RC10B4 RTR from Team Associated

[StevePond]

The new RC10 B4 "Stealth" buggy has already made history, winning the Cactus Classic race in its first major competition, and being voted R/C Car Action’s 2003 "Car of the Year." Now, Team Associated brings a higher level of electric offroad performance to the Ready-to-Run market with the B4 "Stealth" Ready-to-Run.
The B4 "Stealth" RTR is a fully assembled buggy that shares 95% of the same American-made parts as the popular "Stealth Team" kit. The B4 RTR includes a double-sided slipper clutch, 2.6:1 high-torque capacity differential, and a full set of 14 rubber-sealed ball bearings. Associated’s standard blue-anodized aluminum shocks and rugged steel dogbone rear axles are the main differentiating components.

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/b4/9050_B4.jpg

In addition, the B4 RTR comes equipped with a high-quality Airtronics "Blazer" Sport radio system, genuine LRP speed control with reverse, powerful 17-turn motor, and a pre-painted body in your choice of red or blue "flame" paint schemes. Of course, the B4 RTR also features the forward-swept front end and rear-mounted shock configuration of the original Stealth cars, optimized with the new co-planar steering geometry. This new suspension design provides maximum front-end clearance and minimizes bump-steer while maintaining desired buggy Ackermann angles. Trailing front axle or optional inline steering blocks can be used to adjust steering response.

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/b4/9050_B4top.jpg

The B4 chassis provides a super-low center of gravity by lowering the motor, battery, wing, and even the shock mounting positions, enabling much higher cornering speeds and stability during jumping and through bumpy sections of the track. The adjustable-angle rear wing mounts and even the transmission case are now integrated into the chassis/suspension structure. The symmetrical suspension arm design has all four arms being the same length, and "captured" hinge pins so that no e-clips are used.

The B4 RTR comes equipped with high-traction racing compound tires with foam inserts, pre-mounted and glued to white dish-style wheels.

[dragracer28]

What is this disigned to do you can't race it because the speed control has reverse and no disable for that. It is not a basher because it is a race car. It is still a good car and the airtronics radio is nice (why not the MX-3?). Also I think that most people who would buy a buggy would want something like the "Team Built" T3 and GT so they can get the electronics they want.

[Possumbot]

it also has a 17 turn motor, which is high winds for a mod class, but its not a stocker so it can't race in the stock class either. My guess is, they were trying to get a good car set out for some semi beginners. Its a little quicker(17t) than most rtr's will be and it has definite race potential with little hop-ups(a motor). It doesn't fit into a class, but for some track running, i think it fits pretty well, its quicker than a stocker so it will give more speed to the driver who wants more than a normal rtr will give, but its not out there with a mod motor so run times will be decent and it won't be hard to drive. I think this is going to be a big hit because there is basically no competition, only two other rtr buggies I can think of.

[ttweedle]

This is a cool setup. I agree that the esc is a tad suspect, but then again if you want to race it in Novice, Im sure that you could so long as you didn't use the reverse feature. Our Novices run gas and electric together and the electrics haven't lost one yet! So that should tell you something... We should expect to see the T4 RTR with the same stuff also, by Christmas.

[TPhalen]

Guys, here's the scoop.

When a customer walks into the hobby store, they ask 'How fast does it go' and 'How much does it cost' and 'What else do I need to make it work'. Well, for the RTR customer, chances are he's probably NOT going to ever see a track. It's a fact that more than 80% of all R/C vehicles purchased never do. So, with that in mind, we have the RTR vehicles.

First, it's got a 17t motor for good speed. GOOD speed. Not blazing, but much better than a stock motor. Second, with everything included (except a charger and battery), price is great for entry level! And third, all you need a the charger and battery!

If the person decides to race, sure, he'll have to choose a different motor, but how many times have you seen a 'novice' racer HAVE reverse. It's pretty common....they just don't use it much because they can go forward over most obstacles. But, RTR customers DO like the reverse feature.

This isn't meant to be a race car. It's meant to be an entry level basher with a race car heritage....meaning you CAN race it and be competitive with minor changes.

I think it'll be a winner!!!

[rcfreak2003]

Just wondering around how much will it cost?

[Tazz R/C owner]

Retail price for the B4 RTR is $385.99; expect it to sell for around $230-$250.

[iceracer6x]

well yeah all is good why did they stick that crap radio in it what is wrong with the high quality Jag radio that comes with the NTC3 and the RC10 GT PLUS???

thanks tony

[Archerboi]

Those radios look so ugly. Reminds me of a Flash Gordon raygun :D

[TPhalen]

We had a chance to use the Airtronics systems in the B4 RTR so we jumped on it as fast as we could!!!! Who WOULDN'T want a Airtronics setup in their RTR???

[Tazz R/C owner]

Originally posted by TPhalen
We had a chance to use the Airtronics systems in the B4 RTR so we jumped on it as fast as we could!!!! Who WOULDN'T want a Airtronics setup in their RTR???
Airtronics is fine, but the Blazer sport has very little features. Losi uses the JR XR2i computerized radio in it's RTRs, you should have went with the Airtronics MX-3, or at the very least, the Blazer; EPA is almost a must in RC.

[ttweedle]

Tazz, I kinda agree with you that the radio is lacking... That said I feel that any AM radio is lacking. And a basher turning racer will appreciate the fact, that they are not chucking a 100.00 AM radio just to buy a 150-175 FM radio. Plus it gives you the chance to really look at which radio would suit you best if you want to upgrade. So there are pros and cons on both sides of the topic, Associated went with what there people advised would be most beneficial to the company and the bottom line...Money. We must all remember that these big companies have to make money for us to be able to buy our Factory tricked out rides, that us hardcore racers love to drive. If they don't make money there is no reason for them to be in existance... Just my .02 on R/C economics...

[gee-dub]

people...focus! this kit isn't aimed at the 3-4% of you who run gt7's, quantums, gfx's and m8's. yeah, a radio with epa is great, but do you really think the VAST majority of thrashers would have any idea what epa means, let alone how to properly set it? am vs. fm is not the huge deal everyone seems to make it out to be. back in the day we didn't have no stinkin' fm...AND WE LIKED IT ;) .

as far as a speed control with reverse......knowing what brand had to be used (lrp), what model would you have reccomended? again, for the vast majority of target customers, they want reverse, and they get it.

tony nailed it on the head. how fast, how much, what else (and do i have to put it together) is all most people care about. for the market this car is targeted for, it's pretty much spot on.

look at traxxas and tell me how important conforming to 'rules' has been with their product lines success.

[Archerboi]

Originally posted by TPhalen
We had a chance to use the Airtronics systems in the B4 RTR so we jumped on it as fast as we could!!!! Who WOULDN'T want a Airtronics setup in their RTR???

So would all the future RTRs from AE feature Airtronics radios? It would be kind of nice.

[TPhalen]

Archerboi: That's undetermined at this time....sorry.

[Saboteur]

Great looking car. The radio is fine..atleast its not like the one Thunder Tiger gives with their RTR EB4. I like my AM radio,which is the XR2 Am btw. No glitches with it so far and for an AM, the features are awesome. I intend to bash and possibly race with it and my losi sport nt in the future. :)

[gubby]

Hey TPhalen, i was looking close at the second pic of the car, and it looks like a new hinge pin brace in the front...will this be standard on the rest of the regular kits made too?


the servo mounts are different too, whats up with that?

and is the blazer it comes with going to be 27 or 75 mHZ?

[TPhalen]

gubby: Yes, the new front hinge pin brace will be a standard feature on the RTR, and a standard feature on the 'regular' kits as well.

The servo mounts are a new design. They are made SPECIFICALLY for the Airtronics 102 servo....not sure if they will fit any other. Basically, they slide in the servo mount tabs instead of using screws and washers. It's a 'production' thing.

The Blazer will be 27mhz.

[AZBUSA]

Is there any word yet on a Factory Team version or a Team version?

[TrevorB]

I'd make one change.

Change the ESC from the Runner to the F1 Reverse.

As a former basher, a couple buddies had the T3 RTR and hated the ESC due to no ON/OFF switch. The F1 has a switch and is only $10 more retail... likely a couple bucks wholesale.

Just my .02 cents...

Trevor

;)

[TrevorB]

When were you gonna tell us about the newest ESC from LRP???

The Quantum Competetition 2....

Tell us what u know.

Thanks,
Trevor

Quantum 2 (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFBD4&P=7)

[ttweedle]

AZBUSA, The first buggy out was the "Team" edition. It came with the teflon shocks and such.

[TPhalen]

AZBUSA: FT version won't be out for awhile....

And, ya Steve??? What's up with the Quantum Comp 2???? :)

[StevePond]

Originally posted by TrevorB
When were you gonna tell us about the newest ESC from LRP???

The Quantum Competetition 2....

Tell us what u know.

Thanks,
Trevor



Originally posted by TPhalen
...And, ya Steve??? What's up with the Quantum Comp 2???? :)

Ladies, ladies, have you no faith?! You need to check this site more often... I posted that two months ago!!!

http://www.radiocontrolzone.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=127142 ;) :D :cool:

[TPhalen]

COOL!!!!! Maybe we can start racing in the rain now instead of cancelling races.... :)

[gubby]

Originally posted by TPhalen
COOL!!!!! Maybe we can start racing in the rain now instead of cancelling races.... :)

err, my motors dont like it when they get h2o inside of them....even my reedy kr...so i think thats outta the question:p

lol