Twin Hammers Kit vs. RTR

[GLHS592]

I have decided that I am finally going to get a Twin Hammers. I can't decide whether to get a kit/Spektrum DX4C or an RTR. I am leaning toward getting the new V2 RTR because I don't have a good radio or receiver (I have an Axial TH RTR). I can see going brushless down the road. Would I come out better $ wise to get the kit and buy the components I want?

I have a couple questions:
1. Does the RTR come with metal gears? I have looked and looked on the HH website, but I just can't find that info.
2. Is there a way I can use my Spektrum DX9 (air radio) with a ground receiver?

[meatmonkey]

You want the kit. It comes with the HD front diff outputs, steel trans gears, sway-bars front and rear, no goofy fake light buckets in the bodies, slightly larger swamper tires, a front locker, and threaded shock bodies.

The fact that you know you want brushless really seals the deal. Why pay for an esc and motor you won't use?

I don't know squat about Specktrum, so sorry I can't help there.

The rtr has plastic trans gears.

I'm running a Fly Sky gt3c. It's not "nice", but it does the job for $60.

[GLHS592]

Originally Posted by meatmonkey

You want the kit. It comes with the HD front diff outputs, steel trans gears, sway-bars front and rear, no goofy fake light buckets in the bodies, slightly larger swamper tires, a front locker, and threaded shock bodies.

The fact that you know you want brushless really seals the deal. Why pay for an esc and motor you won't use?

I don't know squat about Specktrum, so sorry I can't help there.

The rtr has plastic trans gears.

I'm running a Fly Sky gt3c. It's not "nice", but it does the job for $60.

I believe that you are right. Knowing that the kit comes with the metal gears and all the other extras pretty much seals the deal. Now, on to research brushless motors/esc's. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction!

[GLHS592]

Looking at all these brushless systems is making my head hurt. What is the best sensored 13.5t 3s system? I am thinking that I may throw my spares in and run brushed until I figure out the brushless system that I want.

[Stollenritter]

You will find "orange" receivers at hobbyking that will work with spektrum radios. I use orange receivers in my trucks with my DX6i. If you have a look at the "tracks star"-series, you will find some nice brushless motors as well. I would recommend a sensored motor (minimum 10.5T) and esc, and make sure the esc has a dragbrake that can be set at 100%.
Hope this helps.

Stollenritter

[GLHS592]

Yeah, I have an orange air receiver. It seems to work fine. I'll look at their ground receivers.

Has anybody tried the brushless setup recommended on the Horizon Hobby website?
Tazer 1/10 3300Kv ESC/Motor Combo | HorizonHobby

[lonleycreeper]

I am running this combo, price point is hard to beat. 1/10 4-Pole 4000Kv ESC/Motor Combo | HorizonHobby
It has plenty of speed, and power, though it does cog it is not horrible. Running 22/78 gearing on 2s, and breaking stuff now.
Thinking about putting a 3000kv system in a mud truck.

[GLHS592]

Originally Posted by lonleycreeper

I am running this combo, price point is hard to beat. 1/10 4-Pole 4000Kv ESC/Motor Combo | HorizonHobby
It has plenty of speed, and power, though it does cog it is not horrible. Running 22/78 gearing on 2s, and breaking stuff now.
Thinking about putting a 3000kv system in a mud truck.

I saw that last night. How does it crawl? Have you tried 3s?

[lonleycreeper]

Originally Posted by GLHS592

I saw that last night. How does it crawl? Have you tried 3s?

It crawls OK, not 35t brushed, but better than I expected. Its geared low enough not to cog bad, but it seems to have the occasional dead spot.
3s! Is ballistic, I only have a 20c battery so I didn't try a lot. Just one lap around my yard before I unplugged.

[GLHS592]

I can't seem to find the kv rating on the Tekin Redline GEN2 Sensored Motor.
Tekin Redline GEN2 Sensored Motor (13.5T)

Would that be a good choice with the Castle MMP esc? What pinion would be ideal?

[lonleycreeper]

Originally Posted by GLHS592

I can't seem to find the kv rating on the Tekin Redline GEN2 Sensored Motor.
Tekin Redline GEN2 Sensored Motor (13.5T)

Would that be a good choice with the Castle MMP esc? What pinion would be ideal?

Approx 2650 kV, compared to a similar 13.5t motors. Should be fantastic.

[GLHS592]

I think the Tekin Redline 13.5t sensored motor and the Castle MMP is the setup I will go with. I also found a pack of 6 pinion gears in 1/8" shaft size on Ebay for around $10 + shipping. I think they were 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26. Surely, I can find the sweet spot with that range. It looks like RPP Hobby has the best prices on everything except the esc. Tower has it for around $20 cheaper.

[lonleycreeper]

Iirc smallest you can go with the stock spur is 22t.

[meatmonkey]

BEWARE of cheap pinion gears. While they may work for testing gearing combinations, they are made from soft alloy and will soon deform and take out the spur gear. So, when you strip the spur during "testing" be sure to check the profile of the teeth on the pinion. They will likely be slanted, and/or sharp.

I learned this the hard way so hopefully you don't have to. I've settle on Robinson Absolute pinions as a lasting alternative.