BEST RTR RC Crawler?? Element ECTO vs Redcat Ascent TESTED
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- Which is the best RTR rc crawler available today???
After a lot of testing - I have narrowed it down to the Redcat Ascent and Element ECTO. Which gets the nod?? I compare them on the workbench and on the crawler course to find out!
Interested in purchasing these trucks? Get them here:
- Redcat Ascent: bit.ly/3PZEPwY
- Element Ecto: bit.ly/48vYtcA
Element ECTO playlist of mods: • Element Ecto
Redcat Ascent playlist of mods: • Redcat Ascent
Video timeline:
0:00 BEST RTR Crawler
0:43 Mods
1:24 Tires
1:42 Bench comparison
7:33 Driving comparison
16:22 Results
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Music provided by the UA-cam library.
So similar vehicles. But price difference is huge!! That’s why my vote goes to Ascent.👍
Makes sense to me!
Yeah me too and I was getting ready to get the ecto.. but that similar in performance and a hundred less yeah it's Red Cat for the win for me..
This is a great unbiased comparison video loved it thank you for taking the time to do it
Love this comparison brother your channel is great 💫🤙
I appreciate that! Thank you!
Great video. Very useful. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words.
Dude! Love your content!
Glad you enjoy it!
Well done! 👍✌️
Thanks ✌️
So was that’s a tough one to call Troy! You did a great job deciding this not only based on data, but also a back to back drive comparison. I would of called it just like you did! Happy Thanksgiving 🍁🦃🍽to you and yours buddy! God bless And thanks for the amazing comparison!
BiG👍🏻!
Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
Happy Thanksgiving, thank you for another great video
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
I own a few elements and one redcat Gen 8, one of the many things I thank element for is the simplicity to work on it. Very straight forward.
With the Red cat one needs to undo all kinds of things to get to some basic items and makes working on it for a tedious chore.
Even though the Ascent has portals, the size of the pumpkins take’s away the benefits it’s trying to introduce. Just measure the distance from the pumpkin to the ground on both trucks.
As much as the Ascent looks tempting from the price point I feel it could be a nice rig to go trailing.
I have had a Gen8 before. I liked it...but the Ascent is a whole different level.
For ease to work on, it is very similar to the ECTO...there just isn't anything there to make it complicated.
I didn't put it in the video, but thought of it later. Ground clearance under the diff on the ECTO: 33mm. On the Ascent: 50mm. That is A LOT of extra clearance.
If you try it, it might just surprise you! :)
Very good review as I'm currently trying to decide between these two trucks. New to crawling and liking it so far. Enough to buy another one
Awesome! These are the two to choose from, in my opinion!
Great vid
Thank you!
You also gotta mention, though, that you can pick up the element gatekeeper, (identical chassis of the Ecto) for $249 right now. So, pick up a proline body for $50, there ya go
Good point! I tried to not reference sale prices - as the Ascent is also on sale (20% off) on the Redcat website for Black Friday.
RTR vs RTR though - the Ascent would out perform the Gatekeeper.
I spent my $100 savings on a fusion SE, and MiniT springs. Night\Day difference
@@KBRC81 Smart upgrades!
Very helpful tips
Glad you think so!
Got my Ascent about a week ago. Haven’t been able to run it yet. Planning on doing some serious rock climbing this weekend, then I’ll know what upgrades I need. Great video as usual.
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
I picked up the Ascent yesterday, before i even powered it up i replaced all the stock electronics. I installed a hobbywing SE 1800kv all in one, and a ldarc receiver/ transmitter, i am running the same battery as you up front where the old speed control was and have beadlocks on the way. I plan on removing the inner springs and that should be enough articulation i think. Anyway fun rig and the price is right. Keep the Ascent vids coming!
Awesome!
More videos are on the way!
Great comparison Troy !! I agree with your conclusion totally. I was a bit curious about the difference in bodies, vehicle width and perhaps the radio gear of both. Cheers.
Great questions!
Bodies: the ECTO is the clear winner. Smaller overall body, more scale accessories. But, the Ascent body is at least unique, so that helps.
Width: basically the same, and varies a lot depending on the wheels you install, so no real difference there.
Radios: Both are decent. I didn't mention it as so many people change the radios out. That said, both are super-budget radios with roughly the same features. No real winner there.
Great vid, ecto here... love mine
That you for the video, I appreciate the review. I’ve really been wanting the Ecto, then Axial just came out with the new cj7 now I can decide lol 😬
Glad to help!
Honestly, Ecto vs CJ7 isn't really a comparison. Ecto is VERY performance oriented, while the CJ7 is VERY scale oriented. It won't even be close on a performance comparison between the two of them, so that should make your choice a lot easier based on how you plan to use it.
Both are awesome, but for me is the redcat ascent 👌💪✅️
GOOD STUFF...I lean to the Ascent.
Great comparison troy,I fully agree with you,the$100 could be a set of wheels and tires for a beginner,I think it could be a split decision but there is also a new lighter chassis for the ascent now,could change the ballgame!!
Yes! I have that on order already! Excited to test that chassis and see how it really does.
You add 5/8" stainless washers to back of assent wheels 6 washers 2 each front 1 each rear adds 190 grams of weight lay down rear shocks I hate to admit is amazing
cool a head to head crawler test they both looked good
*💯fully watched always👀Au👍A like for you 🤓*
Thank you 👍
Maybe it's just me but from what I seen in the video the ascent had a slight edge I am going to be purchasing one and doing the mods that you have done on your channel i think it will be a awesome rig for everyone from the beginner to the vets in the crawler world
Glad this helped! Agree - should be a great truck for many folks.
Got an ascent and an ecto. Been modifying the ecto for 3 years. Now I'll work on the ascent.
Awesome! I bet your Ecto does great!
Very similar in performance . Redcat 100% winner. Great price, awesome body compared to the crapy cheap looking body on the element. Only my opinion. Good comparison, nice work
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback.
My first crawling even was with my Ecto that was stock minus wheels, tires and electronics. The event rule was you couldnt touch your vehicle, you had to use a winch or have help from another vehicle. I put my Ecto on its side once and cycloned it out of the jam and that was it. conquered every obstacle with out touching my truck once. I was using the JConcepts The Hold tires and HH 12T 550 motor. I love my Ecto, it is my go to vehicle when I decide I want to go crawling.
It is a great crawler for sure! I enjoy mine!
@@RoadsideRC ABSOLUTELY!!!
58 and very new to rc crawlers. Thinking about trying some class 1 comps. Could either of these be good choices as a platform to start with and upgrade as I progress?
Thanks and love the channel!
Double-check your local rules for tire height and if they allow portal axles in class 1. That will help guide you.
Well, at least the people at Element understand link geometry, unlike the Redcat people and their pretty weird panhard/upper link setup. Element knows how to design an axle as well, and shocks. Apparently the Ascent has a nice servo for an RTR thoug, so there's that. The super heavy steel chassis on the Ascent probably doesn't do it much good either, moving the CG up way higher than it could have been.
In the vide the Ecto seems way more planted, with all wheels on the ground much more of the time than the Ascent, which seems very stiff, and often rides on two or three weels seeming quite unstable in comparisson.
Yes! You are not the only one to point out the stiffness of the Ascent. When I first drove it, I was very concerned that it was too stiff. However, I decided to not tweak the shocks until I test it more....and it has really surprised me. The good news: the core shock on the Redcat seems really nice - and many folks are having great results with a simple spring swap.
Also - I have the DSM off road carbon fiber chassis for the Ascent on order. It makes up the $100 difference, and may really change the peformance, as you noted.
@@RoadsideRC of it sorts the geometry it should probably help quite a bit. Throw in an lcg gearbox with some proper gear reduction and you'll likely be on your way to make it a decent rig. 😊
We'll see if the DSM chassis corrects any of the geometry issues and leg lifting that they band-aid by using shocks with no travel
Very enlightening, very impressive performance from both of these rigs. I’m curious how you feel that they compare to the Vanquish phoenix portal RTR.
Thanks!
Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to get a lot of experience with that truck.
I studied it a lot when it first came out and decided to not get it. Too many gimmicks with the selectable overdrive, etc. I am not a fan of the weight and complexity that stuff adds.
Great Video! Not all the way through it yet. What do both trucks weigh without the tires and wheels? The Ascent will still be heavier for sure...
I did think about that after the video. I should have weighted them without the tires and wheels as that has such a large influence.
To exaggerate that point, I do believe the wheels on the Ascent are MUCH heavier than the ones on the ECTO.
Ooh, saw the title and instant click. I’ve got a heavily modified Ecto (even cut some of the chassis off the front) and super interested to see how the stock one stacks up against the Ascent.
Glad you are here!
What did you think?
Great Content!! Man u really got me thinking im sorts new the hobby got a Awesome Fcx18 Fms mini crawler now im searching for a 1/10 to crawl bigger stuff and more fun but man im so thorn between this $300 Ascent vs the $500 Vanquish VRD Stance is don’t plan on upgrading anytime soon just different wheels
I dont know what to do witch would u choose if u were in my position because I know once i start upgrading the Redcat the price goes up quickly but on the other hand the Vanquish Vrd comes ready to rumble comp out the box
Help ?? 🤣🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I'm thinking of getting the Stance so I can do a head-to-head comparison. Stay tuned!
@@RoadsideRC what color u likr the tennis ball green or silver and man i guess what im asking is!!! The extra $200 worth it 😕😎
I have the RedCat Danchee Ridgerock. There wasn't anything there that it couldn't do. and its almost 60% cheaper than the Ascent.
Your track is awesome which looks good for all scales including utb18 and a 24th scale.
Thanks! I have tested the Ridgerock here before. It did well...but I promise was not as good as these.
Which one is faster out of the box I won’t be doing much crawling in the area I live just a lot of flat, wooded walking trails
Good question - I did not test the speeds directly like that.
I honestly don't know if either of these are the right vehicle for you. Based on how you plan to use it, you may have more fun with something like this: bit.ly/3wVecDF
Or like this: bit.ly/4cfBMeE
Try taking the internal springs out and run the losi mini t spring soft in front medium in the back.
That is on my to-do list!
What if you did an element se vs the ascent since they are both similar priced and with the element new forward mount motor I feel it would be more even
Great point! It might be!
@@RoadsideRC it would be interesting to see I saw another UA-camr put a battery where the servo would be to make it more front heavy and it climb 60 degree
What about the vanquish rtr's? Shouldn't those be included in comparison
Stay tuned! In process now!
Are you getting the DSM chassis
Yes! Already ordered!
Man with the new DSM Off-Road chassis setup on the Ascent you would really get that weight down, along with even better performance. Killer way to spend that $100 savings over the Ecto.
GREAT point! Just that alone would be a large difference. I have mine on order!
But the Ascent plus the dsm chassis is $399, that's Vanquish Fordyce money.
@thindigital From what I have seen - both of these will drive all over the Fordyce. Also - the Ecto is $399 as well...
Would you recommend the Ascent over the Basecamp or Enduro SE as all are $299?
Yes!! 100% recommend it over those.
I saw a video of the acsent vs 10.3 pro and vanquish vdr I believe and it out crawled the 10.3 pro and they said with new shocks and tires it might out crawl the vanquish
It is surprising a lot of folks!
Curious how much a difference the bobbed body with no bed would make here. I'm seeing folks who ditch the bed and move the battery to the front hitting 60/40 without brass. Probably not a big enough difference to change anything but I bet that bed is a decent chunk coming off back.
Great question! I have not seen a weight from any of those folks. Even if it is not a lot of weight that comes off, it is certainly coming off of the right spot!
I went with the Phoenix straight axle RTR.
I hear it is pretty good. Why did you choose it over one of these two?
Ectos Rock 😊
They do!
👍👍😎😎
I'm 51 and a returning RC enthusiast. I had to put it down in my early twenties due to a career path. Now my kids are grown and I wanted a hobby. A friend of mine sent me an old Tamiya promotional video that we watched as children at Michaels. 1983. So i started checking things out and i just went nuts bought one of this one of that yada yada... I don't get the hate redcat gets. I have all the major brands and redcat holds their own.
Welcome back to the RC hobby!!
@@RoadsideRC110 bux gets a new crawler enthusiast a battery, wheels,tires, a few pieces of heavy items. Tune the ascent shocks for free, underdrive for free...remove some extra weight for free from ascent. Not to mention the ascent looks better. Ascent for the win! Not everyone wants or needs a full comp crawler to use as a trail truck either.
Your story sounds like mine. I got back in with the SCX24 micro crawlers, but just bought this to move into 10th scale. Enjoy your return to the hobby!
I have been torn between the ecto, ascent and the vs410. They all have something I want and stuff I don’t. The chassis o the ascent just looks to stiff otb. The ecto really don’t have any bad. The vs410 has dig and selectable od. I can’t really make up my mind.
I personally have no use for the dig or variable OD - so that makes the Vanquish an easy pass for me.
Between the Ascent and the Ecto, just depends on where and how you will use it! No bad choice.
What rims are those that are gold colored
Hi there! They are these: bit.ly/438KEyn
I love them. This is the second build I have used them on.
@@RoadsideRC ok, thanks
The redcat ascent is my next truck to get. A few mods and upgrades to make it a very capable crawler. The red body and gold wheels. - love that look
What wheels are those on the Ascent?
Hi there! They are these wheels: alnk.to/7foSpt1
Thank you so much for all the help, it has really helped me, so thank you again.
So you took about 10 mm of the front of Ecto, so really 18mm vs 6 for the Ascent.
Good point!
Ascent is going to be my next buy...
I highly recommend it!
I was working while watching so maybe you covered this, but is there really that much more clearance under the Ascent's portals? That pumpkin is massive and still hangs down pretty low. The Ascent feels like a false economy unless you're doing no mods. Spend any money on this and you're in the territory of TRX4 Sport, Sendero/Ecto, Fordyce, Base Camps, etc, and they don't have the front end geometry issues the Ascent comes with. I would have loved to see how each handled that last climb with no throttle bump. Watch Matt's video comparing it and this thing can't climb anything steep without lifting front tire. I'm not sold on the Redcat but that's probably obvious by the tone of my comment
Good question! With these tires on them: ECTO 33mm clearance, Ascent: 50mm
That is certainly a benefit!
It is great to be skeptical - but you really need to drive it to see. Head-to-head in this video, you saw it drive over everything the ECTO did...
You mention the TRX4 Sport, Sendero/ECTO, Fordyce, Base Camp...and recognizing that I have owned, modded, tested, driven all except the Fordyce....this is clearly better. I have been a BIG fan of the TRX4 Sport for a long time....and this truck goes over stuff my TRX4 Sport wouldn't even with more $$$ in it.
Don't have a Ascent yet but it is on my list my Ecto out crawls my axial ax 10 scorpion
Awesome! Hope you like it!
@@RoadsideRC so far it one of my top to use
I honestly laugh at some of the Redcat haters and out right snobs. It just like wheeling in real life and you always get those clowns that think they need the newest and most expensive shit out to be capable ans better than others. I used to out wheel those guys in a '83 Yota on 37" TSL's and they got pissed!
Ha! Yes - soo much of it in the comments!!!
to me the biggest problem with the redcat is the shocks, they don't have nearly enough articulation. that would be one of the biggest ProFormance upgrade you could do other then the usual tires motor esc stuff.
Honestly - I thought the same thing at first...but the truck's performance really speaks louder. It really surprises me how many obstacles it drives straight over.
@RoadsideRC definitely have tried in-person, but that was one of the only thing I saw it truly lacing. Sbg shows why you need some more articulation, but definitely for the price, and prefomince you can't really beet it.
Vanquish Fordyce is a very capable RTR
From what I have seen - not as good as these...but maybe I need to test it personally!
I'll take the ecto any day over the ready to rebuild redcat any day.
Clearly you haven't tried the Ascent!
My Ecto would do circles around the ascent. If you go to my video's you will see one titled " Custom RC Crawler heads for the Maine Coast", it is a redcat kaiju body with a custom set-up under the plastic. When I built it a year ago, I sent a picture to redcat and ask them why they don't build a crawler like this one. Maybe it is just coincidence that they did. Tell me it don't look similar? I love the look of many or their RC's. They just need to hire some better engineers! I would still put my stock Ecto on any side hill and watch the ascent go tumbling by...... @@RoadsideRC
@@rccrawlingaddict207 Modded ECTO vs a stock Ascent...of course the modded truck would do better.
However - I stand by my head-to-head testing here. You can clearly see how well both trucks perform. Anyone would be lucky to have either one.
Where did I say modded Ecto against stock ascent?@@RoadsideRC
@@rccrawlingaddict207 "My Ecto would do circles around the Ascent". Unless I misunderstood that.
Roadside RC is and does a pretty good job at reviewing, but taking the actual cars into your area where you can crawl is completely different than what must these guys do so the actor is better don’t give me wrong. The red cat does pretty good but the actor is way better.
Thanks for the feedback.
I have had these two trucks side-by-side on a variety of courses since this video. On our terrain, in our area, the trucks are really closely matched.
Honestly I have absolutely nothing against Redcat. I do understand that you are comparing RTR to RTR. Just my two cents here, take the kit version of the Element, ditch those crazy trailing arms, install the HC lower links, and of course, add your electronics. I can tell you from first hand experience the Ecto platform will really surprise you!
I do really like the ECTO! It has always surprised me how well it does.
That is why the Redcat is so surprising. I didn't expect it to do that well!
I would think a straight out of the box comparison would have been more accurate. Both of these vehicles have been modded.
I address that at the beginning of the video. I say the exact same thing - but the ECTO has been with me for awhile, so had already had modifications done.
I then modded the Ascent as close to the Ecto as possible (same changes) to make it as fair as possible.
A tie is the same. NOT Different. No matter how close it is.
Statistics says different!! Would you rather me say, "not statistically different"? :)
We don’t comp crawl, so to me the redcat is the winner to me, for price alone..
Makes a lot of sense!
Very expensive
They are not cheap outright - but a GREAT deal in performance/$$.
Compare to just a few years ago when an Axial SCX10ii was almost this same price out fo the box...with dramatically worse performance.
Is this even a challenge that Echo would run circles around the red cat that red cat is garbage?
Did you watch the video?
@@RoadsideRCI have driven both on rocks that are in my area pre made compared to natural crawl area is a big difference
I'm screaming Hell No to the redcat assent, echo Winner hands down.
What made you say that from this testing?
That's exactly what my vanquish friends said till my stock assent with only wheel weight and suspension changes via factory options and the assent is more capable by a decent amount. You can stick your head in the sand or accept that times are changing
@@chriskryder2994 against what vanquish product?
@@nicholasstephey8475 vs410 portal axle model
Bait for viewer interaction….
Which do you think are better RTR trucks?