Originally posted by Nightbreed
A sport TC3 was $150 and came with everything you needed. Given fit/finish did not come close to an X-ray, but it was just as competitive. I just can't see spending that much for an older design. That's just me.
So you believe the TC3 shaft drive design is new then? That design is a lot older than the two belt design. But that's not really the point though is it? Who cares if it is a new or an old design? The key thing is the performance.
Cars like the TC3 and Losi XXXs have been lagging the past year and a half because their designs hadn't been updated recently enough. The XRay T1 FK is a more recent update that is holding its own against all of the competition on just about any track. In two years time it will be outdated and 2 or more seconds slower than the newest kids on the block (maybe TC4 and or the new Losi). But then, XRay will probably have new updates before then to keep up, just like they have done ever since they came onto the market.
BTW, on the design issue, there are only so many ways you can design a 4WD drive train. Most of them have been tried multiple times already each has its advantages and disadvantages. E.g. belt drive cars are faster of the line while shaft drives accelerate faster on corner exit. Belt drives have front-rear torque effect making the car dive and squat more, shaft drives have torque steering. There are design reasons that have made XRay stick with belt drive. Just because it appears to be an older principle to shaft drive, that does not mean it is bad!