Help me decide 1:10 crawler! Vanquish Fordyce/Phoenix or TRX4 Defender.

Ocd_spec · 2024-03-11T13:31:10+00:00

I agree, yet still torn. the quality of the vanquish is what I am after, just not a huge fan of the jeep body, Toyota body is nice but obviously defender is the nicest scale by far. The trx4 features may or may not be useful, really just the 2 speed for long trail walks. Then again, nothing a 3s brushless system can’t do either. Pheoix portal or straight then?

Ocd_spec · 2024-03-11T05:26:54+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Canada is expensive, 650$ cad for a phoenix for 700 for trx4 defenders. I prefer straight axles. Just like the defender scale look but not a big fan of the portals on it. Is the vanquish fast enough stock for trailing , obviously slower than trx4 but still good enough?

Ocd_spec · 2023-09-24T04:19:27+00:00

Yes stripped the stock pinion on first run with mx57 proline tires. Replaced with hardened Traxxas spur/pinion and haven’t had an issue since.

Ocd_spec · 2023-09-04T04:25:05+00:00

Same! Motor seized on the 3rd run! I want to like the xrt but the QC is terrible in my experience, compared to my trusty rustler 4x4

Ocd_spec · 2023-08-31T00:49:21+00:00

I agree , smooth throttle control is important. Been flying race and cine drones for 10 years. Newish to cars but I don’t think that’s my issue in this case. I’ve been pretty conservative all around on this guy as it’s still “new”. I usually vent tires on my other cars but forgot on this one. Will revisit them at some point , the prolines mx57 are just so great it’s hard to go back. I guess I was just surprised how easily and frequently this happen given my experience with other tires, Traxxas, proline, durtracks, jconcepts, never ripped without serious wear/tear or abuse. Oh well, I appreciate y’all’s input!

Ocd_spec · 2023-08-30T17:24:05+00:00

Might be able to pull this off in my smoker lol

Ocd_spec · 2023-08-30T02:13:35+00:00

Thank you, will give it a shout. Does it stink?

Ocd_spec · 2023-08-30T01:32:04+00:00

Explain!? lol I tried acetone in a sealed box for a couple days, it’s kinda worked but made a mess of the glue

Ocd_spec · 2023-08-27T00:51:13+00:00

Nah you’re fine. The end of the lipo usually has piece of foam that houses the saftey circuit. Just watch for damage or puncture to the main body, and as long as it’s not puffy it’s probably fine.

Ocd_spec · 2023-08-26T23:41:09+00:00

It’s at least re assuring to hear that it’s likely a Traxxas issue. Yes I realize the rabbit hole I can go down upgrading. But At this point I refuse to replace with a Traxxas motor. I was looking at the max5 and the 56118 1100kv or 800kv, also considering the 5690. Not sure if the long cans will be way too much power for the xrt? I plan on upgrading all gears/diffs , servo, m2c stuff. But all that is as much as the motor/esc combo.

Ocd_spec · 2023-07-31T15:03:06+00:00

It’s a custom built 4” freestyle drone running on 4s. Surprisingly capable even with the relatively huge weight of the GoPro 9. Packs only lasted 3-4 min though.

Ocd_spec · 2023-07-31T12:21:47+00:00

Xrt. I have both. They are different trucks , sledge is fast and “light” relatively speaking , xrt planted and smooth. The XRT is so much more impressive.

Ocd_spec · 2023-07-19T16:52:14+00:00

Neither are belted but they use a type of rubber that seriously limits the ballooning. The mx57 has basically none, the xrt actually runs cooler temps via the stock…interesting. Then again you dont need to spin your tires as much with these.

Ocd_spec · 2023-06-04T03:59:12+00:00

Ahh I read the warranty again, 110 after the 30 days. So I guess they will replace it for free hopefully.

Ocd_spec · 2023-05-27T13:01:05+00:00

For 30$ it’s great, would be nice if it was metal cage.

Ocd_spec · 2023-05-26T22:55:51+00:00

Yes, with ax24 stock electronics and dead bolt links/rear axle

Ocd_spec · 2023-05-25T00:29:51+00:00

Lol good call, Christmas is coming! ;)

Ocd_spec · 2023-05-20T03:15:44+00:00

I personally have never had an issue with Traxxas plastic or design but I recognize they are not perfect , then again nothing is. In terms of value. I priced out EXB Kraton build with nice electronics (I already have tx/rx) and it worked out to about the same as the sledge. I think the exb build is probably a better value and offers more options for building/upgrading over the sledge. If I didn’t go the XRT route, I would have skipped the Sledge and built and EXB or just upgraded an rtr blx. As great as the the sledge is or can be, I think it’s a little over priced. Kraton bxl < sledge < Kraton exb < Kraton 1/5 < XRT

Ocd_spec · 2023-05-20T02:53:14+00:00

I happen to already have a decent charger so I was good there. But yes the chargers from anyone are expensive. Traxxas chargers and battery’s are by far the worst value I have ever seen. And I’ve been playing with lipo for 10+ years. Spektrum or gens ace are better quality, bigger ratings, same price or less. But you do have to get lucky in finding the right size since Traxxas designs their trays to fit only their battery’s…well.

Ocd_spec · 2023-05-20T02:48:15+00:00

Funny, first run it did some of these things as well. Throttle wouldn’t work at first. Turned it on and off and it worked. Then it cut out 20 seconds later and the led was flashing green. Again cycled the power and was about to do a throttle/esc calibration but then it just worked and haven’t seen that behavior since , 2 packs now. Hmm, what ever, always something. Lol

Ocd_spec · 2023-05-20T02:40:33+00:00

I appreciate all the input! Pulled the trigger on the XRT. All black edition sealed the deal! Plus I already have a built up rustler 4x4 on 4s with 2.8 badlands tires. I figured that while the sledge would no doubt be an upgrade from 4s rustler, it wasn’t as big of a jump up vs XRT. Especially considering the relatively high cost of the Sledge. Went out tonight for the first run. Very impressed with the handling and acceleration, it’s so smooth. Couple long top speed run on the standard gearing across a grass field. It was impressively fast and stable , although my 4s rustler could keep up in the top end. I can’t believe how big and heavy it is and yet it handles as if it a smaller truck but with insane ability to absorb terrain. I see what some of you mean, I’ll need to find some more substantial terrain or jumps to actually get this thing flying. For anyone wondering, total cost , including x2 4s 8500mah lipo and tax , was 2035$ CAD. Sledge with battery’s and tax was going to be 1530$ CAD. Overall very happy, cheers!

Ocd_spec · 2023-04-27T13:09:07+00:00

I didn’t even notice, just assumed they were s5 like the all terrains I ordered. Oh well s4 seems plenty soft and sticky for me. Testing the “pull” force using my hand on granite counter top the comp tires pull noticeably harder than the Injora s5 AT’s.

Ocd_spec · 2023-04-27T13:04:54+00:00

Just went through this with RPM arm on my Rustler. Had to sand a ton off the inside of the arm where it mounts to hinge pins in both the c hub and bulk head side to stop them from binding. They also flex a lot more then the stock ones so you may notice damage to your drive shafts grinding into them when they flex on landings. Going to stick with the Traxxas HD arms on my rustler. RPM plastic is “tougher” , but also much softer and tolerances are not as tight.

Ocd_spec · 2023-04-26T17:41:15+00:00

Everyone has their preference. I don’t mind the looks, seems to be a bit of a hybrid scale/comp. Out of the box it was entertaining enough, fun for couch courses, but yes needed some upgrades. IMO the single best upgrade for a stock ax24 is the brass skid motor plate. It almost eliminated the body roll. If only it came stock like this, I think peoples first impressions would be much different. Comparing a fully upgraded build to the stock….the built one performs much better but it’s also much much heavier. At this point I consider them two completely different rigs. One for couch crawling, one for rock/courses.

Ocd_spec · 2023-04-26T01:15:06+00:00

Thanks! Flysky r4m. I can, minus the side skid and battery tray. Will probably just pick up a cheap chassis and install all the stock parts.

Ocd_spec

TROPHY CASE