With an $800 budget , what would you get?

[Lostinthewoods86]

Thread 'Serpent X20 RTR'

Nov 3, 2024

Not much info on these cars so let me share what I've learned since buying a lightly used one and doing a track day with it.

Let me set the scene. Tight indoor track with black carpet. Average lap times for the expert drivers are around 10sec. Track is laid out using 2"x2" square PVC.

My X20 came with an older Futaba that was top of the line about 10yrs ago but has all the bells and whistles todays top Tx's come with. With the throttle turned down, this was my first time with a brushless touring car on carpet, so I was focused on clean laps rather than fast laps. My only other experience...

• JD546
• Replies: 4
• Forum: On-road and Rally Cars

• 
• 

Second to last post

And My own experience here

Rtr truggy little motor knows about

Spent way more then I should have on it and it’s still no where near our teknos quality

We do have fun with our rtrs, but littlemotor does speak some truth

 

[Littlemotor]

Thread 'Serpent X20 RTR'

Nov 3, 2024

Not much info on these cars so let me share what I've learned since buying a lightly used one and doing a track day with it.

Let me set the scene. Tight indoor track with black carpet. Average lap times for the expert drivers are around 10sec. Track is laid out using 2"x2" square PVC.

My X20 came with an older Futaba that was top of the line about 10yrs ago but has all the bells and whistles todays top Tx's come with. With the throttle turned down, this was my first time with a brushless touring car on carpet, so I was focused on clean laps rather than fast laps. My only other experience...

• JD546
• Replies: 4
• Forum: On-road and Rally Cars

• 
• 

Second to last post

And My own experience here

Rtr truggy little motor knows about
View attachment 209566
Spent way more then I should have on it and it’s still no where near our teknos quality
View attachment 209567View attachment 209568

We do have fun with our rtrs, but littlemotor does speak some truth

This one right here… It’s not ever “if”, it’s always “WHEN”…

And it’s BY DESIGN (no pun intended)… Just the nature of the beast in surface RC 95% of the time.. Buy once, cry once has never rang more true in any other hobby I’ve ever been a part of.. But at least with this one, I’m content knowing exactly what I’m getting myself into when I do it the way I do..

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

This one right here… It’s not ever “if”, it’s always “WHEN”…

View attachment 209571


And it’s BY DESIGN (no pun intended)… Just the nature of the beast in surface RC 95% of the time.. Buy once, cry once has never rang more true in any other hobby I’ve ever been a part of.. But at least with this one, I’m content knowing exactly what I’m getting myself into when I do it the way I do..

As I have learned my friend! you weren’t here when I got in and made the majority of my mistakes

 

[Littlemotor]

As I have learned my friend! you weren’t here when I got in and made the majority of my mistakes

A LOT of the best knowledge comes from doing shiit wrong.. It just so happens that knowledge gets real expensive, real dammit quick in 1/10-1/8 surface RC… there are exceptions to every rule, but I feel like I give fairly sound advice, from my own personal experience, and the last almost 40yrs.. Just trying to help encourage folks to be setup for SUCCESS..

 

[Doom!]

As I have learned my friend! you weren’t here when I got in and made the majority of my mistakes

You should ask @Littlemotor if cell checkers are important!

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

A LOT of the best knowledge comes from doing shiit wrong.. It just so happens that knowledge gets real expensive, real dammit quick in 1/10-1/8 surface RC… there are exceptions to every rule, but I feel like I give fairly sound advice, from my own personal experience, and the last almost 40yrs.. Just trying to help encourage folks to be setup for SUCCESS..

And you do that very well and politely . You got 40 years and I got barely a year I knew absolutely nothing of rc before last Xmas (hell I still don’t know much except my bank account is much lighter )

 

[RustyUs]

And although the Tekno is race-bred , would it still make a fine basher for fields and parking lots?

They make the best "bashers" IMO. I remember one of Tekno's engineers mentioning in another forum about people being surprised if they knew the "basher" vs. racer sales ratio of Tekno platforms. Also, the term "bashing", or rather the meaning, has gotten out of control IMO. Everyone seems to think RC "bashing" is the extreme side of playing with remote control toy cars. People often will say certain types of RCs can't be "bashed", or you have to "send" an RC vehicle so high/hard, or it has to reach a certain speed to be a great "basher".

"Bashing" is simply driving your RC vehicle around without rules and regulations. Heck, Arrma now puts "street", and "speed" with the "bashing" terminology e.g., "street bash" and "speed bash". From vacant lots to mall parking lots; from the back yard to highway 181; from 1/24 to 1/4 scale RC platforms... it is all about you and your RC having fun ripping 'n' tearing around as fast, or slow, as you see fit. If a person wants to toss plastic, and metal toys 30' into the air... so be it. That's just one of many levels in the RC "bashing" world.

I don't club race anymore but will do the occasional backyard track circuit. Being able to have an off-road RC that handles the rough ungroomed Earth as well as track duties is what I need from my toys. I seek outrace bred RC kits for my "bashing" pleasures primarily because I prefer the higher quality components that are generally included and enjoy "the build". Although some RTRs have some impressive details about them, opening a box filled with well-designed quality parts, that I get to build, turns me on.

 

[PainKiller]

They make the best "bashers" IMO. I remember one of Tekno's engineers mentioning in another forum about people being surprised if they knew the "basher" vs. racer sales ratio of Tekno platforms. Also, the term "bashing", or rather the meaning, has gotten out of control IMO. Everyone seems to think RC "bashing" is the extreme side of playing with remote control toy cars. People often will say certain types of RCs can't be "bashed", or you have to "send" an RC vehicle so high/hard, or it has to reach a certain speed to be a great "basher".

"Bashing" is simply driving your RC vehicle around without rules and regulations. Heck, Arrma now puts "street", and "speed" with the "bashing" terminology e.g., "street bash" and "speed bash". From vacant lots to mall parking lots; from the back yard to highway 181; from 1/24 to 1/4 scale RC platforms... it is all about you and your RC having fun ripping 'n' tearing around as fast, or slow, as you see fit. If a person wants to toss plastic, and metal toys 30' into the air... so be it. That's just one of many levels in the RC "bashing" world.

I don't club race anymore but will do the occasional backyard track circuit. Being able to have an off-road RC that handles the rough ungroomed Earth as well as track duties is what I need from my toys. I seek outrace bred RC kits for my "bashing" pleasures primarily because I prefer the higher quality components that are generally included and enjoy "the build". Although some RTRs have some impressive details about them, opening a box filled with well-designed quality parts, that I get to build, turns me on.

Dig it

 

[Littlemotor]

They make the best "bashers" IMO. I remember one of Tekno's engineers mentioning in another forum about people being surprised if they knew the "basher" vs. racer sales ratio of Tekno platforms. Also, the term "bashing", or rather the meaning, has gotten out of control IMO. Everyone seems to think RC "bashing" is the extreme side of playing with remote control toy cars. People often will say certain types of RCs can't be "bashed", or you have to "send" an RC vehicle so high/hard, or it has to reach a certain speed to be a great "basher".

"Bashing" is simply driving your RC vehicle around without rules and regulations. Heck, Arrma now puts "street", and "speed" with the "bashing" terminology e.g., "street bash" and "speed bash". From vacant lots to mall parking lots; from the back yard to highway 181; from 1/24 to 1/4 scale RC platforms... it is all about you and your RC having fun ripping 'n' tearing around as fast, or slow, as you see fit. If a person wants to toss plastic, and metal toys 30' into the air... so be it. That's just one of many levels in the RC "bashing" world.

I don't club race anymore but will do the occasional backyard track circuit. Being able to have an off-road RC that handles the rough ungroomed Earth as well as track duties is what I need from my toys. I seek outrace bred RC kits for my "bashing" pleasures primarily because I prefer the higher quality components that are generally included and enjoy "the build". Although some RTRs have some impressive details about them, opening a box filled with well-designed quality parts, that I get to build, turns me on.

Exactly. Well said, and I agree eleventybillion%.

 

[WickedFog]

They make the best "bashers" IMO. I remember one of Tekno's engineers mentioning in another forum about people being surprised if they knew the "basher" vs. racer sales ratio of Tekno platforms. Also, the term "bashing", or rather the meaning, has gotten out of control IMO. Everyone seems to think RC "bashing" is the extreme side of playing with remote control toy cars. People often will say certain types of RCs can't be "bashed", or you have to "send" an RC vehicle so high/hard, or it has to reach a certain speed to be a great "basher".

"Bashing" is simply driving your RC vehicle around without rules and regulations. Heck, Arrma now puts "street", and "speed" with the "bashing" terminology e.g., "street bash" and "speed bash". From vacant lots to mall parking lots; from the back yard to highway 181; from 1/24 to 1/4 scale RC platforms... it is all about you and your RC having fun ripping 'n' tearing around as fast, or slow, as you see fit. If a person wants to toss plastic, and metal toys 30' into the air... so be it. That's just one of many levels in the RC "bashing" world.

I don't club race anymore but will do the occasional backyard track circuit. Being able to have an off-road RC that handles the rough ungroomed Earth as well as track duties is what I need from my toys. I seek outrace bred RC kits for my "bashing" pleasures primarily because I prefer the higher quality components that are generally included and enjoy "the build". Although some RTRs have some impressive details about them, opening a box filled with well-designed quality parts, that I get to build, turns me on.

I have seen quite a few race buggies take some serious tumbles, and they typically survive stuff that cheapers RTR's would disintegrate from. So I feel ya. If ya wanna buy a race bread RC to tear up around home or whatever, go for it. I think if it were one I ususlly raced, I'd probably be a lot gentler on it off-track. But I'd still drive it.

I always bashed my RC10's. They actually did great because they were lightweight racers and didn't hit hard enough to break anything usually. Not enough weight to create that much carnage.

Come to think of it, I went through far fewer replacement parts back then. Why is that

 

[PainKiller]

Any popular go-to favorite motor/esc combos for the Tekno ET48 2.2?

 

[Littlemotor]

Any popular go-to favorite motor/esc combos for the Tekno ET48 2.2?

Tekin. Tekno built every one of their vehicles around Tekin Electronics.

RX8 Gen3 ESC
T8 Gen3 2250kV truggy can motor
Tekin T300 servo (billet 25t “Crowbar” servo arm included)

 

[PainKiller]

Tekin. Tekno built every one of their vehicles around Tekin Electronics.

RX8 Gen3 ESC
T8 Gen3 2250kV truggy can motor
Tekin T300 servo (billet 25t “Crowbar” servo arm included)

Awesome. And how about a good radio?

 

[RustyUs]

They make the best "bashers" IMO. I remember one of Tekno's engineers mentioning in another forum about people being surprised if they knew the "basher" vs. racer sales ratio of Tekno platforms. Also, the term "bashing", or rather the meaning, has gotten out of control IMO. Everyone seems to think RC "bashing" is the extreme side of playing with remote control toy cars. People often will say certain types of RCs can't be "bashed", or you have to "send" an RC vehicle so high/hard, or it has to reach a certain speed to be a great "basher".

"Bashing" is simply driving your RC vehicle around without rules and regulations. Heck, Arrma now puts "street", and "speed" with the "bashing" terminology e.g., "street bash" and "speed bash". From vacant lots to mall parking lots; from the back yard to highway 181; from 1/24 to 1/4 scale RC platforms... it is all about you and your RC having fun ripping 'n' tearing around as fast, or slow, as you see fit. If a person wants to toss plastic, and metal toys 30' into the air... so be it. That's just one of many levels in the RC "bashing" world.

I don't club race anymore but will do the occasional backyard track circuit. Being able to have an off-road RC that handles the rough ungroomed Earth as well as track duties is what I need from my toys. I seek outrace bred RC kits for my "bashing" pleasures primarily because I prefer the higher quality components that are generally included and enjoy "the build". Although some RTRs have some impressive details about them, opening a box filled with well-designed quality parts, that I get to build, turns me on.

I take back. According to Beach RC and their "BASHER" category button...

You won't find Tekno RC making the "BASHER" list. But you will find mini Losi platforms making "the cut".

 

[RustyUs]

Awesome. And how about a good radio?

A great RC deserves a great radio.
Any of the Noble NB4 lineup: https://www.flysky-cn.com/car-1

 

[Littlemotor]

I have been, and likely will continue to be a high end Futaba guy since the ‘80’s.

That being said-not everyone need a $1000+ radio setup. I got the deal of the century on mine, but do not expect most folks to come across “deals” like I tend to do..

I’ll say that currently there is not a single transmitter and receiver that I’d choose over the FlySky Noble NB4+. It’s one of the nicest radios available today, is MORE than capable, looks/feels incredible, extra receivers (to run multiple vehicles in your fleet off the same transmitter) are insanely inexpensive, and the price is on par with the absolute HIGHEST quality manufacturers’ MID-LEVEL radios, that have MUCH more expensive receivers, FAR less capabilities, and are much less to look at, as well as operate. I know this as I have the most popular “mid-level” radio from Futaba that I’ve used in the past, and Mrs. Littlemotor uses today..

Her and I literally had a discussion not 72hrs ago regarding my wishing I’d just bought her the radio setup I’m recommending to you here. -and I very well may still..

They are on backorder at Amain atm, but not at all hard to find, and for the very same price. ZERO NEED to go for the “Pro” version. None.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/flysky-noble-nb4-afhds3-8channel-2.4ghz-radio-system-fsy-noble/p1556281

Short video on it from the same guy I linked you to on the Tekno buggies…

 

[PainKiller]

I have been, and likely will continue to be a high end Futaba guy since the ‘80’s.

That being said-not everyone need a $1000+ radio setup. I got the deal of the century on mine, but do not expect most folks to come across “deals” like I tend to do..

I’ll say that currently there is not a single transmitter and receiver that I’d choose over the FlySky Noble NB4+. It’s one of the nicest radios available today, is MORE than capable, looks/feels incredible, extra receivers (to run multiple vehicles in your fleet off the same transmitter) are insanely inexpensive, and the price is on par with the absolute HIGHEST quality manufacturers’ MID-LEVEL radios, that have MUCH more expensive receivers, FAR less capabilities, and are much less to look at, as well as operate. I know this as I have the most popular “mid-level” radio from Futaba that I’ve used in the past, and Mrs. Littlemotor uses today..

Her and I literally had a discussion not 72hrs ago regarding my wishing I’d just bought her the radio setup I’m recommending to you here. -and I very well may still..

They are on backorder at Amain atm, but not at all hard to find, and for the very same price. ZERO NEED to go for the “Pro” version. None.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/flysky-noble-nb4-afhds3-8channel-2.4ghz-radio-system-fsy-noble/p1556281

Short video on it from the same guy I linked you to on the Tekno buggies…

Looks great The radio that came with my MT10 is much too light and cheap feeling to me. The FlySky NB4 looks so much better.

 

[Littlemotor]

Looks great The radio that came with my MT10 is much too light and cheap feeling to me. The FlySky NB4 looks so much better.

Ryan actually touches on that very topic in his review video I linked.

 

[PainKiller]

Ryan actually touches on that very topic in his review video I linked.

I saw that. I like that it has some aluminum parts along with the plastic. More heft.

 

[TeknoJ]

Awesome. And how about a good radio?

I use radiolink stuff right now( the rc4gs) however, the nb4 is next on the list. It looks to be very good. Probably the only radio you will ever need, unless you get another so 2 people can play with your favorite cars at the same time.