hellya

Did you guys see the add on the top of the main page? Thats another copy [X(] at a steal of a deal, DANG $250 less than tower $649 to your door ?? [X(] where was that add 2 months ago??[:@] .......still waiting for cheaper parts and wheels

Smartech's..........................Duratrax's.... ..................... FG's

fgbasher

My Feedback: (10)

that is actually the original of the three. Smartech is the company that made the original and duratrax and xtm added their decals and transmitters to it.

FG-MB

That looks like a good deal. I may ahve to get one of those as a back-up.

gonsped69

My Feedback: (6)

Sorry guys, didn't know this buggy is such a hit over here

How's parts availability in your local hobby shops hellya?

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy these cheap Go-Ped 23CC CY engines in Australia?

I can have access to the Traveller without the motor for ~U$460/AU$585 shipped but its pretty much all parts and require full assembly - lol like it matters to most people here

After all, since these engines are robust as anything, its not that necessary to keep 2 engines if you want to cut some cost down.

To those that own the FG Sporstline 2004 kit - the full front end and rear end of the Sporstline DIRECTLY bolts on the Traveller's chassis. I checked the suspension arms, shocks, turnbuckles, steering arm, servo saver, etc. and its so cloned, its not funny.

I'm currently working out the parts required for this conversion and hopefully work out a conversion bundle which so far looks to be just under U$275/AU$350 shipped for body, tires, decals, rollcage, chassis, gearing, full set of shocks, fuel tank, fuel lines, etc. - everything except motor, front and rear ends (arms, turnbuckles).

hellya

Parts?? What parts??? I need to buy one of these for parts

gonsped69

My Feedback: (6)

Actually Smartech also makes for another brand - Carson. Not to well known here in Oz but fairly well known in Europe. So that makes XTM, Duratrax and Carson as rebranded Smartech cars.

News is the factory is already cloning the FG Bigfoot MT and its also called the Smartech Bigfoot (lol) but the best part is - its pretty much the same as the traveller's chassis with different wheels/tires, body and gearing This is now being sold in Europe as the Carson Commanche.

hellya

So If I bought the gears from the Carson Commanche, when I added my monster tires to the hammer, that would be the proper gear setup?[sm=confused.gif]

gonsped69

My Feedback: (6)

With the exception of a different rollcage, body, side skirts and front bumper - you're correct. However, I am not sure what size the FG bigfoot tires are - the Smartech Bigfoot tires are 200mm diameter, 110mm wide.

From the photos I've seen the front and rear end and radio tray seems identical (except for the front upper suspension arm) but somehow the pinion and spur is located on the RHS of the vehicle (exhaust on RHS) - instead of the LHS as in the Traveller. So I assume something of the layshaft gear and engine mounts would be somewhat different.

If you want to be sure, ask the Carson retailer how many teeth are on the layshaft gear and you should have the correct gearing.

amitysanimal

Here is a Smartech Bigfoot on Ebay for $800.00 BIN........BUT, the shipping is $140.00.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WD1V

amitysanimal

gonsped69

My Feedback: (6)

With shipping that expensive - it is definitely NOT located in the USA.

daytona7

It had Texas as the location of the item, but I've seen companies sell an item for half price and then charge triple the cost for shipping to make up the difference Plus. I've sent whole 48 inch long, 32 pound 1/4 scale cars UPS for less than $40.00 any place in the US.

gonsped69

My Feedback: (6)

Those are the type of people I rather not do business with as they try to get away with as many things as they could. One thing is certain, that type of advertisement on EBay (low final value, high shipping cost) is actually against their rules - http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/policies.html#evade

daytona7

You have got to watch for those who say shipping is a FLAT rate since most times the actual shipping cost is a hellofa lot lower.

gonsped69

My Feedback: (6)

Thats true daytona7

Anyone else with a Traveller or Firehammer that would like to share their experience with the buggy?

Any cons, weaknesses?

Doahh

I want it but i probab;y can't get it

liteuser

I have a traveller on order just waiting for it to arrive. Got a futaba pm 75mhz controller futaba 3305 servo for steering (8.9Kg-0.20sec @ 6v), R133f receiver and a futaba S9451 digi servo for throttle and brake (8.6Kg-0.10 sec @6v).
Do you think that the steering servo is up to the job? its not 1/4 scale. Would i be better of getting a hitec 805bb 1/4 scale to use for the steering.
I would like to know what size battery pack to run the servos, it has to fit in the waterproof box provided. I know that 6 volts is the power but i mean flat cells or trapeze, can any one recommend a pack by name and give the run times on the battery pack before it needed charging again. failsafe i need also, any recommendations?
Any links for hop-up part exhausts, air filters etc?
Lots of questions i know but i am trying to things sorted before it arrives so i can buzz straight away. I'll do some vids and post them on.
thanks for reading

gonsped69

My Feedback: (6)

The radio system you have will be fine, for steering servo you will need a 1/4 scale size servo. Becareful of the Hitec 805BB - it tends to be 2-3mm bigger than the FG radio tray in my Sporstline 2k4 so I assume it might not fit the Traveller without some retooling.

The battery pack used in large scale is the same as used in the electric 1/10 racing - SubC cells. You'll need 5-cells in a FLAT configuration to fit in the battery box. Run times vary dependant on the type of servos used (different servos, different power drain) and the capacity of the battery. I use 5-cell GP 3300mAH cells.

To give some idea, with a Hitec 805-BB 343oz.in + Airtronics 94358 200oz.in servos with my 3PJS PCM radio system I can get 2 hours from a 1300mAH battery with my Sporstline 2004 - ONROAD. A safe bet would be to 50-70% of that timeframe with offroad cars as they put more strain on the servo which translates to bigger power drain.

Wrt failsafes, pick anyone - they all do their job pretty well.

Smartech has yet to release their hop up products but most of FG Marder's alloys and hopups can directly bolt on the Traveller.

liteuser

Thanks gonsped69,
any body else?
if you have any tried and tested hop ups which add to the performance please let me know?

hoppy504

Liteuser,

I thought only 27 & 40 mhz were legal in UK, might be worth checking. The Home Office used to be hot on radio frequencies at one time.
regards,
john.

hoppy504

My last post refered to land or water modela, aircraft are on 35 mhz.
john

hoppy504

This MT chassis appears to be different to Firehammer-Traveller, looks more like a version of the new road chassis.

john

hoppy504

These pix from the Carson site show the MTs mechanics laidout as normal not reversed.
regards,
john.

hoppy504

Another pix showing the front of the wider MT chassis.
john.

liteuser

I asked my local model shop and they said that 40 and 75 were cool and that 27 is being faded out.
thanks for the info and pics

twincraft1

I GOT A TRAVELLER 796 to the door from hong kong, the thing is dam tough, it ran head on into a cement curb wide open bent the tub a little onley broke a screw head off !!! but the stock air filter sucks......due to the filter i got a 27cc upgrade cyl. goes like hell now. what is, and where can i get a good filter?????

i give the car a 8.5

steve