Originally Posted by
rc_speed
I am an intermediate level driver who is trying to improve. I run 17.5 blinky. Here are my questions about this car:
1) my xray is above the minimum weight limit before I put on the body. How does this car do with weight?
I am about to finish building my car this evening and will try to weigh it ASAP. As far as I am aware this car will weigh in similarly to the AE. Don't forget that battery and motor comprise a far larger portion of the overall weight than the chassis (for instance, the Orca being 20g lighter than the D3.5, etc).
2) 1 of the improvements in the new 2014 xray x12 is the use of straight rear side springs, instead of tapered. If this is a good thing, would they fit on the vbc car.
The kit VBC spring retainers are very cool machined aluminum, but they are made for the VBC/AE springs and will not fit the xray/speed merchant linear side springs. Keep in mind you can always purchase a second crossbrace with the appropriate spring retainers from Speed Merchant, though, which would let you use the linear side springs on this car. Also note that the linear side springs are not really a clear improvement over the AE/VBC springs, and I would go so far as to mention that there are more top drivers out there who use the standard AE springs than who use the linear springs.
3) how durable is this car? I try to stay off the walls, but sometimes my brain does not react to the car as fast as the car does.
I have not had a chance to run the car, but from what I have seen this car is very durable. I don't believe I saw anyone break parts at Timezone GP this past weekend.
4) How hard is it to remove the battery for charging? I know that most people charge their batteries while in the car, but it is safer to charge the battery in a lipo bag.
You have to remove the front battery brace and the strapping tape. Two screws and about a minute of work.
5) In your honest opinion, how does this car compare to the Xray X12 2014, Top Rebel, V-design carpet ripper?
While I think the new Xray is much improved over the past iteration, I think the VBC definitely has an edge. The TOP rebel is a very quick car, but doesn't have the same parts availability/standardization that the VBC has. The V-dezign is a very good car, but Vesa basically doesn't make them any more (so you are screwed if you break aluminum) and it uses a CRC front end that is (in my opinion) more fragile than the VBC/AE front end.
Feel free to let us know if you have any more questions, and I will be driving my Lightning at 5280 now that I have it in-hand.
