Reviews

I am a sucker for fast electric catamarans. They are incredibly stable and agile when running flat out and I especially like how they look while ripping across the water. My latest is the newly updated version of the H-King Marine Relentless V2 from HobbyKing. driven by a potent brushless motor system that can be powered by 4S LiPo batteries.

Big, Bad Beautiful MT that can take a beating! This article was originally published in RC Driver’s June 2016 issue. Words: Peter Klaven Photos: Sydney Fife While I’m a racer at heart, every now and then I like to get …

When considering the recent trends in 2WD buggy,mid motor setups are definitely the hot ticket. The current high bite tracks demand the weight distribution and balance of such a design, but what if you want to run in some real dirt… i.e., throwing roosts and all?

There has been an RJ Speed Jeep Scrambler body sitting in my shop for a couple of years just waiting for the perfect chassis to come along. I have always loved the scale style and who doesn't like Jeeps? Yes, it would fit some existing kits, like the Stampede or one of the Axial scale rigs that have become popular, but I decided to create my own by repurposing a project from a few years ago.

I cannot think of any other vehicle that got as much attention as the original Traxxas XO-1 when it was released just a couple of years ago. This 1/7-scale on-road monster caught everyone off guard with its unique chassis design and a Castle Creations powered system that could propel this car up to 100 mph in just a few short seconds.

When purchasing a high end radio controlled race machine I usually don’t want to run on out and purchase a handful of option parts to make it competitive.  I just want to assemble it and run it.  Then again, on …

I will never forget the first time I saw an HPI Baja 5B in person. If bigger really is better, the 5B would be my next radio controlled buggy. It could go practically anywhere and ran on 87-octane gas. Once I bought one my excitement was replaced by a need to apologize for its performance to any onlookers. Painfully underpowered, the Baja was “all show” and no go!

The massive Traxxas X-Maxx monster truck is an incredibly fun truck to bash with due to its giant, go anywhere size, unstoppable 4WD drivetrain and gobs of power and speed. Where can you improve on this package? Runtime.

If you missed it the first time around because you weren’t even born yet then you now have a chance to see, build and experience one of the coolest kits that is responsible for getting so many of us old timers hooked back in the mid eighties. With each discontinued kit that Tamiya has re-released over the past few years, Monster Beetle fans have been asking for their turn

The world of RC has many different facets; there’s really something for everybody. One of the areas I’ve set my sights on mastering is the drift segment. It basically goes against everything I’ve learned when it comes to driving sliding is better than grip, more power does not mean a faster vehicle and tire compounds, well, plastic is better than rubber.

Your Local Hobby Store is a great place to check out what’s new in the RC hobby, meet likeminded people, see some great racing (if they have a track) and pick up an inexpensive new basher to tear around the yard and rip up the streets. Most LHS’s have all the new, small-scale bashers right up front for everyone to check out as you walk in. If you are lucky enough to have a Hobbytown near you, you'll find some exciting releases from Helion.

More Cool Stuff from the Editors of RC Driver Magazine: Racing Machined 4-Link Mounts, Western Front & Rear Bumpers, Screw Catcher...More

The entry level radio control segment of this great hobby is rather saturat- ed with really good vehicles at good prices, making it fairly easy for consumers to get a deal when looking for a vehicle. Because of this, it is hard for a vehicle, or manufacturer for that matter, to stand out from the crowd. Then ECX, a division of Horizon Hobby, came out with the AMP MT and AMP DB 2WD off road vehicles and totally changed the playing field.

Rally has been a steady segment of RC for 25 years, and manufacturers have done everything over the years in the 1/10-scale segment of RC. But often the vehicle works either on the dirt or on tarmac. Seldom can a vehicle conquer both types of terrain and still keep going. The HobbyKing Basher RZ-4 has been built like a tank to rule the rally track and take on any challenge you can throw at it.

Bashers and off-road racers across the globe have been waiting with zealous anticipation for Axial to release a trophy truck. Once the early videos of the new Yeti SCORE Trophy Truck hit the internet, that anticipation grew to a fever pitch. Building off of the original Yeti chassis and drivetrain, Axial took the design a step further with a fullblown Trophy Truck body that’s loaded with scale details.