SpikeX

I am considering getting my first 1/5 scale soon, but I don't know if the FG Monster Truck or the Baja 5B or 5B SS is better for me. I currently have 2 HPI Savages, which I am very happy with (one is a custom drag racer), but I am not very experienced when it comes to 1/5 scales. I have never seen a 1/5 scale in action, but I have seen both the Baja and the FG on display. My LHS is specialised in FG, and stocks most cars and parts. However, they don't stock anything for the Baja but they can order the parts and have them by the end of the week. Also, the Baja is almost twice as expensive as the FG.

There are a few small fields near where I live, so I will be able to use it on that. I also want to launch it off some pretty high ramps without it breaking.

Which one of the two 1/5 scales I mentioned above compare in performance, durability, and handling against each other? Also, how would one of these 1/5 scales compare in terms of performance, durability, and handling against a comparable 1/8 scale (such as the Savage)?

Finally, are there any weak points in each of those two cars (I know the steering servo gears are weak in the Baja), and anything that needs upgrading straight from the factory?

TheFgMan01

Well the 2 you have mentioned will break eventually if your launching them off ramps. You have to realized these largescale r/c's weigh 30-40lbs.. when you launch 40lbs off a ramp thats alot of force slamming to the gound. I mildly jump mine no more than 2 feet but thats good enough for me to be satisfied.

from your aplication you want great handling off road and perfornce. Both give great performance with some cash but the baha will handle better as far as far as tight turning and a track. really you cant compair these two with handling.. truck and buggy so big difference. and your going to spend money on any r/c for great dureabiliy Hope i helped

SpikeX

I didn't know they would break so easily, because I would imagine that the parts (shocks, A-Arms, etc.) are designed to take the added stress. So I will definately not be able to launch it off 3ft ramps without it breaking?

I thought the Baja might handle better, but how do they compare in durability and performance?

Thanks for the reply.

mopar jake

get the baja i have one it is insane.you can beat it like a redheaded stepchild and it comes back for more i love it

hrlaust

I would definitely get a Baja, it is just so durable and beats FG any time

SpikeX

So it seems like the Baja is winning...

Do you recommend it even though it's nearly twice as expensive as the FG?

csp1971

SpikeZ-
I just ran my Baja for the first time last night. I was blown away at how smooth it runs. I have a Firehammer MT (clone of a carson/xtm, etc) and that Firehammer is just clunky compared to the Baja. I've never had an FG, and even though I would love to have a Monster Beetle Pro someday, it would still be clunky compared to the Baja.

What is the cost of a Baja in Germany? Just curious.

SpikeX

Yeah, the Baja does seems smooth and sleek comapred to the FG.

A new Baja here costs €1,150, which is about $1,590. The FG here (but excluding electronics and unpainted body) is $900.

csp1971

Oh wow. Now I can see why this could be a tough decision. Cripe, I would have figured about 1200 usd...not 1500+ USD.

TheFgMan01

FG is not as bad as people make them sound. Marder, Marder beatle or the new Fg Baha handle pretty good. But you asked about the MT. On this furum theres several people that can say performance is great for this truck. Alot of pipes are available and 2 speed will send this truck flying.. FG's have tons of upgrades. The HPI Baha 5b has a few and more is coming out for that.

PBJT

I own a FG MT and have been out with many bajas. They really do not compare well, if you just have a grassy field to run either will do, if its a construction site IMO the baja is too low and too long. As for jumping, with the long low baja they just land on the frame rather then the wheels so they take alot of bashing. From what I have seen I am impressed with the durability of the Baja but it is too low and too long to be of any value to me. My FG MT has huge tires, ground clearance and a short wheel base that can clear a construction site with ease and not ride the belly pan like a snake the whole way through. Also if you jump a FG MT it must use the wheels and suspension to land so yes 3-4 foot high jumps are the max, I have seen these bajas take 15 foot high 40 long jumps and the just land on Frame no mater what so they did not break. So no question in my mind HPI Baja is tough but not what I would want, I wanted large tires, ground clearance for crawling and bashing, not jumps and grass.

PBJT

csp1971

I didn't mean to make FG sound bad. They aren't by any means bad. A lot tougher than my clone truck. It all depends on what you want to do with them. For an extra 600 bucks, you could really get some good stuff for the FG (tuned pipe, 2.4 radio, alloy housing, etc.). With the Baja, you'll be stuck with the stock muffler, stock fm radio (kinda good kinda bad).

badz

My Feedback: (1)

This is true....FG for lawn mowing....Baja for everything else....plus the Baja will mow lawns if you don't have side covers....as far as a Baja's frame taking impacts well thats the nature of design anyone knows that a good design is to allow large impacts to be absorbed by the strongest part of the rc...the chassis, thats what makes Baja above and beyond the rest of the gasers around, it's modern design and ability to be driven hard like a nitro class rc. The frame doesn't hit often anyhow only on really large jumps, the shocks are more than able to take the grunt of impact off most jumps. I only ever saw my Baja's frame hit once and it was sailing off a 40' sand dune that did it.

jatoracing33

no one ever said this was a cheap hobby. when your looking for RC's think of this
reliable,fast,cheap
pick 2

SpikeX

HPI make an aftermarket muffler for it now. It came out about 2 weeks ago, and comes as standard on the Baja 5B SS.

http://www.hpieurope.com/piw.php?lang=en&partNo=86690

Also, what do you mean I can only use the stock FM radio? I have a Spektrum DX3.0 in both my Savages, and I was almost sure I could use it on a Baja...

mopar jake

there are tons of pipes out for the baja jetpro,dominater.tgnpipe,x-can,hpi pipe and you can use any fm raido you like.i haveseen baja do things that every other gassers wish they could do.

Baja5BLST

No clue what the kid means, but you can use any radio you want with your baja.
I love mine, other than the e-clips on the hubs, but I fixed this by tapping the hub, and using screws to hold it on. They'll never come off again.
Oh, and the rubbing, but some extenders will fix this, or even some creative drilling on the arms that moves the bottom shock mounting up, so even if the wheels rub, it doesn't rub on the shock itself

SpikeX

Has anyone tried the HPI Woven Graphite upgrades for the Baja? I, as a manufacturer or R/C Car Accessories am looking to make Carbon Fibre parts for the Baja, but that are stronger than the ones HPI make.

Also, does the HPI Sway Bar set make any difference to the handling of the Baja, or is it un-noticable?

TheFgMan01

Sounds like you have your mind made up for the baha5. either way you go will love the ease of a gasser.
I see you your intrested in making CF parts for HPI products. Let say if i send you the side plates to a FG MT could you duplicate them for me or would cost be crazy high?

SpikeX

Well, my mind is not totally made up since the FG is almost half the price, but I have had a very good experience with HPI products and I know they are all top-quality.

If you sent the plates in, I could very easily duplicate them (or even extend them or make them LCG), and I don't think the cost would be too high. I yet have to get my CNC Machine, so don't send them in just yet. PM me for more details...

csp1971

I've seen the aftermarket pipe and the Baja SS. I have a spektrum in my Baja. I'm just pointing out that for $1500, you get the Baja (if you are just talking about the 5b and not the 5b SS), stock muffler, and an fm radio. For the FG, you can add a spektrum, tuned pipe, steel gears and have a lot more upgrades once you reach the same price you would pay for the Baja. Hardly a kid Baja5blst. Thanks for the compliment though.

SpikeX

I can see what you mean, but I already have the Spektrum, so I don't need to buy that (that also means that I can sell the TF-10 that comes with the Baja). Or I could get the Baja SS, which means I just need to buy servos on top of that.

csp1971

The Baja SS would be sweet. If you decide on the Baja, I would wait for the SS. I love my Spektrum radio. Do you know when the SS is coming out?

It's a tough decision, but you'll be happy with either the HPI or the FG. You really can't go wrong with either.

SpikeX

Yeah, if I do get a 1/5 scale, it will probably be the Baja SS, although I haven't finished deciding yet. The SS means I save money and get some worthwhile upgrades with it, plus I get to build it (and I loved building my Savage X SS). I have absolutely no idea when it comes out.

TheFgMan01

Have you Thought about the FG Baha? I know HPI has done you good and not trying to throw you off. Just a thought though, there great looking buggies. I think they will have 4wd out for them also.