Best Offroad 2WD Truck RTR for Newbie

[jplehn]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member. I want to purchase my first RC truck. I have been debating for some time about going with an MT versus ST. It seems a ST will go faster and handle better, so I have a preference for a ST as of now.

I have nailed down the options to the following by reading from magazines etc:
(1) Associated RC10T4 RTR
(2) Losi Triple-XT Sport RTR
(3) Duratrax Evader ST Pro RTR

I am a complete newbie. In light of this, which would you recommend? I would eventually like to race...but first I need to learn how to drive and maintain the thing!

Jose

[Cain]

I think the last statement about maintaining your vehicle is important, because with that said I think you shouldn't buy a ready to run but a kit. Since you are new, its better to build the kit the first time and know how everything goes together. RTRs are fun and get your going quickly, but if something breaks, you have to work your way backwards and that can be a hassle as you are not sure how things were put together.

If you must go RTR, the best bang for the buck may be the XXX-T RTR since you get a much better radio than the other two. The only thing is that the XXX-T isn't current as far as technology that is being used on the XXX-T MF2 edition unless they plan to go to the new tranny and other things. Most likely the RTR you buy won't have that in it. If you decide to upgrade it later, it may cost you more than upgrading say the T4.

The Evader ST isn't a bad kit, it looks to be similar to the XX-T and I know of guys who were able to mount XXX-T arms on it. It also has a nice warranty.

If you are planning to race more than just occasionally, you may get more satisfaction with either XXX-T or the T4, though the evader can be fun to race, but its not as popular for racing as the other two I listed. Also, the motors that come with the RTR kits are not legal for stock racing which is the class that many newbies start out in.

[T/Losi]

I would go with either the XXX-T or T4 as after a while u will won't to race anyway even though u will have to get a legal motor. They would be much easier to get parts for as you could even go down to ur local racers and people wil be selling parts for them there. But now it is just down to Losi vs. Associated.

Cheers

[jplehn]

Thanks for the tip about getting the kit to learn how things work. That makes perfect sense. In terms of kits, would you thus recommend getting the Losi Triple XT MF2 kit that just came out? If so, what would a good motor, ESC, and radio to get for it (to maximize speed and performance)?

Another possibility is to buy an RTR kit, disassemble it, and then re-assemble it. In terms of RTR kits, I noticed that the Evader ST Pro has a 15-turn motor, the Triple-XT Sport has a 17-turn motor, and the RC10 T4 has a 19-turn motor. Does this necessarily mean the Evader is the fastest?

Finally, you mentioned the Triple-XT Sport has the best radio. Does that improve the actual driving of the car, or does it just provide extra gizmos?

Thanks for your help,
Jose

[suprapimp22]

Go with the XXX-t ....Very durable, fast....Nice for a first car.....

[Nobrushesforme]

The T4 comes with a 17 turn motor.

As far as the radio, it will improve a persons driving abilty if they have been in to the hobby and racing for awhile, but for a new person it might be hardly noticable. The radio that the XXX-t comes with will have a little faster responce (hard to notice if you're a newbie) and is a FM radio which will won't suffer from interference as much as a AM model.

If you go the kit route you will end up spending more but get some better equiment (radio, motor, esc). It's pretty much a toss up. It all depends what you want.


The Evader's are a intresting choice just because of their stress warrenty. I know some that, ignoring my advise, bought the truck and I have to say that I was wrong telling them not to buy it. The evader was actually the best choice for them. The money that they would have to spend on parts they break from learning to drive can be spent on other area's (batteries, motors, ESC's)

[Cain]

The XXX-T doesn't come with an FM radio, its just the AM version of there common FM radio.

The better radio helps when you need to find tune your adjustments on it. Alot of the RTR radios don't come with EPA, so you have full throw of steering all the time and that can be a pain when you only need 75% of the throw. this may not be the case however on the RTRs you stated. The RTRs also may be missing some of the things that the team kits have that you may want ( full bearings, CVDs, etc ).

If you are thinking of a pro level kit, then you probably want to race. A better radio is in order here. I would get an FM model and be done with it. Better noise rejection. The MX-3 is a favorite of mine and it is reasonably priced.

As for the new MF2, not sure about that one yet. its still too new to know if there are certain issues with its durability. I usually wait a good 3 months on new kits to see what bugs come out unless I have racer reports ( not magazine ones ) on its durability. Also, graphite parts break easier than stock plastic. Not a good thing for a newbie.

For you, I think the T4 would be the best fit at this time until losi updates the team XXX-T with the new tranny which I don't think they will. The Team T4 is fairly durable, just add some RPM protection bumpers, titanium turnbuckles, and the aluminum hingepin brace and you should be quite happy with it. ( on the XXX-T you probably would add all the same stuff too ).

If you are still set on the Pro version of these kits, you should be ok with either the XXX-T or the T4.

As for motors, it really depends on the quality of the motor that they include. Example would be the Stinger 20 turn motor in the traxxas kits, its very fast, but a good tuned stock motor ( 27 Turns ) will beat this motor, lower turns usually mean more power, but not in every case. For a basher, I think a good 19T motor will do the trick like the peak dynasty or orion element ( same motor ) or the the New Reedy 19T Quad Mag. These motor gives loads of torque which is what you want in a truck.

If you want a stock motor for future racing, the P2k2 Pro is one of the best motors to get. The Reedy MVP and Orion Core motors are good as well, but you need to visit www.bigjimracing.com to get the most out of them , i believe he says that these two motors respond similarly to the same tuning tips.

[Nobrushesforme]

The better radio helps when you need to find tune your adjustments on it. Alot of the RTR radios don't come with EPA, so you have full throw of steering all the time and that can be a pain when you only need 75% of the throw. this may not be the case however on the RTRs you stated. The RTRs also may be missing some of the things that the team kits have that you may want ( full bearings, CVDs, etc ).

Oops! I forgot it was just the LST that they are offering in FM.

Wouldn't you use dual rate steering to adjust throw like every body else does? Just about every RTR stadium truck now has DR on the radios. The XXX-t does, the T4 does, even the Evader does.

And what RTR doesn't come with full bearings now a days? I think all do now. Not sure on the rustler though, but that truck wasn't mentioned.

[jplehn]

What kind of top speed can I expect out of the box (RTR) from the T4 or XXX-T? I just checked the websites: the T4 has a 17-turn motor, the XXX-T a 19-turn.
Jose

[masshybrid]

Losi. Without a doubt.

[Baja-Destroyer]

how can u say that? they dont even use the same motor... it just sounds like the words of a hard headed losi lover...

[scorpien boats]

:rolleyes:

[itdood]

What kind of top speed can I expect out of the box (RTR) from the T4 or XXX-T? I just checked the websites: the T4 has a 17-turn motor, the XXX-T a 19-turn.
Jose

My AE B4 has the RTR 17 turn motor. It's pretty quick on paved surfaces. I'd guess 25 or so? All I know is that it's right on the edge of comfort and control when I'm WOT on the street bashing. Any faster might bring on a killer crash. I've already had a few ugly meetings with the curb but nothing major has broken so far.

I know the t4 has different tires and I'm not sure what they do with the trans.

The 19 turn motor is going to be slower than the 17 turn motor.

If speed is what you're interested in, a truck might not be the best choice.

[dalejrfan8]

You must also keep in mind if you are a beginner then you don't want something so fast that you can't handle it. If it was me I would buy the t4 kit so you can know how it is put togeather and you will have less trouble trying to replace something. I think that a 19t motor will give you plenty of speed and run time if you pick a good one like cain said.

[dalejrfan8]

Also buy something your lhs stocks parts for.

[Farwar]

Also look at the T3. Yes I know it is replaced by the T4 but it still is a awsome truck. There isn't that much difference that a begginner would notice. You could prbably pick one up cheap also.

[AirbrushFanatik]

Duratrax Pro is very nice from what i have seen at lhs.

[HYPA]

I have owned both Losi and AE kits and I must say I am now a full blown Losi man. So obviouly my suggestion to you will be the XXX-T MF2. They are not too hard to build as long as you take your time and make sure your understand each step before attempting to build it. If you could find an original XXX-T kit for sale I would definetly suggest getting it instead of the MF2 as you probably aren't experienced enough to appreciate all the features of the MF2. A RTR kit would be good too but my first R/C was a kit and I have absolutely no regrets at all. If you decided to go with a RTR get the XXX-T as it has a better radio and IMO is a better package.