hi all,

i have just joined this forum and this is my first post. i am interested in getting into RC offroading. i saw my friends Thundertiger MTA-4. its tons of fun and is really cool. however i do not have the funds to buy the MTA-4.

i have shortlisted 2 other nitro trucks that are cheaper. how are these vehicles? can you suggest anything better?

1) Redcat Racing Vortex SS
2) Traxxas Stampede

also, can anyone suggest any good stores to buy RC equips (delhi/NCR)? i know only of 1 store. Modelart in saket. thanks for the support. hope to join you soon on the track!

tc,

Anirban

Get anything else apart from the redcat. Traxxas is ages ahead. If you are on a serious low budget, check out some cheap TT models.

There is one hobby store run by Manish in Delhi. Check the list of stores.

i see,

thanks for the heads up. i considered the redcat because a hobby site shows this product as a combo. everything inclusive in ~ 17k.

can you give me any good suggestions sub 20k?

thanks.

p.s

you have an HPI Baja??? awesome! 

First, what are you planning to do with the car, race or bash, nitro or electric? Each has its pros and cons. If you are not sure, please research.

For racing on your low budget, you can get a TT EB4 S3, very tough and 2006 ROAR champion, but old generation, Bashing for that budget, not sure. Stampede is good, but check on prices. I guess you can get a Rustler or something for about 20K

Yeah.The stampede is for lots of bashing.The rustler is more of a speed demon.You can take a look at the traxxas mini e revo too.These options are good if you are not racing.

I personally would steer a newbie away from nitro.But it looks like your friend can help you.

I found myself in this dilemma a few months ago and I am happy that I bit the bullet and got the slash 4x4.

@iamahuman-

the slash seems nice. how much did you get it for?. i spoke to traxxas and they are suggesting the new slayer in nitro along with the t-max. but frankly, those are out of my budget...

I got my slash for  :Rs:25,000 + taxes(something like 14 % VAT).I just love mine.Did you tell the guys at traxxas that you are a beginner?It is commonly suggested that a newbie goes in with electric.And either way,electric is faster than nitro once you get lipos.The slayer is a good car.If you can't get it,get the slash.If its not in your budget,look at the mini e revo vxl.Avoid the mini slash.

But will you be racing?If you will be,the merv vxl will have trouble racing the bigger cars.If you will just be playing around,get the merv vxl.

And like Ajo said,do some research before you make your move.

yes, i spoke to a guy called jolly.

i told him that i want 4x4. he straight away suggested the t-max.

my usage us basically going to be playing around at the locat park, take it along on a short trip out of town to play around, or some racing at meets.

do you think the slayer would suffice? also, are there any hidden issues in nitro? why would one suggest electric? i dont want the rc car to be a toy. it has to be serious enough to keep me interested. plus minor mods would be in order later.

thanks

The only issue with Nitro is tuning and maintainence which newbies and many times long term users struggle with. But trust me, there is nothing fun like Nitro. 1/8 Electric cars will not feel like toys as long as you use decent batteries. Only lipos.

For pure playing around, a Tmaxx is good, if you have the budget. I wouldnt suggest the Slayer. Tmaxx will surely keep you interested for some time and can mod it too.

The engine has good power, but is not very tune friendly. Has a mind of it own, needles dont react after some time.... Used Traxxas engines can be replaced for a new one for peanuts. Will only suggest a better engine for serious use.

i see. i have tried out a TT sparrowhawk xxt. it was cool. but i have some facination towards the nitro motors. the sound, smoke, etc  . hence my choice.

i want an honest opinion of all the pro rc guys here. is there any significant difference between traxxas and hpi? i have done some research on the net and the idea i got is:

Traxxas is
1) slightly cheaper
2) more beginner friendly
3) tougher to tune

HPI is
1) more durable
2) easier to tune
3) slightly better offroad

What say? i wanna make sure i go for the right brand.

your observations are right.One more thing about traxxas is that their parts are very cheap.Get the T-Maxx then.It will be a good basher but won't beat a revo 3.3 in a race.

Kapil is a good guy.Very helpful.

@Shutterx

It is difficult to generalize and compare two brands.
What you can really compare is two models
That would help you in choosing your car

Cheers

Both brands are equally good and best thing is they have lots of support, spares and upgrades abroad. I would go car by car only. For racing, choose the Revo. For bashing, Savage 4.6.

For a lower budget, you have Tmaxx, but not sure what you can get in HPI. Traxxas is very focused on bashers and newbies. They have the best RTR package you can ask for, all included except fuel, radio battery.

Why dont you look at a Truggy? You can bash it and also race when you want to. A well tuned and setup 1/8 Truggy will beat any truck on reliability, handling and speed. Truggies have 3 diffs that help them to hold the ground better.

I've always had this question.What do truggies and buggies do without a slipper clutch?(Or is it integrated with the center diff?)

hmm..

still not sure of what to buy. i am considering the hpi pulse 4.6, hpi bullet mt/st, the traxxas slayer and the hpi trophy 4.6 truggy!

so far, after much youtubing and researching, the best deal seems to be the pulse

what say folks? as always, your advice is needed

Yeah.the pulse seems good.Do some research on online forums about it.But it will be more of a racer(the buggy).I would say,go with the truggy as Ajo has already suggested.

yes. the truggy does seem interesting. but is it available here in india? i spoke to hpi but they never mentioned it.

hmm......I guess it is.I know a guy with a pulse.I'll ask and tell you.

sure, thanks. both of these seem great. i feel my choice will be either the truggy or the pulse. both seem great and more or less fit my budget.

the pulse comes in 2 versions.The buggy or the truggy.

If you are looking for a monster truck:

For bashing: HPI Savage X
For racing: Traxxas Revo 3.3

The T-Maxx is also a good option. It comes in a little lower than the Savage X price point.

If you are looking at HPI Nitro Options:

trophy Truggy 4.6 - needs shock cap upgrade. Extremely competitive out of the box.
HPI Pulse 4.6 - Needs no upgrades, great performance for the price, also consider TT s3 pro.
HPI Bullet st or mt - great for regular use.

I guess it all comes down to the budget and what you want to use the car for.

@siddharth -

thanks for the advice. i have checked out all of these. online. the savage, revo and trophy are out of my budget. and the best deal seem... the pulse. most prolly will go for this one. only need a clear idea of price.....

cheers

i got the t-maxx 3.3 last week its fabulous

@fmanavalan -

great stuff. how much was it for total? did you buy it from a retailer in thrissur itself?

it cost 33, got it from jayanth bangalore