Looking to buy an axial crawler. Help please?

[Oogie]

Hi everyone.
I've been browsing the forums for a few weeks now, some of you may have seen me around, asking the usual noob questions here and there.

I've been flirting with the idea of buying a crawler, and the axial ones were the ones that appealed to me the most.

However it's been a long time since i played with any type of rc car / truck, and i'm not sure if i will really get into it or not.. i'd like to be able to start without putting too much money into it,
even if that means i have to invest more money into it later.

Would you guys recommend getting the axial ax10 RTR, even though it hasn,t many "performance" parts ?
I've seen many users here recommand the artr over the rtr, but for a starter, the prices dont even compare. Some of you may tell me to go for a used one,
but i'm scared that being a rc truck afterall, it would have been beaten the **** out of before getting sold. Also, dont we all like buying new stuff over used anyway ? :-P

Can you guys enlighten me ? thanks

[47willysbuggy]

Well, im starting with a wheely king, have exactly 235 invested
bought it used but good condition
i have a comp crawler on my hands now
its not hard to convert a WK but i always wanted to start with an axial
axial has metal aftermarket parts and the rtr can somewhat crawl out of the box so i think that would be a good route

[Kryton]

The rtr is nice but the artr is nicer. the artr has all of the upgrades on the chassis that you would end up doing in the long run. I know it's more expensive but well worth it. then you get to pick the electronics you want not the ones you're stuck with. Also if you plan on attending any comp's from time to time the artr is closer to a comp rig than the rtr by alot. The artr is a sweet ride.

[one85_db]

I started with the ax10 kit, and i can tell you that no matter which you end up with (kit, ARTR, or RTR) that the ax10 is an unbeatable deal. Its a great base as a crawler and it can thrust you into crawling faster than any other truck out there.

There are MANY after market parts and hop-ups for the ax10, the thing about crawlers is that they are really basic; once you have a base to start with then there are sooooo many parts to use with that base.

Once you decide to begin to upgrade the ax10 then you have many different options and routes that you could go down. There are simple aluminum bolt-ons to replace plastic parts. As well as drastic things like full tube chassis. Really the main parts that you need to have a successful rock crawler build are good axles, and the ax10 axles are some of the best ones out there.

One thing to remember is that the ax10 is one of the most popular trucks out there and its hard to beat statistics. People use what works. ;)

[Oogie]

Originally Posted by Kryton

The rtr is nice but the artr is nicer. the artr has all of the upgrades on the chassis that you would end up doing in the long run. I know it's more expensive but well worth it. then you get to pick the electronics you want not the ones you're stuck with. Also if you plan on attending any comp's from time to time the artr is closer to a comp rig than the rtr by alot. The artr is a sweet ride.

The thing is i'm not really interested in competitions, and i would rather modify my axial into a scaler than a comp capable ride if i am to modify it at all.

Would the ax10 even be a good start for a scaler at all ?

[Narly1]

Well if an AX10-based scaler is in the cards then you have a couple of options:

1. Hold out a bit and wait for this to hit the market:

Axial SCX10 1.9 Scaler

2. Buy either the currently available kit or RTR versions of the AX10 and use the TCS X-trail/ or similar/ or home-built chassis. Here is the link for the X-trail chassis:

http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-X-Tra...n-p-16556.html

Narly1

[Oogie]

Originally Posted by Narly1

Well if an AX10-based scaler is in the cards then you have a couple of options:

1. Hold out a bit and wait for this to hit the market:

Axial SCX10 1.9 Scaler

2. Buy either the currently available kit or RTR versions of the AX10 and use the TCS X-trail/ or similar/ or home-built chassis. Here is the link for the X-trail chassis:

http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-X-Tra...n-p-16556.html

Narly1

Thanks for the help, I saw the scx10 was announced as a kit though, meaning it would end up costing me more ? or is it gonna be sold as artr and rtr too, like the ax10 ?

If not, i could always go with the ax10 rtr and tcs x-trail chassis, wich is rather cheap.

[MLambert19]

Oogie: Take it from my recent experience, there are GOOD DEALS to be had out there. Just this week I talked to a guy who just sold a RTR AX10 that had a glitchy steering servo for $100.

Then, tonight, I picked up my AX10 (Kit version) assembled, but the body is still clear, with a Rooster, Hitec 5645MG servo, and 55T motor, for $250.

I would say check craigslist, any other online vendors, rcjunkyard.com, etc... and hunt around until you find a deal that fits your fancy. I would say the best deal on a new kit is rcplanet.com right now, at $228 w/ free shipping and a full set of Pro-Line tires thrown in to boot. But there are a lot of options... good luck!

-Matt

[SDheavymetal]

I have two RTR's-buy the ARTR- IT has a better tires,links and body.
I've lots of upgrades. I have a RTR radio-reciver and speed controller-(the servo broke)-I will sell them cheap 35.00 . I updated the electronics. The problem is the plastic links bend-My rear drive shaft wore a grove in the upper control arm becuase the plastic arms and the drive shaft was rubbing on it. They where bending soooo much.
Matt

[Coldnorth]

Executive Summary

If you anticipate upgrading the unit AT ALL, buy the ARTR. If, for the sake of cash flow, you don't mind burning money on buying parts twice, get the RTR and the 'color kit' (links) and associated hardware.



...I bought an RTR last Sunday. By the time I was halfway through the first battery fawkin' around in the living room, I realized upgrades were in order. I really think that at the very least the RTR needs to have the links upgraded, the pinion swapped to the wee one, the locker put in the front, and something done to soften the tires (cut foams, no foams, whatever). Consider also some softer springs - a pair of reds for the front. Color kit and hardware kit for the links cost me another 100 CAD. Pair of springs were 8 CAD.

...If I'd left it at that, I'd have been fine - but now I have like 10.7 oz of lead rod fishing weight wrapped around each front rim and 5.3 oz wrapped on each rear rim, and learned very quickly that I will now need a new steering servo, a torquier turn motor and a new ESC and, and, and... ...Tinkering is so fun. :P

...But I'm still only into this for the cost of 2, maybe 3 38-inch Swampers, so I'm way ahead of the game.

[celicaboy]

Pretty much what everyone else said is if your not going to upgrade the rtr right away with the exception of maybe a 55 turn then it's a fine deal but llike the others said if you'll end up adding parts to it it's going to end up like the artr more than likely(depending on color) and beyond even for non-comp minded bashing etc
anyways hope this helps and good luck

[Oogie]

I guess i could go for the artr, i would have to buy it used though, not willing to put the money for everything new right now.
I guess i'll have to keep looking around for a good deal to pop up ?
Unless you guys have anything else to suggest.