Can someone explain what all the hype is about over the highlift please?

[Brooklands 280]

Maybe im missing something but seems awfully expensive for whats basicly a monster truck with a gearbox, then you have to have a 4 channel to run the thing.

now im no tightwad to spending money on rc (£1800 on a largescale capri for instance) but it does seem awfully steep for a 1/10 ellectric monster truck.

enlighten me!

[Shodog]

Like a Harley, if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.

What the hype is about is that this truck is the modern Hilux.  It's the scale truck that people have been asking for years to be made.  While it may seem expensive, it's really a bargain compared to the Bruiser.  Back in the 80's the bruiser was $400+ which equates to about $925 2006 dollars. 

 

[mobias]

Its better value for money than the TXT-1. Prices fluctuate massively dpending on where you get one, bought off ebay you get quite a good deal.Anyway Tamiya have always charged a fair bit for their high end stuff, I acutally thought it was going to cost more than it does so I'm not complaining.

[Seriesofmoments=life]

Im probably going to be way off here but, to me its the One from our generation that will be remembered, and for the 'more experianced members' lol the one they have been waiting for since the hilux, bruiser etc...

[Brooklands 280]

Still dont get it though... why spend 400 on it when you can get a clod for half that and have a **** sight more fun with it.

im trying to work out what im missing here.

[Mad Ax]

It depends on your idea of "fun" I guess...  A clod can be modded to go faster, or climb better, or crush more stones than a hi-lift...  But it's not so technical a model, and it certainly doesn't have much scale realism.

RC isn't always about speed or climbing power - to me, the hi-lift is a beautiful piece of kit.  It also has design influences going right back to the Hi-Lux and Bruisers that were very high-end models when we were kits.

And as Shodog says, it's like a Harley - except that the Hi Lift is actually good []

[Mad Ax]

It depends on your idea of "fun" I guess...  A clod can be modded to go faster, or climb better, or crush more stones than a hi-lift...  But it's not so technical a model, and it certainly doesn't have much scale realism.

RC isn't always about speed or climbing power - to me, the hi-lift is a beautiful piece of kit.  It also has design influences going right back to the Hi-Lux and Bruisers that were very high-end models when we were kits.

And as Shodog says, it's like a Harley - except that the Hi Lift is actually good []

[RichieRich]

I just got my Hi-Lift today.  All I can say is that the kit is simply awesome.  Now, I've never owned an original 3-speed, so I can't compare it to those.  But compared to all the other kits I have, it's amazing.

[DeeMiller]

First, I do understand the hype for it is a technical masterpiece but is has been done before...by Tamiya and for me, that is the exact reason for not buying one.

I prefer the "Godfather" or "Mother Of All 3-Speeds"...a Hi-Lux or simular.

On the other hand, there are way better crawlers/off-roaders if you want to have a runner...

Why need a 3-speed gearbox as there is an electric motor and ESC...???

I also don't like the big diffs...(I haven't seen a vid yet where it doesn't get stuck).

Scale realism?

Nah, the chassis and body just look silly.

I also miss full interiour with a driver (for that amount of money).

Mirrors...one roll-over and they are broken! (nice tip about the heat shrink has been offered though)...why not using flexible plastic like on the Hummer?(which has 4 flexible mirrors included)

Another thing that annoys me are the visible bolts sticking out of the body...a shame imho.

What I do like are the tires.

But maybe it has to grow on me...

 

Grtz Dee.

PS I hope I didn't offend anyone as it is just an opinion.[]

[Shodog]

Still dont get it though... why spend 400 on it when you can get a clod for half that and have a **** sight more fun with it.

im trying to work out what im missing here.

First, I think you would have a tough time finding a NIB clodbuster for $200.  Most sell for about $275-$300.

Second, a stock clodbuster is a terrible running truck

I guess it's where your priorities lie. 

[Saito]

  Once upon a time, I agreed with this.  As a little kid I pondered "Why on earth would anybody buy a Bruiser when it cost more than a Clod Buster?"  The Clod

[Saito]

  Once upon a time, I agreed with this.  As a little kid I pondered "Why on earth would anybody buy a Bruiser when it cost more than a Clod Buster?"  The Clod just seemed so much cooler and bigger.  But as I started to grow up and appreciate different aspects of RC modeling, I understood the Bruiser's allure.  Sadly, I still was lacking funds even by the time the Mountaineer came out.  I'm still on the fence about the Hi-Lift.  Its a great truck and I wholly praise Tamiya for producing it.  The big diffs and exposed screws irratate me too, but in the end, Tamiya has to make the truck fesible with today's materials/manufacturing techniques.  I'm guessing it will out-perform and be more "liveable" than the old three speeds in every way except absolute realism.  THAT title remains with the original three speeds.  Still, I salute Tamiya for all they have done and risked to make this truck a reality for us.  

[mobias]

Thats one thing I've often wondered about the 3-speeds, why do you need gears? Efficiency I suppose, just like in a real car. The fun of changing gear in an RC truck must be pretty good too. The one thing I don't like about the F-350 is the wheels, I much prefer the Bruiser look. If I got one I'd put bigger wheels on it from the word go. And yeah i really miss the cockpit/driver detail but thats modern Tamiya for you, at least this time they had the excuse of the gear box getting in the way. 

[Shodog]

Thats one thing I've often wondered about the 3-speeds, why do you need gears? Efficiency I suppose, just like in a real car. The fun of changing gear in an RC truck must be pretty good too. The one thing I don't like about the F-350 is the wheels, I much prefer the Bruiser look. If I got one I'd put bigger wheels on it from the word go. And yeah i really miss the cockpit/driver detail but thats modern Tamiya for you, at least this time they had the excuse of the gear box getting in the way. 

 The gears are nice because it allows you tow your sone aorund on his skateboard and impress the neighbors.  It doesn't really need it but it sure makes for a cool feature.  

As for the big wheel look, I am on the opposite end of the spectrum.  I tried 2.2's on for size and didn't like the look of tham at all.

I much prefer the scale appearance of the 1.9's

[TWINSET]

That's what it needed - a wraparound bullbar - looks sweeeeeeet now fella [H]

[mobias]

Ah you see I much prefer the first pic, i like the scale(ish) monster look, looks like it could handle more. Lovely looking truck though and i really appreciate the color, every car I own has to be red.

[DJTheo]

First, I do understand the hype for it is a technical masterpiece but is has been done before...by Tamiya and for me, that is the exact reason for not buying one.

I prefer the "Godfather" or "Mother Of All 3-Speeds"...a Hi-Lux or simular.

On the other hand, there are way better crawlers/off-roaders if you want to have a runner...

Why need a 3-speed gearbox as there is an electric motor and ESC...???

I also don't like the big diffs...(I haven't seen a vid yet where it doesn't get stuck).

Scale realism?

Nah, the chassis and body just look silly.

I also miss full interiour with a driver (for that amount of money).

Mirrors...one roll-over and they are broken! (nice tip about the heat shrink has been offered though)...why not using flexible plastic like on the Hummer?(which has 4 flexible mirrors included)

Another thing that annoys me are the visible bolts sticking out of the body...a shame imho.

What I do like are the tires.

But maybe it has to grow on me...

 

Grtz Dee.

PS I hope I didn't offend anyone as it is just an opinion.[]

Well, you may find it looks silly but on the other hand you like classic Renault Alpine with F1 air hoods and road Hummers [], so "de gustibus non est disputandum" (tastes are subjective and thus can't be discussed or rationally prooven)

Cherrs 

[DJTheo]

I think previous posters covered it on spot, loved especially the quotes "Like a Harley, if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand." and "And as Shodog says, it's like a Harley - except that the Hi Lift is actually good"

The F350 is a masterpiece of a kit, a stock Clod, during assembly or even when finished or driving looks like a plastic toy in comparison. Better to see it yourself in a LHS or from another owner, you will see its actually a bargain for its price, a complicated precision kit with many parts, also metal, which doesn't even perform badly. The driving experience of a vehicle with a RC controlled gear box is a dream of many people and a unique experience, especially combined with scale looks and solid leaf springs. Of course noone forces someone to like or buy it, but usually when something is very desired there are also good reasons behind it.

On the tire issue I also agree with Shodog, I actually love the hi-lift as it dioesn't have those huge and unrealistic for a European MT tires and wheels like the Bruiser and Mounty, if I want a MT I buy a Clod or TXT, anyway modern 1:1 also don't look scale at all with their rough undetailed bodies.

Cheers 

[DeeMiller]

tastes are subjective and thus can't be discussed or rationally prooven

Cherrs 

Then don't.[]

 

Grtz Dee.

[DJTheo]

tastes are subjective and thus can't be discussed or rationally prooven

Cherrs 

Then don't.[]

 

Grtz Dee.

I didn't []

Cheers 

[stulec52]

Capri Fan (Broklands280)

 I'm with you, I just don't care for them.

 I have owned; very nice Blazer, stock Clod, VERY modified Clod, and a TXT, and have sold them all as that 'scene' is just not for me.

 I can absolutley appreciate the 350 for being a fine looking model, and am super impressed at what some of the club members here have done with them already, but I just don't get the hype. They are slow, don't handle, don't grip well, and fall over all to easy  ( my opinions only) so what's the point??  and overpriced shelf queen?  maybe? are people expecting to make some money on them thinking the price wil go up?  probably not.

  But, for those who do enjoy going oh so slowly, and not being able to climb anything more than a slight incline, then maybe this is a good fit?

  I'll stick with what I like I suppose, unless some of the people here convince me otherwise !  []

 

 Escort Fan

 

 Stu

 

p.s. the above is only my take on the truck, no one needs to get all offended by any of it, each to their own.

[Z]

I agree with you that the Hi-Lift's climbing abilities stink, but, the

way I see it, it is an incredibly scale platform that can be upgraded

to climb better amd look more scale than a TLT, but granted, it costs

more (waaay more[]) But to those who relish sclae off-roading, the

price is well worth it, and I am of that school of thought, but I still

can't afford the reasonable price[:@]

[Martin71RS]

"and not being able to climb anything more than a slight incline"

 I've read a test on http://www.scale4x4rc.org/ and it was able to climb an angle of over 50degrees!!

I've also seen some movies in which it appears to be a very capable truck..so you might want to rethink that statement?

 

Martin

[DJTheo]

Agree with Martin, straight it climbs very steep angles, its just that it doesn't like side angles as it tips easily to the side, but nothing lead rings can't fix []

Stu, noone forces you to like slow crawling or scale trialing, similarily many people don't like ugly and urealistic coke bodied lexan tourers driving unrealistically fast around the same track all day, I don't, but I also don't start questioning whats all the hype about the newest tourers, everything has its value, otherwise it wouldn't be sold, its just that people have different tastes and preferences and that is actually a good thing.

Cheers

 

[Old Busted Hotness]

I agree, the climbing ability is pretty weak. I could barely get it up this 58 degree slope []

Side-hill performance is admittedly poor due to the high center of gravity. It behaves much like a real F-350 in many regards. Wheel weights would fix that.

 I'm just glad we have a scale truck out of the box again. It's been too long.