New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

So Redcat just announced this on Facebook. Great move on their part. However, I would've liked to have seen the upgraded steel trans & t-case gears with the kit. As it sits, it's the standard Gen 8 minus the body, wheels/tires & electronics. They keep moving in the right direction though.

GEN8-PACK| Redcat Racing

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Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I won't be getting this, but I'm glad they did it. It's good news for those of us that like to build.

We've got some nice options now for raw kits (body-less) between Axial, HPI, GMADE, Redcat, MST, and Traxxas.

Unfortunately, the problem with the Traxxas one is the included electronics bumping that kit price up. If they released an electronics-less "sport" kit, that would be perfect.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

Soze, I get the TRX4 sport sliders on ebay for $200 from a seller "Lumidave"

You gotta tear everything down to build what you want anyways right! to me RTR, kit, or pre assembled slider dont really matter it ends up in pile in a parts bin when start building lol. I just look for the best deal for what I need and what I can sell from the purchase"thumbsup"

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

Oh and Bob, good find. that is cool seeing Redcat bring this. I think if they threw in some worthy upgrades folks may bite on it more as well. its the lowest kit with portals and frontish motor mount, so if thats what you need its a viable option as far as kits."thumbsup"

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

Oh, I know that guy tears RTRs & kits apart and re-sells as sliders. I just wish Traxxas themselves would do it officially!

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

So.... I didn't actually click the link until now. It comes pre-assembled???? Booooooooo! That takes some of the fun out of it.... at least for me.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

It's definitely a shame that it comes pre-built, as if it wasn't you could implement svt923's steering fix right away!

"thumbsup"

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I thought it was neat they are making steps in the direction they are. This is pretty cool. In due time, I'm sure they will offer an upgraded version as well, and possibly a kit.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I would still buy the RTR for $300 and keep all the things I don't use as spares than pay $200 for the chassis, there is way more than $100 in extra value with the RTR.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I thought the same thing. The inner fenders on the chassis, inside the body, and the body itself are well worth the 100 bucks, let along the electronics. They aren't great, but theyre decent beginner stuff to be tossed in a rig to get it moving.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I think it's great that they're offering this, but I can't help but wonder how well it will sell at the same price as the HPI Venture and SCX10 II builder's kits. At $300 the RTR is an incredible value, and priced well below the competition. At $200, this kit is exactly the same price as the competition. I guess we'll see.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I like the option, great to see more of these come available we just need cough *traxxas* cough to join the party of a raw chassis offering.

I'd be curious to see if one may do better getting the RTR and selling off the body, motor/esc/servo, rx/tx, and wheels/tires. 2 weeks before racewars that body probably fetches a premium (for now). There's a clear body set with all the trim on ebay for 142 right now.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I'm a new Redcat fan and I'm glad they're trying new kits but I'm afraid they missed the mark with this one.

It's exactly the same as the $300 kit minus:
- body and all attachments
- radio, receiver, servo
- motor, esc
- 5 wheels and tires
- inner fender and velcro/magnet system
- sliders
- spare tire mount
- metal servo arm

That's at least $200 in parts and easily sold as take-offs at $150. So financially, it doesn't make sense for most buyers.

It comes assembled (and poorly at that) so it misses the mark with most who want a builder's kit.

The big loss though is it loses what makes it competitive in the marketplace, amazing value, a stunning body, velcro/magnet body mounts and extra value parts like spare tire/mount, steel servo horn.

It offers nothing of what current customers want, a clear body, hop-ups, stronger drivetrain, center bump mod. so compared to the Axial or HPI builder's kits, it does not have any edge for the same $199 price.

I think they rushed this to market, cashing in, not thinking things through and not listening to enthusiasts.

No big deal though since a few may find this package useful. A couple cool packages:
- make this $150
- package in a few metal upgrades and/or 3d molded parts
- $200 for this but include a clear body!!

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

The general consensus on the Gen 8 fb group is pretty much the same as we're all saying here; glad they're moving in the right direction, but this "kit" needs to come with upgrades. Redcat has been really good at listening & interacting with their customers as of late, so I'm thinking (hoping) we might see an upgraded version real soon. We'll see.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

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Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I agree its a good step in the right direction but falls a bit short by not including upgrades. If you actually want the Scout ii body the RTR is a great value if you're okay with blue or orange.

EDIT: I just caught in that video that P.A.C.K. stands for Pre Assembled Chassis Kit.....hmm pre assembled and kit, seems like an oxymoron to me lol

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I see no reason to get a gen8 with out the scout body

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

agreed.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

Agreed. They should have given a little more incentive to buy the kit. More metal!

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

Redcat just announced that they're dropping the price to $169.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

That might not be a bad deal at that price, especially if you had some stuff laying around to complete it.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

$170 is cool. Even more impressive is their responsiveness and willingness to get better.

I took a big poll and published on their Facebook. 70% said too expensive for what it offered. 2 days later. Bam!

Amazing.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

It will be interesting to see if this stays in their catalog now. The $30 discount has to be cutting way into their profit margins on this unit.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I wouldn't be surprised if this was one of those situations where their standard pricing method would put them at $170 but the competition sells for $200 so go ahead and test the higher price point.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

Like. "thumbsup"


EDIT: I see from the link it's coming next week...put my name in for a notice. Maybe I'll get one of these to play with. The price is sure right, and I have a LOT of bodies and wheel sets - way more than I can get to with my rigs. I think I even have a new hw1080 in the box. ;-) And extra motors.


EDIT2: Wow...already got an email from them saying it's in stock!

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I like the willingness to adapt and jump in

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

I am thinking.


If you go down this route, you still need a wide body to accommodate the wider portal axles, and as far as i understand it this just leave you with the body this come with or a few traxxas TRX4 bodies.
Or you could build something where wheels being out there are kind of the norm, but i must admit i favor cars where the wheels are inside the wheel wells.


But i am hoping for more wide bodies from the guys that make the wide portal cars and after market from the likes of proline.


Changing my 10.2 over to SSD portal axles will in itself cost a pretty dime, so i am thinking why not buy the gen 8 and get a full kit i can slowly upgrade as my meager pension allow for.
Also i have actually seen a decline in me getting off my ass and out there on the trails.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

How much wider are the portals than standard SCX10 axles? When I put the portals into my Gen7 I don't recall my wheel width changing much if at all.

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

If I get one there would be one of Proline's new FJ bodies for it...and I'm not even a 'yota fan.
I'm still on the fence. It would not be my primary comp crawler.
12.8" WB, wide enough:

https://images.amain.com/images/larg....jpg?width=475

Re: New Gen 8 builder's kit
 

Wow I haven't seen that one yet. I'm not a Toyota fan either but the old school FJ is just sexy.

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