Deadbolt 2 or Gen 8?

[Frank_Jameson]

Hello all, brand new here. Looking to get a crawler "for my kid" who is about to turn seven. I've been looking at RTRs for a few days and the two I find myself drawn to, in the price range I'm looking in are these two rigs. I have read that both have issues, but if you were to recommend one of these which would it be? I'm mostly interested in durability.

Thanks in advance.

 

[indybama]

Welcome to RCC! Id go with the deadbolt myself. Tons of aftermarket support. I dont know much on the redcat, so i cant rightfully say yea or nah on it. I love my scx10 ii, it goes pretty well anywhere n ive had very lil breakage

 

[Frank_Jameson]

Thanks for the welcome and the recommendation. I do prefer the look of the deadbolt. Are the plastic links pretty durable? I noticed the Gen 8 has metal links.

 

[Bertman82]

The only way you can go wrong with an SCX10ii(Deadbolt 2) is if you already have 5.

The Deadbolt is the lowest model, so it has cost savings with the plastic links, leaking shocks, and dog bone front axle shafts. The plastic links and dog bone axle shafts will hold up fine unless you take it off jumps with a 3s battery. People run the shocks without oil after it's leaked and not many(especially a 7 yo) will be able to tell the difference.

The Gen8 has metal links but some have had the portal gears fail and the steering geometry isn't great.

Both will have cheap servos out of the box that will not hold up to any abuse.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[indybama]

Thanks for the welcome and the recommendation. I do prefer the look of the deadbolt. Are the plastic links pretty durable? I noticed the Gen 8 has metal links.

I havent used the stock links, i build my rigs piece by piece (not a kit version). Like i said, the aftermarket for the scx10 ii is huge. U can find a good set of links pretty reasonable. I use ebay, some use amazon, but if u go search for 'axial scx10 ii parts' youll get a huge list. For wheels n tires, wen u decide to upgrade, search 1.9 wheels/tires. I suggest beadlocks, its easier to change tires on the wheels, plus u dont have the mess of the glue on non beadlocks.

Theres tons of awesome people on here n endless info. Check out the axial section n go to the scx10 ii section. That will definantly help u with upgrades and if u need to tear down to fix broken parts

 

[Frank_Jameson]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll be trying to convince my better half that we need to spend that much. I have explained the difference between hobby grade and toy grade. I had a T-Maxx about 20 years ago, so I do know a little.

 

[lonleycreeper]

I would vote Deadbolt, mostly due to aftermarket support...

The gen 2 Plastic links work great, the steering link has a little flex, but not nearly as much as the old gen1 plastic. My Honcho has 250 actual miles on it stock electronics, and the lower links are holding up fine. Original dogbones too, Only replacement so far has been a servo horn, and a screw that did not get locktited from the factory in the rear drive shaft, oh and a front bumper mount.

My Honcho gets abused by me, and by my niece and nephews ranging in ages from 12-2, running 3s exclusively.

 

[cul8tr]

I've had the Gen8. I'd pass on it. Weak plastic, portal gears, steering geometry.
3 portal gears, rear axle housing split, lower shock mounts broke 2, steering link is weak broke 3 before I made my own, steering servo is noisy gave it away, portal gear cover broke 2, body is top heavy and I thru away the stock tires. I had my eye on the Wendigo but not just yet.

Yes I ran it hard but the Deadbolt is the better choice parts availability, after market support, better plastic, steering and durability.

All toys fail at some point.

 

[Frank_Jameson]

My Honcho gets abused by me, and by my niece and nephews ranging in ages from 12-2, running 3s exclusively.

What kind of run time are you getting from what mah? 3s batteries don't make the speed uncontrollable for young kids?

 

[lonleycreeper]

What kind of run time are you getting from what mah? 3s batteries don't make the speed uncontrollable for young kids?

The kids combined have never run down a 5000 mah 3c battery yet, threy get bored in abot 30 min because it is too slow. They much prefer my 2wd slash.

My driving the Honcho on the trail I get about an hour per 1000mah or so, but that is partial throttle and walking instead of full throttle everywhere.

The 2 year old doesn't have any control of speed, full throttle or nothing. The 5 and 7 year olds are not much better, but are starting to learn. my 12 Year old nephew is all into the fine control and has his own rig now, Big tire gen 1 scx10...

Orange Jeep is his, Blue Bronco is mine...

 

[Frank_Jameson]

Thanks for all the input. Really appreciate it.

 

[Frank_Jameson]

Any thoughts on the Element RC Enduro Trailwalker for a first time crawler? How much of a difference would the smaller tires make?

 

[durok]

It makes for more of a challenge crawling on identical terrain vs a rig with taller tires.

I have some with tall tires, some with tiny tires - they each are fun in their own way!

 

[Frank_Jameson]

If both were equipped with the same size tire, would the Trailwalker be a better truck than the deadbolt? Sounds like all you need to do is trim the body to fit larger tires.

 

[TrailSnail]

If both were equipped with the same size tire, would the Trailwalker be a better truck than the deadbolt? Sounds like all you need to do is trim the body to fit larger tires.

The Deadbolt will have better parts availability, longer parts availability and more off-brand parts than the trailwalker. I would go the Deadbolt route for those reasons. You can make a little bit larger tires work on pretty much any of them.