Traxxas "V"

[skellyo]

Originally Posted by GorillaMaxx360

its pretty cool actually it has the potental to go 70+ with a 3s lipo. That is almost as good or better than the castle motors. also it has metal trans, ball bearings, cool wheels body, and deans. not much extra, yes, but for someone that is going to buy a rusty this could be very good. But lets see the price if it is under 250 then it is pretty cool car, but if it is pretty expensive its not really worth it.

Yes, keeping the price right on it will mean the world to sales for these things. When most folks buy them and do 30+ out of the box with the XL-5 and Titan...the price better be darn good.

[sven]

Originally Posted by skellyo

Booooooo! We waited how long to find out it's a freakin BL Rustler/Bandit/Stampede product? I'm supremely disappointed in Traxxas for dragging that crap out.

I just saw the V for the first time tonight, so I guess I wasn't expecting anything to be let down. At least it has wheels :027:

Did you happen to see the new transmission, new bushless motor/esc, tire, and wheels? It's not just traxxas sticking a brushless system in an existing vehicle, they created more options for other things as well (which gives the consumer more options).


I look forward to seeing pricing for these new options.

Im incredibly disappointed with Traxxas. They have revamped the rustler/stampede/bandit once already, why do it again? I was hoping for at least a revamped emaxx.

But look on the bright side, this may just pave the way for an factory electric revo with a BL system. Now with a RTR BL stadium truck made by a well known company, BL technology will become more mainstream.

Also, I wonder how the BL system performs and how it'll hold up in the long run

They don't come with deans. Its a different Traxxas plug.

[skellyo]

Don't forget that Losi has had the XXX-T sport with a Novak 4300 BL in it for some time now. I don't think they sell all that well at their $380 price tag either. IMO, Traxxas needs to stick it below that price point by $50-80 and they should do well. I'd like to see a street price on it of $299 or so and I'd probably buy one.

[suicideneil]

Bah, humbug. Im assuming that Traxxas will be bringing out a 4/5s capable esc, and a wider selection of motors. Those little things will burn up under harsh driving with a big bad Lipo providing power. As for the connectors... nothing some wire cutters & solder cant replace. Not all that impressed really.

[skellyo]

Originally Posted by sven

Did you happen to see the new transmission, new bushless motor/esc, tire, and wheels? It's not just traxxas sticking a brushless system in an existing vehicle, they created more options for other things as well (which gives the consumer more options).

The tranny looks to be nothing more than the original with the steel top gear, AL idler and a new AL diff.

The BL motor/ESC is nothing special...a $180 Mamba Max combo does all that and then some.

The tires are the same as on the XL-5, just on black chrome versions of the same wheels.

So, basically, not much difference. However, the metal turnbuckles and higher torque servo are nice additions. I just don't see anything more with this release than a prettied up version of the XL-5 that was new last year.

[jnev]

If its cheap enough, I'll buy it just to mess around. I was expecting an e-revo or new e-maxx though...

[suicideneil]

* Two-stage thermal shutdown protection protects the VXL-3s from overheating.
* Locked Rotor Protection™ prevents system damage by cutting power if the vehicle is stuck or the motor is bound.
* Sensor Phase Detection™ protects against improperly wiring aftermarket sensored motors.
* Sensored Motor Backup protection causes the VXL-3s to switch to sensorless operation if a motor sensor fails or sensor wires become disconnected. Sensored motors can be used without connecting the sensor wires to the sensor port on the ESC.
* Battery Over-Voltage Protection™ causes the ESC to go into failsafe mode if the maximum input voltage is exceeded.

Sensored & sensorless..... give me that in a bigger esc and I'll be a happy man- I could run all kinds of weird * wonderful BL motors..... A few redemming features then but I want a higher voltage model still- hurry up Traxxas. Right, now Im going to bed before me eyes drop out.

[crazyjr]

the mods kept saying it was something we have never seen, only thing i never seen before was traxxas rehashing a couple month old truck, that usually takes 15 years for them to do that;) On the nicer side, if the esc delivers, it is ground breaking

Originally Posted by ***RC***

I was expecting an e-revo or new e-maxx though...

I have a gut feeling this is the beginning and that the higher volt system will indeed hit the market. The rusty/pede platform is the least expensive way for Traxxas to get it's feet wet. I think it's a great move and a definate step in the right direction.

[BP-Revo]

I am just really suprised that Traxxas released a BL system that is much more potent and capable than the Novak ones.

If Traxxas makes one for MT's, I suspect it will be 5S or 6S capable.

[skellyo]

It better be more capable...you've seen the MSRP on it, right? $300 for the BL system alone

I certainly hope the VLX vehicles are priced under $400 or sales could be slow. It's far too easy to put a MM in an XL-5 Rusty/Pede/Bandit and keep it under $300.

[jhautz]

After looking at this system a little closer I don't think they did a bad job here. No the esc doesn't have the programmability of the Mamba Max, but the target for this esc is different than the MM. Its pretty much brushless for dummies with some really nice foolproof features. Like the setup to run sensored or sensorless motors. (cool feature that I haven't seen anywhere else) Makes it a possible esc for legal racing and a high powered basher all in one. A 200Amp constant rating with a nice size heatsink and a water resistant case. The water resistance is huge IMO. 2 of the 3 ESC's I have fried was due to water. Once a huge puddle in the grass I didn't see and once some left over dew on the grass. Water resistance make it a posible good candidate for a winter snow basher too. They are offering a "clip on" fan with a port for plugging it directly into the esc. Thats a sweet feature IMO. Sounds to me like they know in the extreme mode with the 3s battery that they will have thermal problems. But they fact that they rate it for 3s and a "optional" (probably oversize) pinion is great. It shows that there is headroom on the esc when running in a more normal useful range of speed. They probably should just include the fan though, people are stupid and wont even realize they need it. Even the new traxxas plugs looks to be a pretty solid design. As good as deans from a connection stand point. Just wondering how they will hold up over time, and they dont look to be reusable like a deans that you can unsolder and resolder if you want. Once you solder it and snap the connector into the case its on there and to get it out you need to rip the barbs that hold the gold bar in place out, probably ruining it. And the price is a little high at $4 a set. I can see this being one of those things that gets cut off IMMEDIATELY! But some interesting concepts in the design none the less.

All in all it looks like they did a pretty nice job designing a brushless system for the casual hobbyist.

As far as the price, if you drill down into the ESC pages at the bottom it says suggested retail for the esc is $300, which probably puts it at around $225-250 street price. Thats a little steep for a 3s esc. But it is 200A rated so if it delivers it could be a really nice little system for the 1/10 market. It sure looks like it delivers more power and flexibility than the Novak stuff. The mamba is rock solid though in 1/10 applications so its gonna have a tough time carving out a place at those prices IMO.

Downsides I see from my perspective is the software built in over voltage detection will prevent us from really testing what it can do unless its "hackable". No settings at all other than reverse or no reverse. The trainer mode is useless IMO unless you are buying this for a 8 year old in which case save your money and get the XL5 version.

Now we just need to see if the system delivers in the real world what it shows on paper. If it delivers and they sold a 5s or 6s version of this I'd give it a whirl and see what it could do. I dont care if the esc is made by traxxas, CC, Quark, or whoever as long as it delivers what it says it is supposed to deliver. I'd die laughing if Traxxas beat CC to the punch on the MMM.:D

Cant wait to see one of these in real life. I'm sure that someone around here will get one just to "see what its made of".:007:

[jhautz]

Originally Posted by skellyo

It better be more capable...you've seen the MSRP on it, right? $300 for the BL system alone

I certainly hope the VLX vehicles are priced under $400 or sales could be slow. It's far too easy to put a MM in an XL-5 Rusty/Pede/Bandit and keep it under $300.

Is it the BL system that $300? I read it as the ESC was $300.