Redcat-what's the deal?
07-06-2010, 10:42 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Redcat-what's the deal?
I went to the redcat website just looking around, and I noticed that their rc trucks[electric and nitro] are very cheap priced. Any comments/ideas why? Some have said that they are great trucks others say that they are crap.
07-06-2010, 10:55 AM
#2
Senior Member
My Feedback: (11)
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: Jgaff2
I went to the redcat website just looking around, and I noticed that their rc trucks[electric and nitro] are very cheap priced. Any comments/ideas why? Some have said that they are great trucks others say that they are crap.
I went to the redcat website just looking around, and I noticed that their rc trucks[electric and nitro] are very cheap priced. Any comments/ideas why? Some have said that they are great trucks others say that they are crap.
[:'(][:@][:'(]
07-06-2010, 11:40 AM
#3
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
Some of the redcat trucks are nothing more than Himoto or Exceed cars with Redcats name on them. They are manufactured in huge numbers in china somewhere and can be sold cheap.
The later cars like the Backdraft and aftershock are Redcats own design. They are still made in china but the quality of the redcat designed car are much better than the relabeled stuff they sell. I have a Vortex SCT and the Ground Pounder monster truck. Both have been great trucks so far. Granted I wouldn't beat them the way I do my traxxas stuff but they do get driven pretty hard and have taken a lot of abuse.
The later cars like the Backdraft and aftershock are Redcats own design. They are still made in china but the quality of the redcat designed car are much better than the relabeled stuff they sell. I have a Vortex SCT and the Ground Pounder monster truck. Both have been great trucks so far. Granted I wouldn't beat them the way I do my traxxas stuff but they do get driven pretty hard and have taken a lot of abuse.
07-06-2010, 12:10 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
Do they come with manuals and engine tuning/break? Cus if I was ordering one I would order one of their nitro 4wd buggies, so I know that their specific engine would have to have some type of specific guidelines.
07-06-2010, 12:13 PM
#5
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: john01374
Some of the redcat trucks are nothing more than Himoto or Exceed cars with Redcats name on them. They are manufactured in huge numbers in china somewhere and can be sold cheap.
Some of the redcat trucks are nothing more than Himoto or Exceed cars with Redcats name on them. They are manufactured in huge numbers in china somewhere and can be sold cheap.
Personally I wouldn't recommend a redcat as a 1st RC unless you know how to make your own parts for the ones that keep failing, or like trying to track down parts.
I also hear the instruction manuals are pretty crummy as one guy found out think it was last week when he broke a part on his diff and the manual doesn't say how to take it apart.
I will admit thought they do make some nice looking RC's too bad the quality is not up there with the looks, or I would have one.
BTW do NOT go cheap if you order a nitro. Nitros engines are one of the few things in RCs where you get what you pay for. If you want a cheap 4wd buggy in nitro look at the ofna hyper 7 tq black(tower sells it), Ofna picco(tower again), or Jammin X1x(carried on amain hobbies) CR those are about the cheapest 4wd nitros you will find that are quality made, and will take a ton of abuse without braking a single part.
07-06-2010, 12:18 PM
#6
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Barkhamsted, CT
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: Jgaff2
Do they come with manuals and engine tuning/break? Cus if I was ordering one I would order one of their nitro 4wd buggies, so I know that their specific engine would have to have some type of specific guidelines.
Do they come with manuals and engine tuning/break? Cus if I was ordering one I would order one of their nitro 4wd buggies, so I know that their specific engine would have to have some type of specific guidelines.
I would strongly suggest against getting any of their products!!!!
Just my opinion....
07-06-2010, 12:21 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bristol, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 3,444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
BTW do NOT go cheap if you order a nitro
Read more: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_98...#ixzz0svKe9pv5
Read more: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_98...#ixzz0svKe9pv5
Like they say you get what you pay for in rc might be better off saving abit more and checking traxxas,hpi etc good parts and hopups and more reliable engines too
07-06-2010, 12:34 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: miamifl
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
well redcats electrics are one of the best for price but every redcat has a parts problem. all the moving gliding have to be replaced with brand name parts ex:dogbone, drive cups differential gears. and the tranny has to be completeley replaced. i have a tornado bb, really fast and awesome on-road but would break everything off-road
here are some tips: replace the tires and rims. shocs and shoc tower replaced. and try fabricating ur own parts usin aluminum from your local hardware store to replace all the nasty heavy plastic. and try to make it as light wieght as possible.
all the parts that i said to be replaced for brand parts i mean hpi, traxxas, and even ofna and kyosho.
here are some tips: replace the tires and rims. shocs and shoc tower replaced. and try fabricating ur own parts usin aluminum from your local hardware store to replace all the nasty heavy plastic. and try to make it as light wieght as possible.
all the parts that i said to be replaced for brand parts i mean hpi, traxxas, and even ofna and kyosho.
07-06-2010, 12:37 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: miamifl
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: TIGER76
[sm=thumbs_up.gif] Totally agree
Like they say you get what you pay for in rc might be better off saving abit more and checking traxxas,hpi etc good parts and hopups and more reliable engines too
BTW do NOT go cheap if you order a nitro
Read more: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_98...#ixzz0svKe9pv5
Read more: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_98...#ixzz0svKe9pv5
Like they say you get what you pay for in rc might be better off saving abit more and checking traxxas,hpi etc good parts and hopups and more reliable engines too
07-06-2010, 12:39 PM
#10
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: vpower
well redcats electrics are one of the best for price but every redcat has a parts problem. all the moving gliding have to be replaced with brand name parts ex:dogbone, drive cups differential gears. and the tranny has to be completeley replaced. i have a tornado bb, really fast and awesome on-road but would break everything off-road
here are some tips: replace the tires and rims. shocs and shoc tower replaced. and try fabricating ur own parts usin aluminum from your local hardware store to replace all the nasty heavy plastic. and try to make it as light wieght as possible.
all the parts that i said to be replaced for brand parts i mean hpi, traxxas, and even ofna and kyosho.
well redcats electrics are one of the best for price but every redcat has a parts problem. all the moving gliding have to be replaced with brand name parts ex:dogbone, drive cups differential gears. and the tranny has to be completeley replaced. i have a tornado bb, really fast and awesome on-road but would break everything off-road
here are some tips: replace the tires and rims. shocs and shoc tower replaced. and try fabricating ur own parts usin aluminum from your local hardware store to replace all the nasty heavy plastic. and try to make it as light wieght as possible.
all the parts that i said to be replaced for brand parts i mean hpi, traxxas, and even ofna and kyosho.
Well ok for the diff this HPI cause the redcat one will break, Dogbones get off a traxxas, etc
I did the math and was like uhh I could just buy a new HPI for the cost of making the redcat decent
Instead I bought a used HPI (not recommended buying used nitros as a 1st RC they are usually lemons that need new engines)
07-06-2010, 12:46 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: miamifl
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: SyCo_VeNoM
lol actually I almost ordered a redcat till I was reading in the redcat forum on the one model I wanted they were like
Well ok for the diff this HPI cause the redcat one will break, Dogbones get off a traxxas, etc
I did the math and was like uhh I could just buy a new HPI for the cost of making the redcat decent
Instead I bought a used HPI (not recommended buying used nitros as a 1st RC they are usually lemons that need new engines)
ORIGINAL: vpower
well redcats electrics are one of the best for price but every redcat has a parts problem. all the moving gliding have to be replaced with brand name parts ex:dogbone, drive cups differential gears. and the tranny has to be completeley replaced. i have a tornado bb, really fast and awesome on-road but would break everything off-road
here are some tips: replace the tires and rims. shocs and shoc tower replaced. and try fabricating ur own parts usin aluminum from your local hardware store to replace all the nasty heavy plastic. and try to make it as light wieght as possible.
all the parts that i said to be replaced for brand parts i mean hpi, traxxas, and even ofna and kyosho.
well redcats electrics are one of the best for price but every redcat has a parts problem. all the moving gliding have to be replaced with brand name parts ex:dogbone, drive cups differential gears. and the tranny has to be completeley replaced. i have a tornado bb, really fast and awesome on-road but would break everything off-road
here are some tips: replace the tires and rims. shocs and shoc tower replaced. and try fabricating ur own parts usin aluminum from your local hardware store to replace all the nasty heavy plastic. and try to make it as light wieght as possible.
all the parts that i said to be replaced for brand parts i mean hpi, traxxas, and even ofna and kyosho.
Well ok for the diff this HPI cause the redcat one will break, Dogbones get off a traxxas, etc
I did the math and was like uhh I could just buy a new HPI for the cost of making the redcat decent
Instead I bought a used HPI (not recommended buying used nitros as a 1st RC they are usually lemons that need new engines)
07-06-2010, 04:11 PM
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North Canton,
OH
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
in one of the plane forums, I saw someone use the term "builders ARF" meaning it is supposedly Ready-to-Fly, but will probably need some work from an experienced builder to get it "really" ready to fly - and it comes with little instruction - that was the best description I have heard for the Chinese imports - if you know what you are doing, don't need a ton of instructions and are prepared to do a bit of work on a vehicle that is supposed to be RTR, you can get a pretty nice vehicle for a pretty good price - but I have also seen a lot of "hit or miss" stories about Redcats, so I guess you take your chances
07-06-2010, 04:55 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
Yep you're all probably right. I wasn't planning on getting one, but just wanted to know what the deal was. But yea, if I had to get a 4wd buggy I have seen and heard some good stuff about the hyper 7's.
ORIGINAL: SyCo_VeNoM
minor correction himoto, exceed, and redcat sell relabeled HSP RC's
Personally I wouldn't recommend a redcat as a 1st RC unless you know how to make your own parts for the ones that keep failing, or like trying to track down parts.
I also hear the instruction manuals are pretty crummy as one guy found out think it was last week when he broke a part on his diff and the manual doesn't say how to take it apart.
I will admit thought they do make some nice looking RC's too bad the quality is not up there with the looks, or I would have one.
BTW do NOT go cheap if you order a nitro. Nitros engines are one of the few things in RCs where you get what you pay for. If you want a cheap 4wd buggy in nitro look at the ofna hyper 7 tq black(tower sells it), Ofna picco(tower again), or Jammin X1x(carried on amain hobbies) CR those are about the cheapest 4wd nitros you will find that are quality made, and will take a ton of abuse without braking a single part.
ORIGINAL: john01374
Some of the redcat trucks are nothing more than Himoto or Exceed cars with Redcats name on them. They are manufactured in huge numbers in china somewhere and can be sold cheap.
Some of the redcat trucks are nothing more than Himoto or Exceed cars with Redcats name on them. They are manufactured in huge numbers in china somewhere and can be sold cheap.
Personally I wouldn't recommend a redcat as a 1st RC unless you know how to make your own parts for the ones that keep failing, or like trying to track down parts.
I also hear the instruction manuals are pretty crummy as one guy found out think it was last week when he broke a part on his diff and the manual doesn't say how to take it apart.
I will admit thought they do make some nice looking RC's too bad the quality is not up there with the looks, or I would have one.
BTW do NOT go cheap if you order a nitro. Nitros engines are one of the few things in RCs where you get what you pay for. If you want a cheap 4wd buggy in nitro look at the ofna hyper 7 tq black(tower sells it), Ofna picco(tower again), or Jammin X1x(carried on amain hobbies) CR those are about the cheapest 4wd nitros you will find that are quality made, and will take a ton of abuse without braking a single part.
07-06-2010, 07:20 PM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lewis Run,
PA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
Nearly all RC cars are built in China and probably come from the same factory. That means most RC companies just buy the same cars motors and parts, slap their labels on them and then jack the prices up to gouge us. Buy direct from the factory in China and save.
07-06-2010, 07:32 PM
#15
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: SPC
Nearly all RC cars are built in China and probably come from the same factory. That means most RC companies just buy the same cars motors and parts, slap their labels on them and then jack the prices up to gouge us. Buy direct from the factory in China and save.
Nearly all RC cars are built in China and probably come from the same factory. That means most RC companies just buy the same cars motors and parts, slap their labels on them and then jack the prices up to gouge us. Buy direct from the factory in China and save.
even if they use the same plant they use different grades of material + ther are inspections to reject crap parts which the off brands would still use.
I know there at least 4 engine makers Force, and kingstar being 2
07-06-2010, 08:18 PM
#17
Senior Member
My Feedback: (35)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Martins Ferry, OH
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
Just buy a Duratrax! I have owned every brand of RC and there just as good as Losi,AE,etc... Cheap price but not a cheap truck. Grab a used ST or BX as they have ball bearings and metal housed shocks. I see them here for $65-$80. You could bargin and get it for that shipped.
07-06-2010, 08:27 PM
#18
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Gaithersburg,
MD
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
The Red Cat Buggy brushless that comes with 2 lipo packs is really nice. I know a lot of people with them, great buggies. But for the most part they are cheap plastic (other models). Problem with redcat is that if you break a part... you wait for a month or two because it's normally on back order. I know a guy with a Red cat nitro truggie that waited 4 months for all his parts.
07-06-2010, 08:28 PM
#19
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: SPC
Hmm, that logic is frequently applied to LiPo packs and accepted by many on a regular basis, so why not apply it universally?
Hmm, that logic is frequently applied to LiPo packs and accepted by many on a regular basis, so why not apply it universally?
07-06-2010, 08:30 PM
#20
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Norwood,
OH
Posts: 22,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
OK, so for those of you that honestly believe that Redcat has some of the least expensive cars (regardless of what has to be done with them) take a look at the HPI Sprint. 210 bucks, RTR.
Redcat sells the Lightning EPX for $140.
barely a 35% price increase, and you can have a superior product, with a superior motor and ESC, and FAR better parts support.
This is the same argument for buying a $9,999 Hyundai whatever-their-super-cheap-car-is-now vs a $13,000 Focus, Nissan that wagon thing, or Fit.
AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA good luck with that. Five years...and they still can't get their crap straight.
HPI, Traxxas, Associated, Losi, all the big dogs listen to their customers. Redcat is content with pumping whatever crap comes out of the HiSpeed factory to your door.
Largely incorrect. Quality manufacturers usually build in Taiwan (HPI, Traxxas, Associated, Losi). The relabeled Chinese crap is what the low end "me too" relabelers do to try to get a foothold in the market. Redcat just doesn't seem to understand that they have not done anything but bait newbies yet.
Because it's largely true with LiPo packs.
Redcat sells the Lightning EPX for $140.
barely a 35% price increase, and you can have a superior product, with a superior motor and ESC, and FAR better parts support.
This is the same argument for buying a $9,999 Hyundai whatever-their-super-cheap-car-is-now vs a $13,000 Focus, Nissan that wagon thing, or Fit.
ORIGINAL: vpower
so i can talk to redcat about it and make them the better brand[8D]
so i can talk to redcat about it and make them the better brand[8D]
HPI, Traxxas, Associated, Losi, all the big dogs listen to their customers. Redcat is content with pumping whatever crap comes out of the HiSpeed factory to your door.
ORIGINAL: SPC
Nearly all RC cars are built in China and probably come from the same factory. That means most RC companies just buy the same cars motors and parts, slap their labels on them and then jack the prices up to gouge us. Buy direct from the factory in China and save.
Nearly all RC cars are built in China and probably come from the same factory. That means most RC companies just buy the same cars motors and parts, slap their labels on them and then jack the prices up to gouge us. Buy direct from the factory in China and save.
ORIGINAL: SPC
Hmm, that logic is frequently applied to LiPo packs and accepted by many on a regular basis, so why not apply it universally?
Hmm, that logic is frequently applied to LiPo packs and accepted by many on a regular basis, so why not apply it universally?
07-06-2010, 08:35 PM
#21
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Gaithersburg,
MD
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
Thing is since their introduction redcat has started to make better products. Especially in the electric market. Thats the thing about clones or cheap chinese products. If they actually do take off there is a chance that they actually improve the line/product. At the same time they start to increase prices too. RedCat seems to be heading that direction. The problem with RedCat is that they create their own upgrade parts and because they arent that popular here in the states yet they lack 3rd party hop ops.
07-06-2010, 08:46 PM
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lewis Run,
PA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: ThunderbirdJunkie
OK, so for those of you that honestly believe that Redcat has some of the least expensive cars (regardless of what has to be done with them) take a look at the HPI Sprint. 210 bucks, RTR.
Redcat sells the Lightning EPX for $140.
barely a 35% price increase, and you can have a superior product, with a superior motor and ESC, and FAR better parts support.
This is the same argument for buying a $9,999 Hyundai whatever-their-super-cheap-car-is-now vs a $13,000 Focus, Nissan that wagon thing, or Fit.
AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA good luck with that. Five years...and they still can't get their crap straight.
HPI, Traxxas, Associated, Losi, all the big dogs listen to their customers. Redcat is content with pumping whatever crap comes out of the HiSpeed factory to your door.
Largely incorrect. Quality manufacturers usually build in Taiwan (HPI, Traxxas, Associated, Losi). The relabeled Chinese crap is what the low end ''me too'' relabelers do to try to get a foothold in the market. Redcat just doesn't seem to understand that they have not done anything but bait newbies yet.
Because it's largely true with LiPo packs.
OK, so for those of you that honestly believe that Redcat has some of the least expensive cars (regardless of what has to be done with them) take a look at the HPI Sprint. 210 bucks, RTR.
Redcat sells the Lightning EPX for $140.
barely a 35% price increase, and you can have a superior product, with a superior motor and ESC, and FAR better parts support.
This is the same argument for buying a $9,999 Hyundai whatever-their-super-cheap-car-is-now vs a $13,000 Focus, Nissan that wagon thing, or Fit.
ORIGINAL: vpower
so i can talk to redcat about it and make them the better brand[8D]
so i can talk to redcat about it and make them the better brand[8D]
HPI, Traxxas, Associated, Losi, all the big dogs listen to their customers. Redcat is content with pumping whatever crap comes out of the HiSpeed factory to your door.
ORIGINAL: SPC
Nearly all RC cars are built in China and probably come from the same factory. That means most RC companies just buy the same cars motors and parts, slap their labels on them and then jack the prices up to gouge us. Buy direct from the factory in China and save.
Nearly all RC cars are built in China and probably come from the same factory. That means most RC companies just buy the same cars motors and parts, slap their labels on them and then jack the prices up to gouge us. Buy direct from the factory in China and save.
ORIGINAL: SPC
Hmm, that logic is frequently applied to LiPo packs and accepted by many on a regular basis, so why not apply it universally?
Hmm, that logic is frequently applied to LiPo packs and accepted by many on a regular basis, so why not apply it universally?
07-06-2010, 09:13 PM
#23
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: SPC
Hmmm, true for LiPo's but not the cars and parts themselves. Very interesting.
Hmmm, true for LiPo's but not the cars and parts themselves. Very interesting.
The problem with the chinese clones is they cut corners where ever its possible. Lower grade plastics instead of nylons, low or no quality control, more impure aluminum that they cast instead of CNC, etc..
Some clones also take say a HPI vehicle and make poor copies of the parts so they don't even fit together properly.
But then again there are some freak clones like the KM Baja 5b which are just as durable as the original that they cloned (HPI Baja), but for the most part the clones seem to be crap
07-06-2010, 09:13 PM
#24
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Norwood,
OH
Posts: 22,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: Sherv
Thing is since their introduction redcat has started to make better products. Especially in the electric market. Thats the thing about clones or cheap chinese products. If they actually do take off there is a chance that they actually improve the line/product. At the same time they start to increase prices too. RedCat seems to be heading that direction. The problem with RedCat is that they create their own upgrade parts and because they arent that popular here in the states yet they lack 3rd party hop ops.
Thing is since their introduction redcat has started to make better products. Especially in the electric market. Thats the thing about clones or cheap chinese products. If they actually do take off there is a chance that they actually improve the line/product. At the same time they start to increase prices too. RedCat seems to be heading that direction. The problem with RedCat is that they create their own upgrade parts and because they arent that popular here in the states yet they lack 3rd party hop ops.
07-06-2010, 09:18 PM
#25
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Gaithersburg,
MD
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Redcat-what's the deal?
ORIGINAL: ThunderbirdJunkie
That would imply that Redcat is big anywhere else in the world.
ORIGINAL: Sherv
Thing is since their introduction redcat has started to make better products. Especially in the electric market. Thats the thing about clones or cheap chinese products. If they actually do take off there is a chance that they actually improve the line/product. At the same time they start to increase prices too. RedCat seems to be heading that direction. The problem with RedCat is that they create their own upgrade parts and because they arent that popular here in the states yet they lack 3rd party hop ops.
Thing is since their introduction redcat has started to make better products. Especially in the electric market. Thats the thing about clones or cheap chinese products. If they actually do take off there is a chance that they actually improve the line/product. At the same time they start to increase prices too. RedCat seems to be heading that direction. The problem with RedCat is that they create their own upgrade parts and because they arent that popular here in the states yet they lack 3rd party hop ops.
I'm not defending RedCat... I almost bought the Rampage until I kept reading about it. But the new RedCat Brushless Buggy is actually a good product. I've seen it in action and read about it.