Here it is: one of the hot items for the 2013 Holiday Season, err, winter season, then race season and bashing season, maybe football season, better than duck season or wabbit season, probably not allowed at the Four Seasons; basically the new Losi Dessert Buggy 1/5 off-road buggy is one machine on everyone’s hot list. As an all-new machine, everyone wants to see as much as they can from this new release in the Losi camp and RC Driver was picked to have a sample expedited to our offices to get our first impressions. So here it is, sit back, relax and enjoy an RCD Reveal with lots of photos.
ABOUT THE VEHICLE
The Losi Dessert Buggy, or DBXL as many people have started to call it, is a large scale, 1/5-scale to be exact, ready-to-run, off-road buggy that is completely built and just requires gassing up and charging the battery to get going. This is a completely new release for Losi, meaning it doesn’t share any parts with their other existing vehicles, so we’re pretty excited about how this thing looks.
FACTS
When checking out the photo gallery, here are some things to notice.
• The engine is a Dynamite 23cc Chung Yang 2-stroke engine, which is a good running mill and should provide usable power on this lighter frame (compared to a 5IVE-T.)
• Big, large-scale metal gear Spektrum servos control throttle and steering and are controlled by a Spektrum DX2E radio and powered by a 1700mAh Dynamite battery.
• A 4mm thick chassis plate is braced by composite braces front and rear.
• H-arms make up the suspension front and back and have some flex to them to absorb impacts.
• Hefty ring and pinion gears make up the drivetrain along with fluid filled gear diffs.
• A unique three-drive axle center shaft setup allows the engine to sit close to the center of the buggy.
• The steering rack features an aluminum drag link and servo saver, but the cranks turn on bushings, not bearings. Might want to upgrade here, future DBXL owners.
• The huge spur gear mates to a center diff and brake bias and can be adjusted separately. We like the push springs between the brake pads, but using the collars to adjust brake bias is a little 1990’s.
• Massive aluminum shocks damp the corners and the shafts are protected by thick rubber boots.
• Ultra cool black rims with red rings have a multi-terrain treaded tire that is slightly taller than a 5IVE-T tire wrapped around them. The inserts seem to be a medium compound.
• 5IVE-T aftermarket pipes do not fit; we tried a Losi Pipe and GBE pipe.
• The rear differential was pretty easy to access while we were tearing the buggy down for photos. A powered driver is still highly recommended for disassembly.
• The “light rack” is a dummy rack; it doesn’t look like there is a way to fit lights to it—hint, hint aftermarket manufacturers.
AT A GLANCE
WHO MAKES IT: Losi
WHAT IS IT: Dessert Buggy XL
INCLUDES: Ready-to-run vehicle comes completely assembled with radio gear, engine, batteries and some extras like tools and oil.
NEEDED TO RUN: Charger, gasoline and gas can.
WHO IS IT FOR: RC enthusiasts with some prior RC experience.
WRAP-UP
RC Driver is stoked to receive one of the first DBXL’s outside of the Losi Camp! Note that this is a completely ready to run 4WD 1/5-scale machine for under a G which makes it much more affordable to get into large scale than previous releases in this class. We have high expectations for the DBXL so take a look at the full review in the March 2014 issue of RC Driver magazine; Real RC Reviews from Real Professionals.
Part #: LOS05001
Price: $999.99
Link: www.losi.com
