Novak Havoc Spec Brushless System: 10.5, 13.5, 17.5, & 21.5
 

This new system has popped up in a few threads so far, but I haven't seen one dedicated to it so here goes.

Novak Havoc Spec Website

It seems that the Havoc ESC is pretty similar to the (discontinued?) XBR.

The motors in the bundle are the regular high-end ROAR-approved SS Pro sintered rotor motors.

The kicker is that these bundled motor/ESC combos will sell for $150. I think this brings brushless down to earth price-wise and will make it possible for a lot of people to make the change.

They're supposed to be available very soon. The Havoc is nothing new and neither are the motors, so all they're waiting on is packaging.

I also don't think there's much of a disadvantage to the Havoc vs. the GTB for example with these higher-turn motors.

I'd expect to see a ton of these in USVTA with the 21.5.

Opinions?

WOW! I like that they come with the SS motors...not a detuned motor. This will be great for new comers, VTA, and Slash guys.

And there was much cheering and rejoicing! :cool::cool::cool::cool:

If I'm racing in a class where everyone is running the GTB and 10.5 motor, would I be as competitive with the Havoc system?

Except that the brushed motor limit on the XBR was "No Limit" (according to the box it came in) and a rated current of 480A in brushed mode. Yet the Havoc, with the same brushless motor limit has a 27 turn limit in brushed mode.

Did they change the programming so that instead of using all three brushless phases in brushed mode, they are only using one?

Honestly, I would bet it would come down to how good a driver you are. I'm sure a pro-level driver would see a small difference in lap times with all other things equal, maybe a couple of tenths. Novak says right on the Havoc page that the GTB is the better choice if you're a serious racer.

But for the other 95% of us I bet it would be hard to tell.

I'll keep that in mind when I'm never, ever running a brushed motor again.

Interesting though. You know that at this price something had to go, and they've obviously concentrated on the brushless market with this one.

And yes one will be in my VTA. Can't wait:nod:

Yeah, I bet this will become extremely common in the VTA pits. It would be nice to have it be the spec system, but that would have only been possible right when 21.5/lipo came into USVTA.

I'm not tossing my GTBs! That would be painful.

I wish they would have come out before I built 3 VTA cars too. They suit my pocketbook better.

I asked Steve Weiss from Novak about the Havoc over in his thread -- sounds promising!

looks like a sweet alternative for the weekend warriors

You can back order these from Tower now, and the 21.5 combo says mid-January for availability.

They have a $20 off $149 coupon code 014E8 right now, so that's a brushless system for $129!

coupons only work on in stock items, also if you are willing to pre-order, tell you local hobbyshop they might cut you a break since you are pre-ordering them

I just back ordered a Havoc 21.5 combo and used the coupon code. I ordered a body at the same time, and got this message about the discount:

That says to me that I will indeed get the discount.