Gen8 manual is up. Here's what we know

[Jim85IROC]

Redcat has posted the Gen8 manual.

http://www.redcatracing.com/manuals/GEN8_MANUAL.pdf

Here's what I've gleaned from it:

*The truck added a slipper clutch.

*There's a metal motor plate.

*The brass pinion & plastic spur are 32p. No more of that Mod .6 crap from the Gen7.

*Transmission & transfer case gears are Mod 1. I can't tell if they're plastic or metal yet. The pinion & spur are specifically identified as brass & plastic, so this leads me to think the rest of the gears are metal.

*Final drive ratio appears to be about 48:1 by my calculations, compared to about 37:1 for the Gen7.

*As expected, the portals are identical to the updated design, which should prove to be very strong.

*Bearings are all rubber sealed.

*All hardware is hex except for some M2.5x4 self tapping screws, but I can't find where those are used.

*The headlight and taillight buckets are designed to accept LEDs.

*The truck includes a spare tire & spare tire mounts.

*Same 2 channel flysky rx/tx as the Gen7

*Brushed 550 can, but not the same one as the Gen7

*Newer version of the same HW 1040 ESC used in the Gen7

*Newer version of the same 15kg servo used in the Gen7

*Same tires & foams as the Gen7 Sport

*The shocks are a different part number from the Gen7 stuff, but they look the same as the Gen7 Sport shocks. My guess is that they have revised spring rates.

*Driveshafts are a different part number than the Gen7, but appear to be the same.

In general I felt that the layout and overall quality of the Gen7 manual was superior to this manual, but it's still a good manual.

As for the truck, based on what I'm seeing in the manual, I'm very impressed. Everything looks like it was well designed and designed for durability.

[JatoTheRipper]

Looks pretty good. It's still a TRX-4 clone though.

Brass gears are a very odd choice and I'm not a fan. I also don't like that the body attaches with Velcro.

[Jim85IROC]

The brass pinion is kind of crap, but since it's 32p, it's not like it will be hard to replace. I get bothered when they use that Mod.6 crap, because then replacing it is a real project.

That said, the Mod .6 brass pinion on my Gen7 is holding up better than I expected it to, although now that I'm running 3S to help compensate for the portal gear ratios, it'll probably wear out a lot faster.

The velcro body doesn't thrill me, but the body posts are included in the box if you want to convert, and they also have a spot specifically designated for neo magnets if you'd prefer to go that route. They planned ahead.

[soze]

I just want the body right now. Maybe I'll be convinced to get the truck if the right deal comes along.

[VaOldSchool]

Originally Posted by Jim85IROC

The brass pinion is kind of crap, but since it's 32p, it's not like it will be hard to replace. I get bothered when they use that Mod.6 crap, because then replacing it is a real project.

That said, the Mod .6 brass pinion on my Gen7 is holding up better than I expected it to, although now that I'm running 3S to help compensate for the portal gear ratios, it'll probably wear out a lot faster.

The velcro body doesn't thrill me, but the body posts are included in the box if you want to convert, and they also have a spot specifically designated for neo magnets if you'd prefer to go that route. They planned ahead.

I’m actually glad it can be switched to magnets and not have holes in the body...very scale.


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[Jim85IROC]

Originally Posted by VaOldSchool

I’m actually glad it can be switched to magnets and not have holes in the body...very scale.


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For sure. What I'm anxious to see is if there's anything to hold the body from moving laterally, or if I'll have to rig up something. Neo magnets have good clamping force, but lousy sheering force, so you need something to prevent the body from sliding laterally.

For example, on my 10428 TH Clone, I used magnets to fasten the back of the hinging body.

You can see that the magnets are recessed in the mount. This allows the corresponding magnets that are glued to the body to sit in the hole and prevents them from sliding. It would be easy enough to work up a similar solution on this truck if it's required.

[Jim85IROC]

More info. I've been scrolling through the Gen8 FB page and learned the following:

A full complement of aluminum upgrades is already done and will drop in early 2019. This includes a metal grill, all metal portal housings, servo mount, center skid, bumper mounts, trans housing, transfer case housing, shocks and steel trans & transfer case gears.

They've also begun posting 3D print files to Thingiverse.

[soze]

Originally Posted by Jim85IROC

More info. I've been scrolling through the Gen8 FB page and learned the following:

A full complement of aluminum upgrades is already done and will drop in early 2019. This includes a metal grill, all metal portal housings, servo mount, center skid, bumper mounts, trans housing, transfer case housing, shocks and steel trans & transfer case gears.

They've also begun posting 3D print files to Thingiverse.

At least now we know there will be parts for it. I'm interested in how it performs now.

[Jim85IROC]

With regard to the shocks, this is what one of the Redcat engineers said:
The shocks are physically the same as the Gen7, but the springs are significantly softer.

[brimdogg]

The tranny gears are plastic, but are said to be more durable/stronger than the metal upgrade gears for the Gen 7.

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[Jim85IROC]

Originally Posted by brimdogg

The tranny gears are plastic, but are said to be more durable/stronger than the metal upgrade gears for the Gen 7.

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Good to know. Based on them offering a metal upgrade gear, I came to the conclusion that the truck shipped with plastic gears, but it would have been nice if their labeling in the manual was more consistent. Honestly, I don't think plastic gears are so bad when the truck has a slipper. Plastic gears without a slipper is just asking for problems, although I haven't had any problems with my Gen7, but I'm still running the stock motor.

[Bob_in az]

With regards to plastics used, I watched a facebook live vid with the gen8 engineers (crazy, right? They stepped up & hired engineers.) & they said the plastics are a fiber reinforced, proprietary blend that was specifically developed for the gen8. The more I see on this truck, the more I'm impressed. I'm certainly not a redcat fanboy, but I keep an open mind. They're also based in my home state, so I really want to see them succeed. I've only ever owned one redcat, an E10. I wasn't overwhelmed. Wasn't underwhelmed either, it was very mediocre. I wasn't impressed with the gen7. Seemed like they were just trying to catch up to the scx10.1 with that one. The gen8 is clearly different. Looks like they're making a solid effort to evolve.

[freakofnature]

Originally Posted by Jim85IROC

The velcro body doesn't thrill me, but the body posts are included in the box if you want to convert, and they also have a spot specifically designated for neo magnets if you'd prefer to go that route. They planned ahead.

I have the gen7 pro with Velcro holding the front down and it has taken some hardcore tumbles and the Velcro has held fast. I pick it up by the roof mounted spare with no problems

[OSRC]

Screw it, I ordered one. I was about to order a gen 7 for the kid for Christmas but I decided to wait. She'll understand

[VaOldSchool]

Someone got one! Not me unfortunately still waiting, but looks like any day now.




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[soze]

I just picked one up with that 15% ebay Coupon posted in our ebay coupon thread.

[VaOldSchool]

https://youtu.be/GpWIYnGEGEg

Awesome


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