What update to RTR v2.0 is most important to you?

[StomperCrawler]

This is to help the designers figure out what to focus on. Maybe after this we'll have a "What's second-most important" poll... or if Rich wants he can do it simultaneously.

I think it's possible to fix most of this ourselves, (i.e. bumpstops inside the shock bodies to shorten them) although it would be great if the Ascender 2.0 arrived without any issues; maybe v3.0? LOLZ I guess I'm saying that if we can fix it ourselves without too much trouble or expense, maybe we should focus our votes on things that are more difficult/time-consuming/expensive to fix; just a suggestion.

BTW, the reason I voted for torque twist is because it's tough for end-users to fix without negatively affecting the rig's performance. For example, if we preload one or two shock(s) to reduce it, the rig becomes unbalanced for handling rocks and doing sidehilling.

Update: What's a thread without a glam shot?!?

 

[Teng]

Never owned any Vaterra in my life, All my rigs are Axial SCX10 II, Wraith, Traxxas T-Max and Kyosho Kanai mp 7 buggy
So, I think Vaterra got to:
Fix torque twist
Add over/under-drive
Strengthen upper-link mounts
Change driveshaft design
Upgrade fasteners, especially grub screws
Include HD links, especially lowers
Shorten the shocks
Raise the panhard bar
Place motor forward
Upgrade to plastic beadlock wheels
Replace bumpers with comp-style
Upgrade to 21-turn 550-size motor
Add inner fenders
Make steering tierod one piece
Add CodyBoy metal inner axle tube weights

 

[StomperCrawler]

Never owned any Vaterra in my life, All my rigs are Axial SCX10 II, Wraith, Traxxas T-Max and Kyosho Kanai mp 7 buggy
So, I think Vaterra got to:
...

Yes, we would all like everything fixed, but the point of this poll is:

Imagine if you did own a rig with these problems; which ONE (1) of the issues would be the most important (to you personally) for the manufacturer to fix before the next version release of the RTR vehicle?

That's what you need to cast your vote on. You can only pick one.

Hopefully this will help clarify where Vaterra should place its bets... uh, I mean efforts.

 

[colbynobo]

I heard that it was best to just ignore the torque twist, but it periodically bugs me on a small level. I momentarily forget it's a thing during runs and start thinking that I should lower the body to reduce the gap. Then, I remember what's really happening. That's my vote.

If it was an option to vote for a #2, then I would have asked for some kind of provision to use the wide variety of bumpers that are on the market. I'm currently running no bumpers (front or rear) on my Ascender because I couldn't easily find anything that would mesh with my Proline 4Runner body.

 

[throttlejock27]

A full size battery tray would be nice also

 

[Browneye]

Never owned any Vaterra in my life, All my rigs are Axial SCX10 II, Wraith, Traxxas T-Max and Kyosho Kanai mp 7 buggy
So, I think Vaterra got to:
Fix torque twist - IMO this is pretty high up there. It does lean over quite a bit when hill climbing or any other full throttle running. CHECK
Add over/under-drive - No interest here whatsoever.
Strengthen upper-link mounts - has not been an issue for me, one RTR and one kit. A non-issue.
Change driveshaft design - same as previous - a non-issue.
Upgrade fasteners, especially grub screws - also a non-issue.
Include HD links, especially lowers - updated lower links would be a nice thing but not a deal breaker. Not having to add a spacer for a longer WB would be nice. It's a little funky and all 3mm, 4mm one piece would be great.
Shorten the shocks - for scalers yes, for the rest of us...well, no. They work really well as built, especially if you clean up the spring separator collar, drill out the pistons, and lighter oil. And they don't leak!
Raise the panhard bar - another non-issue.
Place motor forward - another for-scalers. I find the motor and gearing all works really well.
Upgrade to plastic beadlock wheels - this was my poll item - the one thing they could do better. The axial 8-hole wheels are really nice in comparison, and easy to upgrade the tires, or to change them out to something you personally like.
Replace bumpers with comp-style - to be able to trim bumpers for a custom build would be a cheap and easy very big plus.
Upgrade to 21-turn 550-size motor - I find no issue at all with the 540 motor - does everything I could want.
Add inner fenders - another item for scalers - I have zero interest.
Make steering on piece - I have no issue with the way steering works.
Add CodyBoy metal inner axle tube weights - something I can't judge. But some wheel weight would help for comp crawling. I think the aftermarket for weighted hubs is still the answer here.

My comments on this in orange...

 

[StomperCrawler]

My comments on this in orange...

Orange is my favorite color, and your comments show up fine in Chrome, but Tapatalk... not so much.

To summarize, you'd like to see (most important to least):

1. Beadlocks
2. No torque twist
3. Comp-style bumpers
4. HD links

 

[StomperCrawler]

With the Traxxas TRX-4, 3Racing "Ex Real", and TBR Hobao "D-1" all sporting 2-speed transmissions, I'm kinda wondering if I should've made that one of the polling options. I suppose y'all can just write it in a thread post. I just hadn't seen much interest in 2-speeds when I read through Rich's "I'm back" thread.

 

[durok]

I'd like it with beadlocks, torque-twist fixed, and as a kit with NO body... although in the poll I voted for torque-twist.

 

[spaceman5280]

1. Torque Twist
2. Low mounted front motor
3. Universal bumper mounts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Browneye]

I shouldn't comment on 2-spd trans or gearing cuz I haven't run one. My crawling buddy has a new trx and it has a really nice top speed, will do wheelies by backing up then throwing full throttle and it will wheelie for about 10'. It's funny, but as far as real value for a crawler I'm just not getting it. Why does anyone want their crawler to go 30mph? I know...cuz they can!

He also has a scx10-2, runs 3s with a 27t motor so it's fast. By going 3s and a couple of drive pinion teeth I got almost the same thing with the stock 35T motor in my Ascender. It's fast enough to roll it over at full speed and crank the wheel over. Oh well, that's fun. LOL.

Perhaps I would change my mind down the road, but it just seems like the added complexity, additional receiver channel, and all that puts me off. OTOH, being able to gear for great crawl speed while still having trail-walking wheel speed seems like a great idea.

Frankly I got more joy from upgrading the ESC to a programmable one - the HobbyWing, really like how they work. Enough to replace the one in my other rig. I also really like the upgraded radio from the very simple RTR one - a nice Spektrum 5ch. I get more joy from these things.

Same for portal axles - I would be just as happy with a high-pinion. I suppose I could be swayed on this too - but the added complexity, cost, gears, and bulky hubs puts me off. They remind me so much of how a Unimog is setup. Seems to me this was done on a Hummer but don't recall for sure. Anyway, one has to weigh the benefits for the added complexity - and then there's the complete revamping of gearing involved.

Traxxas put all this stuff in their new TRX4, so if a guy wants them that's the rig to buy and mod it to their hearts content. I am not wholly convinced of all the benefits, no big impetus for me to run out and buy one, but surely they'll sell the hell out of them. IMO it would not be a huge benefit for an Ascender2 to follow the same path - I think this has also been mentioned - break new ground, don't follow.

Oh, and selectable lockers. Wow, pretty cool. A must have on a 1:1, but a RC car? It's a non-issue for me, the driving and terrain I've seen. So again, weighing benefits for complexity and cost - just not there for ME. [shrug] Again, if a guy really likes this stuff then buy the TRX. Or am I missing something?

I'm on the cusp of acquiring another rig - can get ANYTHING I want, within reason. LOL About 98% just going with another Ascender kit and build it the way I want. An updated version would certainly be a novelty. Likely would get one anyway when/if there actually is one.

 

[M1tch]

I voted for motor mounted forward, but to be honest I would rather see more adjustable suspension mounts. Movable upper mounts and bolt on axle mounts.

2 speed doesn't interest me. If I want speed I can drive something else. Both my Ascenders drive fine on 3s. They crawl well and have enough wheelspeed to get over obstacles if I need to. Maybe a 2 speed kit could be offered for those that want it.

For me the present Ascender is fine, it just needs a few changes to make it as good as the new kids on the block.

 

[skinnyj]

Being that I built a "roller" and installed stuff after assembly, the two things I would like to see, from my building experience:

Different method for mounting the steering servo. I didn't like having to take the axle off to install it. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

Changing the motor mount screw location or moving the transmission 1/4" back from the battery tray. I mentioned the reason for this earlier.

 

[skinnyj]

I also cast a vote for better looking wheels. They are the one thing in the kit I really don't like. They are very "toy" looking.

 

[durok]

Moving the motor back would have allowed me to either run a 550 can or full-size LiPo batteries, moved a bit more would allow both. I solved my issues with the battery relocation plate, but I'm sure that was at a slight increase of the COG. Even with the mod, I really should resolder my motor wires at a 90deg angle... I'm thinking of doing it anyway, but I did overheat the tabs a bit initially... Might wait until I need a new motor.

 

[StomperCrawler]

I also cast a vote for better looking wheels. They are the one thing in the kit I really don't like. They are very "toy" looking.

Yeah, some nice-looking real beadlocks are definitely in order!

 

[durok]

I also cast a vote for better looking wheels. They are the one thing in the kit I really don't like. They are very "toy" looking.

It's my understanding that the Ford comes with satin finish wheels that look much better than the chrome. The stock wheel isn't bad dulled a little...

 

[Browneye]

It's my understanding that the Ford comes with satin finish wheels that look much better than the chrome. The stock wheel isn't bad dulled a little...

Or mask the beadlock ring and shoot the rest with matt-black. ;-)

I still don't like them, they look cheap, and the glue job isn't very good. Naw, I'm not gonna superglue tires...uh uh.

The swampers aren't bad, they're fine for abashing and a trail rig. The comp tires do grip better and are a little more pliable, but they're not horrible. Nice size too. Anyway, a set of plastic beadlock wheels would be pretty cool, people would run them for a good bit before tossing them. Or add a better tire which is more important anyway. At least IMHO.

 

[StomperCrawler]

Delete

 

[lonleycreeper]

Axle gear ratio. one of the main reasons i picked up the (gasp) Scx10II. !.85:1 vs 3.33:1. Having the lower axle ratio solves a lot of problems.