Grasshopper vs Lunchbox

[phiber_optik]

As the title says Grasshopper vs Lunchbox

Similar but different, will only be used for some navigating round the garden, obstacle courses with the child etc. 

Bit of modify of course but speed and handling won’t matter so much.

[Frog Jumper]

LB

[TurnipJF]

If your lawn is kept short, Grasshopper as it handles better.  If it tends to get a bit long, Lunchie as it is more off-road capable.

[MadAtComputer]

both

[Saito2]

Lunch Box

[phiber_optik]

Or to throw a real spanner in the works a FAV? 

[Hypoxic]

The Box

[Tamiyastef]

Grasshopper as it was my first RC (and I still enjoy it 41 years later) and I never owned a Lunchbox or Pumpkin 

[ADRay1000]

LB!

[alvinlwh]

Neither, but since they are so cheap, how about both? 

[Kowalski86]

I'd go with a Lunchbox, they get over grass and rough terrain better than Grasshoppers or Hornets.

1 hour ago, phiber_optik said:

Or to throw a real spanner in the works a FAV? 

The FAV will handle much better than a Hopper or Lunchbox, as long as the gearbox holds together.

[Twinfan]

I love the Lunch Box but it has the turning circle of an oil tanker. 

For what you want to do? Grasshopper.

An ever better choice would be the Rising Fighter and a set of CVA shocks, or the Saint Dragon which is currently very cheap if you don't mind the looks...

[MadAnt]

3 hours ago, phiber_optik said:

As the title says Grasshopper vs Lunchbox

Similar but different, will only be used for some navigating round the garden, obstacle courses with the child etc. 

Bit of modify of course but speed and handling won’t matter so much.

Grasshopper with Lunchbox wheels, tires, metal knuckles and gear reduction.

[Marchie]

Lunchbox for sure- neither handles ‘well’, but the Lunchbox’s eccentricity is always fun, whereas I find the Grasshopper quickly gets frustrating.

[Grumpy pants]

The GH will be easier for a young un to drive, the LB is a lot more fun and laughs, but as ‘dad’ you’ll get plenty of extra steps in putting it back on 4 wheels. 

[Wooders28]

Just to throw in a spanner.

A Neo fighter is a similar price, better suspension and motor.....

[ChrisRx718]

22 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

If your lawn is kept short, Grasshopper as it handles better.  If it tends to get a bit long, Lunchie as it is more off-road capable.

Nah, the slightest bumps will upset a Grasshopper! So unless your lawn is both short and pool-table-flat, go with the big-wheeled Lunchbox 

[JimBear]

6 hours ago, Grumpy pants said:

The GH will be easier for a young un to drive, the LB is a lot more fun and laughs, but as ‘dad’ you’ll get plenty of extra steps in putting it back on 4 wheels. 

I'd say the same - the Lunchie is a top test for throttle management, the lower speed of the Hopper might be better suited.

Of course, one could modify the Lunchie, or just set the throttle at 50%. It all depends.

[2qwik]

Lunchbox gets my vote... my 3 yo loves my wifes Pumpkin, gets bored with the Grasshopper quickly....

[markbt73]

Ironically, despite the name, the Grasshopper is terrible on grass. Especially with the stock paddle tires. It will get stuck approximately every five inches. A set of Hornet spikes will get you a little further, but not much.

The Lunchbox is a much better choice; the extra ground clearance and wide tires keep it on top of the grass and moving.

[Rinskie]

I'd pick the Box. It's been on my short list for so many years but when it comes time to spend money, the money always gets spent on something else. The Lunchbox has personality 7 miles deep. With the Grasshopper you'll always have that Hornet question hangin over your head. 

[urban warrior]

On 5/18/2025 at 1:49 AM, MadAnt said:

Grasshopper with Lunchbox wheels, tires, metal knuckles and gear reduction.

When a colleague from work asked me about a beginner RC, decades ago, I recommended him the Mad Bull. Simple chassis with wheels/tires that won' get you stuck so easily.

Funny enough in 1987 I bolted Pumpkin wheels/tires on my Grasshopper. But I was too dumb to change the pinion. And with a Reedy Pink Dot and the three-step speedo it was absolutely uncontrollable.

Although I would still go with the Lunchbox/Pumpkin!

[TurnipJF]

On 5/17/2025 at 9:14 PM, phiber_optik said:

As the title says Grasshopper vs Lunchbox.

Are these the only options under consideration? 

[MadAnt]

2 hours ago, urban warrior said:

When a colleague from work asked me about a beginner RC, decades ago, I recommended him the Mad Bull. Simple chassis with wheels/tires that won' get you stuck so easily.

Funny enough in 1987 I bolted Pumpkin wheels/tires on my Grasshopper. But I was too dumb to change the pinion. And with a Reedy Pink Dot and the three-step speedo it was absolutely uncontrollable.

Although I would still go with the Lunchbox/Pumpkin!

Back when my first grasshopper was in its monster buggy phase, it had blackfoot wheels with tall Imex Swamp Dawgs. To help it move around with those big tires I installed a Venom 540 17Tx2 Fireball motor, which was back when they had green labels. With just a stock 18 tooth Hornet sized pinion gear, it actually had some wheels spin off the line at full throttle. That thing had too much speed, I eventually converted it back to a normal-ish buggy. 

Yeah I can see why Lunchbox/Midnight Pumpkin is pretty attractive. Who doesn't like wheelies? Someday I'll own one.

[JimBear]

3 hours ago, Rinskie said:

I'd pick the Box. It's been on my short list for so many years but when it comes time to spend money, the money always gets spent on something else.

35 years and counting ... (for me, that is). One day, one sunny day ...