First Post! Need Some Opinions...
 

Hey Guys!

Just wanted to say what's up to my fellow monster truck drivers! I'm actually quite new to the whole RC hobby. Just got my first truck (a MGT 3.0) this summer. However, being in Indiana, I'm going to lose the good weather soon. I've got a big basement, and I'm building a pretty killer (in my opinion) micro track to keep me occupied over the winter. I'll definetly post some pictures after I get everything built =)

My questions, however... I like the MGT 3.0, and I got a great deal on it, but I'd like to pick something up over the winter. The track close to my house, as well as the track I'm building in my back yard is pretty rough. I'm FAR from a racer. Strictly a BASHER! I want a nitro truck for sure, but what do you guys recommend? I've heard Savage stuff is awesome, but they sometimes have issues with it not picking up all the fuel from the tank? I've heard the Revo and T-Maxxx stuff can be a little weak as far as bashing... What do you gues recommend?

Also, what do you guys do during the winter when you don't have good weather?

Thanks!!!!!

Welcome to the hobby! (and the forum I guess, but I am pretty new too!)
MT's are definitely a lotta fun, especially if you want to stay a basher.

I got into the bashing hardcore and loved the MT's. Now as a racer (wannabe) I'm all about the track vehicles and how to squeeze the extra .1 seconds out of a lap.

Anyway,
In my experience with both nitro and brushless if you want nitro I would HIGHLY recommend the LST2 monster truck. 4 wheel drive, best basher I've seen, reverse that works every time (unlike Traxxas nitro), parts are easy to come by IF you need them which won't be that often, the Mach .26 engine is very powerful, holds a great tune, and can be ran WAY too hot and still hold their compression.
Just all around great vehicles for any condition. They are easy to work on for the most part and have some awesome upgrades in the AEM market.

I've never experienced a midwest winter but heard they are brutal. You may want to heavily consider an electric vehicle that is waterproof to handle the snow. Summit, E Revo, or something like that. They are also a ton of fun and you won't need a hair dryer to heat up your motor when it's -10 degrees outside. Just plug it in and go!!!

Just my .02

Good luck with whatever you choose. The great thing about the hobby is if you don't like the first rig you buy, you can sell it and buy another without losing that much $$$.

Neu Racer, how does the Aftershock compare to the LST or the LST?...:tire:

As far getting by during the winter, I'm lucky enough to have an indoor off road track close by, or like Neu suggested try out an e-revo,summit or e-maxx :cool:

Eflite Blade MCX's are nice indoor heli's for a decent price too...

Welcome! I'm from Indiana myself, and I remember the Blizzard from the early 90's that took out all the power for over a week!

Anyways, As Nue said, the LST2/XXL are GREAT vehicles, I haven't owned one personally but would in a heartbeat if I found a good deal.

BUT I'm me, and everybody aroud the MT forums have come to find out, I'm a BIG Savage pusher, I've owned Revos, E/T Maxxes (Emaxx is my fav vehicle btw), Savages, Ofnas, Terra Crusher, TNX, then tons of other vehicles.

I would stay far far away from the Revos personally, and the Tmaxxes if you can since you have basically the same thing on your MGT 3.0.

The Savages DO unfortunately have that issue, but it's an 11$ fix with the Ofna Hyper 7 tank that is a direct replacement and can be mounted on the side, or you can do what most of us dedicated Savage owners do and do a mid tank mount/rear throttle setup. It's super easy and super cheap to do, and one of the top 5 mods I'd recommend.

I'm sure Sam might come in here also with his Savage, as we have the two top builds you can do with them (his being better than mine :flaming:).

Anyways yah, As Nue said, check out the LST2/XXL and the Savages more thoroughly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...R/P9111070.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...R/P9221080.jpg

i'd personally go with the savage.. i have a savage 25 that has some aluminum parts on it.

as for the winter months, im usually too busy plowing snow and drinking beer to play with my rc. plus im building another racing mower this winter for next year...

Sweet! Thanks for all your opinions guys! I'll have to do some reading =)

As for the heli suggestion... I have a Novus CX right now that I like a lot :)

I say savage all the way. You can do whatever you want with it. No jump is to big for this beast. As for the half tank lean issue you can fix that with a little cash. It also makes a great racer if you are willing to dump the money into it like I have done along with many others. I would say that it is the most versitial MT on the market but if you want to mainly race and bash on the side a truggy is a great option. They are tough as nails on the track and hang better than a traxxis anyday of the week in the gravel pits. Big plus is the losi 8t 2.0 RTR comes with a starter box and a great radio in the specky dx3s.

I've never ownd an Aftershock so I can't give an opinion on that. I have seen people convert their Aftershocks to an LST though so my assumption is that it's a lesser vehicle.

Savages have such a narrow chassis that I imagine it's a nightmare to work on but maybe not. I have seen them put through quite a bit of abuse and kept going though. The Flux I had was pretty tough too so not a bad option.

My fave platform ever is a Revo though so I will always advocate those. I'm not sure why so many people hate them. They are pretty good at everything.

If you go with nitro though I guarantee an LST2 will not disappoint. They can be picked up used for a couple hundred all over and are well worth it.

I really like the idea of a "easy start" system. My 3.0 starts hard sometimes, and pulling a little string can be a little annoying.

I really have no plans on racing. 95% of the time I'm driving alone (none of my friends are into the hobby) so it's just me. I've got about 40 acres worth of land, with lots of natural terrain as well as a Bobcat when terrain needs to be made :)

If your terrain is rough don't even THINK about a Revo, it'll bounce around and do nothing but be slow. It's really only meant to be on a track, and even then their is no point to really get it as you should just get a Truggy instead. The X4.6 Savage has an easy start system also, but I personally prefer a Pull start.

+1 Tune it right and it will start first or second pull.

To my knowledge, it is tuned correctly. I've had a couple hobby shops look at it even. My issue with the starting is that the damn thing doesn't want to pick up gas very well. It's always finicky about it.

Put your finger over the exhaust tip and give it a few tugs, watch the fuel RUSH to the carb and away you go :) This also goes with an EZStart system, jus push the button while you plug the exhaust for a second, and it'll prime the engine for you.

pull the primer line off the exsust blow up the tank till the fuel reaches the carb inlet. Pull once or twice and away you go. Ez starts are a fast way to destroy a owb. Oh if you are having trouble with it priming open the carb up a bit when you are priming it this helps alot.

Casey did you ever fix that linkage?

Thanks for the advice, guys! I'll have to try that tonight to see if it primes easier...