RC18T vs. Mini-T

[davewave649]

I'm new to R/C and I'm trying to decide on an electric truck. I know I want either an Associated RC18T or a Losi Mini-T, but I can't decide which one to get. Which is a better RTR? :confused:

[ElectricThunder]

Let's start with...."Do you want 2wd or awd?"

[davewave649]

Either is fine, but I want the one the one that is the better value.

[ElectricThunder]

From a non-biased view point, I say RC18T. Right off the bat, the electronics are separate (no integrated Receiver/ESC unit like on the RTR mini-t). The RC18T also uses a servo with a normal receiver connector, wheras I think the MiniT has some funky one to hook into the ESC/RX unit thingy. Just from that alone, I vote RC18T, as you don't have to upgrade the entire radio system if you want a new ESC.

I have neither, I'm just analyzing the specs and what I've observed from others, so take it with a grain of salt I suppose.:D

[z-man280]

owner of both, i will give the you a very un-biased opinion as well. As ET stated, the 18t has seperate electronics, and your typical 3 wire servo. 4wd, ball diffs, oil-filled shocks and a 7.2 pack out-of-the-box are some of its strong points. Weak? stock steering is scetchy at best, and a servo that never seems to center itself. The exposed spur gear will pick up EVERYTHING if you go off road. The Losi is 2wd, has all-in-one rx and ESC, and only friction shocks. This doesnt mean its not capable. With a ball diff, and slipper clutch, i took a stock mini-t to the local track and did very well against the 18t's. The mini-t is a shrunk xxx-t in a sense,....gear cover, front ribbed, rear pin tires, long travel arms.

I found the parts for a mini t are MUCH cheaper than the 18t as well. simple mods can make the mini a screamer, as can the 18t.

tough choice really......

[smilinjohn]

:teacher: Having owned both myself I've got to say that I like my RC18t better than the losi. The 18t is more durable making it a better basher out of the box. The losi is made of a more brittle plastic and needs a lot of $$$$$ to bring it up to standards that are worthy of hard core bashers. The separate electronics of the RC18 platforms is a plus cause the stock ESC is crap, but when it fries you can replace it with ease and not have to worry about changing the servo along with buying an Rx should you go with a brushless setup like you do with the mini-t. I liked my RC18t so much that my mini-t became a shelf warmer till I sold it, and bought a second RC18 platform the monster truck. :cool:

[norcalracer_707]

I'm going to have to give the nod to the rc18t as well, i'm owned a mini t. The electronics are better in the rc18t, if you want to upgrade the servo or esc, you don't have to replace everything (electronic) wise in the mini-t to do so. The 18t has better features out of the box, is faster as well.

[Cicada]

i vote for the mini-t pro :P but it's not RTR. :|

[soupy1]

I'm new to R/C too, but I went with the Losi Mini Baja. The stock package comes with 7.2v battery pack, separate esc & receiver, and the radio is a synthesized fm. Press a button and you can change frequencies as I understand it. The motor is supposed to be just a bit hotter than the standard issue Mini T. It also costs a bit more. Ebay showed plain straight Mini T's for $100. My Mini Baja was $150, but better radio, faster motor, ball bearings, separate electronics all made it worth the extra $50 to me. But to be fair, I've not spec'ed the RC18T or priced one. It may be a better deal yet. Good luck choosing!

[Cicada]

actually that mini baja looks awesome!

[rob_s]

Any reason you're not considering the Mini-LST?

I got a chance to run my MLST next to my buddy's RC18T this past weekend for a few minutes in front of my house in the street and the grass, and for our driving there the MLST was much more capable. The RC18t would get stuck in even the shortest S Florida grass. It did have a higher top end speed, but the MLST was quicker off the line.

If your intention is to race, then the RC18t may be the better choice, but for all around fun and/or bashing I think the MLST is the winner. If your'e stuck on Mini-T vs. RC18t though, go with the the Associated.

[TTRS3kid]

deffinately. i just bought an 18t and it kicks ass. i was amazed at how fast it was out of the box. im considering a new servo, but thats all i want to upgrade for now except for cvd's because whenever i was steering, the dogbones werent quite long enough, even if i added some spacers in the out drives. My brother drives it like its a tank (full throttle and jumping into something hard every once and a while) and surprisingly it hasnt broken yet. :)

[davewave649]

thanx for the help, looks like i'm going to buy the 18t

[NiCad]

I like my RC18T well. The mini-t has not yet won me over. I look at it and consider buying one. But still not convinced they are fun. As for my Micro-T I enjoy it a bunch. So this has led to think i might enjoy having a mini-T if i did i would go pro for sure.

You will not regret the RC18.

NiCad

[BashemSmashem]

Get the RC18T , then get a brushless system , then smile ALOT as it zips by you at 40+ mph :)

[vroom vroom]

If you get a mini t, then you will have to spend money on it to hop it up and get it to go faster, it is probally the slowest and most boring stock car their is. But I put a mamba and lipos in mine and it hauls. And also the RC18t is 4 wheel drive so it is easyer to control while accelearating and turning at the same time. Its is way faster than the mini t stock and a lot more durable.

[SpeedyWho]

What do you guys think about the RC18T factory team, I thinking about gettin one. I been out of this for a while, use to race Rc10's in the day. I am not hip to brushless yet but I hear it rocks! What the deal with brushless? And would a mini be SICK with one :D Thanks

[Budget racer]

I have the team verson of the 18, with a Mamba pro. We race on carpet and this thing is fast. Team kit has the harden diff balls and some other spare parts. I felt like it was worth it for the team kit cause i never had to replace anything on it to this day, except tires. Two years of winter carpet racing.

[longboard552]

From experience i know for fact that the rc18t is better!

[davewave649]

What mamba system would fit the truck best for bashing?

[evst 360]

probably 5400. My lhs told me that once you get to 6800 and up, you start blowing diffs :D I've got the 5400, and it does pretty well even on an ib1200 pack. :cool:

[ChuckDeez]

get a rc18t.

[NiCad]

Did you get anything?

NiCad

[masterchief06]

get a rc18t.
Couldn't agree more

[davewave649]

I got the RC18T and I love it.