My First Scaler
 

Hey, thanks for taking a look. I have a question to ask.

I'm a racer guy at heart. I race touring cars and short course trucks (5 in total), and I've never tried true slow scale crawling. I would kind of like to. I've always liked realistic looking cars, that's why I don't race buggies or like pan cars or anything not super scale-looking.

I want to get into scaling, but I would like to not spend more money than I have to. I will never buy anything I can't get on Towerhobbies, Horizon Hobby, or Amain.com. If Associated made a crawler, I would immediately buy that (I'm an AE fanboy, LOL!) but since they don't I have a lot more options that are really confusing.

The best options so far look like the Axial SCX10 DeadBolt ($300) and the ECX Barrage ($180). If I could find an unbuilt Axial SCX10 Dingo kit, I would be more happy. I am much more comfortable with a car if I had built it myself.

I know the SCX10 has infinite aftermarket support and is an incredibly dependable platform, but it's $300. Ouch. And I don't even know if I like scaling yet. That's a big jump.

That's why I'm considering the $120 cheaper Barrage.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!

Somebody please shed some light on this subject.

Here's my .02 for what it's worth. Ecx looks like a cheap toy to me. Buy the tried and true scx10. You will spend less in the end. More options,support and parts and pieces for the axial. The scx deadbolt is a very capable rig out of the box.

Take a look at the Ascender kit. It's not on your list, but it's excellent quality, a great trail truck, and a fun build to boot.

The ECX is ok, I've heard good things about it performance-wise, but it looks toy-like to me. Haven't heard anything bad about durability.

The SCX10 is tried and true, but parts supply is a problem right now. Expected to last until late May/Early June. The II kits are becoming hard to find and the gen 1 kits are all but gone.

I like building kits more than running them. I leave the running to the kids. I have a Tamiya CR01 for sale (http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...iser-cr01.html) if you are interested. It is not as scale as the SCX10, but it is very capable. I had SCX10, but the kids like running the CR01 better because the SCX10 tips over on turns if you don't slow down.

I just built a RC4WD Gelande 2 D90 kit. With the Tower discount, you can get this cheaper than the SCX10 II. It is much heavier because it's all metal. I don't have the hard body built yet, but it seems more planted than the SCX10.

Hey, Hotrod, thanks for the advice, I've ruled the Barrage off my list for now.

OSRC, thanks for the info about the SCX10. That scares me a little.
I've ruled out the Ascender kit (for now) just because it uses a shorty pack. I've never had one of those, but I do have 5 standard size 2s lipos, and I'm not really super exited about buying new batteries. Just sayin'. It is a nice rig, though.

Neospirit, Sorry I'm not really interested in your CR-01. I'm not really a Tamiya guy in the first place (even though my first rc was a Tamiya Rising Fighter), and I'd really like something with a lot of aftermarket support.
I like your idea about the RC4WD, I'll have to look into that. I've never had leaf springs before. I do love the ultra-scale aspect of them, however, and I like how the 1.55" wheels and tires actually match the size of the body.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I appreciate it.

The Gelande II does not use leaf springs. It has 3 link front and 4 link rear.

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psjgl4ezfn.jpg

Oh! I thought it did. Woops! Is that the TF2 kit?

It's the Gelande II D90 kit. Those are not the stock tires.

tf2 is leaf sprung, as is the gmade sawback.

oh, thanks man.

Do you know where I can buy a GMade? Are they sold on AMain Hobbies?

RC4WD is a bit too pricey for me right now...

EDIT: ECX Barrage still is tempting, despite what all you guys say, just because it is so cheap, yet still has parts support and decent quality. It's a bit hard to fork over $400 for something I don't even know I'll like that much when I could be getting a great deal for $180. IDK.

$269 with free post, your choice of regular or sports model (I'd go the sports, it has better tires and light buckets included).

Gmade 1/10 GS01 Sawback Sports 4WD EP Crawler Car Kit #GM53000 Free Shipping,
Gmade 1/10 GS01 Sawback Full Time 4WD EP Crawler Car Kit #GM52000 (FREE SHIPPING), ,(GM52000)

They're pretty decent out of the box for a leaf sprung crawler. Don't expect it to perform like an scx10 though, as they are very different beasts.

Maybe check out the mst cmx or cfx too, similar size and performance to the ecx, but far better support. Can get them for $180 with no body, or $270 with a few different choices, eg.
MST CFX TOYOTA LC40 1/10 4WD Front Motor Crawler Kit #532152 FREE SHIP,

Ok...

I don't actually have a frame of reference for crawlers, so really anything goes. I've never been behind the wheel of one. It just looks fun.

I will take that advice and add it to my mental list.

Here's what I have so far.

-Barrage is cheap, has decent performance for the price, but looks toy-like.
-SCX10 and SCX10II won't have good parts support in a short time
-RC4WD is good but a bit to much $$$ for me.
-Barrage can be gotten as an MST for $90 more
-GMade is fine for a leafer, and has good parts support, is on AMain, and isn't -too much $$$.
-I will never buy Redcat.
-Ascender is really good but uses a shorty pack (which I don't like)

I may have forgotten something, but do you guys have anything to add?

I'm starting to consider the wraith. Looks good. Anybody have any issues with it?

I love my Wraith's, and they would be a contender for my favorite all round rc vehicle I own. I have two, one is built as a scale class 3 crawler, the other a u4rc style basher.

That said, they can be massive money pits...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...2957992754.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...804_113154.jpg

I just got the Gmade Sawback sports and I also got the 4LS kit for it. I really like this Jeep because you can use the leaf spring or 4LS suspension. You can get the sports or 4LS kit (depends if you want leaf springs or 4 link suspension) for about 299 including shipping.

I've got 3 Wraiths, and 2 1/6 builds on Wraith Axles. Great platform and does great with a few mods. You can set it up to go fast and bash around, or turn it into a more dedicated crawler. Very happy with mine.

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll see if a can find a nice cheap wraith spawn on ebay/amazon. Towerhobbies isn't stocking them right now, which is a bummer. I'm pretty sure that's what I'll go with, though.

I just found a ifs rig - the vaterra twin hammers. Is that any good? It seems to be cheaper, but is it worth it to go full solid axle?

They are good, but in their own way. They are smaller than a wraith/yeti/bomber, you would call them 1/12 if you call the others 1/10. They also run an unlocked front diff, so are more of a rock racer style vehicle, like the yeti. Not so good for crawling with, but could handle some very light trails.

Thanks! I guess I am looking for a more capable crawler. The wraith seems to be what I want. I have enough fast things as it is.

No worries.

Fast wraiths are fun, and slow wraiths are fun. It all depends on what you want to do with it. Sounds like you want a best of both worlds setup, so around a 13.5t-10.5t Sensored brushless on 3s will probably fit the bill.

Do be aware though that they need a few durability upgrades out of the box. Depending on if it's kit or rtr expect transmission gears, links and driveshafts. On top of the electrics, which on the rtr are pretty terrible.

Almost done.

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0rbbilit.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psyho9rlrw.jpg

Nice job, Neo! That rig is beautiful! Did you make that interior yourself? It looks pretty sweet. Do you know how much you have pooled in it? Just out of curiosity.

The interior came with the kit. I paid $339 ($399-$60) from Tower. I am using my own electronics. It has the RC4wd 35 turn brushed motor, Castle Sidewinder and a Bluebird servo. I would say you can probably do everything less than $450. It's a good truck.

I just traded my CR01 with OSRC's Ascender. I just got it today and it looks great. My son will be running that once I put the electronics in.

Wraith is a good choice. I've built a half dozen or so. From stock to full mod and always like them. Always had this attraction the the cr01 though. I built one for the lhs but have never had one. Yet...... Never know what's going to happen. My current wraith is running a mmp/hobbywing 3656sd 3400kv combo with hobbywing bec and jr z9100t servo. I'm also running the vp chassis mounted servo which looks sweet but you lose some articulation.

Ascender in action. Thanks to OSRC.

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1y4bugkt.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psypuv1tum.jpg

That Ascender sure looks cool. I'm lovin' the scale interior with the driver. Ya don't see that in the normal racing scene.

I read somewhere that you can mount a SCX10 battery tray transversely in an Ascender if you don't have any Shorty packs. That's pretty cool, and warms me up a bit to the big ol' Vaterra. I still haven't gotten to march to my LHS to get the Scoop but I'm figuring either Wraith Spawn when it comes back into stock at Tower Hobbies, or that one Vaterra that looks like a Honcho when it gets back into stock at Horizon Hobby.

Anybody know why everything online is out of stock right now? It's really frustrating.

Lucky for me OSRC already did the battery tray mod on the Ascender. Whatever else mods he did made the truck ran very well. My son is having a blast with it. I put a truck body on my G2 with Duratrax Deep Woods tires. We were running the rigs in the back and front yards. I was also able to finally finish the D90 body.

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrdzluklg.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...pschfgvanu.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskhvqxsco.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnzyri1vx.jpg

Those are some pretty sweet rigs!

Just out of curiosity, is that blue one an ascender too, or what is that?

Also, just a side thought, how big are they? Like compared to another 1/10 car? I've always wondered.

The blue one is a RC4WD Gelande 2 with Duratrax Deep Woods tires on it. I put a truck body on it so my daughter doesn't destroy me D90 body :lol:

The blue truck body is made for the 1/10 monster truck like the Stampede. That might give you a reference to the size.

thanks man. I guess I am leaning toward an ascender.

Have you looked into MST?

They make a true 1/10 scale crawler. The CMX or the CFX. The value and quality is very good. They can run all the Tamiya bodies.

The only down fall for the MST is parts support, can't get much locally.

The one thing about cheaper rigs is lesser quality and depending on what u r trying to crawl there can be a lot of torque on parts that might cause breaks often. Definitely checkout stuff on YouTube vids to see others put the rig thru its paces

Hopefully just a matter of time.

I'm going to be starting on my CFX-W soon.

That might be my next project. I am going to skip the Traxxas. I like building stuff.

Same here.
Also, I like kits because if I am rebuilding it or replacing a part that's hard to get to, it's nice to be able to fall back on the manual with rebuilding the car if you aren't sure which screws go where.

Vaterra Ascender FTW.!!
Just swap to use your 2S lipo.

Also, I too hope AE comes with a crawler someday. :)

Get them all :lol:

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmjjf6dqz.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psccc6ac7y.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbxedz5sm.jpg

Yeah, after seeing Traxxas' success, they might want to get in on the action.

And Neospirit, which of the three do you like best?