Traxxas Revo

[StevePond]

Thank you to everyone whe emailed us about the fact that the Traxxas Revo wasn't posted here yet. Of course we had it splashed all over the magazine's home pages, but not here, so here it is...


http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/traxxas/revo_002.jpg

Betcha didn't see this bad boy coming! The REVO is Traxxas' all-new monster truck, and it's a total departure from the T-Maxx formula.

Instead of eight shocks on the arms, it's got 4 inboard, laydown shocks--F1 suspension tech meets monster trucks! The chassis is a single piece of aluminum formed into a monocoque-like structure, and the reversing transmission replaces internal clutches with an electronic Optidrive system for constant drive engagement.

Everything is sealed: there are silicone bellows on the pivot balls and the new oversized axles, rubber-sealed bearings are used throughout, and the diffs are sealed and filled with silicone fluid. EZ-Start 2 electric starting returns, and the REVO's exhaust system has been dyno-tuned to pull maximum power out of the new TRX 2.5 R engine. And that's just the short list of features!

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/traxxas/revo_003.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/traxxas/revo_004.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/traxxas/revo_005.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/traxxas/revo_006.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/traxxas/revo_011.jpg

<HR>

http://www.rccaraction.com/images/news/june04cover.jpg

You can see them all in our WORLD EXCLUSIVE Traxxas REVO First Drive in the June issue of RC Car Action, on newsstands by the end of the month. Subscribers, it'll be in your mailbox even sooner!


Click Here (http://videos.radiocontrolzone.com/traxxas_revo.ZIP) to download exclusive Car Action test footage of the new Revo.

[Hyper7Pro]

um...I want one! and whats up with that engine position?

[StevePond]

The reason the engine is mounted at an angle is primarly to keep the electric start inside the roll hoop to protect it from side impacts.

[sofa]

Yes, this is true. And since I have heard it said in other places, having the engine at an angle DOES NOT effect the performance!

BTW-Thanks for getting it posted in here Steve! You rock! ;)

[NPedeInsanity]

Traxxas really designed this truck to it's fullest.

[Toyotatogo]

TRAXXAS DID IT AGAIN :eek:











NOW THATS TIGHT !!!!!! :cool:

[StevePond]

...And since I have heard it said in other places, having the engine at an angle DOES NOT effect the performance!

Ahhh... all the engineers chiming in, are they?! ;)

[Chubby RC]

Also serious racers will be able to use bump start engines. However I'm sure the 2.5R will have more than enough juice for most.

[Toyotatogo]

does anyone know if a .21 or larger will mount in this truck?

[Dan H]

That truck is friggin awesome! Too bad I just got my Savage. :( I'll buy a Revo hopefully sometime later on. :)

[SRM4HRVK29]

Whats up with the fuel tank, you have to fill it through the side of the body?

[Toyotatogo]

just like a rear truck.... instead of refueling through the window which is so unrealistic

[Hard Core RC Guy]

So Steve,
Do we know price yet? I'm guessing 450 or so depending on electronics. Just when you narrow your choice down, something new comes along. Way to go on keeping this underwraps!! Traxxas trust, you got it!! Think the suspension rods in front will be prone to crashs into other trucks during racing? That's about the only downside I can see at this time, and what are the chances of that! what will become of the T-maxx? Oh, I saw an ad about a so called S-maxx (stadium maxx) is that a false one?
Later. :cool:

[tallyrc]

never mind

[BlutoSigPi]

Hey Traxxas! Nice. Way to think outside the box. I hope that suspension works as well as it looks. Gonna be tough finding money for a Revo AND a LST. :cool:

[StevePond]

So Steve,
Do we know price yet? I'm guessing 450 or so depending on electronics. Just when you narrow your choice down, something new comes along. Way to go on keeping this underwraps!! Traxxas trust, you got it!! Think the suspension rods in front will be prone to crashs into other trucks during racing? That's about the only downside I can see at this time, and what are the chances of that! what will become of the T-maxx? Oh, I saw an ad about a so called S-maxx (stadium maxx) is that a false one?
Later. :cool:

The price is going to be around $100 more than the T-Maxx according to Traxxas. The pushrods are out in front of everything, but they're no more in danger than the shocks on the original Maxx. I'd say they're going to hold up better than a shock would in an impact.

The T-Maxx will still be available. The REVO is more performance oriented, so it's like to appeal to racers more than the original Maxx. Yeah, the REVO can still do all the bashing, but it would be a shame to never exploit its handling abilities on a track. So, Traxxas will now have a three-truck monster line-up (S-Maxx, T-Maxx, REVO).

The S-Maxx is not a fake. It's a real model. Word just got out there a little too early.

[losi4life0007]

OK Steve maybe I'm a little slow on this but what will the S-Maxx be? Will it be more racetrack worthy than the REVO or will it be more sport? Until yesterday I was full tilt on buying an LST then I saw the REVO perform. But I don't pay unless I can get the best, and if the S-Maxx will be more of a racetrack truck then the REVO, then I will wait for it. So a little info would be helpful. I will only be racing it no bashing. Thanks for your help. ;)

[StevePond]

The S-Maxx will be a second-generation Sport Maxx with upgrades like a two-speed, forward only transmission, a new low-profile body, SportTraxx tires, and new wheels. For racing, the REVO is definitely the truck to have.

[PhsykoManMKAO]

ok. guys you better prepare some good flames for me. bring them on!

1. plastic driveshafts. - big big no no. twisted 3 pairs in 1 day with 1.3hp in my ns. add 5 pounds more truck and ur still gonna have driveshaft problems. revo 480 + mip cvds $75 were up to $555 now.
next
2. traxxas traxxas traxxas, when are you going to learn? ur the only company with a .15 monster truck now. everyone else got .21+
$555 + chassis conversion $150 + big block motor $150. brings us to an outstanding $855.
next
3. just a personal opinion here. never ever ever liked traxxas radio systems.
$855 + 3 channel transmitter $250. now you pushed it. $1105.
next
4. now that we got the basics down. how i look at it. f-1 rocker arm suspension should stay on f-1 cars. so u go out racing. land a big jump wrong. now u have a bent rod.
1105 + $25 for lunsford titanium rocker arm rods. $1130.
5. ok so now you think your bullet proof. accept now u see all the new shiny aluminum upgrades and say "hey, i wanna be blingin"
1130 + idk = i dont care.



sorry traxxas but your ingenuity is never going to buy me back as a customer. first ever rc mistake. getting a traxxas nitro sport instead of going duratrax.

/rant off.

[jdm3849]

1. You have bad luck and/or poor tuning skills (hear of a slipper clutch?)
2. Smaller displacement= lighter (lower CG) and better fuel economy with out sacrificing much H.P.
3. Stock radio works just as good as any other
4. Until you bend one, you cannot say they bend easily
5. Applies to any vehicle

[sLiTcH]

I just bought an Ultra LX Pro I gotta sell it to buy a Revo. The revo is just awesome. I can only download 2 videos a day on the traxxas website I wanna see them all !!! do you know when it will come out ?

[Hard Core RC Guy]

So were talkin' $480 to $500 for REVO, that's pretty comparable with others, I thought with Traxxas they might be able to keep there prices down being experts in RTR. Those front suspension rods look pretty beefy and with that stamped frame it should hold up well!! Where did you end up testing the REVO? And who got the honors?

Later.
:cool:

[Hard Core RC Guy]

I just bought an Ultra LX Pro I gotta sell it to buy a Revo. The revo is just awesome. I can only download 2 videos a day on the traxxas website I wanna see them all !!! do you know when it will come out ?

June of this year (as of now)

LST due late spring (no exact date I think?)

Power Racing Raptor in May

Cen with Genesis spring 2004

Okay, who are we missing? Duratrax, it's your turn!!! How about one called the Volcano!!! after all the Quakes...

Later. :cool:

[metalry101]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn

[PhsykoManMKAO]

1. You have bad luck and/or poor tuning skills (hear of a slipper clutch?)
2. Smaller displacement= lighter (lower CG) and better fuel economy with out sacrificing much H.P.
3. Stock radio works just as good as any other
4. Until you bend one, you cannot say they bend easily
5. Applies to any vehicle

1. why spend the $30 on a slipper clutch when id rather just lock it down neways. fyi- i like to pop wheelies with that pos.
2. so your saying that the tx 2.5 and its 1.33hp isnt much of a difference between the a .21 ^ and there 2.5+hp. id say 50% more power is a big difference. and the power to weight ratio is better
3. stock radio doesnt even have steering dual rate....
4. very true very true. **pictures himself smacking into a curb**
5. how this comment applies to my point. traxxas is like the import tuner of rc car. everyone who has one dumps loads of money into it. theres not one max i seen that doesnt have aluminum aftermarket where as with most other cars you might see a few aluminum parts here and there...

/rant off

[fastharry]

ok. guys you better prepare some good flames for me. bring them on!

1. plastic driveshafts. - big big no no. twisted 3 pairs in 1 day with 1.3hp in my ns. add 5 pounds more truck and ur still gonna have driveshaft problems. revo 480 + mip cvds $75 were up to $555 now.
next
2. traxxas traxxas traxxas, when are you going to learn? ur the only company with a .15 monster truck now. everyone else got .21+
$555 + chassis conversion $150 + big block motor $150. brings us to an outstanding $855.
next
3. just a personal opinion here. never ever ever liked traxxas radio systems.
$855 + 3 channel transmitter $250. now you pushed it. $1105.
next
4. now that we got the basics down. how i look at it. f-1 rocker arm suspension should stay on f-1 cars. so u go out racing. land a big jump wrong. now u have a bent rod.
1105 + $25 for lunsford titanium rocker arm rods. $1130.
5. ok so now you think your bullet proof. accept now u see all the new shiny aluminum upgrades and say "hey, i wanna be blingin"
1130 + idk = i dont care.



sorry traxxas but your ingenuity is never going to buy me back as a customer. first ever rc mistake. getting a traxxas nitro sport instead of going duratrax.

/rant off.




I can say it better then you in ONE word..



VETEQ...........
(and at least Serpent builds a quality car).....

and bring on your flames....I own tmaxx AND a Veteq....

[metalry101]

1: Could be wrong, but I think the truck comes w/ a slipper, so no 30 dollars there.
2: What RTR .21 has 2.5 horsepower? Drag race the Maxx vs. any other monster out of box. From what I've seen it's pretty comparable, maybe not the fastest, but still damn fast.
3: Dual rates would be nice, but a lot of RTR's don't have them. Anybody seriously needing them either has a radio ready to swap in before they buy the truck, or will buy one anyways. Adding an addtional 50-75 dollars to the price to add an FM radio w/ lots of adjustments isn't practical. Yes, dual rates would be nice, but then it'd something else that it didn't have.
4: Could be brittle, could be bulletproof
5: Lots of people buy Maxxes because they're so easy to "bling," not because they need it. They do have their weaknesses, just like every truck, but they're still well designed vehicles.

Traxxas is not the import tuner of the r/c world. Traxxas is the H2 or the Civic of r/c. They make products that appeal to a wide range of people, not being strictly dedicated to anything other than pleasing the customer, being pretty good at everything, and of course, most importantly, they sell like hotcakes, and since something can't be popular and well-designed at the same time, they're hated. I'm just waiting for more nitro monsters to come out and show the Savage up so that it will become as hated. The irony will be great. The Savage is a damn fine truck, very well designed, as is the T-Maxx, as are most trucks on the market. Some more so than others, but they're still all well designed vehicles. So how about someone look at what a truck is for once, instead of first looking for everything that it isn't?

[PCC]

ok. guys you better prepare some good flames for me. bring them on!

1. plastic driveshafts. - big big no no. twisted 3 pairs in 1 day with 1.3hp in my ns. add 5 pounds more truck and ur still gonna have driveshaft problems. revo 480 + mip cvds $75 were up to $555 now.
next
2. traxxas traxxas traxxas, when are you going to learn? ur the only company with a .15 monster truck now. everyone else got .21+
$555 + chassis conversion $150 + big block motor $150. brings us to an outstanding $855.
next
3. just a personal opinion here. never ever ever liked traxxas radio systems.
$855 + 3 channel transmitter $250. now you pushed it. $1105.
next
4. now that we got the basics down. how i look at it. f-1 rocker arm suspension should stay on f-1 cars. so u go out racing. land a big jump wrong. now u have a bent rod.
1105 + $25 for lunsford titanium rocker arm rods. $1130.
5. ok so now you think your bullet proof. accept now u see all the new shiny aluminum upgrades and say "hey, i wanna be blingin"
1130 + idk = i dont care.



sorry traxxas but your ingenuity is never going to buy me back as a customer. first ever rc mistake. getting a traxxas nitro sport instead of going duratrax.

/rant off.

1. The plastic sliders on that thing are huge! The hole on the inside of the inside slider is big enough to swallow the old sliders completely. Not only that but with the suspension design, you probably can't get CVD's to work with them because you will have outdrive cups that are very long to keep the bones in the cups.

2. This was actually a very smart marketing move. What competition does Traxxas have in the 1/10 scale MT market? Not as much as the 1/8 MT market. Not only that but think about this for a while. If they sell the truck with a small block engine, the option to convert it to bigblock power is there. If you start with a BB what are you going to upgrade to? Plus, it makes sense from a retail standpoint because all those people who convert their Revo's to BB power will surely be blowing out transmissions and differentials, more parts for Traxxas to sell and more opportunities for the aftermarket to make upgrades. Who would make an upgrade diff for a Savage? There's almost no need.

3. You got us there. Traxxas, sell us the Revo without the radio nor servos! Heck, sell the Revo in a kit.

4. The rocker arm suspension actually makes sense. Here you have a progressive suspension that does not rely on huge shocks and huge springs (that add weight up high). Here you have a cantilever arrangement that lays the smaller shocks down on the chassis where they are protected. I'd prefer to bend or break a turnbuckle, even a titanium one, any day over busting a shock. Shocks are expensive and time consuming to build. Not only that but the laydown arrangement protects them from a majority of the dust and dirt that sandblasts your conventional shock arrangement on your current MT. Your shocks will last longer as a result (see comment above about the expense and time required to build new shocks).

5. Bling is bling. It does not matter if it is on a Traxxas or HPI or Kyosho or Serpent or.....

As for buying a Traxxas and losing faith in the company, that's your personal experience. I only own Maxxes (I have 26 cars and three of them are from Traxxas) and have had pretty good experiences with them. You are one less person I will have to fight over buying a Revo when they come out.

[sLiTcH]

I have to agree with phsyko on point 2 and 3 but disagree on 1 - 4 - 5

[mwcet8k]

traxxas is like the import tuner of rc car. everyone who has one dumps loads of money into it. theres not one max i seen that doesnt have aluminum aftermarket where as with most other cars you might see a few aluminum parts here and there...
A BIG reason you see a lot more T-Maxx's "blinged out" is because there is FAR more aftermarket support for it. Your argument is equivalent to saying Hondas and Acuras aren't good cars because so many people that own them enhance them with aftermarket parts, versus other tuner cars. The whole reason Hondas and Acuras are BY FAR the most popular import tuner cars is because they are such well engineered vehicles straight from the factory and consequently there is a ton of aftermarket support...same goes for the T-Maxx.

[BlutoSigPi]

same goes for the T-Maxx.

I disagree...comparing apples to oranges IMO. I think they addressed a lot of problems with this revo. #1...don't have to use a pull start...or a ezstart. You can bump start...nice. #2...the steering servo's are crapola...but 2 in there and it's gonna be plenty of power. (nice job to losi on this as well). #3 snapping drive shafts should be a thing of the past. The new shafts are huge AND they have a slipper...gravy.

I think this is getting overlooked as well...the electronics! Tells you when your batt is low? OptiDrive with all it's cool features. Hey, thumbs up traxxas...way to put some real technology into RC. See...it wasn't that costly. ;)

[jeroen]

I think traxxas did a great job this time,as I didn't like the t-maxx.

The hole new concept of this car looks wicked too me,and I just want 1 right now.

Lets hope when I have this new sucker,thatI still can say they made a great new MT racer.

P,S will there come an electric version of it aswell?

[chevyman007]

If there is they could call it the EVO

[NPedeInsanity]

5. how this comment applies to my point. traxxas is like the import tuner of rc car. everyone who has one dumps loads of money into it. theres not one max i seen that doesnt have aluminum aftermarket where as with most other cars you might see a few aluminum parts here and there...

/rant off

So true. I posted a while back about a Maxx at my LHS that has about $6000 invested into it and the guy hasn't even ran it yet.

[NPedeInsanity]

2: What RTR .21 has 2.5 horsepower? Drag race the Maxx vs. any other monster out of box. From what I've seen it's pretty comparable, maybe not the fastest, but still damn fast.


The 2.5 doesn't have 2.5 HP, if that's what your saying.

[jeroen]

trx dyno test by rccaraction (http://www.kyosho.nl/trx.jpg)

[bustedparts]

I want one !!!!

[samyman]

will traxxes make sport revo. its not neded becouse of the s-maxx, but it be cool.

[jdm3849]

The 2.5 doesn't have 2.5 HP, if that's what your saying.


Someone earlier said the .21's had 2.5 H.P.

[StevePond]

PsyckoMan is clearly disgruntled and looking to pick a fight. That's what we call flame baiting and it's not welcome here. His statements are completely unfounded and don't warrant a response. :rolleyes:

[robc]

To the naysayers I suggest you check out the 2 new REVO vids at traxxas.com They run into curbs, down a flight of stairs, through rock field. The suspension is amazing and the truck looks very solid. I still don't understand everyone's preoccupation with sticking big heavy engines in a 1/10 scale truck. The original 2.5 is a screamer, this one is better. Why mess with it.

[davinci]

i think the problem its not with the engine, since its more of a race truck the lighter .15 engine formula its better since its lighter and more agile than a 21. truck, besides if you want to slap a .21 engine in the truck there's plenty of money to spend wich is good to traxxas and other companies :D
i personally prefer the big block trucks, but in racing weight its a big one, if the gain of power its not good enough compared to the weight gained then theres no reason to do it since performance is compromised

i think the problem lies with the pushrod suspension
in formula 1 pushrod suspension its the way to go, since they don't need much suspension travel, maybe no more than 3 or 4 inches in a full size f1 car, even less than the savage suspension travel, but in offroad you need plenty of suspension action to absorb jumps bumps and irregular terrain, and suspension travel is somewhat limited by the pushrod since the linear movement its transformed by the pushrod into circular movement, to make more travel you need to make bigger the "lever" and in the pictures it doesnt look big enough to give it enough travel, i would say judging the pictures each arm maybe has slightly less travel than a buggy

i think that might be the biggest problem of the truck, other than that i think it looks really cool, this one and the losi are my personal favorites right now

[nitroice0069]

So true Steve. I still have to add my .02 cents about his statement though.

2. traxxas traxxas traxxas, when are you going to learn? ur the only company with a .15 monster truck now. everyone else got .21+

Show me a RTR truck that is stock that can beat a stock T-MAXX 2.5 in a drag race or even around the track. Oh wait you can't! Just because something has more displacement doesn't mean it goes faster. RPM and gearing determine speed. Torque and gearing determine acceleration. The T-MAXX and the new REVO both weigh less than probably any other monster truck out right now.(I'm not sure though!) They both also have tons of power for an RTR. The Traxxas 2.5 engine is one of the most powerful .15's only one engine I know of is more powerful. So that means that the T-MAXX and REVO have and will have exceptional power to weight ratios.

1. plastic driveshafts. - big big no no. twisted 3 pairs in 1 day with 1.3hp in my ns. add 5 pounds more truck and ur still gonna have driveshaft problems.

Have you seen the size difference in these drive shafts. They are GIGANTIC. Go to the REVO site and check out about. Then go to drivetrain and check out the driveshafts you will see what I mean.

now that we got the basics down. how i look at it. f-1 rocker arm suspension should stay on f-1 cars. so u go out racing. land a big jump wrong. now u have a bent rod.

You are just as likely to break a shock as you are the rocker rod. Maybe even more likely.


JamEs

[mwcet8k]

I've noticed a lot of replies on this thread that mention the truck probably doesn't have much suspension travel because of the F1 style suspension. According to Traxxas it has more travel than any other monster truck. This video will convince you:

http://www.traxxas.com/ftp/revo-mov/Revo-monster-travel.wmv

[StevePond]

You're quite correct. The stock suspension set-up nets 90mm of travel, and installed the long-travel cantilevers pumps it up to 120mm. I would guestimate that it's got more suspension travel than any truck on the market.

[PhsykoManMKAO]

1: Could be wrong, but I think the truck comes w/ a slipper, so no 30 dollars there.
2: What RTR .21 has 2.5 horsepower? Drag race the Maxx vs. any other monster out of box. From what I've seen it's pretty comparable, maybe not the fastest, but still damn fast.
3: Dual rates would be nice, but a lot of RTR's don't have them. Anybody seriously needing them either has a radio ready to swap in before they buy the truck, or will buy one anyways. Adding an addtional 50-75 dollars to the price to add an FM radio w/ lots of adjustments isn't practical. Yes, dual rates would be nice, but then it'd something else that it didn't have.
4: Could be brittle, could be bulletproof
5: Lots of people buy Maxxes because they're so easy to "bling," not because they need it. They do have their weaknesses, just like every truck, but they're still well designed vehicles.

Traxxas is not the import tuner of the r/c world. Traxxas is the H2 or the Civic of r/c. They make products that appeal to a wide range of people, not being strictly dedicated to anything other than pleasing the customer, being pretty good at everything, and of course, most importantly, they sell like hotcakes, and since something can't be popular and well-designed at the same time, they're hated. I'm just waiting for more nitro monsters to come out and show the Savage up so that it will become as hated. The irony will be great. The Savage is a damn fine truck, very well designed, as is the T-Maxx, as are most trucks on the market. Some more so than others, but they're still all well designed vehicles. So how about someone look at what a truck is for once, instead of first looking for everything that it isn't?


what rtr comes with 2.5hp. well i can think of 2 in a blink of an eye. gs sut and losi's lst. and im sure there a few others out there. and traxxas isnt the import tuner. is the civic of rc. trying to say that the civic isnt an import? well sure they have factories here now but its still *** scrap.

edit: lol it wont let me use the 3 letter abreviation for japanese but it lets scrap slide? nice...

[sofa]

i would say judging the pictures each arm maybe has slightly less travel than a buggy

i think that might be the biggest problem of the truck, other than that i think it looks really cool, this one and the losi are my personal favorites right now

You really should read ALL the info on the truck and not just look at the pictures (a lot of time was spent on giving you tons of info on the truck). Steve is again correct. The Revo gives you 120mm of travel-the most of any truck.

[nitroice0069]

what rtr comes with 2.5hp. well i can think of 2 in a blink of an eye. gs sut and losi's lst. and im sure there a few others out there.

Those are estimated HP ratings. I guarantee neither of those make more than 2.3BHP. Look at the Sirio .27 it cost $400 and it makes 2.91BHP and you trying to say a non brand name engine produce over 2.5BHP when a $400+ Italian .27 engine only produces .4 more BHP.

JamEs

[rc10gtisthebest]

what rtr comes with 2.5hp. well i can think of 2 in a blink of an eye. gs sut and losi's lst. and im sure there a few others out there. and traxxas isnt the import tuner. is the civic of rc. trying to say that the civic isnt an import? well sure they have factories here now but its still *** scrap.

edit: lol it wont let me use the 3 letter abreviation for japanese but it lets scrap slide? nice...

2.5+hp is just what the Company rates them at.......

Novarossi may rate their best engine with 2.9hp.. But it probably only has about 2.3hp... Ratings are usually inflamed. (hence the reason most of the "Racing" engine companies DON'T make HP claims.. Or their claims are low...

There's no way that .26 in the Losi is pumping over 2.5 And the GS sut? HAHAHAHA!

You need to grow up and stop trying to pick fights to get your self off. :rolleyes: ;)

[davinci]

You really should read ALL the info on the truck and not just look at the pictures (a lot of time was spent on giving you tons of info on the truck). Steve is again correct. The Revo gives you 120mm of travel-the most of any truck.


good to hear has plenty of travel :D

however before i wrote my post i couldn't find any post with that info and since i dont have or never used pushrod style suspension i dont know how does it works or how much travel can get from this suspension style, i was just making an estimate from i could see nad was just a personal opinion

correct me if these numbers were already posted

[kitty]

metalry101 - well put!

PCC:
1. Apparently some have not visited the Traxxas site to get the real skinny on the shafts. They look nothing like the Maxx shafts other than being a slider shaft. They may be plastic, but the design has features that, from a physics standpoint, should make them much stronger.

2. I disagree re: marketing. Though the Maxxes are listed as 1/10 scale, there isn't *that* much difference in size between them and, say, the 1/8 Savage. Who would make an upgrade diff for the Savage? Maximizer does. Also, word is that Golden Horizons will soon release aluminum cups for the Savage.

3. Hear hear! Offer us a kit version or at the very least, a prebuilt without electronics.

4. I fully agree with you. I think Traxxas took a bit of a gamble on the design and won. Only time will tell how well it holds up, but from a mechanical and physics standpoint, I think it's pure genius.

5. Yo. Word. :cool:

mwcet8k - Love your logic, bro. You speak the truth!

davinci - The suspension travel of the Revo will be greater with the new design. There is a section about it on the Traxxas site.. something about 4" of travel, but from looking at everything, it looks more like 4" up and 4" down. I'm diggin on that! Just look at the video link that mwcet8k posted. There's one part where the truck hits a big rock with the front left wheel. The rest of the truck hardly moves. Now that's smooth stuff!

And now for the My Word section...

I took about an hour and a half on Wednesday night looking over details on the Traxxas site. Normally I wouldn't read so much at one sitting, but I was captivated. Though there's a bit of pumping it up with buzz words, I can read between the lines.

In short, I was very impressed by what I saw and read. Traxxas took some very radical design depatures with the Revo. There is no other truck like it, period. I was quite shocked to see such different engineering put into the Revo. Traxxas really surprised me on this one. I was nearly in tears while learning about the Revo. I love my Savage SS, but in my opinion, the Revo puts it to shame. My best friend has been saving up for a T-Maxx. After seeing what The Next Revolution is from Traxxas, the Maxx has been replaced on his list by the upcoming release of the Revo. I haven't seen anything on how they pronounce the Revo; I was thinking "REE vo," but now I'm thinking "REH vo" for Revolutionary. Fits that puppy to a T.
kitty

[sLiTcH]

kitty I sent an e-mail to traxxas asking about a kit version or a non - electro version. they didn't answer me yet. However for those who think that maxxes NEED big blocks well thats totally false. Example, one guy at the track has a 2.5 with a crazy nut head and it just flies on the track, way faster than savage, savage SS, savage .25 !! And if you really want more power without having to change chassi you can also get a Sirio .18 OR hop your 2.5 with sirio components. However, I don't think engine will be an issue with the 2.5 R.

Now my polans for converting my 1/8 buggy in a truggy has just been sniped outta my head I need a REVO.

P.S. Ofna Ultra LX Pro with lots of hop-ups including a central torsen diff for sale !!

[PhsykoManMKAO]

PsyckoMan is clearly disgruntled and looking to pick a fight. That's what we call flame baiting and it's not welcome here. His statements are completely unfounded and don't warrant a response. :rolleyes:

you cought me red handed steve. it was flame bait. turned out great aye? :p
but saying my statements are completely unfounded? little harsh there. :( im just your everyday anti-traxxas citizen.

[PhsykoManMKAO]

2.5+hp is just what the Company rates them at.......

Novarossi may rate their best engine with 2.9hp.. But it probably only has about 2.3hp... Ratings are usually inflamed. (hence the reason most of the "Racing" engine companies DON'T make HP claims.. Or their claims are low...

There's no way that .26 in the Losi is pumping over 2.5 And the GS sut? HAHAHAHA!

You need to grow up and stop trying to pick fights to get your self off. :rolleyes: ;)

some engines are claimed in hp and some are in bhp. in the usa we dont use bhp much but if i do recall bhp results in lower numbers than hp. dont feel like researching that right now but if my memory holds true...

[Pro3/nmt105]

I saw the video on this site, it didnt look that impressive. They only showed it sliding around 1 banked turn how can people be raving about how well it handels? MTs in general dont handel great though so Im not saying its any worse than the rest.

[Colt M4]

This truck is really great truck but why does traxxas have to include this crappy radio. I am trying to decide between a Losi LST and a Revo but am swaying towards the LST because of the great radio. If traxxas wants to get more racers they should have a one with out a radio or even a kit.

[sLiTcH]

by myself the only advantage the LST has over Revo is the electronics and REVO has so many advatages over the LST. I was not really amazed at the LST. but I sure am by the REVO. that truck is wicked

[tekrsq]

What's the chance of RCCA doing a "review" before the truck has been out for a year?

[StevePond]

What's the chance of RCCA doing a "review" before the truck has been out for a year?

What are you trying to "imply?" :rolleyes:

[PhsykoManMKAO]

the scariest thing about traxxas trying to create a racing monster truck is the possability of traxxas having factory drives :eek: :eek: :eek: .
lol doubt that will happen though

[cpittmx]

1. why spend the $30 on a slipper clutch when id rather just lock it down neways. fyi- i like to pop wheelies with that pos.
2. so your saying that the tx 2.5 and its 1.33hp isnt much of a difference between the a .21 ^ and there 2.5+hp. id say 50% more power is a big difference. and the power to weight ratio is better
3. stock radio doesnt even have steering dual rate....
4. very true very true. **pictures himself smacking into a curb**
5. how this comment applies to my point. traxxas is like the import tuner of rc car. everyone who has one dumps loads of money into it. theres not one max i seen that doesnt have aluminum aftermarket where as with most other cars you might see a few aluminum parts here and there...

/rant off


5. you must not have seen anyones T that is serious about racing. granted with the monster trucks there are more people that have them for bashing or show, but if you are going to race I think the lighter T has the advantage, so why ruin that advantage with heavy bling parts. my T eats savages for an after breakfast snack. the biggest threat is truggys like the Storm SUT.

back to the topic...REVO looks to be an awesome truck. I will have to buy one. i only hope the 2.5R is a better engine than the 2.5 which after 3 months of messing with I threw away and bought a sirio .18 (which is awesome)

[rodmanrc]

looks good to me, the aftermarket will love it ,phsykoman has a lot to say and i think a lot of it is true.ps dont believe a lot of DYNO testing nub.most of them are simply not true in the real world, their are to many variables.

[cpittmx]

my only reply would be that most racers already have a good radio, I know I do and I dont want to buy another radio which definately is part of the price with the LST. im assuming the crap traxxas radio couldn't add more than about $20 to the cost of the REVO so I won't feel about about tossing it.



This truck is really great truck but why does traxxas have to include this crappy radio. I am trying to decide between a Losi LST and a Revo but am swaying towards the LST because of the great radio. If traxxas wants to get more racers they should have a one with out a radio or even a kit.

[metalry101]

Totally agreed on the radio. The XS3 (I believe that's what comin' w/ the LST) is a fine piece of hardware, but most people are looking for a cool truck, not a cool radio. If a better radio doesn't raise the price of the truck, cool. If so, then why include it? Anybody here think that Losi's new truck is gonna sell that well? I don't. I think it's a very sweet looking truck, and from Losi's rep, and the pictures I've seen, the engineering in it is first rate, but it's gonna be 150 bux more than every other truck monster truck on the market, save the Twin Titan. I'll tell you right now that I'm psychic and can see the future. I know that the biggest arguement against that is that the LST won't need any hop up parts because it's already soo great, but the T-Maxx, and some of the other trucks need them, and that'll cost 150 bux and make up all the difference, and then you've still got a radio. K, so not everyone was going to say that, but I know someone was, they always do. The point is that someone looking to get into the hobby cheap, or maybe expand their r/c lineup is most likely going to be limited by funds. A nice radio is cool, but so is enough money left over to buy a lot of gas, or maybe some cool tires and body or maybe even replacement parts after the first head-on into the curb. Not to bash a good radio, I'd like one too, but personally, I'd rather upgrade my truck gradually than have to buy everything at once. Anyways, I'm done. To repeat, I'm not bashing the LST, it's a great truck, I just think that it's not going to sell as well as it would if they had included a less expensive radio system. Then again, maybe they'll release another version, like a kit or something, kinda like HPI did w/ the Savage SS, and have them sell like crazy. We'll see.

[synapse75]

S T A R T E R B O X :)

[synapse75]

I like traxxas direction on shock developement over losis.. make them smaller and still work better..

not so sure about the electronic shifting, will have to see that in action

[HeavyDuty]

I use to be very adament about brands Like Chevy vs Ford but I have learned to relax and look at the glass as half full instead of half empty. My blood pressure is lower now also.

I own both an E-Maxx and a Savage 25 I enjoy both trucks evenly but prefer each one for different traits . In my opinion no rc truck can be the best at everything yet , but darn good at some.

I look at the Revo and see some positive and negatives but will reserve judgement untill I experiance the real thing

I really enjoy hearing everyone opinions and even though I am an old fart that has been enjoying this hobbie longer than I have been turning wrenches I learn from each an everyone of you both positive and negative . I wish everyone wouldn't take comments personally .

I see that Traxxis has made a lot of improvementsover the T-Maxx as a racer I am really impressed as a Basher I am sitting on the fence as for as my opinion and will wait untill some one else plays guiney pig (Please excuse my spelling).

Radio don't like
chassis I like
set up I like
engine I don't care what size as long as power to weight is enough to be competitive
shocks and linkage Hey at least they are trying something new
I like the idea of most of the hop up parts are allready there
justs my 2 cents for what it is worth

[tekrsq]

What are you trying to "imply?" :rolleyes:

I'm not trying to start a fight. It just would be nice to see a review of an upcoming vehicle instead of one that has been out for a while. Personally, I think if the manufacturers were REALLY interested in getting the word out about SOON TO BE RELEASED vehicles, they'd be more than happy to send you guys one for testing long before it hit the market. Everybody knows you guys have a lot on your plate, then you figure in writing/editing time, and the fact that the mag is layed for for printing 2 months ahead of time. It just seems a lot of vehicles aren't reviewed until hey've already been on the market for a while.

JMHO.. :)

[StevePond]

Well, there's something to be said for having a lot of time to test vehicles. I'm sure well have ample time to test these trucks over the course of the next few months, but I agree with you completely about getting them out there early, even if in prototype form, so we can test them and at least provide some initial impressions. As luck would have it in this case, so does Traxxas. See below...

We were invited to Traxxas for an exclusive opportunity to test the new REVO prior to it's introduction. We got a lot of wheel time over the course of a couple days, and spent a lot of time with their engineers, who were available to answer any questions.





http://www.rccaraction.com/images/news/june04cover.jpg
June issue of Car Action, due out before the end of this month.

[Tamiya4ever]

Since I am a newbie at nitro. I had 2 nitro cars, and they were flops. But it seems like the REVO is very user friendly. Like electric start, you can fuel with the body on. I am tempted to get the REVO. :rolleyes:

[tekrsq]

Excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :d

[KronicRacer]

track truck or not after watching those vids. im definatley getting one. :D

[synapse75]

I really hope they sell a kit, i feel this may have already been stated. I want to use a sirio or rossi motor with a starterbox and my 3pj and my own electronics.

I recently built an emx out of parts with an Xtreme chassis cuz I decided it would be cheaper that way instead of paying for all the extra crap I didnt need. Only traxxas parts i used were the gear cases and plastic bulkheads and shock towers, need to be lightweight to show those gas trucks whats up.. Ive had a few nitro trucks, wanted to do something different.

[ExtremeDuty]

No matter what nay sayers talk, I'm glad that Traxxas has moved from the current T-maxx and developed a new truck.

Nobody wants to see a same vehicle forever... I'm happy see their completely new direction and tries.

I salute those who challenge & push boundaries!!!
Well enough said... :D

[Figit090]

I hope they get a kit out...cause i'll sell my maxx with its finiky 2.5 and get a new 3channel FM and the kit and i'll be really happy...

but i am DEFINATLY waiting to hear about the engine..because my 2.5 has givin me hell...

I hope i can get some rc that i can use without tuning 3/4 of the time :( hopefully the 2.5R has some better features...

[jabberjaw]

ive just got back into the sport after 4yrs
one thing is the f1 style that traxxas has chosen does work and works well
on reallife mts witch no one has mentioned that i have read

let it be released and see how it fairs then make a judgement on it
metal breaks just as plastic and composits and no design is bulletproof

i baught the mgt, and plann on buying another so dad or sis can run with me
was planning on lst but now that revo is on the horizon i will take that into consideration

im just sick of reading about my apple is better then your orange yaddayadda

[Hard Core RC Guy]

So, with the REVO being about 480 to 500, what's the LST going to be? Seeing as this is going to be the years big battle. If the LST is going way over 500 it's going to be a tougher sell, a kit has potential though. I can't see the LST being cheap, with 4 JR servos, XS3, etc. Price is what's my kicker. Oh well.

New REVO video showing suspension in action is awesome, but now I think they should have called it the spyder, because of how it traveled over the rocks.

And remember, competition is good. And as Heavy duty said, don't get hung up on "brand" you miss out on alot of positive things that way. Like the newbie that just saved all his paperboy/girl money to buy a Rustler, and you trash it. Come on, I own a Rustler and a MFE XXX-T ! It's the hobby and people that really matter, not whether you drive Traxxas, Losi, AE, HPI, etc.

Way to go Traxxas for bringing in so many new people to the hobby!

Later. :cool:

[Windsorguy99]

Considering that Traxxas seems to be marketing this as more performance oriented than the T-Maxx as justification for it's $100 price increase....

Personally I'd have rather seent he reverse ditched altogether and invest the extra $$$ into a higher end radio...better yet...sell it as a kit...and I'll line up with the others to buy one.

I'd gladly run this as a race truck and use my Savage as my basher!

[synapse75]

if you are expecting alot, i think id forget about using a traxxas motor. Did you see in some recent mag a rossi 12 and a sirio 15 both made a substantial more power than the traxxas 15 and the sirio had nearly twice the torque. And as you mentioned they are finiky. Decent RTR motor, not so decent if you are going to race it or expect serious performance.

Any word on if the Emx or Tmx will be discontinued??

[laddy]

Steve,
Can you find out what colors are coming with what CH.
Thanks

[wolfy2386]

Just posting my opinion just as everyone else is so I'd appreciate if no one flames me here. OK hats off to traxxas as they keep coming out with great ideas. For those that are against traxxas because of past experience, well this is a new truck. It could be completely different from the product so at least give it a shot. I also don't think traxxas should have gone .21 and I'm glad they didn't. They took the harder route and made a .15 as powerful as possible instead of just dropping a big block in the truck. A great example of this is the Porsche 911 650 RST. A company called Roock took a stock 911 turbo and modified the boxer 6 engine to 650hp (more than 100hp per cylinder). This car is faster that almost any production car in terms of acceleration (0-60 In 3.1)and still pulls a 1.00g on the skidpad. All that instead of dropping a bigger engine in. Also someone on the traxxas forum brought up a good point about the radio, if you enough about the radio being that bad you probobly already have a good radio to put in or are in the priocess of purchasing one. Also if they did include a good radio odds are some people wouldn't like it and wouldn't want to pay more for a truck that comes with a radio they don't want and won't use. Also its a simple radio for the newbie which we all were at some point.

and with that I'll shut up

[fabolousRC]

Just posting my opinion just as everyone else is so I'd appreciate if no one flames me here. OK hats off to traxxas as they keep coming out with great ideas. For those that are against traxxas because of past experience, well this is a new truck. It could be completely different from the product so at least give it a shot. I also don't think traxxas should have gone .21 and I'm glad they didn't. They took the harder route and made a .15 as powerful as possible instead of just dropping a big block in the truck. A great example of this is the Porsche 911 650 RST. A company called Roock took a stock 911 turbo and modified the boxer 6 engine to 650hp (more than 100hp per cylinder). This car is faster that almost any production car in terms of acceleration (0-60 In 3.1)and still pulls a 1.00g on the skidpad. All that instead of dropping a bigger engine in. Also someone on the traxxas forum brought up a good point about the radio, if you enough about the radio being that bad you probobly already have a good radio to put in or are in the priocess of purchasing one. Also if they did include a good radio odds are some people wouldn't like it and wouldn't want to pay more for a truck that comes with a radio they don't want and won't use. Also its a simple radio for the newbie which we all were at some point.

and with that I'll shut up

I seconded you :cool:

[Toyotatogo]

yea all this sounds great but can you put a .28 in it :cool:

[Windsorguy99]

On another forum, someone has made the claim that the truck only weighs 7 lbs....box stock.....

now...imagine trimming some weight by removing the reverse gears and servo, and possibly the reverse control module..

I guess that explains how it was thrown around the track so quickly and easily...power to weight ratio helps you in a drag race...greatly helps acceleration...

low overall weight helps with the truck's ability to change direction quickly....

Crap....I may just have to buy one of these...

[KronicRacer]

yea all this sounds great but can you put a .28 in it :cool:

no doubt once the aftermarket gets a hold of it there will be some sort of big block conversion..... ill be happy with just a sirio 15 in this truck.

[sofa]

The truck weighs about 9 1/2lbs stock.

[=[flame]=]

im thinking of making this my first rc monster truck, it looks great
but i was just curious about the shocks, most mts come with two shocks per wheel, the revo only comes with one per wheel, will this be a problem in any way?
thx

[StevePond]

Not a problem at all. It's actually quite nice that they went with four shocks. Uneducated consumers are easily impressed by a truck that has eight shocks and the biggest possible engine. Four good shocks are much better in my opinion.

[sLiTcH]

I agree with radio. They just should'nt include one. I already have a Futaba 3PJ, it'S a good radio and the radio is the reason why I won't buy the LST. I won't pay X bux more for a radio that I'll sell X-100 $ then it'S realy value. Engine wise, I'm not a big block lover, I am just gonna buy the truck use the 2.5 for a while then I'll buy a Sirio .18 (which is awesome by the way). One of my fellow racer has a T-Maxx and is always removing or piercing or replacing stuff in order to lower the weight I think it's a good way to go. I'll buy the truck dump reverse, if possible replace the 2 cheapo servos with one excellent servo, get some lightweight wheels and rims, remove exstarter and use starter box (u guysare talking as if I could use one so I'll believe you, remove battery, receiver boxes and baloon wrap em etc. Keep in muind less rotating wheight more speed.

[KronicRacer]

Not a problem at all. It's actually quite nice that they went with four shocks. Uneducated consumers are easily impressed by a truck that has eight shocks and the biggest possible engine. Four good shocks are much better in my opinion.

exactly! the 8 shocks on tmaxx never did really impress me. the fact that revo uses four shocks vs. eight proves how effiecent the suspension is and will be for this truck. :cool:

[mwcet8k]

Based on what I've read about the Revo thus far, it seems like the radio is the only significant weak point in the whole package. GRANTED, I haven't seen it in person yet so I can't make a final call on that. I do think it's a smart move on Traxxas' part to go with a relatively cheap radio system versus a more expensive high end system, like the JR XS3 in the Losi LST. There are going to be a lot of people that will not want to pay the price premium for the LST because of the radio system that's included. My instincts tell me that Losi will probably release a version that doesn't include a radio system (probably an unassembled kit) for this reason.

I think someone mentioned previously in this thread that the TQ3 probably adds $20 to the purchase price of the Revo, which sounds about right to me. That really isn't a big deal IMO. Also, someone mentioned that most serious racers will already have a high end system they will want to use in the truck. Assuming this is true, why would it make sense for Traxxas to include an expensive radio system if the majority of serious racers/bashers are going to pull it out and replace it with the system they prefer??

I've used Traxxas radio systems in the past. For the majority of people that buy this truck who are just looking to have some fun with it, the TQ3 will work just fine.

[synapse75]

Yeah, if they got to add a radio, id prefer it be as cheap as possible, but still work decent for ppl that plan on using it for the time being.

Its nice to keep the initial price down, and when time comes to throw money at a radio, its nice to be able to pick the one you really want.

Every time I have raced/run a traxxas truck the first thing I do is take 4 of the shox off and properly rebuild the remaining shox.

[Nobrushesforme]

Did I miss a issue? I thought that RCCA gave top billing to the TRX 2.5 in their round up of the outlaw engines out there? Has it changed? Did I miss a issue? :confused:

[synapse75]

the article I was talking about I dont think was in RCCA, and it tested motors that didnt have pullstarts

[StevePond]

It does get top billing, and we tested a pull-start version of the engine. However it starts, the TRX 2.5 engine is excellent. Very good power, high quality and a very reasonable price. I consider it to be the best RTR by a big margin, and it even surpasses some performance aftermarket engines. It's an excellent engine.

[synapse75]

a 15 sirio makes almost twice the torque according to a recent dyno comparison in some other mag.. a .12 rossi makes more power and torque.. I was fueling the kit arguement.

Id agree it is a decent RTR engine as far as small blocks go. There are other RTR engines that are more reliable. Their quality control does leave something to be desired though. The traxxas motor tends to vary in performance from one motor to another more than other manufacturers in my opinion..

[StevePond]

I've had a lot of experience with this engine and quite a few others as you could imagine. My experience shows the TRX 2.5 to be exceptional in its class - second to none when it comes to manufacturing quality, performance, consistency, ease of tuning, etc. I'd be interested in knowing what you think is a better RTR engine than the 2.5.

I agree that the power and torque of the Sirio .15 and the Novarossi .12 are both quite a bit better, but these are relatively expensive aftermarket engines. BTW, it was our magazine that tested them. ;)

[kitty]

you cought me red handed steve. it was flame bait. turned out great aye?
im just your everyday anti-traxxas citizen.
Flame baiting, much less taunting the admin of the board when admitting to it isn't a exactly a smart move. Furthermore, if you're anti-Traxxas, why bother even reading a thread about a Traxxas vehicle, much less post in it? Flame baiting, taunting the admin and thread crapping - three strikes all in one post.

Gone Nitro: I like your idea/suggestion that they should have named it Spider, as in an arachnid. It really does look like some kinda bionic spider in one of the videos. Spyder is a certain design type, but I knew what you meant. I also like what you said about brand names, but you know how some people are. The three RC trucks I have are all different brands/manufacturers, but it's looking like I just might add a second Traxxas to my collection at some point (ie, after the initial wave of Revos are out and hopefully a kit or at least prebuilt will come along).

One thing I forgot about in my previous post - anyone getting a Revo should order another body for it while they're at it. That is, unless they finally decided to put a more sturdy body on one of their vehicles. The body that came with my E-Pede, as well as the one that came with my best friend's E-Maxx, was garbage out of the box. A few roll-overs and they were toast. When my bud replaced his E-Maxx body with a T-Maxx one, it was gone within 15 minutes. I tried to warn him, but what can ya do, right? He wanted a pre-painted one, though I offered to paint a clear one for him.

[synapse75]

Steve
In the same class we have had substantially better results with the motor in the nitro evader as far as RTR reliability and good performance, but it is in a stadium truck and not a monster truck..

[Nobrushesforme]

the article I was talking about I dont think was in RCCA, and it tested motors that didnt have pullstarts

Care to mention the magazine you read that in? I've have a .12 rossi in a rc10gt and I can say that it is a nice engine, but I'd be had pressed to believe that it has that much more power and torque then the 2.5. I'd say both are pretty close.

And the .15 sirio having twice the torque? That is just to outlandish to believe. Do you have any idea what the stresses of that much torque would do to the internals of the motor? You'd be buying a motor every month.

So please points us all to this magazine's name so we can all read it.

[synapse75]

Its not outlandish to believe at all, and Steve pointed out which mag it was already..
The numbers were like 44 to 77, or something close to that..

[sLiTcH]

Hi,
I would like to know if you plan to make many versions of the Revo. I think it's a racing monster truck and as you know, racers will buy a revo dump the radio and MAYBE the engine and buy new better electronics and maybe engine. I would like to know if you guys will sell a REVO rolling chassis only, like no servos, no radio, no engine. And when will it be available and what is the approximate price of the Revo.


Hello,

Revo will only come RTR.


Best regards,
Stephen Lindholm,
TRAXXAS Customer Service

[StevePond]

The dyno tests were done in RC Nitro Magazine and you can rest assured that the Sirio .15 pumps out some hellacious torque. It measured more than 70 oz.-in. of torque, while the Novarossi NS12S5 put out just over 60. The Traxxas 2.5 put out 44.1 oz.-in. of torque, but it has a higher rev range, so it still makes respectable horsepower.

BTW - all the engines were tested with the same pipe, fuel and glowplug.

Synapse - I would agree that the engine in the Duratrax is a quality piece because it's made by O.S. That's a very solid engine and I know it tunes well, but it doesn't make the same kind of power as the 2.5. I completely agree it's a great engine, but for different reasons.

[Nobrushesforme]

Thanks Steve, which months issue was the test in?

[StevePond]

They were in various issues. We tested the TRX 2.5 in the April 2003 issue, the Sirio S15 engine in December 2003, and the Novarossi in October 2003.

[Toyotatogo]

The truck weighs about 9 1/2lbs stock.

thats heavy .28 any one?

[Ferrari_Spyder]

man creates a rtr and the experts get pissed
man creates a kit and the newbies get pissed

man creates both and we all rejoice!


...come on traxxas

[MaximumSTPro27]

Gonna have to back Ferrari_Spyder on that one, i really enjoy building all of my vehicles, it really lets you get to know all the ins and outs of your truck so that when something goes wrong, you know what it is and how to fix it.

Now, I'm not really a Traxxas fan, and, not to undermine Steve's experience, but having worked in a hobby shop for going on 8 months now i've seen a few (to say the least) 2.5s and T-Maxxes, and i have to say that the 2.5s aren't the most easily tuned, and in response to your RTR engine question, i'd have to say that the HPI S-25 is one of the best i've seen...I have also seen a lot of T-Maxxes into my shop for repairs, now it may just be that we have a lot of newbs who buy the Maxxes, but i also know a lot of guys that have been in the hobby for quite a while who went with savages over the T-Maxxes, despite their faster acceleration and higher top end. They were just sick and tired of replacing bulkheads and skidplates all the time... But then again they were all doing some pretty crazy $#!T, and the Savage just seems to hold up to that kind of abuse better, granted, the T-Maxx will take the average jump all day just as well as a Savage will, but when you get into the extreme stuff, the Savage (stock) holds up better than a Maxx (stock).

As for the REVO, i also hope that the 2.5R is a more reliable engine, i have seen some footage and the REVO really seems to pick up and move out quick, so i have to give a big thumbs up to Traxxas on that one. My only concern is how it's going to take jumps, if you look at the section on Traxxas's site where they detail the suspension, specifically the REVO having more travel than any truck on the market, you can see that the chassis would bottom out before the shocks did, and although the undercarriage has all kinds of protective cages and such i still can't see how that's really going to protect the electronics from the shock of landing from a respectable hight.

Anyway, all in all it looks like Traxxas has made an exceptional truck, and aside from the radio gear and possibly the suspension, i can't see a thing wrong with it, way to go Traxxas, you've gained yourself another future customer. But just as a word of advice, i think everyone would benefit from both an RTR model and a kit version.

P.S. to all those big block junkies (myself included) i can't see the problem with a small block as long as it's what's best for the performance of the vehicle, i don't think a big block would tear up the drive train, as it seems very rugged, but i think it would put too much weight on one side of the chassis, thus hindering handling (lol, that kinda rhymed).

[synapse75]

The dyno tests were done in RC Nitro Magazine and you can rest assured that the Sirio .15 pumps out some hellacious torque. It measured more than 70 oz.-in. of torque, while the Novarossi NS12S5 put out just over 60. The Traxxas 2.5 put out 44.1 oz.-in. of torque, but it has a higher rev range, so it still makes respectable horsepower.

BTW - all the engines were tested with the same pipe, fuel and glowplug.

Synapse - I would agree that the engine in the Duratrax is a quality piece because it's made by O.S. That's a very solid engine and I know it tunes well, but it doesn't make the same kind of power as the 2.5. I completely agree it's a great engine, but for different reasons.

I really like the OS 18 for its reliability, but its hard to guage how it compares to the Trx2.5 in performance because its in a stadium truck. The OS .18 is not a rear exhaust, but I wonder how it really compares..

[nitrojunk]

Steve, I cant find my November Issue, but I just bought a NS12 S5 and am curious what it dyno'd at.. Thanks

[XXXER]

I don't care how well it performs, as long as it is easy to work on. I work at a hobby shop and I am up to my elbows in Monster Truck every weekend. So far, I would take a Savage rebuild over anything :)

-Steve

[HPICasper]

Maximun very nicely put. On the other hand i think i am just going to keep my Savage cause i cant wait till June. Plus i am most likely not going to be racin mine. But i cant wait to see the Revo and LST in action and head to head(with good drivers). June will be a fun month in RC :D

[senvek]

I am neither pro Traxxas, Losi, AE, etc. I am in favor of any company that is creative, inventive, and enticing to newbies in the hobby. That being said...


Losi and Associated: Drivers jump ship. Vehicle releases are seemingly coordinated to cut into each other's sales, and yet undeniably, they dominate the competetive market. Then, one day, Traxxas releases a monster truck format that is so unique and user friendly, thousands of new hobbyists join the ranks through the T-Maxx door. It was inevitable that Losi and AE would come along with their own trucks...bigger, faster, more expensive. But the reality is, it was all on the coattails of the T-Maxx. So, why did Traxxas stick to a 1/10th truck and a sub-.21 engine? IMO: Traxxas has nothing to prove except that they are pioneers, and not followers. The Revo will not be the fastest truck. It won't be the biggest truck, etc, but it will be different and reliable, and it will attract newbies again. Most importantly, it will have a devoted following. You don't see Hummers at Jeep jamborees, and you won't find LSTs at T-Maxx competitions. What can you say: Its a Traxxas thing! You wouldn't understand.

[PhsykoManMKAO]

I am neither pro Traxxas, Losi, AE, etc. I am in favor of any company that is creative, inventive, and enticing to newbies in the hobby. That being said...


Losi and Associated: Drivers jump ship. Vehicle releases are seemingly coordinated to cut into each other's sales, and yet undeniably, they dominate the competetive market. Then, one day, Traxxas releases a monster truck format that is so unique and user friendly, thousands of new hobbyists join the ranks through the T-Maxx door. It was inevitable that Losi and AE would come along with their own trucks...bigger, faster, more expensive. But the reality is, it was all on the coattails of the T-Maxx. So, why did Traxxas stick to a 1/10th truck and a sub-.21 engine? IMO: Traxxas has nothing to prove except that they are pioneers, and not followers. The Revo will not be the fastest truck. It won't be the biggest truck, etc, but it will be different and reliable, and it will attract newbies again. Most importantly, it will have a devoted following. You don't see Hummers at Jeep jamborees, and you won't find LSTs at T-Maxx competitions. What can you say: Its a Traxxas thing! You wouldn't understand.

well put senvek. except the reliable part :D lol. but yea. traxxas definitly brings in the newbs. i will say that traxxas is one reason this hobby is growing, its a gate for newbs to get into rc. the maxx's are indisputably the aftermarket kings, so the aura of being able to have a highly modded maxx that is unlike any other also attracts the rc veterans. im just wondering what that r at the end of the 2.5 means. so far i havent heard any engine changes, just a new heatsink.

[JakeDaSnake]

I think the REVO is the badest truck to hit the market yet... but Im gonna have to go with you guys on the biulding part... I love to build my own trucks so I know how they work and can fix them faster and do some personal mods while Im biulding it... and the R is just for the heat sink according to traxxas...

Later
Jake

[Racer Rob]

Looks good.

I just noticed also that Traxxas has "We are Ready to Race" now on their website. I thought it used to be "We are Ready to Run"?

[metalry101]

Been "Ready to Race" for a while now I believe.

senvek~
I don't know if that could have been put any better. So true, so true. Doesn't matter how cool the designs are if they don't sell.

Toyotatogo~
9.5 lbs is heavy? Maybe not the lightest race truck ever, but certainly ligher than any monsters on the market right now (other than maybe the Sportmaxx). A Savage is what? 12 lbs stock? Save w/ a Mammoth, which is supposed to be a race truck like the Revo. 9.5 lbs may not be real light, but it is much lighter than the competition.

[thedarkness]

[QUOTE=nitroice0069]

Show me a RTR truck that is stock that can beat a stock T-MAXX 2.5 in a drag race or even around the track. Oh wait you can't!


well i can gs storm sut,dominator extreme rtr

dont mean to flame the maxx can hold its own

oh yeah the gs sut is just a little over 9 pounds as well

[senvek]

I generally am open minded and not bothered by much, but I have to say, one comment that keeps repeating itself on multiple boards at nauseating levels is, "...But in a drag race...". It is a lame attempt to compare vehicle speed that is as pointless as a bowling ball. If you want to drag race, page 225 of the May issue has New Era Drag car kits. Knock yourself out! For the rest of us with a little more r/c education than that: Those big coil over shocks on there ain't fer drag racin'!!! An engine's output in torque is an indicator of power and accelleration. Some vehicles have a boat load of torque and accelleration, but on a long track, they'll hit maximum velocity quicker and fall behind in speed. If I put two Mustang GTs side by side with the same engine, and the same five speed, and allow one to only use 1st gear and the other to only use third gear, the first one will smoke the tires and hit 30 mph quickly, while the guy using 3rd gear will have a hard time getting rolling without stalling. However, those same two cars about a mile down the road will tell a different story. Thie first gear will be smoking his engine and barely cranking out 40 mph, while the other will comfortably be buzzing over 70mph.
So, the next time someone says, "Yeah, but if you drag race my blah-blah-blah against your blah-blah-blah..." just laugh and think, "Boy, you've got a lot to learn."

[HauntedMyst]

That truck looks nifty. Nifty I tell you.

[JT Racing Maxx]

sweet truck, anyone have any ideas for a .21 kit? lol

[patcook]

I must say that a Revo is the best truck i've seen. It's on my to get list after I get out of school. That along with a couple other cars. I'd probaby switch to a .18 just so I could get the power of the trx 2.5 and the reliability of a sport engine. I just wish that traxxas would offer it as a kit so I wouldn't have to take it apart to do all I would want to to it. I must also say that from everything that I've heard about the traxxas motor it will smoke a lot of other rtr engines right out of the water. I don't think I want a .21 just because of the added weight. I just want a truck that I can take to the track and race, or do anything else with. I'll still get an 1/8 scale buggy for my hard core racing. I just want something faster than the rc10-t3 I have now.

[PhsykoManMKAO]

I generally am open minded and not bothered by much, but I have to say, one comment that keeps repeating itself on multiple boards at nauseating levels is, "...But in a drag race...". It is a lame attempt to compare vehicle speed that is as pointless as a bowling ball. If you want to drag race, page 225 of the May issue has New Era Drag car kits. Knock yourself out! For the rest of us with a little more r/c education than that: Those big coil over shocks on there ain't fer drag racin'!!! An engine's output in torque is an indicator of power and accelleration. Some vehicles have a boat load of torque and accelleration, but on a long track, they'll hit maximum velocity quicker and fall behind in speed. If I put two Mustang GTs side by side with the same engine, and the same five speed, and allow one to only use 1st gear and the other to only use third gear, the first one will smoke the tires and hit 30 mph quickly, while the guy using 3rd gear will have a hard time getting rolling without stalling. However, those same two cars about a mile down the road will tell a different story. Thie first gear will be smoking his engine and barely cranking out 40 mph, while the other will comfortably be buzzing over 70mph.
So, the next time someone says, "Yeah, but if you drag race my blah-blah-blah against your blah-blah-blah..." just laugh and think, "Boy, you've got a lot to learn."

ussually the long strech of a track is no longer than what you would normally drag. its as simple as gearing to accomodate the track you are own. now if you have enough torque to totally blow a guy on the start but u lose in top end, then u want to change the gearing to give u more top end. the race engines on the market are just to fast to really care, they all have an ample amount of power to lay down on a track and heck, lots of guys buy these powerful engines, then put restrictors in the carbs so they arent as fast. and any racer knows, the race isnt won in the straights (less ur draggin :D )

[QUAKE&SHAKE]

Well, there's something to be said for having a lot of time to test vehicles. I'm sure well have ample time to test these trucks over the course of the next few months, but I agree with you completely about getting them out there early, even if in prototype form, so we can test them and at least provide some initial impressions. As luck would have it in this case, so does Traxxas. See below...

We were invited to Traxxas for an exclusive opportunity to test the new REVO prior to it's introduction. We got a lot of wheel time over the course of a couple days, and spent a lot of time with their engineers, who were available to answer any questions.

June issue of Car Action, due out before the end of this month

I just got mine (june issue) in the mail.

I must say I like this racing truck.
Still would have liked to see bigger tires.

[kitty]

Hello,

Revo will only come RTR.

Best regards,
Stephen Lindholm,
TRAXXAS Customer Service
Of course they're not going to tell anyone ahead of time if they have future plans to release a kit or a prebuilt. They want as many sales right up front as they can, and I'm sure they will. There will be plenty of those, like me, who prefer kits or prebuilts, who will buy them, take them apart and rebuild them to become familiarised with the Revo. Even if they have tentative plans to release a kit or prebuilt later on, they'll do research to see if they feel it's worth the added costs to do so.

senvek - very well put! If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: If you want that much speed, buy a freakin sedan and have a blast. If you want to drag race, there are vehicles for that.

Monster trucks are meant for off road. Sure, you can lower the suspension and toss on a set of street tires. That can be fun sometimes, but don't whine because it doesn't top out at 70mph. Plus, how many people who want that much speed could actually handle even a streeter at that speed anyway?

[f2k]

Nice truck, really nice truck...

Just wondering: will Traxxas make an electric version of this?

[atm92484_3]

I just got my RCCA in the mail also. At first I was really skeptical of this truck. After more carefully looking through the pics on Traxxas's site, reading some, and going through RCCA's review with pictures, this truck actually looks like a winner.

I'm still curious though as to how you will disable reverse for racing: Is it as simple as just disconnecting the shifting servo or will there be a kit offered that will allow the servo to be removed along with a computer and a solid shaft will replace the entire assembly, much like that of the T-Maxx?

[RSBatCRH06]

im half tempted to go to rcx with 5 grand and plead with traxxas to buy it right there on the spot but that would happen if i had $$$ but my savings that were going to a new e-maxx to make it a crowler are now going to the REVO!!! WAY TO GO TRAXXAS!!!

[poncho fisher]

My opinion of the Revo is Traxxas finally designed a chassis to go along with the very fast 2.5 engine. The 2.5 engine I have is all that I could ask for. Tuning is never a problem. I can't wait to purchase the Revo. I race my tmaxx most weekends and don't see the parts breakage reported by some tmaxx haters on here, could it be these posters are jumping and hitting things at WOT?? If so you have to expect breakage. Look the 2.5 has great power and acceleration period, the light weight and excellent suspension will be very competitive against 1/8 scale trucks. I also own a trick MGT and Dominator, both are great trucks and top performers.

[Chris LaPanse]

WOW!!

Amazing truck :eek:

hope there will be an e-revo (brushless anyone :D )

[RSBatCRH06]

I have had my t-Max for over a year now and I have broken a lot of a-arms bulkheads etc... but still I would never get any aluminum parts since they cost a lot of bank to replace them(bad), when plastic break easier(bad), but they don’t make your wallet lighter(very good). On a different note I would love for this truck to be a kit. also Steve what is the difference between the 2.5 and the 2.5R besides the bigger aluminum head and it being at an angle. Another thing Steve will it be able fit prolines shoes??? I think it was on traxxas's web site can't seem to remember. one more thing can someone give me the exact URL at traxxas where i can find both movies the rock one and the one where it goes into a curb and down a flight of stairs. thx

[maxxamillion]

I believe Sofa said for the 2.5R, the new features are the machined head, new rear exit tuned pipe and differences so small inside the motor they may not be seen. He didn't elaborate on that(porting, carb work, etc.?). Just the rear exhaust & clean truck will be nice. All that oiled up dirt on the shocks suck! I wonder if current bodies will work, or if we have to wait for a new wave of those? There is enough Traxxas followers that all the buyers of LST, HPI, MGT won't dent Revo sales. Lets just hope there isn't a hidden flaw-I'll wait for the second wave. And wear out my P2 Maxx in the meantime. :D

[Blaster]

After see some pics and read the tech specs, the truck seems great. The innovations as the transmission systems used/optdive system and shock system. The rear exhaust, built in electric start, sealed pivot balls and drive shafts, slipper clutch and rechargeable battery all them sold as stock items are a great idea. Couldn't understand why the dual steering servos... :confused:

All in all, some steps forward that might be followed by some competitors.

Watching the vid, the suspension seems to work as smooth as a buggy with beef up wheels and fully extended suspension arms. The car stands stable, leveled, while the suspension works hard. Just the lower suspension arms shown on pic #1 (http://www.rccaraction.com/rc/gallery.asp) , with that too "clean" design, seems a bit "fragile" handling high jumps and the engine upgrade that some owners will do. :rolleyes
:

[Jarek]

I have a Thunder Quake. Which is better: the REVO by Traxxas, Genesis by Cen, or an x-factor by XTM? I need more power!!!

[Jarek]

Will the REVO be able to fit replacement upgrade engines like .21's by OFNA. How bout' the Thunder Tiger Pro .70 heli engine

[Nobrushesforme]

Couldn't understand why the dual steering servos... :confused: :

More steering power on a MT is a good thing. Losi is doing the same with the LST.

[PCC]

PCC:
1. Apparently some have not visited the Traxxas site to get the real skinny on the shafts. They look nothing like the Maxx shafts other than being a slider shaft. They may be plastic, but the design has features that, from a physics standpoint, should make them much stronger.

2. I disagree re: marketing. Though the Maxxes are listed as 1/10 scale, there isn't *that* much difference in size between them and, say, the 1/8 Savage. Who would make an upgrade diff for the Savage? Maximizer does. Also, word is that Golden Horizons will soon release aluminum cups for the Savage.

1. I have been to Traxxas' website and I have, like you, sat in front of my computer trying to find out everything I could about the Revo for about two hours, and that was before I made my previous post. I never said that they looked like the current sliders but that the hole on the inside of them are huge. Yes, I know the advantage of a larger diameter tube over a smaller diameter tube of the same material.

2. Though they are sized similarly to 1/8 MTs the fact remains that Traxxas markets them as 1/10 scale. Yes, I knew about the Maximizer diff cups but I meant complete diffs like are available for the T like you can get from Kippster and Maximizer. The diff cups are questionable for their usefullness on the Savage but are an upgrade for the Maxx.

As for the T-Maxx or E-Maxx being discontinued, Traxxas employees on Traxxas' forums have stated that the Revo will be sold along side the T/E-Maxxes and that the Revo is its own truck. Only a small handful of parts are compatible between the two trucks (T-Maxx and Revo). No one has said anything about a kit nor an electronic version. We can only hope to see either or both.

A BB engine in a Revo may not be the hot ticket for going fast around a track. A Picco 26 will probably flip it at half throttle, how are you going to keep the front end down while trying to maneuver around a track? That Sirio .15 may be too much torque for the Revo with its high center of gravity. Sometimes, too much power is not good.

I'm so excited about this truck that I've talked a friend into looking into it and he's decided to sell his brand new Savage SS for one and my brother is selling his Dominator to get one.

[Blaster]

More steering power on a MT is a good thing. Losi is doing the same with the LST. - I understood it. What I don't understand is why not use a bigger servo, like Futaba S9403 @ 6V (111oz/in & .10sec/60deg). My point is that dual servos my drain much power from batteries than a single one. Besides the weight and space used... I am not saying dual is not good. Just suggesting it could be done with a single one (also saving some $).

[StevePond]

The point is, it's not less money to install a single servo that's capable of doing the job. Think of it like computers - a 2.4G machine costs as little as $500, so you can get two of them for a combined total processing power of 4.8G for $1000, but a single 3.4G machine can cost much more than $2000. Likewise, two servos with a combined torque of more than 110 oz.-in. of torque cost quite a bit less than a single servo with similar specs.

It's a simple matter of cost, and each time you increase the price, you exclude more people from the potential pool of customers - Economics 101. There's a point at which you have to stop adding features that cost more money. Why not include a Futaba 3PK? Maybe a 9351 digital servo? Throw in a starter box... all features that I would personally like and be willing to pay for, but there's not too many people that would be buying a Revo at $1100. I think they're getting excellent performance from the truck for the price. The cost of adding more expensive features would far outweight the minor performance gains. For everyone who says they don't like the truck because it doesn't have a the exact features they want, there's about 10,000 people that could not buy it due to the extra expense of including those items.

[ZeroMax]

hey when is it gonna be released in japan and what price? thanks

BTW sLiTcH your gonna get another customer

[jackdaniels]

For those that are still looking for the videos of the REVO on the Traxxas site, here's the link:

REVO VIDEOS (http://www.traxxas.com/REVO/videos/)

The 7 .wmv's are listed on the bottom of the page. Video #3 shows the Revo taking curbs and going down stairs.

[RSBatCRH06]

wow now that i have seen all the vids at traxxas im very ashured that the revo will be very durable. if your did that with a maxx you would probaly break some parts(since that happend to me) but the revo could take it

[Blaster]

Got your point Steve. I had that Economics 101 class. I agree with you and the costs definitely might take people (or companies!) out of hobby. Personally I liked the idea of whole truck. Got very impressed with how the suspension works on rough terrain - again, rides like a buggy to me which is great!!! :D

I mentioned the dual servo just thinking on: save weight (not a big concern on a truck), simpler mechanical linkage and most important to me: battery drain. However, as they included rechargeable batteries along the kit it almost eliminates my biggest concern.

I was not really thinking on Revo when I wrote that (maybe wrong tread to post the doubt). I was jus expressing my 02 cents looking forward to get some feedback that might show me the reasons behind the choices, as you just did. ;)

[PhsykoManMKAO]

The point is, it's not less money to install a single servo that's capable of doing the job. Think of it like computers - a 2.4G machine costs as little as $500, so you can get two of them for a combined total processing power of 4.8G for $1000, but a single 3.4G machine can cost much more than $2000. Likewise, two servos with a combined torque of more than 110 oz.-in. of torque cost quite a bit less than a single servo with similar specs.

It's a simple matter of cost, and each time you increase the price, you exclude more people from the potential pool of customers - Economics 101. There's a point at which you have to stop adding features that cost more money. Why not include a Futaba 3PK? Maybe a 9351 digital servo? Throw in a starter box... all features that I would personally like and be willing to pay for, but there's not too many people that would be buying a Revo at $1100. I think they're getting excellent performance from the truck for the price. The cost of adding more expensive features would far outweight the minor performance gains. For everyone who says they don't like the truck because it doesn't have a the exact features they want, there's about 10,000 people that could not buy it due to the extra expense of including those items.

steve, just fyi a dual processor setup is ussually more expensive, and a 3.4 p4ee is 1k not 2k. lol. and ive heard losi went with dual servos for tighter turning radius and not more power, probably so did traxxas if that is teh case. still there is teh issue of draining more power than nessacary. and we all know how fast you can fly thru a set of AA batteries.

peace

edit: just read it includes rechargables. i'll give traxxas some gratitude on that choice. cept if ur just gettin in to nitro rc, chances are you dont own a nimh charger, guess ud need a charger for teh ez start battery neways..

[Chris LaPanse]

Yes, a P4 3.4ee is 1K, but two ENTIRE COMPUTERS with the p4 2.2 or 2.4 are 500 apiece (total:1k) A computer system with the p4 3.4ee is 3.5K+ and with the "normal" 3.4 is 2K+

Also, how could duals give you a tighter turning radius? They would double the torque, but i dont see how that would make it turn tighter.

[MaximumSTPro27]

-PhsykoManMKAO-
I don't think steeve was talking about a dual processor setup, i think he was talking about two separate machines, but anyway, it doesn't really matter what he was talking about, he was making a valid comparison between two ways of getting a similar amount of power, kinda like two brushed motors in the E-Maxx or one nitro engine in the T-Maxx.

Now on to ur second "point".... if you REALLY read the specs, you'd also see that it comes with a charger that will charge NiMH and NiCD, also it will be AC or DC powered, so you can use it off of your car battery....c'mon man, if your gonna try to flame a truck, make sure you're using the right info. just a tip ;) :rolleyes:

-Chris-
the only way i can think of that it would give the truck a tighter turn radius is because the steering response would be not only faster, but hold stronger, allowing the truck to turn tighter going faster....just a thought

[Nobrushesforme]

With a dual setup it would be that much faster in responce time, thus giving it a tighter turning radius. Simple physics!

[StevePond]

I knew it wouldn't be long before someone would go techno-weanie on me with the computer analogy. ;) Lets not get silly with the computer debate... you know the point I was making. Two standard servos are less expensive than a single hi-torque servo, plain and simple. As someone already pointed out, the truck includes a charger for the receiver pack.

[senvek]

I knew it wouldn't be long before someone would go techno-weanie on me with the computer analogy. ;) Lets not get silly with the computer debate... you know the point I was making. Two standard servos are less expensive than a single hi-torque servo, plain and simple. As someone already pointed out, the truck includes a charger for the receiver pack.
Steve's parable was accurate and viable. For those of you who didn't get the point: He wasn't talking about computers, he was talking about servos. If you want to nit-pick the issue of computers, I am sure there is a web board for it. The issue is that given a value of torque "x", times 2 servos for a total of "2x" torque for $50, economic conservation would dictate that "2x" is the greater value than torque "1.5x" times one servo at $90. Perhaps that made more sense...not.

[JonBoy]

Ok they didnt go out and make a new servo. remember there using traxxas servos and they already have the standard servos so they just used 2. plain and simple use what they already have. About a kit or prebuilt version i cant see that comming they dropped the pede kit and so i cant believe that there will ever be a revo kit. Im sure the radio and motor cost them very little and they can charge alot more including them. There just keeping there profit margin up. Oh well I want one.

[nitrorush89]

ya they might

[nitrorush89]

hey im loookin to get a revo but i have all the t-maxx's the have come out and i had a lot of trouble with them mybe its just my tuning problems but is the savage more of a stronger easyer to tune truck?

[Nobrushesforme]

If you run in to things, pretty much anything will break.

[nitrorush89]

its not the breaking its the tuning

[PhsykoManMKAO]

traxxas has always had one strong thing going for them. marketing. id have to say they are kings of the marketing campaigns. they know when to release and how to release it. with the motor mounted in the new cadywompus configuration will it need a special starter box? the new chassis will need a new .21 chassis conversion. only revo shocks will fit the revo. will we be seeing after market optidrives? t-maxx bodys might now include a dimple so you know where to cut the hole for the fuel tank since it can convienently by accessed from the side? stuff like that is why traxxas does get my vote for 2004 marketing masters awards. although u can look at it on the flipside and say whay not go with standard things? well then again mt's have no standards except their all big.
:D

[senvek]

Ok they didnt go out and make a new servo. remember there using traxxas servos and they already have the standard servos so they just used 2. plain and simple use what they already have. About a kit or prebuilt version i cant see that comming they dropped the pede kit and so i cant believe that there will ever be a revo kit. Im sure the radio and motor cost them very little and they can charge alot more including them. There just keeping there profit margin up. Oh well I want one.
I have to agree with you. Traxxas is already the leader in RTR sales, and the T-Maxx is the best selling R/C of all times, according to actual sales stats. So, for a company that has a low profit percentage, the best way to maintain profitability up is to offer as much as possible for as tempting a price as they can afford. Being realistic, when you compare function and design costs of the Revo to the LST (excluding radio equip.), they should be in the same ballpark, but the LST will be considerably more expensive because it is bigger, has a big block, and it's a Losi. Not a crack on Losi, as I myself have had many Losi buggies and trucks, but i am also smart enough to know that for every 200 you spend on a Losi, 20 of it went towards the name. B.Kinwald, R. Cavalieri and M. Francis all have to get paid somehow. Traxxas doesn't have big name racers to pay, so all you pay for is what comes in the box. Let's be honest, for those of us old guys like me who remember Jay Halsey and the gold tub R/C 10, Traxxas has long been considered "A toy" in the world of competetive R/C. When they launched the T-Maxx, they made a class all their own. Now, MTs make up the largest selling segment of R/C if am not mistaken, and it mostly boils down to T-Maxxs, and those that followed in it's footsteps. For a year or so, The T-Maxx sales have been slowing down, and the venerable MT veteran has been struggling to keep pace with the newer machines: Thus, the Power Puff Girls were...sorry, I mean, thus, the Revo was born. This truck may very well redefine the MT world again, and once again everyone else will be scambling to come up with designs to rival Traxxas. There are those who lead, and those who follow...

[senvek]

traxxas has always had one strong thing going for them. marketing. id have to say they are kings of the marketing campaigns. they know when to release and how to release it. with the motor mounted in the new cadywompus configuration will it need a special starter box? the new chassis will need a new .21 chassis conversion. only revo shocks will fit the revo. will we be seeing after market optidrives? t-maxx bodys might now include a dimple so you know where to cut the hole for the fuel tank since it can convienently by accessed from the side? stuff like that is why traxxas does get my vote for 2004 marketing masters awards. although u can look at it on the flipside and say whay not go with standard things? well then again mt's have no standards except their all big.
:D
Phsyko makes a good point. But I would add something to that...
Read advertisements for the Titan, MGT, CEN MT/II, etc. Most larger adds all include the note: "Uses standard T-Maxx bodies" or "Uses standard T-Maxx wheels" So, while Traxxas may have in fact gone in a different direction with design, in doing so, they may create new standards, just as they did with the T-Maxx. When the T-Maxx came out, nothing was considered "standard" for the few MTs that already were rolling. T-Maxx's massive sales and popularity were largely responsible for standardization of items such as bodies and wheels. Oddly enough, I recall adds that used to tout "2 inches longer than the T-Maxx" Look at the early HPI Savage campaign. It was soley directed at cutting into the existing T-Maxx market. So, Traxxas may in fact foster aftermarket mania like the T-Maxx, but that is not a bad thing. I am an old-timer in R/C, and I remember when major ROAR races were won using: AE RC 10, MIP out-drives, Proline tires, and even MIP transmissions...yes, aftermarket transmissions. It was nothing to have a winning car with few original parts more than the suspension arms and shocks. So, seeing a product come out that seemingly is begging for aftermarket hop-ups or even mandating "Revo-specific" parts is not all bad. Give it some time out there, and I am sure we will see New Era with extended chassis, MIP with CVD conversions, and Jimbo-Billy-Bob's R/C with CG lowering kits that utilizes a .25 conversion.

[FD661]

:eek: I'm new to the hobby! I'm thinking of buying the traxxas revo or t-maxx for my first monster truck! What to you think? anybody thanks :)

[PhsykoManMKAO]

Phsyko makes a good point. But I would add something to that...
Read advertisements for the Titan, MGT, CEN MT/II, etc. Most larger adds all include the note: "Uses standard T-Maxx bodies" or "Uses standard T-Maxx wheels" So, while Traxxas may have in fact gone in a different direction with design, in doing so, they may create new standards, just as they did with the T-Maxx. When the T-Maxx came out, nothing was considered "standard" for the few MTs that already were rolling. T-Maxx's massive sales and popularity were largely responsible for standardization of items such as bodies and wheels. Oddly enough, I recall adds that used to tout "2 inches longer than the T-Maxx" Look at the early HPI Savage campaign. It was soley directed at cutting into the existing T-Maxx market. So, Traxxas may in fact foster aftermarket mania like the T-Maxx, but that is not a bad thing. I am an old-timer in R/C, and I remember when major ROAR races were won using: AE RC 10, MIP out-drives, Proline tires, and even MIP transmissions...yes, aftermarket transmissions. It was nothing to have a winning car with few original parts more than the suspension arms and shocks. So, seeing a product come out that seemingly is begging for aftermarket hop-ups or even mandating "Revo-specific" parts is not all bad. Give it some time out there, and I am sure we will see New Era with extended chassis, MIP with CVD conversions, and Jimbo-Billy-Bob's R/C with CG lowering kits that utilizes a .25 conversion.

nice post. ive never heard of mip transmissions, havent been in rc long enough i guess but i remember all the thorp parts that came out for the blackfoot and now all you can find of thorp is there tools on the mip page. i bought an old rc10 kit a while back and sold it off to a friend hoping he was going to keep it in good condition. well he didnt and it was a waste of a nice kit. not to mention im still waiting to get payed for it.... anyways i like having standadized parts, it seems that when something is standard the price is ussually a little lower than that of unique parts. but i also like innovation, if it works. when the revo comes out ill prolly go to a hobby shop to look at the display model check some stuff out, but i doubt ill get to see one run for a while. ive said b4 that i wont buy traxxas again and that remains true.

when hpi came out with the savage and it used t-maxx wheels and bodies that was the begining of standardizing(is that a word) the wheels and body. quite a few companies use those wheels and bodies now, basicly becuase the aftermarket was already overflowing with them. ive heard the ae mgt is a replica of thunder tigers truck but ive never seen it so i wont make any assumptions, it was funny that ae was the first to put "industry standard" in there ad's rather than t-maxx compatible. ae isnt one of my favorite manufacters either but not becuase i dont like there products, its cuase im a losi guy. lol just like im a chevy guy and dont like fords. since ae is such a big racing company i think they sorta felt... unracey, saying that hey, we use the same wheels that traxxas first thought up. sorta stuck-up like lol. steve, i think its getting time for another mt shootout :D that is once the revo and lst come out and are tested. mgt vs revo vs lst vs mt2 vs savage vs gs sut vs mammoth.... it could go on and on, maybe you could do 2 shoot-outs one for mt based and one for the truggies. just some thoughts im spewing out. lol.

i know its a pretty long post, sorry.
peace

[Genie]

I THINK IT SUCKS!!!
















That we have to wait months to get the REVO

[nitrorush89]

hey wut if they keep it 4 longer

[senvek]

Here! Here! We need a good monster truck shoot out this summer. The MGT, LST, and Revo will all be out and running by July, so perhaps July/August would be a good time. The more I leqarn about this Revo, the more I like it. Equally as intriguing is the seemingly new serious intent of Traxxas. As at one time they were calling engineers to arms, and with most of their models now seasoned veterans and beginning to flounder in sales, it would appear that perhaps the Revo may be the first ground breaker in hopefully a string of new releases from Traxxas over the next couple of years.
One area that seems to be getting a lack of noteworthy attention for the Revo is the functionality of the suspension. Everyone is wrapped up in the push-rod idea, and how spidery smoothe it adjusts, but are we all aware of just how unique the cantilever action is on the suspension? It actually creates exponential spring compression without using progressive springs. The idea of exponential compression is not new, but up to now, it has been achieved by either using two springs in unison, or by literally creating a spring with decreasing density through the coil. The cantilever on the pushrod achieves this without either mechanism. It is brilliant. The nice feature here is that you can achieve the effect and dampering with smaller shocks. Shorter shafts are less likely to bend or bind, and less travel means less wear on the seals. I could go on for days about this machine and its engineering marvel, but the real test will be on the track.
This is a little off the topic, but I would really like some input from everyone, especially Steve: Why doesn't MT truck racing include variable track surfaces? Truggies are glorified buggies. Check out the last issue of RCCA. MGT won, but how many top ten finishers were simply altered Mugens and Kyosho infernos? Why are they competetive? Because they aren't challenged by coarse track conditions like rocks (perhaps some minor climbing), steep hills, and curb-like climbs. Trucks like the Titan, Revo and electrics TXT will not get a chance to shine in the one area they excell: suspension. When do we get to see some real real monster trucking instead of beafed up buggy racing?

[PhsykoManMKAO]

i agree senvek. there needs to be real monster trucking, mud bogs hill climbs tank traps and rocky terrain. in places like that a truggy would never be able to hang with the real mt's