X-Terminator or HB Lightning RR RTR

[AC48]

Well thanks to a few rcnt members I have narrowed my choices down to two buggies: XTM X-Terminator, or the Hot Bodies Lightning RR RTR. Right now I am leaning twords the Hot Bodies Lightning but I would like to see what others think. So which is it??

Thanks in advance!!:thumbup:

 

[Smurf]

I don't have any experience with the X terminator, but had a HB Lightning RTR and Pro. Both good buggies, if you can swing it go for the Pro. You might want to consider the GS Storm RTR, it has a great radio and the motor is pretty good for an RTR motor. Check on Ebay for used and new GS buggies. I currently race the ARR GS Storm and find it durable, fast and with a decent driver capable of winning...but then the driver is the key with any buggy. Good luck with you slection and have a blast.:thumbup:

 

[AC48]

Thanks!! That has been what most people have suggested, getting the HB one but go for the pro. I am trying to save a litte extra cash for parts for my other R/Cs so I think i'll stick with the RR RTR. Anyone else, what do you think??

 

[Nitro_Freak]

i have a x-t deluxe and it kicks ass. i've been bashing it the last couple of days and it's held up perfectly. so far the engine is relly good too, starts easily on the 1st or 2nd pull

 

[AC48]

I asume the deluxe just has some better parts but the same overall design, right?? Anyway so it is 1 to 1, anyone else have a suggestion??

 

[Nitro_Freak]

yep, you are correct. they have basically the same geometry, but the deluxe has a better radio, bigger engine head, more nice pretty blue aluminum and carbon fiber.

 

[alkyula]

the deluxe xtm has pieces that are made of higher quality 7075 aluminum, and they are all alot thicker/larger than the peices on the standard xtm. it also has CNC knuckles vs cast knuckles on the standard. if you decide on the xtm make sure its an deluxe. i love mine. i also own a GS storm pro, also an awesome buggy. outhandles the xtm but IMO the xtm deluxe is more of a tank.

i will also say if you go with a lightning, get the pro, and buy an mx-3 and a nice steering servo. youll have one kick ass buggy then..maybe could use a little more engine than the 21BB that comes with it. thats one point the xtm has..it has a reliable, very powerful engine RTR.

 

[AC48]

The pro has been discontinued because they came out with the Pro 2. That costs about 450 without an engine, a little too much for me. I want to get the RR RTR because it is cheap enough that I can see what breaks and upgrade those parts with the extra money insted of getting a very expensive buggy and not having money to keep it runing.

The .21BB I think will be enough power for me at first and when it wears out I will upgrade that. Also I do plan on getting an MX-3 after i save up some more money. That radio has 5-model memory, does that mean that I can use that one radio for all three of my models if had the same channel recievers on all of them??

Anyway, this is just my first buggy, who knows mabey I will be getting another buggy in the future!

Ok, back on topic- its still 1 to 1, anyone else what do you think??

 

[Nitro_Freak]

you know, they're both good buggies. one is not better than the other. i was deciding between the two as well, but went with the x-terminator because i could get it with lots of upgraded parts and because my lhs stocks a buttload of xtm parts. go with the one you have parts for and/or whichever one is cheaper

 

[AC48]

Well I have no lhs within a couple of hours from me so I get all my stuff from the internet (stupid shopping charges). I have found the Lightning for 299.99 and the X-Terminator for 329.99 so I am pretty sure I will be getting the Lightning but I wanted to see if one was better but seems they are pretty equal.

Thanks everybody for all your help!! :thumbup:

 

[AC48]

How much longer??

Anyone know how much longer the lightning will be stocked?? I have seen the 2 versions and the first pro is discontinued.

 

[Nitro_Freak]

i wouldn't buy a lightning right now because they're coming out with new models and who knows how long they're going ot be stocking parts for the rr

 

[AC48]

You have a good point, but I would guess a lot of the parts for the new models would work with old one, or are they completely changing the whole design??

I am still thinking about the X-Terminator. I was looking in a HobbyPeople Catalouge the other day and they had a whole list of hop-ups and parts for it. Something to think about...
I am a little worrird whether parts will be available in the future or not, I was set in my mind about the Lightning but no i having second thoughts...

 

[Nitro_Freak]

i'm not going to tell you to get one or another, but my x-terminator has a been insanely durable so far. i've been bashing it straight for three days now with some huge jumps and it's held up perfectly. the engine has good power and is easy to start and tune. i must say though, i wouldn't get the standard x-terminator. many of the parts on it are much weaker than the deluxe and the cooling head needs to be upgraded right away if you don't want your engine overheating all the time. also, the radio is a piece of crap on the standard x-t.

http://www.freewebs.com/jnevpics/X-T Deluxe.wmv

 

[AC48]

The link comes out in wierd code for me, because i'm on a mac right now(not my comp) but as soon as get on a widows i'll check out the link.

I really just don't have the money for the deluxe. I do plan on getting a new heat sink rather soon but I will by stroger parts as the stock ones break. I already have an Airtronics radio that I will probably swap on to it and that radio is good enough for me.

The engine is a pullstart, right? Also I hear it has 2.6 hp, does it really have that much? because I have a savage with 2.5 hp and that thing flies so this buggy must be really fast!

 

[Nitro_Freak]

yes, the engine is a pullstart, and yes again, it does have 2.6hp, BUT, although it's powerful, i think xtm overexaggerated a bit when they wrote those rating's down. feels more like 2.2 or 2.3.

and just to let you know, you'll end up spending close to $600 if you try to upgrade the standard to deluxe specs.

 

[AC48]

Well I don't plan on upgrading all of it to the specs of the Deluxe, just the parts that break easily. Probably shock towers will be first.

 

[Nitro_Freak]

ok, that should work out good then. have you decided 100% on a buggy yet?

 

[AC48]

Well I was 100% for the X-Terminator, but then i was 100% for the Lightning but now I'm back to the X-Terminator. So i guess your answer is no, I have decided 100% yet.

 

[digger]

I got the regular X-term. I love it. We were jumping a guardrail with our cars the other day. My son was driving it, and hit the jump in the wrong place. Hit the guardrail full force. :devil: I didn't see it, but I don't think you could have made anymore noise if ya hit it with a sledgehammer. Only damage: knocked 2 screws out, and bent something to where the body doesn't fit perfect. Still running it. I couldn't believe it. Was a hell of a hit.

The stock tires suck. Of course the steering servo is crap. I have the small head. Haven't had problems yet... but it is about the size of the .18 head in my kids X-cell. Wanting to get a bigger head. But I figure a person will be adding something all the time anyway.

Engine has plenty of power. Check out their forum on hobby people. Also have a reveiw of it. Both are on the page with the X-term on it.