Gravel Hound, Rising Storm or what?

[DimmaDan]

Looking for a quick semi off roader, ive just bought a pumpkin and i have a TT01 that im playing with along with a M03 and FF02.

Anyway, im looking for an off roader that is robust, quick and performs well.

What are your opinions on the Hound and Storm?

[Gilberto the great]

I've just bought a storm, am still in the process of building but so far I am pretty impressed. As far as I can tell the storm and hound are the same car, the only difference appears to be the bodies. I preferred the storm body and therefore went for that one.

I have read a couple of magazine reviews for the hound and they have been pretty positive, so if you are seeking a cheap 4WD, which appears pretty robust and which can be upgraded later for more speed etc then they get my vote.

[DimmaDan]

Yeah, i have read reviews on both but need opinions before i buy.

[Gilberto the great]

ok, well in case nobody else replies heres my opinion.

I previously had a Baja Champ, which got me back into rc cars about 2-3 years ago. I like the storm much more for the following reasons:

1. The kit comes with an ESC and oil filled shocks and is partly ball raced.

2. It was only 54 quid + shipping from Stella models - so cheap!

3. The chassis design seems similar to the TT-01, from handling it during the building process it seems very tough. The ni-cd, radio gear and motor sit flat into the tub like chassis, which must help with the centre of gravity and handling.

4. I think the body looks great.

5. The reviews have been positive, which in my experience I've found the magazines don't tend too often if it's a Tamiya.

The only negative I've heard is that the ground clearance isn't very high, but as far as I can tell it isn't any better/worse than Baja Champ/King etc. Also the shocks position can be adjusted to increase height.

Also search on the forums - there have been a few discussions recently about Storm and Hound, one started by myself. Good luck

[tt-01owner]

you could get a hpi rs4 rally, they cost around 100usd and is definatly has more advantages:

more durable, just boil the a arms for 10 minutes and their tuffer than stell

more efficent, its belt drive

long stroke oil shocks, better than friction dampers

and most important hpi parts are more likely to be in your hobby store than tamiya parts.

but if you really want a tamiya my choice would be a baja king/champ.

[XanderP]

yeah i agree with Gilberto the Great get a hound or a storm. They both have a chassis similar to a TT01 but with longer suspension and off road tyres.

[DimmaDan]

Gilberto, you in the UK? Did you get charged for import duty and taxes?

[DJTheo]

quote:

Originally posted by tt-01owner

you could get a hpi rs4 rally, they cost around 100usd and is definatly has more advantages:

more durable, just boil the a arms for 10 minutes and their tuffer than stell

more efficent, its belt drive

long stroke oil shocks, better than friction dampers

and most important hpi parts are more likely to be in your hobby store than tamiya parts.

but if you really want a tamiya my choice would be a baja king/champ.

---

id="quote">id="quote">

Belt drive can be a disadvantage at off road when dirt enters the chassis and AFAIK those new buggies have oil dampers.

Baja King/Champ are based on the TL01 which is robust but far outdated chassis compared to TT01/DF02 and not very good for off road.

Cheers

[tt-01owner]

rs4 rally is designed for rally it has a dust cover. take alot at the link:

http://tinypic.com/2i2lcm

[supergreg]

Wow that's indeed a tiny pic! []

[tt-01owner]

sorry i couldnt get a bigger pic but you get the idea it has a dust cover

[Jimmy_GT-R]

Why on earth do they call those things dust covers[?], cause they certainly don't keep any dust out. lol. But yeah they do keep small stones etc from entering the drivetrain. So shouldn't they be called a debris cover. [8)]. I remember when the TB01 first came out, the EVO 6 I think, it had a dust cover, remember seeing one after being run with it, was covered in dust, lol, prob worse than if it didn't have one on it. The dust got it but didn't seem to be getting out. lol. Quite funny really.

thanks

James

[tt-01owner]

why not put some foam wear the "dust cover" meets the chassis for a tighter seal

[tt-01owner]

also the gravel hound, rising storm isnt really a good off roader because tamiya doesnt put essiencial off road necseties like:

slipper clutch

oil shocks

ball bearings

come'on tamiya how hard is it to include that! also all or most other competiters have those for the about the same price!

[Gilberto the great]

quote:

Originally posted by DimmaDan

Gilberto, you in the UK? Did you get charged for import duty and taxes?

---

id="quote">id="quote">

Hi DimmaDan. Sorry for the delay. Yes I live in the UK. It is a bit of pot luck with taxes and import duty etc. but if you ask Stallamodels to mark the item as a gift (They always oblige) then customs are potentially less likely to look at it. I've ordered a few things from Stella so far and (touch wood[]) they have all avoided import duty.

[DimmaDan]

Cheers mate, will do that. Wanted a Pumpkin from too but they have sold out!

[Snu_d]

i do think a slipper clutch is an advantage in rc....however, the gravel hounds gears are pretty strong....

im using the aluminium prop shaft and gear box joints made by rc-square......the transmission is almost bullet proof now!

oil shocks are includded in the kit form....

the transmission runs on ball bearings....only the wheels use oilite bushings...

this is a budget rc...i guess they had to cost cut somewhere....

pics of my hopped up hound....

http://spaces.msn.com/members/snud/

[tt-01owner]

if you say the gravel hounds spur gear is tough try landing a 6+feet jump, your bound to chip some teeth.

[mr_pushrod]

Depends if you are on the throttle or not. Lifting off when you are coming in to land will greatly increase the chances of the spur surviving.

[Snu_d]

i have landed a 6ft+ jump....many times,.,....

spur still intact....and no chipped teeth....

the spur plastic is pretty strong....

[theshopkeeper]

And it's only £2.75 (part 51080) if you do break it - Tamiya have sensibly bagged it as a separate code so you don't have to buy the whole gear bag like you would on a TT01.