RE: velineon or mamba
I think the new beefed up drive-train, digital servo, and all the extra durability goodies are a good move. I don't think going with a 3500kV motor was a good move though. I did at first, but that was before I knew what kind of voltage and gearing it would take to get some decent speed out of it. On 6 cells it's 5mph faster than an xl-5 with the 19t pinion. When people think "brushless", they think "fast". I think alot of people are going to be disappointed unless they dish out $300 to $400 for a 3s lipo and charger. Now if Traxxas made or bought their own 3s lipo and charger and sold it separately as a battery/charger combo deal for alot cheaper than you can buy them at other places, then that would make it a better deal for the hardcore speed-demons IMO. And you know if your the kind of person who loves speed, you'll end up buying the separate battery and charger. Although I doubt that would become a reality.