Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

So, now HoBao is getting in on the RC Crawler action. Happened across a post on BSRC.com. I've read that 2018 will most likely be the year of the scaler. I just worry the market will be flooded with crap.

https://youtu.be/qbUn9-bu0qA

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Maybe it's just my opinion, but everything about that looks awful lol. The wheels,tires, body, angles of the links, the machining on the metal parts,brackets, & gears, that motor.
Doesn't even seem worth $150 when you can get something better for $200

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Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Looks like a bad clone of a trx4. The are some neat features but not really any one attention grabbing thing.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

I dunno, that looked pretty damned good to me. Nice metal links, good suspension geometry, nice looking chassis, great body and a nice detailed interior with enough room that you don't have to cut off all of your drivers legs. CMS, WP1060 ESC, slipper clutch, what looks like a 2 speed trans, included 3800mah lipo. I'm not sure what else you want? If this thing sells for $300 or less I think it's going to be a hit.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Something that is actually a scaled down version of a 1:1? There is nothing licensed on that truck.

I thought the whole reason for a "scale crawler" was that it looks like it's 1:1 counter part? There is absolutely nothing on that truck that is a direct scaled down version of a 1:1 anything.

For example:

Axial: scale licensed bodies, wheels, tires, bumpers, etc
HPI venture: Licensed body
TRX-4 Licensed body

Who knows, maybe at the price point it will appeal to dad's who want to get there sons and daughters into the hobby for not a lot of money. As far as for me, zero interest.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Well it doesn't really look like a truck for the American market. I had to cringe when you see those 4 nuts underneath the axle, I can only wonder what genius thought of that idea.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

I don't necessarily believe that scale has to be an exact replica. This truck is made to look like a real vehicle, maybe not anything that exists but it's still has a scale design. I actually think it kind of looks like a Land Rover but that's just my $.02.

But I guess it's just a matter of different strokes for different folks. Im just happy to see new products coming out with all the woes that seem to be in the hobby right now.

Honestly, I think if the price is right, it'll be a good rig to get started with in the scale scene. I probably won't buy one, not because I don't like it but because I've already got too many to take care of.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

3RACING
3racing too..

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Agreed. As these lesser-known brands continue to make better stuff, it will keep the big brands on their toes. To stay on top they'll have to innovate and keep their pricing in check. I think we're all going to benefit.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

This is so weird. Solid front axle with 0-20* of camber adjustment? I mean, I guess it could be useful. I'm not sure if anybody has ever tried this.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Ho Bao one of the brand name, famous in their buggies for reliability [emoji51]


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Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

I'm also not sure about the utility of camber adjustments on a solid axle scaler but I'm intrigued by the design. May be something worth looking into.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

They clearly don't get it.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Revo style suspension
http://fs1.directupload.net/images/180103/i9v9yppm.jpg

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Thank for that. Had a senior moment. Been working solid axle rigs so long I forgot about that revo hub connection setup (I had a summit when they first came out).

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Let's see what else comes out this year. Anyway, this year will be the year of upgrade parts for me. I've picked up more than enough kits in 2017.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

At the bottom of the page. But this is more interesting
NOTE: Except motor is included, all other electronics shown in photos sold separately.
NOTE: Photos and descriptions depicts pre-production prototype, final production kit may subject to change without notice.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

I hear ya, I went from 3 trucks to 8 in 2017. Hopefully none of these new rigs catch my eye. I really need to put my money into what I already have.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Hobao is the controlling company of another later born, maybe more recognizable name OFNA which has alot of experiance in doing fairly well in 1/8 scale off road. They had some really wild monster trucks and one of the first nitro monster trucks even before the tmaxx. Does anybody remember the titan? Not the football team or the movie, it was a dual engine big block monster truck that when tuned right made a tmaxx look like a Wal-Mart toy. The pirate was a one of the early nitro monster trucks which eventually spured on 1/8 truggy racing becuase it was based of of a 1/8 nitro buggy with monster truck tires. If you think Traxxas recycled parts and ideas to extend the profitability of a part OFNA wrote the book and Traxxas learned from them. The first crawler from Hobao....ehhhh.... But Hobao and OFNA as a company definitely are players in other rc.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

check out that internal spur gear on the 3racing rig... no thanks

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Spotted that a little while ago. Interesting idea to keep the profile tighter. That 3R really is a decently thought out rig. Quality...who knows. I wouldn’t mind a retrofit of that spur on my scx10. Even cooler if it was clockable like the RC4WD divorced tranny.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

One thing about cheap beginner kits, they tend to get a new wave hooked & many of them upgrade. Price is usually the most common barrier to entry with most hobbies.

Another thing is when they aren't just carbon-copies of existing kits but instead add in some unique features, it tends to jolt the bigger names out of complacency. After replacing the worn-out PLASTIC end link balls & $10 can motor on my used Wraith, it amazed me that people paid $400 for a kit - and that it's been that price for ages. I'm not saying Axial is junk, but SCT's and buggies get refreshed almost yearly.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

If you're going to run a course that has a lot of side-hilling, that camber adjustment could be real helpful. Aside from that, I'm at a loss. It's definitely out of place on a scaler.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Ofna was just an importer and distributor that is now out of business. HoBao (or Hong Nor) always made the cars, Ofna was just the company that made them available in the US (and they did a very good job at it). I don't have faith in anything HoBao since Ofna closed up.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

What don't "they" get?

Pivot balls on a crawler is beyond odd. Odd and/or different isn't always bad. You can't find new things that work without trying.

The scaler market is already flooded. Bring on the flood. Anything that forces the big players to stay on their toes is a good thing.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

I can't care less about brand licensing for bodies, tires, etc. I'd rather pay less for the model. Just needs to look scale and that's the fun part for me to figure out those little details. If I want a jeep or toyota or whatever licensed body, plenty of them on the market to me to buy later.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

The hobao in depth (not really tho)
http://fs1.directupload.net/images/180104/nmxm3nuj.png
http://fs1.directupload.net/images/180104/6tf79jql.png
http://fs1.directupload.net/images/180104/zv8zr93y.png

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

First mod to axles flip the link mount screws and use button heads or maybe even a countersunk .

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

That was my first thought. I think countersunk would be the best bet so there's nothing protruding down.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Yeah anyway. That's a big WTF on their part. What were they thinking?

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

I’ll leave this here.

http://www.rcmart.com/3racing-kitexr...cPath=420_1187

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Nice price for a kit with a 2 speed.

I have a drift car from the same brand. The quality isn't flawless, but it's better than I expected for the price. I wouldn't steer anyone away from the brand.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Wow that's way cheaper than I expected! I like it because it's a different design. They are taking a chance on something different. That has to be done or the scale market will get stale.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Aluminum M7 (!) links, 2 speed, steel gears, hidden body mounts, CVD's, motor up front and CMS out of the box. Seems like that was pretty much everyone's wish list for an out of the box kit not too long ago.

If the quality is there, very impressive. I've built a 3Racing kit, and used a lot of their parts - never had any issues.

I like the adjustable camber...interesting idea. I've messed with it on my IFS rigs and it seems to make a difference. IIRC the CFX-W has a few degrees of negative camber baked in as well. I'm not sure how much steering you can get out of pivot balls though.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

If it came with the Land Rover body that is shown in the ad I think I would have already ordered one.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Wow, at that price I might be in if nothing else to see what its all about.

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

At least its not $799.99 with $199.99 shipping price...like some other truck that's coming out.....lol !

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

Whoa, what is that?

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

I see CMS but no panhard bar?

I like that they're including beadlocks, but those hubs stick out too far, and gold bolts... REALLY?

Re: Let the flooding of the scale market begin
 

at $160 US, you can afford some black paint and a different set of hubs 8) the 4 link with cms is a head scratcher though, but I can't see the pics well enough to see the suspension/steering setup myself.