Ok, so I'm going to preface this information by saying that both of these systems are new since I've been away from the hobby. I recently had to give a cursory look at both of these as not only did I not know what the Spektrum Smart system was when I first came across it online but I've recently had someone ask me about the Traxxas ID system also. So basically what I'm getting at is if I got any part of this information wrong please let me know but I thought Id post this for others who are new to the hobby or just new to electrics. I'm going to post part of my reply to one of our forum users who asked me about this as he is new to electrics so if theres any specific info it was in response to the users question but it will save me from having to retype all of this. I apologize in advance if this has already been posted before.
The new Traxxas ID connector is a specialized adapter that Traxxas has started using recently. Traditionally (and I think this still applies to everything except for new Traxxas and Spektrum LiPos) all Lipos have your main connector and a smaller balance connector on them and all lipo chargers made for the last 15+ years have balance ports where the balance plug has to be plugged in as well as the main power connector. This is to allow the LiPo charger to individually charge or discharge each cell so no one particular cell of the pack gets overcharged/dischargered.
Traxxas and Spectrum have developed their own new plug that does the job of both the main connector and the balance connector. So, unless you want to lock yourself in to using Traxxas LiPos and Traxxas Chargers (or Spektrum) Id suggest using a different connector for greater compatibility. Traxxas batteries and chargers are good but not ideal. What I mean by that is Traxxas batteries are good but overpriced if your just bashing and their chargers are fine but there are a lot better to be had. For Chargers Id suggest something from Progressive RC. Either an iCharger or a Powerlabs charger but I digress.
So that leads us to what connector to use. The most commonly used connectors are probably the XT60, EC5, Deans, and the original non-ID Traxxas connectors. They are all good connectors. Personally I use Deans but only because that was the most popular when I got in to the hobby and I've had no reason to switch from them. Some people say Deans are hard to solder but I dont agree. Unless your new to soldering in which case you may overheat the connector and cause the plastic around it to melt a bit and then your connector is no longer any good. If thats the case though youll have issues soldering all but the old school traxxas connectors and thats only becasue the metal spades come out of the plastic housing while being soldered. At least thats my understanding, I've never used Traxxas connectors.
One last thing about Traxxas ID plugs. If the RC kit in question has onboard telemetry it may not work without the ID connector or some sort of adapter. Again I'm not overly familiar because I dont use ID connectors or telemetry gear on my kits. Its mostly pointless imho.
The new Traxxas ID connector is a specialized adapter that Traxxas has started using recently. Traditionally (and I think this still applies to everything except for new Traxxas and Spektrum LiPos) all Lipos have your main connector and a smaller balance connector on them and all lipo chargers made for the last 15+ years have balance ports where the balance plug has to be plugged in as well as the main power connector. This is to allow the LiPo charger to individually charge or discharge each cell so no one particular cell of the pack gets overcharged/dischargered.
Traxxas and Spectrum have developed their own new plug that does the job of both the main connector and the balance connector. So, unless you want to lock yourself in to using Traxxas LiPos and Traxxas Chargers (or Spektrum) Id suggest using a different connector for greater compatibility. Traxxas batteries and chargers are good but not ideal. What I mean by that is Traxxas batteries are good but overpriced if your just bashing and their chargers are fine but there are a lot better to be had. For Chargers Id suggest something from Progressive RC. Either an iCharger or a Powerlabs charger but I digress.
So that leads us to what connector to use. The most commonly used connectors are probably the XT60, EC5, Deans, and the original non-ID Traxxas connectors. They are all good connectors. Personally I use Deans but only because that was the most popular when I got in to the hobby and I've had no reason to switch from them. Some people say Deans are hard to solder but I dont agree. Unless your new to soldering in which case you may overheat the connector and cause the plastic around it to melt a bit and then your connector is no longer any good. If thats the case though youll have issues soldering all but the old school traxxas connectors and thats only becasue the metal spades come out of the plastic housing while being soldered. At least thats my understanding, I've never used Traxxas connectors.
One last thing about Traxxas ID plugs. If the RC kit in question has onboard telemetry it may not work without the ID connector or some sort of adapter. Again I'm not overly familiar because I dont use ID connectors or telemetry gear on my kits. Its mostly pointless imho.
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