Losi's mini crawler review

[Casey Peck]

First of all I would like point out that I have been a team driver for Losi going on 5 years.
So this may seem a little one sided but this is my honest opinion. This was also my first rock crawling experience so I am by no means an expert in this category.

Upon arrival of the of the UPS package I eagerly opened it to find the new Losi Mini Crawler. The box was very eye catching. All of the vehicles specs and its various included components are listed on the sides with full color pictures. I acouldn’t wait to get my hands on the inner boxes and I was immediately impressed with look of this truck. It stood out from its “real rock” back round scene packaging (which is a nice touch in my opinion).


I opened the rest of the goods which included a 7.2v battery pack and charger,
along with a very capabable 2.4 Spektrum radio system (already installed).
The standard sized 2.4 receiver can be bound to any current 2.4 Specktrum radio including the ever popular DX3R. This is a huge plus as most enthusiast’s knee deep in the hobby will be able to add this little guy to their favorite radio.

[Casey Peck]

After an over night charge with the included wall charger, it was off to hit the rocks. The local crawler club invited me out to their favorite spot to join in on some serious climbing. Being that this was SARCCA’s summer series finale, I knew it would be a sweet area for testing this mini bad boy out.





Right out of the box and on to the rocks the little guy proved to be a capable rig. The mini Losi Rock Claws seemed to bite the tough jagged surface very well. Combining the correct gearing with a super smooth motor and electronics package proved to get the truck in and out of trouble spots with ease. On the toughest of twists, the truck seemed to act a slightly top heavy but for the most part tackled the rocks very well.





I was able to crack one of the top shock eyelets after binding it up in a steep crevasse. It popped right back on and finished out the rest of the day in the hands of SARCCA’s club members.

With some of the West’s most capable drivers at the wheel, the truck was put through its paces and was pulling off some serious lines I thought impossible. They were also quick to point out a few minor changes that would help get the mini crawler working to its full potential. They agreed that it was slightly top heavy and could use some weight moved around on the chassis. We also removed the front preload clips and installed them in the back to get the rear to push the weight around a bit more. This turned out to be a good tweak and helped quite a bit.

Over all the truck proved itself to be a serious little rig with great potential right out of the box. The veteran crawlers were impressed and gave their “two thumbs up” approval.

I applaud Losi for a job well done! A true one-box purchase. Everything is included and will provide tons of action for all skill and age levels.

[Casey Peck]

[celsiusprime]

This is awsome info. Thanks for the review. How much run time did you get out of the battery?


ps. Congrats on being a driver for the best RC company in existence.

[genki]

Thanks for the review, looks like a capable little crawler! Great to hear that the RX can be bound to the DX3R that is a bonus point.

[Flyin Hawaiian]

Thanks for letting me drive the losi. I has a very good starting point with just a few tweaks it would become a great 1/18 scale crawler. Perfect for anybody the want to crawl with not alot of money and very little room for rocks. You can crawl on a very small course and still have lot of fun. We and all the SARCCA guys are going to have fun with these. Maybe even a nice fun spec class.

I already have my mods for the non spec.
Mamba 25 esc
Bm9 outrunner or HH mini cobalt
2S lipo

Thanks again casey

[Casey Peck]

a ton we ran it off and on for 4 or 5 hours. total run time probably close to an hour (including the time I put on it at home) without any sign of slowing.

[jason]

Take it off any sweet jumps?

[joemomma95]

Originally Posted by jason

Take it off any sweet jumps?

I did, I did!!!

I rolled the thing til it wouldn't roll any more. And it took the beating...I think everyone that had the control in their hand beat the crap out of it(on purpose or accident I couldn't tell you).

I'll be getting one, not right away but I will be getting one. I like the idea of basically being able to crawl anywhere there's a few small rocks. My backyard rock pile would be so much fun with this and I'm sure I could make a nice layout in the corner of the garage for a rainy day.

Thanks and Casey for bringing it out and letting us play. Hope you enjoyed yourself..

[upnover1]

thanks for the reviews, cant wait to get mine...did anyone that ran the crawler notice a difference from the 2.2 claws in tire compound, good, better or bad ?

[jpterbl1]

great review, thanks for the info. Cant wait to get mine when it comes in at the local LHS.

[Casey Peck]

Originally Posted by upnover1

thanks for the reviews, cant wait to get mine...did anyone that ran the crawler notice a difference from the 2.2 claws in tire compound, good, better or bad ?

I think the compound felt different than the blue 2.2 not really softer or harder but different. I would bet they will offer them in blue as well

[The Real Dogman]

Casey, that was a grat review!! And very accurate! SARCCA is kicking around the idea of doing a fll on Spec Class with these little rigs. I did find that with just a few well placed preload clips and some wieght added to right places, I could make pretty serious lines, and yes these tire are abit firmer than the 2.2 versions which did add alot of "bounce" to the ride. The drive train has some very postive features like full steel universals with the Shafts attached with cross screws. I personally liked that because repairing broken driveshafts will be so much easier(God knows I have had my share of broken D-shafts) I dont really think there wil be much issue with the tranny and lockers with the OEM motor. That 280 did not seem to have the grunt I personally would like to see, but then again I am a power fiend!! This RTR is very complete and very capable right out of the box, Good Job Losi!!

Originally Posted by upnover1

thanks for the reviews, cant wait to get mine...did anyone that ran the crawler notice a difference from the 2.2 claws in tire compound, good, better or bad ?

Oh And I Had A Great Day Casey!! Lets do it again soon!! I know how to get your old rig back!!

[Casey Peck]

Travis thanks for the couple of pics I stole from ya.

Thanks guys i had a great time and have a new respect for this sect of the hobby!

Erin can you email me the pics you took?

[Erin]

yeah, no problem, just pm me with your email. Depending if you want all of them, it may be easier to load them to a memory stick and meet you somewhere, that way they wont all have to be shrunk down so much.

let me know

[tedmales]

I will be looking to pick one up this week. They look like the will be more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

[TK-twister]

Casey this was a sweet little truck that Losi has come up with. The truck will make a very good crawler. I see alot of people using the axle for scale buildups. It is a blast to drive. Pretty powerful right of the box. A 800 mah lipo and some few tweaks and it will be hard to stop this little turd. Had a blast with it and now we need you to get a 2.2 and comp with us. See you soon

[Flyin Hawaiian]

Got mine today. all murdered out (blacked out) started tweeking the stock setup with oil and lowering the body, wheel weights, memory foams etc. i will post up pics tommorow. SARCCA first mini losi.

[Casey Peck]

[Casey Peck]