Tamiya CR-01 Pros and cons ?*** new idea, Element Bushido vs MST CFX --- Bought a FTX Hi Rock

[joeling 1961]

Not really helpful here but here's my fleet on  my bed

 

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

Guys, thank you for your help, but now already 3 weeks of researching. I unfortunately will not get a CR01... unfortunately, it would be too much money into the drain.

I will be getting a Element Enduro RTR kit with included optional overdrive gears. Some hop ups for around 400€ definitely worth it.

 

I already know I want mine one day to be a  1990Nissan Patrol, it seems there not many Patrol body's or is the car called otherwise in different parts of the world.

picture for reference

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

I am honestly torn between these 2.

 

https://tamico.de/Element-RC-Enduro-Bushido-RTR

the Bushido comes with lots of upgrades compared to the 320euro base model.

https://tamico.de/MST-Crawler-CFX-WS-DC1-RTR-Dunkelblau

this one looks just great for the same price, not sure how the double slipper clutch operates, but is this better or worse then the element?

 

Also my friend has bought the TRX4 Defender in gray, it should arrive next week. I am wondering, how do these above cars compare in terms of size?

I would like mine to be similar size scale to the TRX4 as we will be filming stuff, I dont want to have the biger car (even tho it should be smaller)

I have hear the bushido is huge tbh, how does it look next to a TRX4 Defender? Is the MST smaller and closer to the TRX4?

[87lc2 2854]

Those should both be similar in size to the TRX with the exception of the massive Defender body (horrible for crawling by the way).  Both are 313 wheelbase which is standard in the 1/10 crawler world.  The regular CMF/CFX trucks are very small, around 10-11" wheelbase. 

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

Could somebody share thoughts on the Carisma SCA-1E 1981 Range Rover?

 

I found it on a really good discount and am pretty sure it might be it.

 

Also, has anybody expirience with the Absima Sherpa? as I see it comes with remote locking diffs and 2 speed also... like the trx4?

I found a used sherpa with charger and two quality lipo batteries with Hobbywing 1080 and other upgrades. 335€ sounds a good deal for a full rtr with upgrades but used tho.

[alvinlwh 7738]

43 minutes ago, Fabia130vRS said:

Could somebody share thoughts on the Carisma SCA-1E 1981 Range Rover?

Just bought one 2 weeks ago. Seems pretty good for its price from TTM. Neil said it beat the CR and he could have sold me a CR for more money, he did not. Any particular aspect of the kit you want to know about? I can dig it out and try to get you an answer.

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

2 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

Just bought one 2 weeks ago. Seems pretty good for its price from TTM. Neil said it beat the CR and he could have sold me a CR for more money, he did not. Any particular aspect of the kit you want to know about? I can dig it out and try to get you an answer.

I am mostly interested how does in compare to a trx4 defender body? smaller? the wheelbase is small,? 285m vs 313 on the trx4

I have plans of getting it for 320€ shipped.

[alvinlwh 7738]

9 minutes ago, Fabia130vRS said:

I am mostly interested how does in compare to a trx4 defender body? smaller? the wheelbase is small,? 285m vs 313 on the trx4

I have plans of getting it for 320€ shipped.

Oh, can't help with that since I had not even started building it yet nor do I have a TRX4 to compare it against. Sorry.

One thing I think though is €320 seems high, I got mine for £190. Where are you shipping from and to?

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

1 minute ago, alvinlwh said:

Oh, can't help with that since I had not even started building it yet nor do I have a TRX4 to compare it against. Sorry.

One thing I think though is €320 seems high, I got mine for £199. Where are you shipping from and to?

https://www.hodis-modellbau-ecke.de/produkt/carisma-sca-1e-1981-rangerover-2-1-crawler-4x4-rtr-oxford-blue/

 

it is the cheapest offer I can find.I am buying from Germany. I live in Europe Croatia

[sosidge 763]

From your new shortlist I would recommend the Element.

Carisma and MST are are both slightly more basic chassis - not much in it - but they don't have "scale" chassis servo mounts with panhard bar, and don't have overdrive or the same attention to weight distribution. You also have more aftermarket support with the Element. The Absima seems OK, very inspired by the TRX-4, but Absima are not a "real" brand, they just rebrand stuff from Chinese factories, so long term support won't be as good.

Bushido vs Sendero SE is hard to call. Sendero SE is the budget platform, lower spec, but might be a hint of the direction Element want to go in the future. Hard to say until they release more versions of the SE chassis. Original Enduro is a proven platform.

I don't think 320Euro is a good deal for a Carisma, we get them for a lot less money in the UK (Carisma have close ties to the UK).

TRX-4 Defender is long wheelbase (324mm), its a big body with all the accessories and TRX-4s also have slightly wider axles than other trucks, but not much in it. 313mm is the standard wheelbase length, as long as you buy a truck that can run that wheelbase you'll be close in size/performance.

As said before, CR-01 just isn't comparable, CC-02 is much smaller.

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

Yes, been two days researching the absima and carisma. The absima sherpa compared tot he trx4 is terribel.

the carisma with the land rover body is inded smaller overall than the trx4.

The bushido is my first choice. so far it is a higher price kit, comes with more upgrades. Will definately need a different motor and esc.

 

[sosidge 763]

27 minutes ago, Fabia130vRS said:

Will definately need a different motor and esc.

 

Why?

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

2 hours ago, sosidge said:

Why?

I watched a lot of reviews, the esc seems very simple and not really programed for crawling. Or not sensitive as it should be.

I could use that RTR esc in something else, so I do not see a problem with upgradeing that part.

As for the motor, this reedy 27T does not really produce any drag brake.

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/ftx-outback-hi-rock-4x4-rtr-110-trail-rock-crawler-446751

 

What about the FTX Outback Hi Rock?

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

I bought this as my first crawler. I think it is a great deal, €329 and €6,90 for shipping is great. Compared to my friend who is new to the hobby and bought a TRX4 Defender a charger and two 2s lipos for around € 700 

 

https://www.eurorc.com/product/26027/ftx-outback-hi-rock-4x4-110-trail-crawler-rtr

 

It was the last piece and I didn't want to waste time more... I think it should compare good to the trx4. 

[mtbkym01 4787]

30 minutes ago, Fabia130vRS said:

I bought this as my first crawler. I think it is a great deal, €329 and €6,90 for shipping is great. Compared to my friend who is new to the hobby and bought a TRX4 Defender a charger and two 2s lipos for around € 700 

 

https://www.eurorc.com/product/26027/ftx-outback-hi-rock-4x4-110-trail-crawler-rtr

 

It was the last piece and I didn't want to waste time more... I think it should compare good to the trx4. 

Looks great in the video, is it RTR?

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

1 hour ago, mtbkym01 said:

Looks great in the video, is it RTR?

Yes, it comes with a Hobbywing 40A esc and 550 17T brushed motor.

I do not know what servo it is, but it should be 15kg.  I have been researching RTR crawlers for weeks now, and this is pretty much standard RTR crawler electronics,they are all more or less the same in an RTR. Expectations for this 40A esc are somewhat higher than for the Reedy 40A esc in the element kits. Even tho it should be a replica.

I really like the weight ditribution, it is a special chassis. You don't often see the motor next to the servo an the gearbox in the middle bottom, the battery tray can be moved forward. it comes with charger and 2000mAh nimh battery. The radio is cheap-ish but I believe a 4 channel. I might put my sanwa RX inside.

 

 

 

[OnTheTrail 1405]

On 2/9/2023 at 8:21 AM, Fabia130vRS said:

Also my friend has bought the TRX4 Defender in gray, it should arrive next week. I am wondering, how do these above cars compare in terms of size?

... Is the MST smaller and closer to the TRX4?

 

 

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

Not a huge difference. Thank you! 

[Badcrumble 4432]

Over on the 'other side' there is an active crawler forum which has an owner's thread for models. Unusually, I couldn't find one for the hi-rock.

FTX are definitely on at the budget end of RC so be prepared for some tinkering. I say this as an FTX Outlaw owner - known for their poor design and plastic choices. I'm not knocking the brand my Outlaw has been fine and is great fun and they are built to a price point. If they were Vanquish level they would be more expensive!

The main issues with the Hi-,Rock appear to be easily sorted.

Dampers. This affects most cheaper crawlers from FTX, Absima, etc. The recommendation is to get some Element ones.

Chassis flex. Fit some braces!

Servo mount. Not so easy to fix unless FTX now produce an upgrade. The second link below details a 3D printed brace one of the guys has made.

Have fun!

https://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/forums/topic/247648-ftx-hi-rock-wonky-front-axle/

https://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/forums/topic/249317-ftx-hi-rock-aka-rgt-ex86110-heavy-duty-parts/

 

[Badcrumble 4432]

12 hours ago, Fabia130vRS said:

I really like the weight ditribution, it is a special chassis. You don't often see the motor next to the servo an the gearbox in the middle bottom, the battery tray can be moved forward. it comes with charger and 2000mAh nimh battery. The radio is cheap-ish but I believe a 4 channel. I might put my sanwa RX inside.

My GCM Skeleton has a similar set-up. Adjusting the front damper mount next to the motor gets interesting! It all ends up tight for space at the front end, especially if you start thinking about a servo winch. All part of the fun! 

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

Few days and I will find out. I am perfectly fine with a trail car, if it performs well its ok. Myself had always a soft spot for the Toyota Hilux. 
 

I was really unsure about the Bushido, I always had on my mind it’s like a m chassis but looks 1/10 and I don’t know just weird. The MST Jimny for example is more proportional for in size.

 

I was basically choosing between 300€ RTR kits and 400€ rtr kits.

I found in the 300€ range the Element Sendero (low end element), Carisma SCA-1E, FTX outback 329€
 

400€ range, MST CFX J4 Jimny and D1, Bushido Element (great upgrades short wb) and I do not remeber what else.

I believe the FTX may be the car that needs the least upgrades out of the box.

until something breaks it should be fine. i really dont know anything about crawlers tbh and I believe it is quite individual. 
 

the body does look really nice with litghts included and all. I did notice the FTX aluminium and plastics may not looks so nice and probably questionable quality idk. Design wise I think it is a masterpiece 

[OnTheTrail 1405]

7 hours ago, Fabia130vRS said:

Not a huge difference. Thank you! 

Size wise, no,not a huge difference.   While the MST performs surprisingly well for such small scale tires (I made my own foams as the stock foams weren't very good at all), the TRX is an amazing crawler for the scale appearance.   That said, I've got a quite a bit of brass down low to help with the top heavy body.  For me, I absolutely love the remote locking diffs.  Makes a big difference performance wise to if you know when to use them.  

While I'm not sure of the parts support or aftermarket add-ons for the FTX on your side of the pond, I would recommend you went with a TRX4 for your firsts crawler/trail rig.  As others have said, they very durable, parts and aftermarket support is almost nonending.   The TRX4 sport RTR is a terrific value out of the box.   You can slowly upgrade the electronics if they give you issues but I'd say buy, drive it and then upgrade as you need.   

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

10 minutes ago, OnTheTrail said:

Size wise, no,not a huge difference.   While the MST performs surprisingly well for such small scale tires (I made my own foams as the stock foams weren't very good at all), the TRX is an amazing crawler for the scale appearance.   That said, I've got a quite a bit of brass down low to help with the top heavy body.  For me, I absolutely love the remote locking diffs.  Makes a big difference performance wise to if you know when to use them.  

While I'm not sure of the parts support or aftermarket add-ons for the FTX on your side of the pond, I would recommend you went with a TRX4 for your firsts crawler/trail rig.  As others have said, they very durable, parts and aftermarket support is almost nonending.   The TRX4 sport RTR is a terrific value out of the box.   You can slowly upgrade the electronics if they give you issues but I'd say buy, drive it and then upgrade as you need.   

Yes, I see what you are saying.

It may not be the best choice to the FTX, but I still am convincing myself it was a good deal.  

I don't want to say too much, I am pretty excited. I don't think the FTX has really any cons except the plastic drive shaft pin, also as I understand this hobby... the crawler hobby...

I could eventually install traxxas axles onto any crawler similar size or not?

Yes brass weights and so on I havent found, There are some parts on ebay... but thats it?

[Fabia130vRS 2098]

https://rgt-racing.com/cn_asp/productshow.asp?id=1140

 

here can be found more info. I guess the mother firm is RGT