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12-14-2018, 08:17 AM | #1 |
Newbie Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Texas, Baby!
Posts: 3
| Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
So crawling is one side of the hobby I have not tried. Banggood sent me that YY2003 a while back, and I had fun with that, before it broke... Twice... But onward thru the fog - Now I am thinking of getting a new Crawler. Not really interested in the Remo's and other Gearbest/Banggood crawlers as a first crawler - I'd rather have something a bit more mainstream. Would I be crazy to go for a Gen8 as my first crawler? Would all the unknowns that getting a new platform has, on top of general noobnish, make this a bad idea? Or should I just join the crowds with a Ascender, or a ACX10II or a Wraith or a (shutter)TRX4? I've also been looking at the Gen7, and I think I would be fine with the out of the box mods it needs, but I worry if it will be around much longer with the Gen8 arriving soon. A bit about me - I've been in and out of the hobby for probably 30 years - 4 years now on this recent kick. Mostly bashing over the years, with some racing. Built a few Franken-cars over the years too. So not a noob to RC, or fixing cars, or modding things to make them (sometimes) better. But Crawling is new for me. Thanks- Jerry Last edited by Jerry-rigged; 12-21-2018 at 08:26 AM. |
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12-14-2018, 08:42 AM | #2 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Apollo Pa
Posts: 1,650
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
I have a TRX Bronco, Vaterra Ascender Bronco, a Wraith very not stock it runs smaller scx axles and 1.9 tires, and a Tf2 Marlin. Now out of all those for a noob I'd recommend the Trx and never thought I'd recommend a Traxxas anything but reason is after changing the ESC to a Hobbywing 1080, the servo to a DS3218 and adding brass portal covers it does really well. The stock tires work very well also. The Trx out of the box works very well but won't be long before the servo goes. So for 3 mods you got a pretty decent rig. I plan on getting a Gen8 but later on down the road after I see how they hold up.
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12-14-2018, 09:09 AM | #3 |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
I would not go for a Redcat as your first crawler. Get something with higher quality and more parts support. Local parts support is even better if you have a hobby shop nearby. Yes, people will insist Redcat is getting better, but they still aren't a mainstream brand. I'd suggest a TRX-4 as your first to be honest. The TRX-4 Sport is only $40 more than the Redcat and probably well worth it. The TRX-4 is the highest quality scaler that I'm aware of at this point. |
12-14-2018, 09:10 AM | #4 |
Pebble Pounder Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Mesa
Posts: 188
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
I think the gen8 will be fine. It seems that Redcat is serious about stepping it up. There's obviously a lot of Redcat bashing around here, but I don't see them failing any more than other brands. Their electronics are no worse than other rtr's & in my opinion, their plastics are better than Axial. The steering has always been terrible because of the clunky, old scx10 type axles they continue to use. Up until now, they've been behind the 8-ball on designs. That being said, you can't go wrong with the Ascender or TRX4. Both are proven performers while the gen8's performance is unknown. It's a great looking truck though & I don't think it's a waste of money if you're willing to take the chance. Yes, a TRX4 Sport is only $40 more, but the body is nothing to get excited about. If that body doesn't work for you, figure spending another $100 of a good one.
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12-14-2018, 09:24 AM | #5 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Apollo Pa
Posts: 1,650
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
I'm in no way bashing Redcat, they have their work cut out for them though and I'm hoping this is a good rig from them. My point is though my local hobby shop sells Redcats but they stock hardly any parts for them but there are two walls full of Traxxas parts, and if I was a new guy getting into the hobby I would want my parts now when and if I needed them. The Trx is a proven platform that's why recommend it, who knows maybe a year from now that will change with the gen8.
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12-14-2018, 09:36 AM | #6 | |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
I really don't see the Redcat, even if it's good, being higher quality than the TRX-4. That thing is built like a tank! | |
12-14-2018, 10:21 AM | #7 | |
Pebble Pounder Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Mesa
Posts: 188
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk | |
12-14-2018, 10:46 AM | #8 | |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
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12-14-2018, 11:39 AM | #9 | |
Pebble Pounder Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Mesa
Posts: 188
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
It's an assumption that it'll be junk too. I can't see the gen8 being a step backwards. It sure doesn't look like it. If it comes down to price, buy the Ascender Bronco. Tough to beat at the current sale price. What more can be said for the TRX4? It's great. A winner. Like Scouts? I'll gamble my money on the gen8 when they come out. It can't be any worse than Axial! Just one man's opinion. | |
12-14-2018, 11:47 AM | #10 | |
RCC Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Apollo Pa
Posts: 1,650
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
Say he gets a new gen8 and two days into running it something breaks, I know my hobby shop doesn't carry many parts for the Redcats they sell now, so he's gotta go online and hope the parts supply is up and running. He gets the Trx and something breaks he'll either be able to get that part at the local shop or for sure online. If you're new at this you don't wanna get frustrated right off the bat. I'm not putting down the gen8 I think it looks promising but they need a little time to prove themselves. Last edited by kincer; 12-14-2018 at 11:53 AM. | |
12-17-2018, 10:42 AM | #11 |
Moderator Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Readsboro, VT
Posts: 2,053
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
I already answered this on RC Groups, but in my opinion, the Gen8 will be a great crawler for you. My only real concern about the Gen8 is that the lack of aftermarket parts support could require some future issue or problem to require a DIY fix instead of just buying an upgrade part like you can do with an Axial. But, since you're already very familiar with RC, that shouldn't be an issue for you. From a capability standpoint, the Gen8 should be a great truck. I've got the portal axles in my Gen7 and they work very well. The Gen8 appears to use the same tires as the Gen7, which are about the best RTR tires I've ever used. Solid electronics, metal links and what appears to be a good overall design makes me think the Gen8 will be a great truck. Others will disagree, because, well, Redcat. |
12-17-2018, 04:29 PM | #12 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 1,912
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
"(shutter)TRX4" Despite what you may think of Traxxas, the TRX4 is a really well built capable crawler no matter which model you might choose. Yes there are a couple of weak electronic components but those are minor and frankly parts most owners would upgrade anyway.
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12-18-2018, 06:24 AM | #13 |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
I still can't believe people are recommending a Redcat vehicle without the public every having their hands on it. The Gen8 has a lot to prove before I'd ever recommend it to anybody.
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12-18-2018, 07:05 AM | #14 | |
Moderator Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Readsboro, VT
Posts: 2,053
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
While nobody can be 100% sure of what the truck will do, those of us who are already familiar with the Gen7 with the Redcat portals installed should be able to make some pretty well educated guesses. | |
12-18-2018, 07:14 AM | #15 | |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
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12-18-2018, 07:20 AM | #16 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Apollo Pa
Posts: 1,650
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler?
I know they changed the design and the portals are a new design yada yada yada but my big factor is parts availability, give it a year plenty of seasoned rc guys will pick these up and test them out. If your new to crawling and scaling get something tried and true with abundant parts availability and have fun.
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12-18-2018, 07:25 AM | #17 |
Moderator Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Readsboro, VT
Posts: 2,053
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Every single one of them was from the original design. Redcat addressed the issues, revised their design, and sent update parts to all of the Portal owners. I'm not aware of a single issue with the final design, and I've been following this very closely. If you're seeing issues with the final design, please point me to them. I'd be genuinely interested in learning about them.
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12-18-2018, 07:29 AM | #18 | |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
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12-18-2018, 08:05 AM | #19 | ||
Moderator Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Readsboro, VT
Posts: 2,053
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
I broke the beta portals. We all did. The upper gear was too small to withstand the torque. Redcat redesigned that gear. None of us are breaking anything anymore. You can call me a fanboy all you want, but being overly critical of a design just because of who makes it is just as bad as being a fanboy. I paid for those portals, and had they not updated them, I would have been quite vocal about the crap reliability. But they did update them, and now they aren't breaking. Quote:
Last edited by Jim85IROC; 12-18-2018 at 08:08 AM. | ||
12-18-2018, 08:11 AM | #20 | |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Redcat Gen8 for a Noob Crawler? Quote:
Also, the more competition for Axial the better. They will either shit and get off the pot and start innovating again and improve their quality or they will fail like they would have done had Horizon not bailed them out. But I'm not going to recommend a truck that isn't even for sale yet. That is blind fanboyism. | |
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