Small Crawler Shootout!! Best
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2024
- Which is the BEST 1:18 RC crawler? Redcat Ascent 18 vs TraxxasTRX4M vs Furitek FX-118 Fury!!
I rank these 3 crawlers on A LOT of categories to see which comes out on top. Did I miss a category? Did I judge one wrong? Let me know down in the comments!
Interested in buying one? Here are links to each:
- Redcat Ascent 18: www.redcatracing.com/?ref=faS...
- Furitek Fury FX-118: bit.ly/48gMvD7
- Traxxas TRX-4M: bit.ly/49WY4jm
Video timeline:
0:00 Competitors
1:25 Size
2:12 Price
3:58 Adjustability
5:39 Clearance
6:23 Overhang
8:38 Mounting
9:38 Electronics
10:13 Shocks
11:49 Bearings
12:17 Incline
13:58 Sidehill
15:26 Sound
16:23 Upgrades
18:37 Results
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Fx118 comes with bushings. And the trx4m does NOT have portals axles. Very important information there.
Yep - I spoke wrong there!
I was like, man I know I put bearings in my Fury… 😁
@@matthewosborn9350exactly me too ;)
Should the fx118 not having batting’s and the red cat having bearings be a big deciding factor. Or should the chassis and electronics be the biggy.
Nice comparison video. The Trx4m is the best looking of the three at least.
Agree there!
Hey Troy, Nice comparison video, thank you! SCX24 Bronco was my gateway and I managed to turn a $160 rig into a $300 one with ease. Then, along came the FX118 at $199, thankfully right before I was going to convert my SCX24 to a Furitek outrunner (because they look so frickin' cool, and you know "CRAAAAAWL!!!"). I ordered bigger wheels and tires the same day I ordered my FX118, and upgraded rubber made all the difference from stock, but I haven't changed anything else. You failed to mention the app that comes with the Furitek electronics package. Redcat and Traaxis got nothing on the level of "dialed-in" you can achieve with the Furitek setup out-of-the-box. For $99 the Redcat is hard to beat, and like all the others, after you dump another $200 - $300 into it, you'll discover 10th scale drift. Keep up the good work!
Sounds like you have gone through a lot with these trucks!
The redcat is a great "gateway" mini crawler.👍
Great comparison troy, went the way I expected it to, it was still good to actually see it, have a good day
Thanks Thomas!
I can’t and won’t argue with your scoring. Seemed to be 100% fair and honest.
Only category I feel you missed was looks. I know it’s a completely subjective category, but IMO the Traxxas wins hands down in that aspect, whether you’re looking at the Defender, Bronco, or either of the “High Trail” versions. I typically go for scale looks and appearance over outright performance, and I’m an unashamed Traxxas fanboy, so the trx4m holds high favorite for me. BUUUUUUT you’ve convinced me on the Redcat! Went by Cookeville Hobbies today and picked one up. Seriously good value at $99, and will still be a good value at $129!
Hi there!
You are correct - I missed the "scale looks" category completely - and yes, the TRX-4M would clearly win!
Interesting test !
A thing i always consider before buying a mini crawler is the slow speed control. Maybe one more test to do.😉
The Furitek and Redcat are both really good in that department!
The furitek comes first followed by the ascent 18
i just ordered the redcat and im so fkn hyped
Awesome! Hope you like it!
OMG SAME BRO!!!! Just like n' hour ago lol
Do you think you could include the Hobbyplus Cr-18p Evo in this as I think it's got a good place and performance standpoint next to these rigs.
The evo pro I think could come out in first place id like to see it up against the redcat... Cause the redcat is nice but so is the evo pro..
Sounds like I need to get one of those!
Also, the 'slow crawl' is huge in my opinion when considering a micro crawler. Parts availability and also the 'looks of the rig. My 1/18 Ascent Blue micro crawler will be here shortly....
Awesome! I hope you like it!
an interesting shootout on these small crawlers mate pros and cons it seems a cool full on test
*💯full view👀Au🦘have a great weekend👍like☑*
Thanks 👍
I guess it all depends on what your plan on using it for.For myself I like to take scale videos of the 1/18’s so I always go for the more scale trail type hard bodies.Fms,trx4m and kyosho mini z 4x4 usually gets my $.Other than that the other mini comp styles are great and the redcat for that introductory price is awesome. Even the standard price. 👍🏼thanks for doing this.
Yes! I certainly left out the "scale appearance" category! It makes sense for how you use it.
Thanks for this review Troy. The depth of your objectivity is refreshing. A people's man :) However I do secretly want to see this (the Ascent 18) up against the CR18P EVO Pro like the others below are saying :)
I'd be happy to do that comparison - just need the truck!
Good video. Hats off to Redcat for having the upgrade parts available at the same time as the 1/18 Ascent release.
I agree - them having those parts is KEY.
Nice review! As said before, the Fury does come with bushings. Im impressed with the redcat! For 100 bucks its hard to beat! I own a Fury and have done a lot of upgrades. It has the high clearance links, metal drive shafts and the bearing kit. It also has some heavy wheels with 62mm tires and a metal front bumper for a scx24. My son just got a Redcat so its going to be fun seeing how they do head to head after he gets upgraded. I do enjoy your channel and I'm a subscriber. Thanks for the comparison! I was hoping to see them crawl head to head. Maybe in another video!
Thank you for the kind words!
I bet your Fury does great with all of those modifications.
Furitek comes with bushings, not bearings.
Other than that thanks a lot for the comparison! Very interesting seeing them side by side.
Thank you!
Glad it was interesting for you!
Awesome 😎
Love all
Good comparison. I like the Traxxas as a trail truck quiet and fast
Thanks 👍
I love this compairson! I'd be very curious to see the Evo Pro take the 4m's place.
Yes! I just don't have one...yet! :)
@@RoadsideRC same here! haha
This is a great idea. Get the rock van kit that has the brass wheel insert upgrade. It will hang with a fx118 aside from the ridiculous bumpers it has making approach angle a good bit crappier. William mccue makes good upgrade bumpers though.
Very good shootout comparo Troy. I would of scored them pretty much the same, but at the end of the day, I think most people would be concerned about what they have left in their wallet. When it comes to bang for your Buck I’d say the Redcat is the clear winner! Just my opinion of course. Although I think the Hobby Plus evo pro and deserves a mention as it too seems as capable as everything in this shootout.
Other than that this was a great tabletop comparison. Can’t wait to see them on your course! Have a great weekend Troy!👊🏼😎🍻🌤️
Thanks Robby!
Yes - I only had these vehicles to compare. Certainly some of the other choices out there are good as well.
I'm picking up the Ascent, great rig, especially at that price point.
Awesome! I hope you like it!
The FMS Fcx18 is probably the best platform in my opinion, even stock it outperforms most other trucks. They just released the Chevy K-10 version too!! Cheers!
Many folks seem excited about it. Perhaps I need to try it!
Evo pro is way better than fcx18 and same price.
Agreed the FCX18 LC80 is an amazing crawler out of the box. Apart from top heavy due to hard shell, very well made and licensed.
I feel like the trx4m is more a trail truck to where as the other 2 are closer to comp crawlers. I just traded for (I wouldn't pay retail) for a Cayman Pro and WOW! Pretty amazing but that price though.
Those trucks also have my eye - but the price has kept me away as well!
@@RoadsideRC it puts any other 1/18 to shame. At least the ones I've had. It is incredibly planted. It's 3s capable but on 2s I've never wanted for power. It's running a Reefs Micro 99 and that's one fast servo.
when i got my trx4m it was the only one on the market of these 3. and i can deffinatly say the upgrades are wild. mine has turned into a monster of a crawler that can go anywehre my 1/10 can. covered in brass and metal parts with the injora tarantula body and the power plant of the Furitek truck. im proud of what i made it into but if i was joining now.. i would probably taken the furitek
Awesome! Sounds like you have made the TRX-4M a Monster!
Hope you can make it to our event next month in Lexington, 3 days of drifting!
I sae the ad for that! Looks like an epic event!
Like to see the cr18 Evo in this comparison
Me too! I just don't have one!
I asked from RedCat if they can send one Ascent18 to Europe because we don’t have any RedCat dealers here. I wrote them that I this Ascent18 in your video and they wrote back to me that their shipping is very expensive. They gave me a link where I can get it with much cheaper shipping, They also want me to send greetings to you Troy.😃
I’m going to buy one very soon.👌
Nice! Can you tell me where to purchase it for Europe friends with cheaper shipping? This is a question I get a lot!
@@RoadsideRC The model is still in pre-order but it will come in their stock very soon. This was the message from RedCat.
@@RoadsideRC Hi! Did you get the link where people can buy Ascent18 with cheaper shipping costs?
A better comparison would have been a TRX4M with injora IR40 body. At least bodies would have been more comparable. Just my opinion. To add to your point all three rigs very cool. I’m biased to traxxas as I like the more scale looking rigs as opposed to a purpose built rig. Just my opinion though.
I wanted this comparison to be close to stock-to-stock. Once we dive into modifications, then it could go any direction.
@@RoadsideRC regardless it’s great content. I’m also out of middle Tennessee. I noticed you are as well based on the Clarksville hobbies in some of your videos. I’m always looking for crawling spots around here. Do you know of any?
I am building a yokomo drift car now. It has a lot of metal throughout the build. Should I be using locktite on all the metal screws? I haven't built a car in years. I haven't used locktite when building. Will i be able to take it apart to fix it later? Thank you for your knowledge and great content!
Hello!
I always use blue loctite (it is the medium strength) any any screw going into metal. Yes - it is serviceable afterwards.
@@RoadsideRC looks like I will be redoing and few steps....lol
A properly upgraded and modified SCX24 will keep up with or beat ANY of those three 18s.
Maybe back to the drawing board for your Scx24 shelf rig?
Nah, we have some great new things happening now... i just bought a couple of these RedCats!
Should be fun!
Thanks for the video.
Oh, and the Traxxas is crap.
I like scale, it's "cool", but i just can't do poor performance.
Most videos i see, they try to dance around the fact that it's a terrible performer.
Oh, I do think you are right. The path we took on our SCX24 wasn't the right one.
Great Review. Try the performance of the Austar Hobby 1/18.
I would like to!
The furitek has all metal gears in the trans so that will make it louder but my furitek isn’t that loud. Also furitek has a bunch of parts for it on there site.
Nice! Thank you!
How well does the ascent 18 sit between the rear shock towers on a ascent 10. I have the blue one without the bed
Sorry for the late reply, I was out of town.
It doesn't fit great. Just a little too long and wide.
I had trx4. Sold it. Its kind of a pain to find more challenging obstacles. Bought a trx4m, fms 18 and now the ascent. Still cost less than the trx4 that just sat around. 1/18 scale everythung is an obstacle or can be made into one. Encourages creativity.
Makes sense! Need to scale the vehicle to your space and terrain.
In my area, there is a lot of great 1:10 spaces, so that scale makes more sense for me.
This is gonna be a tough one. Dad’s got a UTB18 and I’ve got a enduro se. That redcat is looking tempting especially at $100. But that brushless furitek. 🤔
Just a warning - these are MUCH smaller than the UTB18 - all of them.
Depending on where and how you want to drive, the smaller scale may not be what you want.
Just trying to help!
Great video but there's a new kid on the block and it's walking over everything. This channel needs the hobby plus evo pro brushless. You'll love it...
Yes! I just don't have it...yet!
Something you can do with the fx118 to increase the hill climb and side hill performance is adjust the suspension to a lower position on the chassis to lower the truck.
Good call! That would certainly help!
I own a TRX4m high trail fully Injora tuned. The only complain is the electronics junk. The next will be the Fury waggon. Sadly i can´t get Redcat here in Germany, otherwise i would give the Ascent a try.
Good luck with the Fury - I hope you enjoy it!
Really nice comparison I have a trx4m has been modified I bought my son a fx118 and not impressed battery after 2 days went south sent it in they put a new battery in a week later it went just and ran off full throttle by itself didn't bother sending back at some point I will replace the esc and remote and hope that fixes that issue. I did the Injora IR40 build on my trx4m love it and will do the same with the trx4m I bought my son to replace the fx118 and the trx4m is way more durable than the fx118 is
Thanks for sharing your experience.
The comparison is fair but...
For me there are two very important things (3 in fact)
The electronics must be waterproof (furiteck is not waterproof so for me bad).
The price is also very important in view of possible future updates.
And a beautiful body.
The Ascent wins because it's cheaper and waterproof and prettier than the Furiteck.
I do not take into account the Traxxas which is 1 year old and therefore the faults of the first model released and above all a huge and very heavy bodywork compared to the other two. (the bronco has a lighter and smaller body therefore better for crawling)
The trx4m battery lasts 1 hour which is a record
The most beautiful body is that of the Traxxas even 1 year later.
The trx4m is truly waterproof.
I love my Traxxas (I have an Injora IR40 body on it and that changes everything!) but yes, today the Ascent wins hands down for a cheap start with a good crawler.
PS: the trx4m with the ir40 injora bodywork would have had every chance against the other 2.
I add that to have the upgrade parts the trx4m is unbeatable!!!
In the end my favorite remains the trx4m but of course it's my personal choice.
All of that makes sense to me!
Turning radius. I have the Furitek and feel like the turning radius is slacking. My only small complaint. Oh. And yes it's loud. Lol
I thought about that afterwards. Redcat claims they have a good turning radius - I should have tested that!
metal body clips do a damn good job of scratching the paint
Good point! They scratch the plastic body, as the paint is on the inside. But still - good point.
@@RoadsideRC I think I'm going to drill out the posts a little on my MJX 14209 and use the tiny plastic coated wire twist ties that you often find with smaller new usb cords .
@@5675492 Fun idea!
I think the Redcat would be the best buy ,just because of the upgrade parts availability
All models have a very healthy aftermarket support. The redcat has the least amount of parts availability because it's brand new... The fx118 is based on the CR18P which has years worth of aftermarket support. The Trx4-m has way larger aftermarket support than redcat... The redcat will have the worst availability for a while. The only reason to buy the redcat is it's pricetag. The Evo pro is the best 1/18 scale performance rtr on the market.
Injora parts for TRX4M are super great, great quality low prices.
👍
Theres plenty of brass available for the fx118 diff covers , metal axles, portals,bumper mounts and more
Thanks!
Would have been nice to see the other 1/18 like the fms fcx18 and the hobby plus cr18p evo
I agree - but I don't have those trucks!
I think this is a vary good comparison. I think the body you chose for the TRX4M. With another body your might see some differences. You mentioned parts. I think one question would be which one can you go into your local hobby store and get parts. At this moment I would say the TRX4M would win that category right now/ I would purchase the Redcat
Good point! Body swaps will change the performance of any of these vehicles.
Using the stock Trx4m Bronco body version would have been more of a fair comparison. That Defender body is super top heavy.
If you do the free mods to the FX118. Same you did to the Ascent, put everything on sliders, electronics forward and low. If you are able and sure you do. Smaller battery in front and change shock position you will be surprised. May change those results and it will be fair competition taking the traxxas out of the game.
That is a good point! I need to do some of these mods to the FX-118 as well!
@@RoadsideRC thank you for sharing all this content. The testing, feedback and results are really helpful for us.
Got the trx4m for the scale like the way the k10 and f150 look i did order 2 acent 18's cause $100 bucks couldn't pass it up .
Awesome! I hope you enjoy them!
The asscent 18, you can actually adjust the lower links location...
Yes - good correction!
This is like comparing two seater sports cars and not including the Miata. The Scx started it all and is still the better choice when planning to modify/comp your rig. Just because your puppy crapped 💩on the floor once doesn't mean you throw it away. Fix your 24 and I bet you it keeps up with the other 3 trucks.
I had a lot of experience with the SCX24 before the ESC failed. I can say with 100% confidence that it would not perform as well as the Redcat or Furitek.
Might be interesting to put these three up against each other again, but with upgrades on a $50 budget. Pretty sure the bias would lean more heavily towards the Redcat.
The only real "nod" to the TRX-M os the scale looks with licensed body. Unless you really desire the scale look, there's absolutely no reason to go that route.
I 100% agree with you!
The fcx18 lc80?
I don't have one of those yet!
Fyi you most definitely can change the upper link locations on the ascent 18
Correct- hadn't taken the skids off yet.
I got 4 trx4s an only one has portal axels. Which I installed.
Yep - I mis-spoke on that part.
The trx4m is straight axel, not portal.
Yep - I spoke wrong there!
🤟🚘🤟
Missed FMS FCX18
Yep - I don't have one!
Waterproofing and scale realism has been missed. Theee are the 2 reason i bought the trx4m
Good point! I typically don't worry about waterproofing for a crawler I use indoors mostly - so didn't even think about that one!
I did purposely avoid the "scale realism" category as that can get into opinions - but do agree with you that the TRX4M would clearly win.
Trx4m doesn't come with portal axels n I don't see portal axles on that one...I have portals om my trx4m with stock tires I'm at 26mm ground clearance. Other than that gd video..
Thanks for the clearance with portals. I did mis-speak in the video.
Venom brushless combo is $89.99 not over "$100" as you claim. All need to be stock to be a far comparison.
I looked at the Stinger and Torpedo systems - both list for $139-$149 on Amain Hobbies.
All of these trucks are very close to stock. The clear loser - the TRX-4M, had the most mods.
Nice comparison…furitek seems very loud
It is a little bit. The microphone probably picks it up more than the average ear.
U didnt do a speed run
Waterproof testing or anything about the remotes
Speed run...with crawlers?
Man, that furry is loud.
It is! But a lot quieter than some other outrunner motors. Just part of it, I guess.
My furitek is so quiet.. almost silent..
Greased everything
Good tip!
Scale detail and realism is a thing. Category.
You are right! That would have been a good category to add. TRX4M clearly a winner there.
@@RoadsideRC great comparison video! I'm stuck with a TRX4M, but I'm sending this to my buddy before it's too late
You missed a truck that honestly that could have been the first place winner.. the evo pro rtr...
Yep! Turns out I don't have one of those...yet. :)
As much as I would like to have ALL OF THEM, I can only afford so many.
You missed the wow factor category. Probably the only category the traxxas would win lol
How would you describe the "wow factor"?
I installed an injora tarantula body on my trx4m it is more capable defender body is too heavy for rock crawling imo
Nice! Yes - the Defender body is really holding it back.
I have a fms fcx power wagon that will annihilate any of those three
So do i, and this rig has the most amazing slow crawl. Same level as a brushless. And i love the bouncy suspension oil free setup.🥰
But beware, i even have several FCX24 and they are all different on slow speed. Some aren't as easy as their brothers. I suspect the motors aren't the same inside...
Fun! I hope you get to try them side-by-side and see for yourself!
Everyone's copied Traxxas innovation for decades maybe 🤔 Traxxas can start looking at their crawlers then come out better right after their releases but i fo love that we got options rc cares idk why im 45 but i love crawlers and erevo 2 and slash ultimate
As long as we are having fun, that is what counts! :)
FCX 18 / 24 needed a spot. Those rigs have a good following.
Would like to test them...just don't have one!
Maybe stock scx24 can't complete but modified it definitely can. What's shown in video is what looks like a pretty un functional scx build
This was a mostly stock-to-stock comparison. And yes, the path we took on the SCX24 wasn't the best for performance - but my son thought it looked cool. :)
@RoadsideRC I don't even think it looks bad it just looks prone to back flipping being stretched in front and in back. I'm not going to like im a lot into my 24, but it's capable and surprises everyone in bigger scale trucks. I dont own a 4m, but I thought it was way overpriced, and mostly everyone I know has been fairly disappointed with its performance and price of parts. The ascent 18 I think, will be a good middle ground between the 24 and the 4m. I haven't gotten to play with it yet, but it comes in on Tuesday. Have a nice set of 68mm djcrawlers and mues wheels waiting for it to get here.
Completely stock… but not stock but it’s completely stock lol, you get what you pay for add the fms in the mix
I haven't had a chance to pick up the FMS yet - but many folks are saying I need to check it out!
The TRX4M does not have portals...
Yep - I flubbed that one!
Well why are you not perfect internet person..... That's sarcasm in case I didn't convey that haha. Thank you for the work you put into the content Have a good day sir.
Evo pro craps on all of them easily.
I would love to compare - just don't have one!
Yes I would love to have seen the evo against the evo pro because I want to buy the winner.. lol