Get your off-road kicks on a smaller scale (and budget) with the latest offering from LaTrax.
The LaTrax lineup of 1/18 vehicles doesn’t boast large numbers, but what they do have is a solid fleet of small-scale, fun-filled R/C machines. Recently, their surface machines received small updates in the form of Traxxas iD battery/ESC connectors. Another change is in the removal of their SST 4WD truck.
Having seen this specific model up close (and secretly wanting one for a while), I was worried that my opportunity to pick one up had slipped away. Thankfully, LaTrax has announced a replacement model; their Desert Prerunner 4×4. This new truck sports a redesigned body shell and familiar chassis components.
Featuring a molded light bar and raised hood accents this new body looks quite aggressive and slightly less “boxy” than its predecessor. Two color schemes are available (red and blue), allowing you to easily race and bash with your friends. Under the lid, the components are the same as what you would have found on the LaTrax SST.
A durable, nylon chassis tub serves as the base for the tightly-packed electronic components. A waterproof electronic speed control (ESC), steering servo and sealed receiver box will let you carry on your fun, no matter what the weather conditions may bring.
A brushed 370 motor powers this small-scale truck and an included 7.2v NiMh battery provides the juice to keep it rolling. This model also utilizes Traxxas iD connectors and includes an AC wall charger.
Introduced in early 2016, the HPI Formula Q32 has taken the green flag. With this addition to the growing Q32 lineup, HPI takes their base 1/32-scale chassis configuration and marries it to a Formula 1-style race car body.
These cars are perfect for indoor driving and racing. The Formula Q32 features “real steer”, proportional steering and is controlled by HPI’s TF-60 2.4Ghz radio system.
Equipped with foam tires, this tiny racer should have ample grip on most indoor surfaces. The vehicle itself is charged through a connection to the transmitter, so you won’t need to carry an additional charger and cables with you when you take this car on the go.
Also included in this ready-to-run kit are track dots and a ramp for setting up your own indoor race courses and obstacles. If you want to run these head-to-head, two color options are available (red/white and yellow/blue/white) and a clear body and wing set can also be purchased more cars to your grid.
Out of all of the small-scale radio-controlled vehicles in my fleet, the Pro-Line Ambush 4×4 sits atop the heap as one of my favorites. From its compact size to the fun, adventure-ready styling, this has been a terrific “grab & go” vehicle for just about any occasion.
The original body style holds a special place for me, as I’m a fan of the International Scout (although you could argue whether or not the Ambush body is truly a Scout or a Ford Bronco). Even though my love for this lid is strong, I jumped at the opportunity to purchase Pro-Line’s latest option part for this 1/25-scale crawler, a Jeep Wrangler body ($22.91).
A Closer Look at Pro-Line’s Ambush 4×4 Jeep Wrangler Body
My overall R/C body painting experience is…minimal. The first body I painted was for a Traxxas Slash and I experimented with a paint that wasn’t rated for use with polycarbonate material. If you’re looking for ways to paint a body on the cheap, I highly recommend not following my path.
Since that time, I have done a bit of paint work on ABS bodies (Tamiya Grasshopper) as well as some external body painting on a few larger-scale machines. This was my first attempt at a small-scale paint job and I wanted to make sure I headed into battle with a solid selection of materials.
I chose Duratrax polycarbonate paint for this project and after seeing the results, I’m not regretting that decision. My original plan was to apply multiple colors to this vehicle, with base coat being orange and the trim (fenders, hard top, etc) being gun-metal gray or black. After I saw how beautiful the gun-metal color was in person, I decided to paint the entire body that color. Early attempts at masking the inside of the body didn’t pan out, so I chose the all-or-nothing approach to this painting project.
Prepping for Paint
Before you start-up any R/C painting project, it’s a good idea to wash the inside (or outside for ABS) of the body with some warm water and dish soap. This will remove any residue which may have been left over from the mold-forming process.
Applying paint is a straightforward process, but I’ve managed to learn a few tricks in my short time hobby-painting. If you lay down a light coat first, you’ll help establish a nice base layer and can reduce the occurrence of window mask bleeds or runs. Again, I speak from experience when I say don’t rush any painting project. Especially if you want it to look good in the end.
After applying multiple (4-5) coats of paint, I was happy with how the body looked. There wasn’t any daylight shining through and the covering appeared to be very solid. I backed the base coat with a few layers of light gray primer, which was also the same color I used for the interior tray.
The Body Shop
With the painting complete, the next step was to trim the extra polycarbonate material from the body. This can be a bit time-consuming, however the small size of this model made the process seem quick. After cutting away the material, take sandpaper or a file to the edges to remove any small bits of material or level any uneven areas.
Much to my original dismay, the decals for this body kit aren’t pre-cut. There was some momentary dread at the thought of hand-cutting each tiny decal out, however, this worry was premature as the process wasn’t too complex. Make sure you lay off the caffeine beforehand and you should be fine.
Ready for a Shakedown
If I rushed any part of this project, it was getting the fit of the body to be “just right”. I didn’t pay attention to the fine details in the product photos which Pro-Line posted, which give away some body mounting tips (if you look hard enough). There are no mounting instructions which come with this body kit, so in a sense, you’re on your own.
Getting everything to settle into place doesn’t take long, it just takes patience. With that said, the entire project went smoothly and I’ve very happy with the end result. While the painting portion of this project has wrapped up, I’m nowhere near finished with this body project. More accents and details are coming, but the bulk of the work has been completed.
I’ve seen some impressive R/C track layouts in my day, but this video of Carisma’s UK test track takes the cake. Featuring dips, curves, elevation changes and whoops, this track has just about anything you’d need to test the durability and performance of a small-scale radio-controlled vehicle.
Feast your eyes on this clip as a Carisma GT24R takes to the track for a quick run. If anything, this is a jolt of inspiration for a future weekend project. Who needs a deck or patio in their backyard when you could build a race track?
The speedy set of vehicles in Carisma’s GT24 lineup are not only impressive, but they’re priced at just north of $100 (109.99). For that price, you’re getting a brushless-powered mini-R/C vehicle that’s crazy-fast and crazy-fun.
Now you can snap up the GT24R Rally Car for $79.99 at Amazon.com. In addition to the $30 discount, the GT24R also qualifies for Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day shipping (among other member benefits). This sale might not stick around long, so if you’re looking to grab a small-scale radio-controlled rally car for less than $100, this is a model to consider.
Carisma GT24R 1/24-scale Radio-Controlled Rally Car
“Whoa”. That is the one word uttered by everyone who took a turn driving the Dromida BL Monster Truck during my review. Myself included. On the surface, this 1/18-scale R/C truck may not look like much, but once you mash the throttle, you’ll soon discover that there’s more to this machine than meets the eye.
When this model arrived on my doorstep, courtesy of Hobbico, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My recent 1/18-scale experiences had ranged from the low-slung LaTrax Rally to the off-road Axial Yeti Jr. Rock Racer. Both of those vehicles were amazing to drive and relatively fast. Nothing, however, could prepare me for the power that the BL Monster Truck was hiding under its hood.
It may be easy to dismiss the appearance of a non-licensed R/C body, but there’s something to be said for making a “no-name” car or truck lid appealing. The BL Monster Truck features an eye-grabbing red base with white, orange, and black flames across the hood and sides. It looks mean, and it looks fast. The question now becomes, is it all show and no go?
The Chassis
Starting from the ground up, the Dromida BL Monster truck features a stance that’s somewhere between a 1:1 monster truck and a short course truck. With a wide stance, this truck has been surprisingly nimble and fun to drift and slide on pavement and gravel.
The chassis tub is compact and carries a low profile. The arrangement of the internal components is well thought-out, taking up almost every available millimeter of space. Weight has been distributed evenly, with the battery and motor on opposite sides of the chassis and the radio receiver, ESC (electronic speed control) and other components distributed throughout the chassis tub.
If (and when) the BL Monster Truck takes to the air, there isn’t much body lean (side-to-side or front to back). This overall balance makes jumping and launching the truck skyward almost as fun as keeping it glued to the ground.
When you do find yourself taking to the air, the fear of hard landings is quickly put to rest, thanks to the four ample, oil-filled shocks which provide cushion and support to this truck. The overall suspension travel is impressive. Quite impressive, actually.
After sending this truck into the air on more than one occasion (not to mention, in a variety of “maneuvers”), there are only a few select scuffs on the bottom of the chassis. This is a drastic contrast to other models that I’ve driven, and speaks volumes to the stock suspension setup.
During my review, I kept the BL Monster Truck in stock suspension setup. There are adjustment rings provided, however, I didn’t see the need to use them as I was very happy with the out-of-the-box performance.
Traction and handling performance was very crisp, with more than a few opportunities to let this truck slide around and drift around. The tires, although appearing to be big and beefy, have a low profile without much sidewall flex. This helped keep the truck nimble, allowing it to “thread the needle” of numerous obstacles.
The Battery
While the battery of a RTR radio-controlled car or truck usually isn’t something to make note of, I must say that the run time and overall power provided by the 7.2v, 1300mah NiMh battery was quite impressive. I was seeing run times of 10-15 minutes on a full charge, with almost all of that time being spent hard on the throttle.
Charging time is decent, taking 20-35 minutes using the included USB charger. Plugging the unit into a computer will take the longest time to achieve a complete charge, so you’re better off using a smartphone or tablet USB charging adapter to get the job done quickly.
The Controller
Regardless of where this topic sits in my review, the radio transmitter is one of the most important pieces of your R/C experience. Not only does it provide the control and range needed to drive (or fly), but it’s the only tactile connection you have to your R/C model. If the feel isn’t right, chances are, you won’t enjoy your time behind the wheel.
To that end, the controller which is included with the Dromida BL Monster Truck is quite comfortable. It has a smooth, ergonomic grip that feels great while holding it and the controls are all placed in easy to find, easy to reach locations. I could quickly adjust my steering and throttle trim without having to perform too many head-nods.
Range for the radio system was equally impressive as I was able to send the truck across a large parking lot and back again without any interruption.
The Motor
Ah yes, this is where the real fun begins, and where memories of previous 1/18-scale experiences joined me in a chorus of “Whoa!”. The brushless motor of the Dromida BL Monster Truck is what really makes this beast shine. Your first reaction, at least my first reaction to handling any new R/C machine, is to mash the trigger and see what it can do. Don’t get me wrong, brushed motors can have their own level of pep, but that is quickly overshadowed by the raw, blinding speed achieved by a brushless system.
The 5300kv motor puts out more speed than I knew what to do with (in some cases). At least, it was more speed than my driveway was willing to handle. Thankfully, a road trip to a wide-open parking lot provided the perfect spot to let this truck roam free and stretch its legs.
Everyone has their own, inner Ricky Bobby yearning to break free. The trouble, however, can be do you have the space needed to go fast? While 1/10-scale and larger R/C machines can carry impressive speed, the space required to accommodate, and fully appreciate that speed, can be excessive.
With smaller-scale R/C vehicles, the amount of space required for top-end performance is greatly reduced. For suburb-dwellers such as myself, that formula of size and speed made the Dromida BL Monster Truck an excellent test machine in that regard. From narrow sidewalks to a short driveway, not to mention a backyard that’s hardly a palatial spread. Would the space I had be enough to fully enjoy what this brushless-powered truck had to offer?
The answer to that question came to me as soon as I ran my first battery pack through the machine. I won’t come right out and say it, but the fact that I was able to rip through a full charge and couldn’t wait to recharge the battery for another spin.
No matter the terrain, this monster truck was a great performer. Although taller grass (1.5” and up) Gave the traction of the tires a tougher time, it motored through at a reasonable speed. I set up some ramps in the back yard and easily performed jumps, flips, and a few cartwheels (with one of my kids landing a sweet backwards flip).
From there it was time to test pavement performance, where the lower-profile tires were given a chance to shine. When I took this truck out of the box, the tires gave the appearance of being a harder compound, however, that appearance quickly went away after they were properly broken in through wheelspin.
The BL Monster Truck showed amazing performance on my driveway and sidewalk tests, which allowed for higher-speed jumps and durability testing. One one landing/crash, a dogbone axle/drive shaft popped out of place, causing a brief moment of panic. Popping it back into the socket was the quickest fix I’ve ever experienced with an R/C vehicle “repair”. After that, it was as good as new and ready to take on the next challenge.
Sparing the details of each small adventure this truck went on, I have driven it on a variety of surfaces and there wasn’t anything that gave this machine fits. Each time I had to pack it up and head home for a recharge, the grin on my face and the white-knuckle grip on my hand told the story of how my session played out.
Is the Dromida BL Monster Truck Right for You?
Now we get to the real meat of the review. Is this truck worth spending your money on? Without a doubt, I’d say “YES”! With this being my first experience with a Dromida surface vehicle, I wasn’t sure what to expect. From the build quality, and durability to the performance and overall joy this machine brought me (and others), it’s made me take a hard look at the other vehicles in Dromida’s lineup.
For the price of $149.99, you’d have to search high and low to find a vehicle that’s as durable, fast, and fun as the BL Monster Truck. It not only held up to my, at times, out of control driving, but it quickly became the favorite “go fast” truck for my kids. In fact, if it wasn’t securely nestled in my review “garage”, it would probably be stored in my oldest son’s room. That is, if it isn’t already there. Sneaky kid.
In all honesty, nothing about this model has disappointed me. And while I haven’t met a R/C vehicle that I haven’t enjoyed, I’m thankful that the Dromida BL Monster Truck is keeping that streak alive.
The Pro-Line Ambush 4×4 has become one of my go-to small-scale R/C machines. From its compact size to the pure joy I get from driving it, the Ambush 4×4 brings much of what I love about the scale R/C world into an entirely new arena.
While the stock body on this 1/25-scale scale trail truck is great, there’s always the desire to change it up and customize it. To that end, Pro-Line has announced a new body option for their tiny truck; a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Clear Body with included interior.
This new body kit is made of durable GE Lexan and features authentic styling details that you’d find on a 2-door, 1:1 Jeep Wrangler. Molded grill and headlight details, fender flares, hood and door lines, and more give this small-scale body some big-time visual pop.
Adding to the exterior details, this body package also includes a clear interior tray which can be painted and detailed as much, or as little, as you’d like. The driver figure that is included with the Ambush 4×4 ready-to-run model can easily be transferred over to this interior, so your rig will never have to be driverless.
Along with the body shell and interior, the Pro-Line Ambush 4×4 Jeep Rubicon Body kit also includes window masks and a decal sheet to help you finish off your customized ride with style.
More than a simple speed boost, this is a complete performance overhaul.
Dromida’s line of 1/18-scale surface R/C vehicles have become popular models for many reasons. Their low cost make them great entry-level vehicles for newbies or perfect add-ons for growing a radio-controlled car collection. Their Speed Series gave these small-scale machines another lease on life through the addition of smooth, efficient brushless power.
They recently sent their latest creation (the Dromida BL Monster Truck) my way for a shake-down and review. Although my time with it has been limited, I must say, I like what I see.
As I write this, I have the largest Cheshire Cat grin on my face. The BL Monster Truck is, simply put, fast. Crazy fast. Stupid fast. Gloriously, unabashedly, and perfectly…fast.
On a full charge, the stock NiMh battery supplies a steady stream of juice to the 5300kv brushless motor. Mash the throttle trigger and that’s when the fun begins. While this truck has a variety of settings to adjust the launch, braking, and control setup, the stock settings are more than enough to turn this vehicle into a rocket.
The low-profile tires and wide stance give it plenty of stability for drifting and the tires provide enough grip for torque-filled launches. With all of this grip, there is more than enough power to break traction and test your driving ability.
The stock suspension setup absorbs bumps and jumps without adding excessive rebound. This helps in keeping the truck planted after a landing and also keeps it grounded as it flies over uneven terrain.
There have been (quite) a few landings that haven’t gone according to plan. Whether the driver got squirrely on takeoff or the landing area wasn’t as smooth as originally thought, the Dromida BL Monster Truck has been sent on a few acrobatic excursions in the short time I’ve been driving it. Through it all, it’s come out looking (and performing like a champ). There was one instance where a front axle shaft became dislocated, but a quick pit stop fixed that up and we were back to bashing in no time.
At $149.99, the Dromida BL Monster Truck raises the level of fun and performance of its brushed brother. Combining grab-and-go portability with a quick and responsive motor, this is an option worth looking at if your need for speed is saddled with a budget.
One way in which I gauge my interest in a radio-controlled car or truck is how often I take it for a drive. While there’s not enough time in the day to run every machine, I have to go with my gut and grab the vehicle that best-fits my schedule and location.
Soon after picking up one of Axial’s two newest 1/18-scale entries, the Yeti Jr. Rock Racer, I felt the urge to pick up and drive this machine more so than others. Between the size, the speed, and the overall fun factor that this off-road buggy carries with it, there are many great aspects of Axial’s first step into the world of small-scale R/C.
Axial Yeti Jr. Rock Racer Specifications
Length 11.6” (330mm)
Width: 6.9″ (175mm)
Height:5.0″ (128mm)
Wheelbase:8.1″ (206mm)
Ground Clearance:1.1″ (27mm)
Weight:1.75lbs (0.80kg)
Model Type: Ready-to-Run (RTR) with included battery
Motor: Axial 380 40T Electric Motor (Brushed)
Radio: Tactic TTX200 2-channel SLT radio, 2.4gHz
Servos: Tactic TSX106 Servo
ESC: Tactic RE20 forward/reverse, 2S LiPo max with cut-off enabled
Price: $159.99
What’s in the Box
1 Axial Yeti Jr. Rock Racer 1/18-scale
1 Tactic TTX200 transmitter
1 Onyx 7.2v 1300mah NiMh battery
1 Onyx USB Battery charger
1 Parts bag
1 Instruction manual
The Chassis
No matter the scale, you’d expect a radio-controlled vehicle that’s geared for off-road use to feature Durable components and include room to customize and fine-tune its performance. The Axial Yeti Jr. Rock Racer doesn’t disappoint in this area.
The chassis tub is molded from impact-resistant material and the connected suspension components are equally as strong and battle tested. My first experiences with this vehicle were held indoors, so my top speed didn’t reach its full potential. That said, There were a fair amount of tumbles, flips, and rollovers to test the strength of the Yeti Jr’s chassis.
Oil-filled shocks provide ample cushion when traveling over bumps and rough terrain. While the weight of the Yeti Jr. Rock Racer isn’t what I’d call “heavy”, it’s enough to compress the suspension when landing a jump. To that end, the suspension travel is adequate enough to prevent the machine from excessively bottoming out after catching air.
As a scaled-down version of the 1/10 Yeti, this little rock buggy can take a fair amount of abuse without much cause for concern.
The Body
The shell of the Yeti Jr. Mimics the appearance of its larger-scale cousin. That’s one of the reasons I’ve grown to enjoy this little machine as much as I do. Visually-aggressive and eye-catching (thanks to the orange, gray, and black graphics), this radio-controlled vehicle is easy to spot, no matter where you’re driving it.
On the durability side, the polycarbonate “lid” is quite resistant to damage from basic rolls, and impacts. That said, I’m sure you could find a way to crack it and bust it up if you try hard enough.
The Motor
Axial’s Yeti Jr. Rock Racer motors along dutifully thanks to a 40-turn brushed motor. While that high turn number might trick you into thinking this buggy has more torque than top-end, you’d be mistaken. Thankfully, the gearing is such that there’s a fair amount of takeoff and full-throttle speed with the stock setup.
The Controller
My familiarity with Tactic radio transmitters only extends as far as the models that were bundled with my Axial RR10 Rock Racer and the Yeti Jr. Focusing on the TTX200, it is a solid controller with a basic set of features. No frills, no unnecessary buttons or knobs, just what you need, when you need it.
Comfort-wise, it’s taken me longer to get used to the feel of the TTX200 as opposed to other transmitters that I’ve used. Whether the grip size is larger than what I’d expect or the placement of the throttle trigger isn’t what I’m used to, there’s something About this controller that I’m not entirely at-ease with.
Aside from the feel, the trim buttons, while easy to find, can take some getting used to when making adjustments. This is one area of the Yeti Jr. that’s caused me to refer to the instruction manual more than once.
A Ton of Fun in a Small Package
Not to give too much away in that heading, but I’ve become quite a fan of the Yeti Jr. Whether I wanted to drive a vehicle around to kill some time or if I needed a distraction and a chance to “reset”, this vehicle didn’t and hasn’t disappointed me in the level of fun that it brings to the table.
Indoors or out, there’s plenty of speed from the stock motor and Gearing provide ample pep and top-end speed is decent. While it could always be faster, the Yeti Jr. Is a quick performer that seems happiest when bouncing over bumpy terrain and floating over jumps.
Out of the box, the handling performance Of this machine is quite good. I have made some small compression-level adjustments to the shocks, but other than that, this rock racer has retained its stock setup.
When I first picked this vehicle up, there was a mix of snow and slush on the ground. No vehicle, save for the RR10, has delighted me more in snowy conditions as this one has. Its light weight allows it float across snow and it can thrash around in slush without much trouble.
As we’ve transitioned from winter into spring, the Yeti Jr. has proven to be a great machine on grass and pavement as well. Tall grass will slow it down, but it is still able to get traction and keep on moving. Short grass, coupled with a few log jumps and obstacles make for a great opportunity for some airborne fun.
Repeated launches and landings didn’t affect this machine at all and the shocks took in the impact as-intended.
One Small Change…
There is one small item that I view as a downside to this model. The stock steering servo ( Tactic TSX106) lacks turning turning power, especially in thick grass or snow. I encountered a few instances where the wheels wouldn’t return to neutral when the steering wheel was centered. The added manual control became a point of frustration after a few drives and I decided to swap out the servo for a higher-torque model.
Is the Axial Yeti Jr. Rock Racer Right for You?
As small-scale, off-road R/C vehicles go, the Yeti Jr. Rock Racer is a powerful option, combining both fun and versatility. The compact, 1/18-scale size makes it a excellent “grab and go” vehicle, which is something that I take into consideration when reviewing the qualities of any radio-controlled machine.
While the steering servo isn’t as powerful as I might have liked, that’s not to be seen as a deal breaker, in my eyes. There are a number of servo upgrade options available and, for a minimal investment, you can keep the stock servo on-hand, should you need a spare.
Seeing as how this is one of my go-to vehicles for driving, jumping, and just messing around with, I’d say the Yeti Jr. is great for adding to (or starting up) your R/C collection.
When this model was introduced in December 2016, it was priced at $179.99. Since that time, the price has been reduced to $159.99. At that price, this machine, and it’s SCORE Trophy Truck cousin is well worth the cost.
One of the lingering questions you get after buying a new R/C vehicle is wondering how hard you can push the vehicle…before it breaks. While no vehicle is bulletproof, there are some brands which have made a name for themselves from a durability standpoint. While Traxxas, LaTrax, ECX, and even Redcat Racing have showcased the strength of their models, they aren’t the only ones who know how to build a tough, yet fun radio-controlled machine.
Carisma recently released a video featuring two of their GT24 series vehicles, the GT24T monster truck and the GT24TR truggy, tearing around a skatepark with reckless abandon.
With help from FPV quadcopter pilot and racer, Jon Smoky Rogers (Smoky FPV), the Carisma GT24M monster truck and GT24TR truggy were put through their paces in a high-flying series of skatepark runs.
From big-air jumps to near picture-perfect landings, these two 1/24-scale trucks put on a show that’s worth watching a time or two.
![A Small-Scale Skatepark Assault Featuring Carisma’s GT24M & GT24TR [Video]](https://i1.wp.com/smallscalerc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Carisma-GT24TR-Underneath.jpg?fit=190%2C107)