What esc's are available for 1/12 scale that are capable of 1s operation? I can use a seperate rx battey pack if need be - not a problem. Also I don't need the best of the best but a good cheap esc would be fine be it an older model or even hobby partz / hobby king - thanks! If it matters motor specs will be brushless 10.5

I've tried 2: Novak's Havoc 1S, and the LRP SXX stock spec. Each has good and bad points in my view.

The Havoc 1S performed great for me when I used it at the IIC 2010 in Vegas. I ran it in the 17.5 non-timed 1/12th class. It's big, plus has the solder terminals up high, so it's fit was not great, but if you don't need timing and you re-route the wires down low, the performance was good.

When the LRP SXX came out with a built in 1s booster, includes timing, and is in a small package, I thought this was the perfect 1/12th ESC; I got one right away. However, turns out there are a lot of SXX's and I got the wrong one. I traded it for the stock spec, but I found the timing software just wasn't up to snuff like the Tekin RS (which needs a battery or booster). LRP has released new software, but I haven't upgraded yet.

I still have high hopes for the SXX because of all it is trying to do in such a small package, just need to test the new software.

Jeff Smith

Everyone at my home track uses a RX pack and various speedos. I'm using Tekin RS for all my cars as are many of our other drivers. However, we do have a few Novak GTBs, Venoms and Losi Exelerons, had one Black Diamond last year. The majority are Tekins. No LRPs yet.

All Novak escs operate on low voltage (4NiMh, 1S), so our controllers are not the problem with single cell. We offer our SmartBoost module which has a 1S lipo cut-off and a booster for your other electronics---servo, receiver. You can use the SB with any esc--either brush or brushless.

We also have our Havoc 1S esc with the SmartBoost circuitry designed into the esc---no external booster needed. If the standard Havoc 1S esc is too tall, you can install our Low Profile heat sink.

I've been looking at getting into 1/12th myself... most racers at my track are using the Tekin RS or the LRP SXX. I'm not a fan of needing a battery pack or a voltage booster externally though, so the ESC I think I'll end up with is the Speedpassion GT2.1 EX.

Which one is the correct one:

Associated LRP SXX Stock Spec V2 Brushless ESC $220
Associated LRP SXX Competition Speed Control $199

Thank you for taking the time to post all this information!!!

I just picked up a CRC Gen XL thats comes with receiver packs so this doesn't really make or break me. I didn't even think about Speedpassion esc's...

Being that I am trying to do this on a low budget I am thinking about just getting a Havok 1s w/ the low heat sink option as its only $99 brand new and most likely a lot less used... Now I just need to figure out the best 10.5 motor to use

Here is the link to our RMF store with our RMF Havoc 1S (w/new factory warranty):

RMF Havoc Sport 1S Brushless/Brush ESC

RMF 10.5 SS Pro Motors

By mixing/matching RMF Novak controllers and motors, you can design a budget-friendly combo---with a full warranty.

Team Orion has a new esc coming out soon: Vortex R10Pro (1-2S)

Castle Creations: Mamba Max Pro 1s

These are some other options I have found. But to be honest, I didn't contact Castle cause I didn't even consider them for 1/12 - didn't think they would have anything and happened to stumble on it by accident. For comparison I heard the Tekin RS is about half the size of Castle's though? Back on point... Out of everyone that I contacted be it facebook, etc. Or this thread for that matter the only two that got back to me was Novak w/ their incredible post including part numbers and all available options to me. And the other was Team Orion via facebook.

Something to consider when selecting your electronics...

I have been racing 1/12TH for 30 years. I have used every brand of ESC. None are perfect, all have good points to consider.. However, Novak has the BEST customer service in RC. I have never been disappointed by them. Props to Bob Novak.

I was running an LRP SXX TC Spec V1 and it didn't seem to have enough but then again I didn't get a chance to work out the gearing properly on it. I'm currently running a Tekin RS and love it. Plenty of power and even more adjustability. Haven't used Novak yet but hear they make a good product and have great customer service. As far as the Castle 1s, you still need to have a Rx pack or booster because it has NO BEC. The Speed Passion is just a lil too rich for my blood but prob a great speedo. Due to its' popularity, I'm under the impression that Tekin is the speedo of choice for this class.

I have 2 receiver batteries either way, but I was under the impression the Tekin RS needs a battery as well.?.? From what I am finding out yes Tekin seems to be the top choice. But since I will just be racing at local track 10.5 brushless I can't see spending big $$$ especially if the Havoc 1s will do it all and for $65 w/ full warranty RMF - I think I am sold!

ALL esc's will work with 1s, you just need a booster or pack for most as there are only a few that work with nothing.

If you plan to run a boosted class and want to be competitive, you pretty much have to go Tekin. Mod or no boost, take your pick.

I started racing 1/12 scale with a friend at the tail end of last year.

We purchased everything brand new including the Novak havoc 1S 10.5 combo.

Both of us have been racing large scale off road for many years and know our way around a track but found that we were not competitive in the 1/12 scale as speed was an issue.

The very first night we raced it only took a few minutes to work out that our cars are getting smashed on the straights and out of corners.

We tried the timing on the end of the motor and even tried different motors & gearing and just couldn't get the speed we needed to compete.

I went out and purchased a Black diamond speedy and found that I could mount the body lower as the receiver wires on the Novak prevented you from lowering the body and also the speed difference was amazing.

Sure, I know the black diamond is more expensive but it's not as expensive as that $100 speedy sitting in the bottom of my pit bag doing nothing.

With all the research I did the Tekin was my second choice followed by the LRP.

I think the Tekin needed a tuning interface and a receiver battery and thats why I didn't go for that and the LRP had 2 models (stock and mod) I run both classes and didn't want to buy 2 speedys.

For me I just got the BD and set it to mode 5 and have not thought about it since.

Mind you I am only new to the 1/12 and my goal was to race in the 10.5 class up at the local track but, there is not much point in turning up when other cars are smoking you down the straight.

Hope the above helps as this info is hard to find hence my mistake in thinking all speedys are equal apart from features.

My earlier response was to your request for a cheap esc; If cheap is not necessary, Novak has a full line of higher performance/low-voltage operation escs to compete with the other escs suggested above. Such as:

Here are the current Novak controllers that we combo with our Ballistic 540/550 motors on 2S; these are low RDS-on (0.00040 ohms) escs:

GTB2
Havoc Pro SC
Kinetic Spec
Kinetic 2S
Kinetic 1S

Novak's new ESCs:

...GTB2: new features, on-board programmability (no timing) for spec racing, 3.5T 540 motor limit (99.99)

...Havoc Pro SC: new features, on board programmability, including timing adjustments for SC and off road, 3.5T 540 motor limit (139.99, RMF 109.99)

...Kinetic Spec: new features, full timing adjustments, PC programmability/updateability (NL)--no CL, 8.5T 540 motor limit (159.99)

...Kinetic 1S/2S: everything, full timing adjustments, PC programmability/upgradeability (NL), CL, 3.5T 540 motor limit (199.99)


* all these ESCs (except Kinetic 1S) are also compatible with Ballistic 550 motors w/2S.
* for a more compact installation with motors 8.5T and above: low-profile heat sink

Strange nobody is mentioning Hobbywing?

Get the Xerun 120a 1S, combined with an LRP X12, and the V3.0_101224STOCK Firmware, it's a killer!

If used with motors with a less strong rotor magnet, use the V3.0_110119STOCK.

Oh, did I mention it's half the price of a Tekin?
1st time hobbywing user, then you also need to get the 2 in 1 programming box.
Check RC-Mushroom, they have stuff in stock.