- 10,620
- gtp_jimprower
I've been kicking around the idea of getting a Hobby grade R/C monster truck to play around with. I'm not interested in building one to someone else's exacting rules for racing, just something to mess with.
What I'd Like:
Solid Axle: I don't like the way typical Independent suspension trucks look all spider-like and splayed out with huge, oversize A-Arms. I'm also not too worried about treating it too roughly, so I don't really need to worry about breaking anything
Electric: No messing with nitro and all that.
Inexpensive: I'm a cheap-ass.
RTR: I do NOT trust myself with teeny parts.
NOT A TRAXXAS: When they started sponsoring Monster Jam, they went off my "good" list. Will not send them - thus Feld Motorsports - Money.
The Contenders thus far:
Tamiya Clod Buster
The original. Two motors, 1/10th scale, Four wheel steer, a TON of aftermarket support. The issues here are twofold: It's a kit, and it's an EXPENSIVE kit! Still, the fact that guys race these is tempting. I would have to change that body to a Big Blue Ford, though.
Kyosho Mad Force Kruiser VE
That I know of, the fast offering. The Ready-to-run version includes a brushless system, and a radio. However, it runs about the same as the Clod kit does, doesn't have the four wheel steer, though that's not too important to me. Pricey is still pricey, but you do get brushless power...Oh, did I mention...It's HUGE? 1/8th scale, bigger than the Clod.
Redcat Ground Pounder
It's tall, at 1/10th scale. It looks tough. It even has a bit more of a scale appearance than the other japanese trucks (at least, more modern than the '80s-era Clod.) But when I asked a guy at a local hobby shop about...well, I didn't even get the words "Ground Pounder" out before he started bashing their parts supply chain. Of course, I'd like a second opinion, and this truck does seem to be reasonably popular, Has 4WD/4WS, and is VERY reasonably priced, too, $100 under the Clod and Mad Force.
HPI Wheely King
At 1/12th, it's smaller than the other three trucks, and may fit into my life better. It's also less expensive than the Japanese trucks, about the same as the Ground Pounder, and comes from a fairly large company that's major competitor to Traxxas. And, if i so choose, I can get it with a Bounty Hunter body.
What I'd like to know on these:
1: Reliability - includes the all-important parts distribution chain.
2: Driveability - The very thing that makes the Kyosho so appealing might take it out of the running - that brushless motor system. I'm a newbie to this, and I really wanna take baby steps while learning how to drive.
3: Tuneability - as I get better, I'll want to look and see what I can do to make it my own vehicle. For that matter...I might go nuts and see if I can build one that could take on indie-suspension trucks. But that's all down the road.
4: what YOU recommend.
5: If you know of any other solid-axle monsters to try.
What I'd Like:
Solid Axle: I don't like the way typical Independent suspension trucks look all spider-like and splayed out with huge, oversize A-Arms. I'm also not too worried about treating it too roughly, so I don't really need to worry about breaking anything
Electric: No messing with nitro and all that.
Inexpensive: I'm a cheap-ass.
RTR: I do NOT trust myself with teeny parts.
NOT A TRAXXAS: When they started sponsoring Monster Jam, they went off my "good" list. Will not send them - thus Feld Motorsports - Money.
The Contenders thus far:
Tamiya Clod Buster
The original. Two motors, 1/10th scale, Four wheel steer, a TON of aftermarket support. The issues here are twofold: It's a kit, and it's an EXPENSIVE kit! Still, the fact that guys race these is tempting. I would have to change that body to a Big Blue Ford, though.
Kyosho Mad Force Kruiser VE
That I know of, the fast offering. The Ready-to-run version includes a brushless system, and a radio. However, it runs about the same as the Clod kit does, doesn't have the four wheel steer, though that's not too important to me. Pricey is still pricey, but you do get brushless power...Oh, did I mention...It's HUGE? 1/8th scale, bigger than the Clod.
Redcat Ground Pounder
It's tall, at 1/10th scale. It looks tough. It even has a bit more of a scale appearance than the other japanese trucks (at least, more modern than the '80s-era Clod.) But when I asked a guy at a local hobby shop about...well, I didn't even get the words "Ground Pounder" out before he started bashing their parts supply chain. Of course, I'd like a second opinion, and this truck does seem to be reasonably popular, Has 4WD/4WS, and is VERY reasonably priced, too, $100 under the Clod and Mad Force.
HPI Wheely King
At 1/12th, it's smaller than the other three trucks, and may fit into my life better. It's also less expensive than the Japanese trucks, about the same as the Ground Pounder, and comes from a fairly large company that's major competitor to Traxxas. And, if i so choose, I can get it with a Bounty Hunter body.
What I'd like to know on these:
1: Reliability - includes the all-important parts distribution chain.
2: Driveability - The very thing that makes the Kyosho so appealing might take it out of the running - that brushless motor system. I'm a newbie to this, and I really wanna take baby steps while learning how to drive.
3: Tuneability - as I get better, I'll want to look and see what I can do to make it my own vehicle. For that matter...I might go nuts and see if I can build one that could take on indie-suspension trucks. But that's all down the road.
4: what YOU recommend.
5: If you know of any other solid-axle monsters to try.
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