolf74 date thread, very interesting material.

https://www.rctalk.com/forum/threads/lipo-comparison-thread-lipo-and-nimh-aas.136829/

I see. So I can use any battery pack in a Traxxas truck (with correct size etc). But Traxxas batteries can only be used with Traxxas chargers? So I might be better off with a different brand battery and different brand charger?

 

[tntpoof]

This is why rcers here hate Traxxas,, They have sued several rc makers and rc distributors over the years .. and people here say puttig them outa business. Thats a lie.. if you look at judgements you will see Traxxas on bottom of list in companies that also sued said company at that time with traxxas having lowest dollar amount ,and shippers and there manufactures having highest dollar amount.ie ... 28 million dollars in a shipping judgment against a company with 20 million in unpaid manufacturing costs .while traxxas got 2.1 million in there copywriting lawsuit..(to me its just hate from people here).

I like traxxas.sure some of there stuff does fail early but many other rtr makers products do also...buy traxxas ,,just make sure your ready to upgrade if you need to..I have many traxxas ec....

 

[PainKiller]

If you buy them online, you can always just take them to a hobby shop and they will likely be able to solder on some connectors for you for a small fee. I'd call ahead first.

One thing I will say, if you don't think you can work on whatever you buy, get ready to learn. Sadly, hobby grade RC isn't a hobby where you just turn them on and drive them. You're going to have maintenance, breakage, and you will eventually have to replace parts.

But that is the fun of it. And it's a great way to teach kids motor skills and other skillsets that will benefit them a lot in life.

But don't be discouraged. There are plenty of folks here that will help you along the way. There have been a few that joined here claiming they aren't mechanically inclined, can't solder, and now they are building RC's from the ground up.

Indeed. I realize a lot of the hobby is working on the trucks. I’m happy to learn as I go. But building one from a kit from the ground up seems a bit daunting right now. Maybe one day. And I will absolutely have lots of questions.

 

[WickedFog]

Indeed. I realize a lot of the hobby is working on the trucks. I’m happy to learn as I go. But building one from a kit from the ground up seems a bit daunting right now. Maybe one day. And I will absolutely have lots of questions.

Cool beans then. Grab you a couple kits and a soldering iron then and lets get to work

Ok. Now that all that is squared away...

The Rustler is not one I've ever owned. But they kinda look like an electric version of the Jato nitro trucks. I do have one of those, and it is only good for straight lines, and slow turns. If not for the screaming nitro engine on it, it would get very boring. But as I said, I've never owned a Rustler, and it being 4wd would be a different animal.

I would suggest you look at a short course truck if you want something to rip around a field with. Traxxas has the Slash. Losi has the Tenacity TT, and Arrma has the Mojave, just for examples. Great all around bashers.