Constonce

So, Im about as green as they come to the RC enthusiast market and am looking into 1/5 scale. Ive been looking around but Ihave some questions.

Ive been shopping around and have seen 1/5th buggys by HPI, Redcat and Exceed. HPI seems to cost the most and Ive seen some good reviews on Redcats, but almost nothing on Exceed. To be more specific the Exceed Baraca 30cc. Its the model that has caught my eye. What would be a good brand to go with?

Are these buggy's cross compatable on parts? Shocks, steering arms, ect?

Also, Ive seen that the Exceed Baraca has 4 wheel drive, others Ive looked at do not. How is the 4wd on these 1/5ths? How does it affect the speed and weight of the buggy? How does the drive train hold up?

nitrosportsandrunner

the redcats have 4wd.

go for the HPI, or the redcat.
hpi's will be alittle easier to get spare parts(most hobby stores stock them)

with 1/5 scale, expect to spend some serious cash.

Sherv

My Feedback: (1)

Exceed/Redcat is garbage forget about them. More headaches than they are worth. They have too much chassis flex, too heavy, too fragile, need new servos, and new rx/tx.
Maverick/Himoto/Exceed/Redcat are all the same vehicle made by HSP. Slight differences here and there but don't bother. The New RedCats do not come with a CY motor like the old ones....
The Baja 5B is not bad but it will need a few upgrades out of the box and it is Rwd with a CY motor (good) look at www.davesdiscountmotors.com for a good deal and maybe a free pipe. Use code DDM for 5% off.
May I recommend a Nutech Sandstorm? They are on sale for 629 and they are superior in durability to the ones you mentioned. The Nutech will need new servos tho and rx/tx. Also comes with CY motor (Good). Parts are super cheap. You can find them at www.zerogravityrc.com

Stick to the baja unless you have to have 4wd then go with the nutech.

wyattroa

Nutech

Constonce

Thanks for the feedback! Exceed is out, looking at HPIor Nutech.

Ilike the look of the Nutech. Espically all the aftermarket available! Though Im more into the buggy style(shell). Am I correct in assuming Sand Storm and the Thunderbolt are the mechanical twins?

Also, I didnt see servos mentioned in the replacment parts. In searching I found lots of parts to accomidate them, but no servo motors themselves.

Sherv

My Feedback: (1)

You dont want to buy replacement servos from nutech, redcat, and so on. Baaaaaad idea. Look for a 5755 hitec servo from any place online. That will be perfect for steering. Yes the TB II and the Sandstorm are identical. The money you save with the sandstorm can go towards new electronics
Dont forget to buy a killerbee kill switch from daves discount motors or else you can kiss that 1/5th goodbye when it starts driving off by it self due to a short, low battery, signal loss, or a seized servo motor.

so throttle servo will cost around 46 bucks with a steering servo at 80 bucks and a kill switch will be around 40-50 bucks. If you have a 3channel good FM/2.4g radio then you are set!

Constonce

Awesome. Thanks for all the help and answering my questions! Really leaning tword the Sandstorm.

Other than the ks and servos. Is there anything else Ishould look out for?

How well do the front u-joints hold up on these 4wd models?

Sherv

My Feedback: (1)

They hold up just fine, you may have a wide turning radius but CVDs will fix that. The Dog Bones are a cost cutting choice. CVD is expensive so I would do that if you lose a dog bone or actually manage to snap one.
I would highly suggest buying a jetpro exhaust
Makes a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE difference in power and IMO the safest compared to replacing a head/piston for someone new to 1/5th. My problem is I have nitro experience and I tuned my 1/5th motor like a nitro motor. hehehe lets just say that motor passed away.
I've owned both the MT and TB jetpro pipes. Fantastic power but be warned the Jetpro sandstorm/TBII pipe is loud (sounds good tho).

DarkFire989

Maybe look at the FG MT as well. It is quite strong.

bbuzzard

My Feedback: (5)

Since you live close by to where Sherv, NoyB and I run all of the vehicles in question. If you want to see them run in person, PM me and I will give the details.
peace
b

Sherv

My Feedback: (1)

Yea I would recommend a FG MT but for starters I would go with a nutech (no one has just one 1/5th scale!) because if you break it you wont feel as bad and parts are cheap and once you have good experience then I would get an FG > I love FG

Obeast44

I will just say this, I have a TB2 roller with the wide MT arms, some alloy upgrades and Baja adaptors that Id let go cheap. I will stick with my Redcat XB.

bbuzzard

My Feedback: (5)

The revolution won't be televised...

Sherv

My Feedback: (1)

After hearing hands on experience with the XB... It's going to be a big let down.

bbuzzard

My Feedback: (5)

They all were experiencing the test versions...give it a rest, Nutech. The R&D was done and the Redcat versions of the XT will be fine...I am confident. Oh BTW, I only talk crap on cars that I actually owned, not on hearsay...

RAMTech-HBF-LSF

Take a look at the Redcats, there are alot of people in your area that are running them. Only a few Redcat XTs have been in the hands of regular people, so there aren't many reviews out there.

racetruck

I have run and own a redcat and been envolved in testing the prototype XT and XB i have the redcat rampage MT V-1 version been bashing and raced it has served me well i pick the REDCAT my next one will be the XT or XB i like my 4WD

tizdaz

why not just get pick up a used FG MT ?

Constonce

Hmm. How much would one run me? Im not opposed to starting off with a used. Considering that it'll be my first, Imight want to go that route.

FG's, HPI's and Nutechs Ive seen all look great.

noyb98098

My Feedback: (1)

Hope this doesnt break any rules but here is one...

http://www.5thscaleracingforum.com/v...fg-monster-2wd... It has the 4wd kit with it.

bbuzzard

My Feedback: (5)

Noyb,
You can sell Constonce your Standstorm...it's all upgraded and he can come check it out running [8D]

Sherv

My Feedback: (1)

YEa i would go for the Sandstorm from noyb because you get good servos, elcon adjustable clutch, and other upgrades. plus you can see it before you buy it!

Constonce

I'd definitely be up for checking it out.

noyb98098

My Feedback: (1)

Ok, I'll clean her up! Has about 8 tanks on it. Stock engine with Jetpro pipe and 2 different bodies to run with. Upgraded front upper\lower alloy, and rear lower alloy, front cvd's (new in bag) upgraded CNC diff housings rear and front, uprgraded diff cups rear and front, alloy engine mounts, upgraded clutch bell, elcon clutch, upgraded c-hubs, upgraded steering linkage, hitech throttle and steering servos, upgraded hpil wheel adapters running Proline Trenchers, and some other spare parts. Here it is running with all of the upgrades..


http://www.youtube.com/user/djbuzzar...94/gXIth6MuA5k

Constonce

Nice. How much are you thinking?