1/18th scale?

[rcracer29]

Just want to know what everyone's opinions are on the 1/18th scale cars and trucks. Are they just a fad are are they here to stay?

[Grizzbob]

Well, they've already been around for 3-4 years now, so I'd say they're here to stay. They're just too much fun to let 'em go away, every bit as tractable & fun as their bigger cousins, but cost less for just about everything(I mean, where else can you buy a good battery pack for $14?)..... :cool:

[Dr_Isotope]

^^^ Agreed. For once something half the sizer costs half as much. $15 battery packs, $100 brushless setups, mounted tires as low as $10 a pair. What's not to like?

[Baja-Destroyer]

1/18th has me out of all other scales right now and its allowed me the extra money for other things for once and more money for things like nice radio/electronics and neat hop ups

[MrCrash]

1/18th was awesome for a while. It seemed like they were fast, durable, and fun.

Then I discovered the LST.

Still, it is always fun to pull out the ol' Mini-T, and drive it till it breaks :D

[Divman]

I've not long bought a TTR ZK2.

Out of the box, its loads of fun, but a small motor upgrade (graupner speed 300) and a bearing set, makes its it huge amounts of fun. I drive my trucks like I stole them (!) so it seems to be pretty durable, in fact i havent broken a thing yet :D

Only other thing i bought was another battery pack.

[suckfish]

well I curentley have been racing 1/18th an it seems more popular than ever.. I would say they are here to stay.. But no way does it compare with ripping a Nitro Monster Truck, or a 1/8 scale buggy over some doubles on the track...

[Legend_Car]

i have three 1/18th 2 mini-ts and one rc18t. My one mini-t is all done up with a mamba, MG servo, MX-3,

[xilix]

I have the RC18T and I doubt I'll ever sell it unless I'm really in a pinch. It's a real blast to drive, and like others said, it's cheap to fix and modify. With an entire carbon fiber conversion at $65 and all the other cheap ways to modify these 18th scale kits, I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon.

[Fat Old-Guy]

My wife recently bought me a Losi Mini LST... its still in the box, I just haven't decided if its reported teething problems are worth the joy yet...

Meanwhile, I bought an RC18MT, while Tower had there $25 off promotion going... $125 for the truck, radio and one battery pack... pretty cheap. It's alot quicker out of the box than I thought it would be, takes jumps fairly well and really only seems to have one glaring weak spot... the open spur/pinion.

I think there will always be a place for low-cost RC... even if that means going down in scale from the Nitro-burning monsters. :D

[BY basher]

The open gears ARE a pain. If you're in the loose stuff, it picks it up. Keep a dental tool handy. Other than that.... :)

[spidude]

No after market guard for that problem yet?

[Fat Old-Guy]

spidude,

There are after-market guards availalble, made from lexan and aluminum, priced at $35-40!!!

I'm going to fashion one of my own, I think. :D

[QUAKE&SHAKE]

My wife recently bought me a Losi Mini LST... its still in the box, I just haven't decided if its reported teething problems are worth the joy yet...



...ITS NOT
I would much rather have bought another nitro MT instead of this hack job losi put out (mlst). Even when they get the gears fixed the plastic used for the other parts is very cheap and breaks on light impacts. It is OH SO SLOW when it does run.

So imo 1/18 is just the more toyish end of this hobby not like the oooh-aaahh get the neighbor kids excited, go anywhere, draw a crowd nitro buggies, MT attention getters.

[desfjr1300]

^^^^True. The sheer size,and sound, of an MT guarantees attention. The little cars aren't without their charms though. I think the onroad's are more impressive as the speeds they can attain with that little Mamba stuffed in them are amazing, and properly set up can handle as well as any 1/10th. And really, what's a MRS4 but a scaled down pan car. I agree the trucks are a little on the toyish side-Maybe future versions will be better but right now they're nothing more than money-sucking hop-up bombs.

[xilix]

I draw a crowd with my RC18T all the time. A trucker the other day pulled up and was asking all these questions about it, wondering how it can be so fast and so small at the same time. And EVERY SINGLE PERSON that sees it asks me if it's gas powered.

My RC18T has broken a few times, but considering the amount of crashes and the severity of them, I'd say it's a tough little bastard. I have no experience with any of the other 18th scale, but the 18T seems to be durable enough, considering it's a little snot rocket that goes over 40mph and hardly ever breaks a serious part. So far all I've broken are upper tie rods.

[ducati777]

Heheh I'm impressed with anyone who can break the RC18T. I've had one for a while and it takes a good 30 mph to even consider a broken part. The RC18T is almost cartoonishly tough. I go through driveline parts a bit, but I consider them consumables like the tires. A brushless RC18T is probably some of the most fun I've had with the hobby. Indestructible, runs for 45 minutes on a charge, as fast as my full size nitros. I'd say 18th scale rocks.

I haven't driven my M18 in a while, but it too is an excellent car. Even more durable than the RC18T, you can roll the M18 across the tarmac all day long and only ruin a paint job. Put a brushed motor in it, electric tape the tires, and have more fun drifting in the garage than you thought possible. (I had trouble drifting the brushless)

I'll agree that I have some fond memories of my nitro MT days. Those things are beasts, no doubt about it. There is a certain magic to seeing an MT engage second gear, lift its inside front in corners, and put up a grip of dust, smoke and noise. But they're also very expensive to run, so yea 18th scale may seem a bit more toyish, but don't let the size fool you, they're really fun. Fun and cheap, yup I hope 18th scale is here to stay.

[adrianderekluna]

they're kind of fun, but that's about it. electric of road is always gonna be electric.

[johnstoys]

To answer your original question, I think they're here to stay -- definitely not a fad. Things may cool down eventually, but right now 1/18th is getting a lot of play just about wherever I see RCers gather. Also -- seems like whenever I'm in the LHS the guys in front of me are getting hopups for their 18Ts, etc.

I resisted for a long time but finally broke down and picked up the RC18T and love it. My kids and I seem to go to the minis first when were bashing around on weekends.

[xilix]

Heheh I'm impressed with anyone who can break the RC18T. I've had one for a while and it takes a good 30 mph to even consider a broken part. The RC18T is almost cartoonishly tough. I go through driveline parts a bit, but I consider them consumables like the tires. A brushless RC18T is probably some of the most fun I've had with the hobby. Indestructible, runs for 45 minutes on a charge, as fast as my full size nitros. I'd say 18th scale rocks.

I haven't driven my M18 in a while, but it too is an excellent car. Even more durable than the RC18T, you can roll the M18 across the tarmac all day long and only ruin a paint job. Put a brushed motor in it, electric tape the tires, and have more fun drifting in the garage than you thought possible. (I had trouble drifting the brushless)

I'll agree that I have some fond memories of my nitro MT days. Those things are beasts, no doubt about it. There is a certain magic to seeing an MT engage second gear, lift its inside front in corners, and put up a grip of dust, smoke and noise. But they're also very expensive to run, so yea 18th scale may seem a bit more toyish, but don't let the size fool you, they're really fun. Fun and cheap, yup I hope 18th scale is here to stay.

I have a buddy with a T-Maxx and every time I've asked him to come bash with me his MT is broken. Either he jumps it off of buildings or the thing just isn't durable.

[Quinton]

Get a Comp X Mamba rc18t and you will know they're here to stay. I've kept up with a friends nTC3 with mine. It moves! Type in "powerhouse" on rc pics.net and you will see one of my vids with some of my rc18t in it.

[QUAKE&SHAKE]

Well you guys saying a BL rc18 is keeping up with your other vehicles must have slow other vehicles or just not hopped-up other vehicles.
What a bl18 goes 40-50 or so. I can get that out of my old rc10L with a rather tame 12 year old 11 turn triple with out dated 1700 battery pack. You can get rtr nitro going 60-70-80mph now for just aroung $400.
So for speed I wouldnt go 18.
For medium/heavy off-road use I wouldnt/couldnt go 18.
For running in the basement yeah an 18 but not a BL18 that would be oxymoronic.
Now that I think about it I dont know why I bought this MLST I hate charging battery for an hour just to get 15minutes of runtime. I do think it will be much more fun with lipo-BL but thats going to wind up costing more than prior mentioned ways to have fun.

[yeeehaw]

I have a nitro 4 tec and I am awaiting to race my dad with his 4tec against my soon to be mamba 8cell rc18t. I just hope I can keep it on the ground lol
I am sure if all handling aside I will beat him, ut the front end has to stay down lol
matt
ps they are here to stay because of their compact size, ease of transport and the cool factor that a 1/18th scal car can out runa 1+hp nitro powered car.

[ducati777]

@Quake, seems like I've been reading the MLST has some problems. I'm hoping it hasn't soured you on all of 18th scale.

If anyone here is considering 18th scale, I think the rc18t is an excellent place to start. Fun right out the box. Then you'll of course get hooked, and end up brushless or some sort of hop up, we all seem to.

Can you go faster? Yea. Can you run over rougher stuff? Yea. Can you burn 50 bucks every time you go run? Yea. See its not that I'm against the bigger scales, I've just found that 18th scale provides more bang for the buck than any other scale I've tried. Its not for everyone, I understand that. But for me, that lil truck was downright addicting.

Sure it takes an hour to charge, but it runs for 45 minutes. Sure if you have a square mile of pavement a TC can hit 70-80, but the 18T will hit 40 as quick as it can find traction, which can be 50 feet or less. The punch on a mamba is just unbelievable. Its the first car that I've felt had enough power. I've never pulled the trigger and not had enough juice, I usually warn people to not attempt full throttle.

I guess the point being, everyone has their own style. I've owned numerous cars, trucks, planes and boats. I'm not a racer, I like to wake up on a Saturday morning, plug the car in, make breakfast, then go bash for 45 minutes on my charge. After 45 minutes of continuous running, I'm usually ready to pack it up. If not, go get lunch and rock out again. No starting, tuning or watching temps. Just rock out whenever and wherever you feel. Inside, okay, outside, okay! Chase a cat, or a car, you'll catch both.

Now its not like I sold my other 2 cars when I bought the RC18T. They all have their moments of fun. My underlying point is even if you don't like 18th scalers, a whole heck of a lot of people do. I sure hope its here to stay, with Toshiba hinting of 5 minute charges on Lipos, and brushless tech keeps improving, the RC world could get really really fun. Heck it already is really fun, but there's always room for improvement.

[Jato9]

so if I decide to get a mini what should I get. A kyosho half 8 or the rc18t ang get a buggy body. I already have a 1/8 kyosho buggy and love it. just kind of thinking of getting something to play with in the house and what not.

Thanks Jake

edit or the 18b?

[xilix]

Well you guys saying a BL rc18 is keeping up with your other vehicles must have slow other vehicles or just not hopped-up other vehicles.
What a bl18 goes 40-50 or so. I can get that out of my old rc10L with a rather tame 12 year old 11 turn triple with out dated 1700 battery pack. You can get rtr nitro going 60-70-80mph now for just aroung $400.
So for speed I wouldnt go 18.
For medium/heavy off-road use I wouldnt/couldnt go 18.
For running in the basement yeah an 18 but not a BL18 that would be oxymoronic.
Now that I think about it I dont know why I bought this MLST I hate charging battery for an hour just to get 15minutes of runtime. I do think it will be much more fun with lipo-BL but thats going to wind up costing more than prior mentioned ways to have fun.

A brushless Comp-x RC18T with an 11.1v lipo has been confirmed at 61mph, and that was with a completely stock RC18T suspension, gearing and tires. Put some nice foams on there, lower it, change the gearing, and I bet you the $400 RTR nitro just met it's match. Sure the diffs will wear slightly faster than a 1/10+, but at 40+mph an 18th scale car feels just as fast at the transmitter as a nitro belching 1/10 scale that tears through the 70+mph barrier.

Off-road these trucks ROCK. I dunno about your MLST, but my RC18T goes anywhere I tell it to go and it never puts up a fuss. On average I get about 25 minutes of runtime and that's with a 6800kv and gp1100's. A pack of 3700's would easily boast a 45+ minute runtime. 45 minutes of 40-50-60+ mph tire shreading speeds. High mah Lipo boasts even better runtimes.

Don't get me wrong. The bigger scales are fantastic, and I have my eyes on the 1/8th Nitro buggies for spring, but c'mon. These 18th scale trucks truely are amazing at achieving what they do. And I firmly believe that they're one of the most important catalysts for this hobby to come further into the forefront. Their low price and bang for the buck is a fantastic way for someone to say "hey, screw it, I'm gonna give this hobby a try". And the more people who are in this hobby, the cheaper this expensive addiction gets for everyone.

[apollo]

does anyone here own one of those 1/18th nitros? if so how are they

[xilix]

They're suppose to ship this week. They only rake in about 30-33mph though. You can check out X-Rays site. It looks like a motor with wheels. Wild looking.

[cooleocool]

I too, do not think that the 1/18 scale category of the RC hobby will be going any time soon. It's a great way to get people into the hobby and it's still fun for people like me who have been in the hobby for a great many years.

I recently bought a Mini Quake to add to my fleet and am very happy with it. Sure it cannot keep up with my brushless Rustler, but for its size it is pretty darn fast. With a brushless system you're looking at fifty plus mph with a car that is barley bigger than the remote that is used to control it. That's pretty darn impressive in my book. Plus the fact that I can drive it indoors is a nice. Sure they may look a little "childish," but who cares what other's think. This is our hobby... Why be ashamed.


Just my take on it...


-Tom

[suckfish]

well I've got 2 mini T and MLST .. I bought the MLST right off the ups truck @ the lhs.. so far i've had great luck with my truck.. the ball cups i simply put seran wrap on the balls and havent had one fall off since.. I put a slipper and a ball diff in.. and all the gears have held up fine.. It also has the Insane motors truck is darn fast and this little truck jumps better than anyone of the other 1/18 out on the market.. I race most weeks so I'd say i see a good varity of trucks.. I really like these Mini's as others have said they can be sick fast 6800kv MAmba in my Mini T , it's just stupid fast for something so small.. But winter is going away and then the real fun begins NITRO.. but being able to drive something on a indoor track all winter will hopefully pay off this summer..

[suckfish]

^"and I bet you the $400 RTR nitro just met it's match. Sure the diffs will wear slightly faster than a 1/10+, but at 40+mph an 18th scale car feels just as fast at the transmitter as a nitro belching 1/10 scale that tears through the 70+mph barrier."

xilix that 1/18 on a dirt track against a nitro belching 1/10 would get killed hands down. And driving a Nitro Monster Truck is no way comperable to the same feel. I'll be happy to let you drive one of mine this spring to see the difference first hand.. and you will be hooked N I T R O N I T R O

[suckfish]

Don't get me wrong. The bigger scales are fantastic, and I have my eyes on the 1/8th Nitro buggies for spring, but c'mon. These 18th scale trucks truely are amazing at achieving what they do. And I firmly believe that they're one of the most important catalysts for this hobby to come further into the forefront. Their low price and bang for the buck is a fantastic way for someone to say "hey, screw it, I'm gonna give this hobby a try". And the more people who are in this hobby, the cheaper this expensive addiction gets for everyone.
Heck I'll let ya try my Hyper 7 buggy too.. it's all good the more the merrier

[xilix]

Well I was talking straight up pavement racing in a straight line. In the dirt I could see a bigger scale running past simply because it can handle the terrain without bobbling so much.

I'd love to try out one of your nitro's dude. Lemme know when. I'm lookin at the Ofna MBX or LX.

[Dr_Isotope]

As has been mentioned before, go with one of the Associated RC18s-- parts are cheap and readily available, and aftermarket support is insane. Just go with the 18T and put the Parma X-citer buggy body on it-- I think it looks better than the Associated body (and I have the 18B).

[QUAKE&SHAKE]

@Quake, seems like I've been reading the MLST has some problems. I'm hoping it hasn't soured you on all of 18th scale.
Then you'll of course get hooked, and end up brushless or some sort of hop up, we all seem to.


Can you burn 50 bucks every time you go run? Yea.

I guess what would really be nice is a company to come out with a RTR BL 1/18 vehicle. Cause for me it is speed thats lacking as is.
My 4 other vehicles all go at least 40 so thats what Im use to. I really shouldnt rip the mlst cause its just growing pains (1st batch blues) and the issues will be taken care of.

About burning $50 every run. That must be a traxxas vehicle:)