FTL Racing, RCGenesis, ToucanHobby, Sylvian1975-RC, Chinese Clone Bling-Machines?

[MailManX]

Here are some seemingly clone products that I am very curious about. I originally posted similar information in an old thread (5-years old!), then decided I should start a new thread. Please give me any feedback you may have on the following products:

I found some intriguing Chinese custom CNC "Bling-Machines" that seem too good to be true. I get the feeling they are Axial clones. If that's the case, I will not have anything to do with them. The ones that intrigue me the most are from ebay seller "Sylvian1975-rc" from Hong Kong. He has excellent feedback and a pretty large store:

http://www.ebaystores.com/sylvian1975rc

Many of the items in his store are legitimate, at least I think they are. However, check out this Bling-Machine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313-mm-1-10...gAAOSw4HVWER0y.

I doubt if it is as reliable as it is pretty. There is not a brand name associated with it. In fact, the description of the item on ebay shows "Sylvian1975-rc" as the brand. That seems suspicious. If anyone knows more about this, I am very curious to know.

Another brand that I've never heard of is TFL Racing. They have a website that doesn't seem quite right: https://www.rcgenesis.net. The TFL "brand" is very expensive making it seem as if it is legit, but I am skeptical. An ebay seller called "toucanhobby" sells a lot of these TFL products:

https://www.ebay.com/str/toucanhobby

ToucanHobby reminds me of Sylvian1975-rc: Large store, some seemingly legit stuff and a lot of questionable stuff.

I'd love any feedback you have on these stores and their items. THANKS!

[Brake Weight]

TFL makes some boats and a Bronco crawler. The crawler has been out a year or so and has been shown to be very stout.

[durok]

Google TFL Bronco, or just search this site - it's a fairly well-known somewhat premium R/C... I myself picked up a TFL winch because I liked the look of it.

TFL had their lineup on display at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2017, just like Traxxas, Tamiya, etc.

[Brake Weight]

YouTube the badassness of that Bronco.



Here’s one of many.
https://youtu.be/qgnKs6H0JOU

[MailManX]

Originally Posted by durok

Google TFL Bronco, or just search this site - it's a fairly well-known somewhat premium R/C... I myself picked up a TFL winch because I liked the look of it.

TFL had their lineup on display at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2017, just like Traxxas, Tamiya, etc.

That's impressive! I'm not totally surprised. Of all the stuff I listed, TFL seemed the most legit, as did the prices (gulp!).

More than anything, I am wondering about some of the no-name bling on Sylvian1975-rc, ToucanHobby and others. For example, I was looking for a 6x6 to build up and found this one. It's beautiful, but no brand name is listed. Does anyone know if it is legit?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-10-6x6-Hi...YAAOSwgkRVUAwN




I also see a "CNC Aluminum Carbon Frame Chassis SCX10 313mm Wheelbase Metal" listing on all kinds of ebay sites with prices ranging from $285 to $430. Some sites list it as brand name Cool Racing. Is there any further information on this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cool-Racing...UAAOSwdzRbt2Vm

[Jim85IROC]

The no-name axles are available on their own for under $100/set. There are a lot of guys running them, and they seem to have a very good reputation, except for the occasional broken axle shaft, but since they're SCX10 compatible, there's plenty of stuff available. Others have bought the transmission and had nothing but good things to say about it.

Since the only parts left are more or less the non-moving parts, I'd say that the truck overall should be pretty reliable.

I've been watching one of those trucks that's listed for about $250, and I would have bought one during Ebay's most recent 15% off sale if I hadn't just bought a new camera. Next time...

[soze]

Originally Posted by MailManX

I also see a "CNC Aluminum Carbon Frame Chassis SCX10 313mm Wheelbase Metal" listing on all kinds of ebay sites with prices ranging from $285 to $430. Some sites list it as brand name Cool Racing. Is there any further information on this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cool-Racing...UAAOSwdzRbt2Vm

I think RCMart sells that one under the brand XtraSpeed as well.

[MailManX]

Originally Posted by soze

I think RCMart sells that one under the brand XtraSpeed as well.

I took a look at that one just now. It doesn't seem nearly as durable or complex, yet the price is pretty similar.

[MailManX]

I'm still hoping that somebody has feedback or even rumors or hearsay about this 6x6. It sure intrigues me!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-10-6x6-Hi...YAAOSwgkRVUAwN

[MailManX]

Originally Posted by Teng

Another good choice from FYRC.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Well, I just looked up the website at work and now I'm probably going to be in trouble with the IT-Police! Who knew that's what FY stood for? Apparently many of you did. HA!

[soze]

Originally Posted by MailManX

I took a look at that one just now. It doesn't seem nearly as durable or complex, yet the price is pretty similar.

You're looking at the wrong one. Xtra Speed "Trail Glider"

Xtra Speed Trail Glider SCX10 CNC Machined Aluminum Fully Upgraded 1/10 Scale Crawler 313mm WB ARTR #XS-CAR-908,

[MailManX]

Originally Posted by soze

You're looking at the wrong one. Xtra Speed "Trail Glider"

Xtra Speed Trail Glider SCX10 CNC Machined Aluminum Fully Upgraded 1/10 Scale Crawler 313mm WB ARTR #XS-CAR-908,

Thank you! That's looks better!

[MailManX]

Is FYRC really an RC brand, or is my little chain getting yanked? I can't find much on the internet about FYRC and most of that is not in English. If the brand really exists, how/where would I order something from that company?

[Teng]

Originally Posted by MailManX

Is FYRC really an RC brand, or is my little chain getting yanked? I can't find much on the internet about FYRC and most of that is not in English. If the brand really exists, how/where would I order something from that company?

They do not have website yet. But they are very active here on Taobao China.

Here is the seller link： https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=...ucket=6#detail

but you need a special website to get the translation properly for you （ sorry but I cannot remember the website name ) this special website also able for you easily order things from Taobao. Cheers

[MailManX]

Originally Posted by Teng

They do not have website yet. But they are very active here on Taobao China.

Here is the seller link： https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=...ucket=6#detail

but you need a special website to get the translation properly for you （ sorry but I cannot remember the website name ) this special website also able for you easily order things from Taobao. Cheers

THANK YOU! With the excellent explanation, I should be able to find it!

[MailManX]

As Teng said, there are several different websites that provide translation and assistance for TaoBao. Here are several. I think I'll try one of them later this evening and buy something inexpensive as a test:

Wiki Information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taobao

Quora offers these discussions about using an "agent", or not, for buying from Taobao:
https://www.quora.com/Can-people-fro...using-an-agent
https://www.quora.com/Which-Taobao-agent-is-the-best
https://www.quora.com/Where-can-we-g...t-taobao-agent

Here are several websites that offer advice and/or assistance:

https://www.imoney.my/articles/taobao-shopping-guide

https://www.twentyxthirty.com/taobao-guide/

https://www.sassyhongkong.com/sassys...-taobao-style/

https://tbfocus.com/faq

https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/taobao-shopping-guides/

https://www.techinasia.com/tmall-tao...h-how-to-guide

https://andrewminalto.com/taobao-part-one/

And many, MANY more!

After I do this, I'll report back on which method I used and how it went.

[CM9000]

Originally Posted by MailManX

I'm still hoping that somebody has feedback or even rumors or hearsay about this 6x6. It sure intrigues me!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-10-6x6-Hi...YAAOSwgkRVUAwN

axles look like komodo knuckle ends, links look like rc4wd.

they could be over ther just taking parts from different companies and just mashing together rigs/ kits to seel and get in on some of the money.

I for one, wouldn't buy that 6x6.

[MailManX]

Originally Posted by CM9000

axles look like komodo knuckle ends, links look like rc4wd.

they could be over ther just taking parts from different companies and just mashing together rigs/ kits to seel and get in on some of the money.

I for one, wouldn't buy that 6x6.

Thank you for your feedback! If it were cheaper, I might consider it, but that price gives me pause. I'm trying to find out more about the one from FYRC being sold through Taobao. It seems to have great articulation. Very limited info, though.

[MailManX]

Here is an update. I decided to try purchasing an inexpensive "baby" from Taobao without an agent. I found it interesting that all product is referred to as "baby". Being the curious sort, I looked up the reason why: Taobao calls its products 宝 which can translate to either treasure or baby. Google translate chooses "baby". "Hey mister. You want baby? We sell baby very cheap!"

This is the web tutorial that I followed: https://www.sassyhongkong.com/sassys...-taobao-style/

Using Google Chrome translater, it was easy to set up an account. Then I found an item that I wanted to order, but I could never add it to the shopping cart. I tried a few other items in case it was just a fluke. Nothing worked. It was late, so I let it go. I will read up on it some more, then try again another day.

I will be back to let you know the results.

I welcome hearing buyer experience from other English-language-only buyers.

[Postclanker]

The whole thing sounds sketchy to me...