Evader BX Pro vs. Bandit XL-5 Extreme

[Helgaiden]

Yeah i know the new bandit isnt out yet, but im just wondering what you all think would make a better beginner/intermediate casual beater/casual racer r/c?

I myself have a B4 and towerhobbies (after months and months) finally got the venom bodies in stock and sent me mine. Im just looking for something a family member or friend might want to start out with i guess, but i strictly want to know what you all think would be best between the two for the above mentioned uses? (performance-wise, that is)

[Y2KGTP]

Yeah i know the new bandit isnt out yet, but im just wondering what you all think would make a better beginner/intermediate casual beater/casual racer r/c?

I myself have a B4 and towerhobbies (after months and months) finally got the venom bodies in stock and sent me mine. Im just looking for something a family member or friend might want to start out with i guess, but i strictly want to know what you all think would be best between the two for the above mentioned uses? (performance-wise, that is)


How about another B4? You already know the vehicle, and might have spare parts already if you 2 are out racing together.....it's a little more money than duratrax....but isn't it worth it in the long run?

B4RS RTR
http://www.teamassociated.com/ae/b4/9037/9037boxtop.600.jpg

[norcalracer_707]

If I had to pick between the Bandit XL-5 or the Evader BX Pro, i'd go with the Vader. Graphite, ball diff, 15t motor, a esc that can handle a 12t motor. Are you racing or bashing? For mild club racing, i'd get the Evader, bashing, the Bandit. Your gonna hear alot of people telling you "don't get the duratrash or the traxxsux, get another b4", but the Eavder and Bandit will suit you just fine.

[BTE214]

If it all possible I would get another B4. Otherwise i would suggest the evader then the sportwerks raven bx then I guess the bandit.

[vaderbxman]

I have the ST Pro, which has the same electronics, and I think it was the best buy I coud've gotten. 70 dollar radio, 75 dollar ESC, 35 dollar motor, ect. I think the bandit is pretty cool, but the bandit has nothing on the Evader BX Pro.

I bash the crap out of my ST at the track and I've broken 3 parts on it in the last 6 months that I've owned it. The Evader BX has a slight tendency to push while on the gas, but it handles pretty well. I love the parts gurantee on it, and they put their money where their mouth was and delivered on the durability. I would rather not hear the crap people have to say about traxxas or duratrax, because those guys are aimed at a different class of people, rather than racers.

Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three buggies mentioned. If your buying for a younger guy, get the bandit. If you're buying for an older family member, go with either the Evader or B4. And happy bashing!

[jamesbernatchez]

Out of those two if your going to just bash then Id say the Bandit. If there will be some club racing involved Id say the Duratrax. If you can spring for it though Id say go with another B4. That way you only need parts for one vehicle and your used to wrenching on them. Maybe even be able to find a used one cheaper on ebay.

Im not trying to put down either but as far as quality you cant go wrong with Associated. Associated has awesome products as do many of the other companies. Personally ive owned alot of Traxxas vehicles but no Duratrax.....just not my cup of tea, I expect more from my vehicles. That and im used to racing with much higher quality kits.

I just got a T4 RTR for when my buddies come to the track(and for me too :D), swapped out the electronics and threw a Mamba Max 4600 setup in there and am waiting on my DX3 to arrive. My friend ran it stock and it was great until the motor wire melted. So I purchased the Mamba system for it. I have the 5700 in my buggy and love it. The T4 is overgeared from the factory with the 17 turn motor in it....not sure on the B4 though. If anything I would just change the pinion gear out.

Have fun with whatever you decide to get :teacher:

[Helgaiden]

Im not looking to buy anything! lol

i have my b4 and its nice, if anything im looking to sell my ob4 international and my upped Nitro MT.

but really i just want to know the performance breakdowns of each of these. Im sure the xl-5 bandit can also handle 12t motors to the above poster...(it has a 12t motor stock). I know the original version bandit pailed in comparison to the bx pro, but now traxxas has updated their electric offroad series. ive ran my friends BX Pro at the track, and i liked it. It handled itself very well compared to me b4 on the same track. Ive never driven a Bandit for bashing or track use, though i use to use my brother's stampede alot (and have my own that needs a new chassis and bearing carriers). I loved the pede, it was an amazing 2wd monster that could seriously take a beating and handled very well. Never really took it on a track, other than a parking lot track with skate ramps (and it kicked butt there too).

I know both would be great for bashing, especially given the parts guarantee of Duratrax. But lets say you took two equal skilled adept off-road buggy racers and one had the BX Pro and the other had a Bandit Extreme (and both had the correct tires for said track). What do you all think would perform better? (uh...seeing as 12t > 15t, lets just say they have the same motor too).

so basically stock with little upgrades lol.

[BTE214]

Hands down Evader BX. It is based on the losi xx molds which won races. The bandit can't even adjust camber. That alone should be reason enough for a racer to stay away. Also the bandit has a gear diff as opposed to a ball diff, and has too much plastic, good for bashing, bad for weight reduction. If you are looking for an inexpensive buggy that you can race, the evader is for you.

[Helgaiden]

so im assuming that most of the changes to the new Bandit werent anything like overhauling it? It just got a new motor, some upgrades chassis components (but same basic chassis still), and a new ESC (i guess some nicer wheels too)?

[vaderbxman]

The 12T motor sounds nice, but it has bad wear and will require servicing earlier. My original ST Pro motor went 4 months without needing a rebuild or new brushes.

oh, and to the racing thing, the Evader would run circles around the Bandit.

[Helgaiden]

Well the 15t havoc in my friends BX pro went after a week. The motor fried. Plain and simple burnt up. Blacker than black on the inside and no reason for it. I threw in an Epic 15t after that and it never had any issues whatsoever. The havoc was just crap, or my friend had bad luck.

Well good to hear that Evader > Bandit. Ill know what to suggest to friends/relatives wanting to get into a bit of casual bashing and racing.

[vaderbxman]

The Havoc motor is crap, period. I got a different motor in it (Team Orion Sv2 Formula 15 turn) The motor is completley different from the havoc motor. I know the havoc kind-of sucks, but the SV2 is a great motor.

I probably shoud've mentioned that earlier, but I was half-asleep! :D

[shadowghost1]

I would go Evader , but for all out bashing I wouldnt mind trying the new Bandit just for the fun of it.

[TunaCan Charlie]

...Im sure the xl-5 bandit can also handle 12t motors to the above poster...(it has a 12t motor stock)...

Don't be too sure. Read the fine print. The XL-5 ESC is rated for 12T for a 550 can only. For a more typical 540 motor, the XL-5 is rated for 15T+.

[vaderbxman]

Oooooh, that's annoying. So in reality, the Evader has a better ESC (regardless if it doesn't do 550 size-motors)

[B4_BBoy]

i recommend the Bandit i had the old bandit for 4 years and it was very durable. it's a great 1st car w/ a good tranny so you can upgrade as you wish. the new Bandit should be just as good.

[miata_speed85]

I purchased a Bandit a few months ago, and i really must say that i love it. It's most favorable feature... It loves to take a beating. I've gotten all the necessary upgrades. Aluminum bellcranks, ball-bearings all around, 2075 servo, and best of all i went LiPo, with the MM/7700 package. I had to upgrade the diff gears to match VXL specs. but it hauls ### now. I've never been happier.

[miata_speed85]

Just finished converting my bandit to an FLM Rusty. The upgrade possibilities are endless. So on a broader spectrum if they were to take the hobby and run with it. I'd go bandit. The main reason I like it though... It's just a Rusty with a buggy body and different wheel stance. It's rather nice to be able to swap back and forth if you desire. Ir some people even just convert and run the Bandit body. My next Upgrade will be to dual brushless. I'll let everone know how that goes.