HSP Pangolin
 

Greetings, I'm a newbie here. I have a Stampede VXL 4X4, and a 2WD Stampede. I've been thinking about buying a crawler. I kind of like the Ridgecrest and think it might meet my needs, but I've been looking at a Pangolin by HSP that looks to be identical to an AX-10 Scorpion and it costs only $150. I was wondering if anyone here was familiar with that and any comments would be appreciated. My crawler knowledge is limited. I do know I want something that will do more than just crawl at a snail's pace. Seems like the Ridgecrest does that.:)

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

Best to stay away from any knockoff, as more often than not, you get what you pay for as far as parts quality and aftermarket support.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

True most of the time. However in this case, you can bolt in Scorpion parts to upgrade if you break them. I've got a bunch of Traxxas parts I could also use with some mods if needed. I got burned on a Radio Shack a long time ago. No parts or support, and nothing else would fit.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

You would be way better off going with axial. Any axial. If you want something with more speed get a wraith. Then if you want more versatility buy a 2 speed transmission for it. HSP is pretty much a knock off of other crawlers with inferior parts. You would have a better rig even if you bought a redcat.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

Thanks for your input Slim.
So in that case, if I didn't want to shell out more than a couple of hundred for a crawler (I need to find out how much I like crawling before doing that), is the RedCat the better choice then, and if so, why? Also can you get parts easily for it?
The thing I like about the Pangolin is, if a part went I could just replace it with a better Axial part, and this model I was looking at was simple with only two wheel steering and one motor unlike the RedCat which has 2 motors/two batteries, and 4 wheel steering.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

I know a few guys that run red cat and they are tough. But id only buy one if i happen across a good deal used. Honestly though I would go with axial. The ridgecrest is a good start point for a crawler. But add too much speed to any regular crawler and they become really squirrely. Speed is defiantly not the name of the game in crawlers. I prefer to have at least one dedicated crawler with the top speed of around a really fast walk. The wraith on the other hand can handle more speed but not stadium truck or sct speeds from the best of my knowledge.
If you find you do not want to spend on new prices on a axial look for a good used ax10 scorpion on craigslist. Thats where I found mine. Granted it may take a while though.
Honestly once the crawler bug bites you its got you. I wasnt even close to interested until a buddy handed me the remote to his venom creeper. Now my go fast stuff has been collecting dust.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

Eventually you would end up with an Axial that cost you $150 more than it would have if you had just bought one to begin with.

If you really have no serious interest in crawling, get the knock-off.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

Go for it. You can almost always get most of your money back with an Axial if you spend wisely. Wisely being the key word. Knock off stuff is a waste from the beginning.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

Decision/Questions for the Crawler Experts:
I see that on ebay you can get a new Redcat 1/10 crawler on ebay, and while it does have 4 wheel steering and twin axle motors, it only needs one battery (I thought it needed two). I was really wanting to stay with one motor and esc for single motor (just in case I decided to drop in a spare Traxxas brushed motor & esc that I have collecting dust).
So the question for you real crawlers, if I've got $200 to invest in ths, which should I do:
1. Buy the HSP Pangolin / AX10 knockoff (pro is I've got a brushed system I could put in it to go faster if I want to, and Scorpion parts interchange)
2. Buy the RedCat Racing Crawler (looks like parts are readily available if needed).
3. Keep looking/waiting for a used Ridgecrest (the model I really want as I think it would best suit my needs, has some speed, and I like how it looks better than the Wraith which is out of my price range anyway).
4. Buy a used Losi Night Crawler (seems to be a lot of parts for those available on ebay).
5. Or last, Since my main truck is a beefed up Traxxas Stampede Brushless 4X4 that I run every day to exercise the dog, my other option would be convert my backup 2WD Stampede brushless back to AM radio and brushed system and sell it that way. Then I could add a little cash and buy a new Ridgecrest, my real favorite if I had the extra bucks for it.
By the way, thanks for the help. I'm learning something here anyway.

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

Forgo the instant gratification and work towards what you really want...the Ridgecrest. You won't be happy with the other two choices.

Ridgecrest is my vote, stay as far away from the knockoff stuff as possible!!! Keep an eye on Craigslist in your area and watch the buy sell trade (after you hit your post count) here and other sites, don't be afraid to ask questions after you have done the research. And most of all crawling is a refined, slow, well thought out sport so have patience. The Redcat that had 2 motors is called a MOA or motor on axle like the XR10 from axial and the ridgecrest wraith AX10 SCX10 from axial are all shaft driven. I wish you the best of luck

Re: HSP Pangolin
 

Well, I kind of thought the Ridgecrest was the way to go. But after talking with Axial, they said it wouldn't hold up as well or do what I was primarily going to use it for (racing offroad with the dog) and said nothing would be as tough as the Stampede 4X4 I have. Therefore, I decided to buy a roller (I already have everything needed to complete it) and I'm going to put my Stampede 2WD back to stock and sell that. Thanks for all the advice. It kept me from making a wrong decision.