Losi Desert Truck RTR

[PeterV]

http://www.rccaraction.com//Media/MediaManager/desert truck action.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com//Media/MediaManager/desert chassis2.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com//Media/MediaManager/Desert LEDS.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com//Media/MediaManager/desert taillights.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com//Media/MediaManager/Desert w radio.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com//Media/MediaManager/Losi12T.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com//Media/MediaManager/desert cage.jpg

The Losi (http://www.losi.com)guys are on fire! The Speed-T (reviewed last month) put a street-spin on the stadium-truck formula, and now Losi is back in the dirt with the red-hot Desert Truck.

It uses the same CR-style long-wheelbase chassis as the Speed-T, but adds a full rear cage and baja-style front bumper/grill guard with a cutaway body for a true desert-racer look complete with bulging fenders and functional LED lighting!

AT tires and 6-spoke "bead-lock-look" wheels complete the style makeover, but the Desert Truck isn't just a skin-deep beauty; tech features abound. Aluminum-body shocks and heavy-duty steel turnbuckles with new eyelet-style ends make the Desert Truck fully adjustable, and Losi specs the same MSX digital servo found in the Speed-T. You won't find Losi's Xcelorin brushless system, but you do get a 32000rpm motor, Losi 12T speed control, and a Losi radio system with Spektrum 2.4GHz goodness.

And here's a biggie: the Desert Truck is the first Losi 1/10 truck to get a gear-diff! It's the perfect match for the Desert-T's "more driving/less wrenching" mission.

As copied from Losi's Desert Truck page (http://www.losi.com/Products/ProductGallery.aspx?ProdID=LOSB0102):

1/10 Desert Truck RTR

At a Glance
Only Losi could take the sizzling heat and scorching speeds of off-road desert racing and bring it to you in a ready-to-run, feature-loaded package. The 1/10 Desert Truck takes RTR performance and realistic detail to the highest level with a fully detailed desert truck body, complete with molded front and rear tube racing bumpers, front skid plate, full roll cage, and working off-road lights and taillight. The wheels and tires are even modeled after the full-size versions, completing the most realistic looking 1/10-scale truck on the market. Take the wheel of your own genuine off-road racer with the Desert Truck from Losi.

Features
Functioning Off-road lights and taillights
Molded roll cage and tubular bumpers
Chrome Wheels and realistic Desert Racing all-terrain tires
Revised Suspension with long-travel desert racing shocks
Redesigned Front and Rear Shock towers
CV style Long Rear Dog bones
Losi Radio System with Spektrum DSM 2.4 GHz Technology
Losi MSC12RB 12T Fwd/Rev Electronic Speed Control
Extended chassis accommodates LiPo and NiMH batteries
Low maintenance spider-gear differential
Captured rod ends for less ball pops
Losi 32,000 RPM performance motor

Product Specifications
Scale:1/10
Length:17.5 in (444.5mm)
Width:12.5 in (317.5mm)
Wheelbase:11.825 in (300.3mm)
Weight:3.8 lb (1.7kg)
Chassis:Molded Composite
Suspension:4-wheel independent long-travel shocks
Drive Train:2WD
Motor or Engine:Losi LM-32K Performance Motor
Speed Control:Losi 12RB w/ Forward and Reverse
Radio:Losi Radio System with Spektrum™ 2.4GHz DSM® technology
Servos: Digital
Wheel Size:320-series
Kit/RTR:RTR
Shock Type:Long-travel coil-over, oil-filled
Body:Custom Screened Desert Race truck in four colors (Black, Dark Blue, Burgundy and White)
Is Assembly Required:No

[z-man280]

OMG!


I recant EVERYTHING i said about Losi R&D !!!

THIS THING IS WICKED!!!!!!!

[MattHiggins]

This rig raises one very, very important question. Why heck didn't we cut out the beds like that years ago?! That alone makes a stadium truck actually look like something. When you add the roll cage it takes the truck to a whole new level. Oh, and those lights are pretty scale accessories for any off-road rig.

[z-man280]

This rig raises one very, very important question. Why heck didn't we cut out the beds like that years ago?! That alone makes a stadium truck actually look like something.

I guess maybe because of body posts? Love how it pins from the sides on the rear of the body.

[PeterV]

Added bonus with those side-pins; it looks like the whole body can pivot on the pins to "flip open" funny-car style, so you don't have to fully remove the body for chassis access.

[z-man280]

WHOA!

looking closer i see 6 points for the body! awesome ideas.

[chewie]

you guys complain about the microt and mini t rehashes. this isnt any better than those.. it looks cool but. i forsee the death of losi racing scene way closer than than what i thought

even local hotshot allen horne isnt driving for losi anymore. and thats HUGE.

[88Buckaroo88]

That thing is sick. When they come out with a nitro version I'm deff getting one. Thats a promise. Nice work Losi.

[MrCrash]

That is sweet! I realize that it's just a couple new parts slapped on an existing truck, but it still looks nice!

[z-man280]

you guys complain about the microt and mini t rehashes. this isnt any better than those.. it looks cool but. i forsee the death of losi racing scene way closer than than what i thought

even local hotshot allen horne isnt driving for losi anymore. and thats HUGE.

you're right...i did scoff at all the mini-t/micro-t variations.

I disagree with Losi's demise in racing tho. Losi and AE will always be top contenders on the race track. Just because the local guy quit running Losi doesn't mean they are closing their doors.

Look at Traxxas. How long have they went w/o a racing program? They are selling out of everything they make, and for a good reason. Not everyone races. Some people enjoy just running their cars/trucks around. Traxxas knew it, and cashed in BIGTIME!

Losi took notice, and is doing the same. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Linkster]

Chewie did say the Losi Racing scene not the RTR stuff.

Its a nice looking truck but they really need to release something "New"... Not another variation of what they already make.

[Mini-TBasher55]

Yeah, Losi Racing is definitely dying, but they will stay around as a company like Traxxas. To racers though, Losi is near death.

As far as the car, I love it. Since it came out I've hated the Speed-T, but this thing looks like it has all sorts of nice little touches, like the roll cage and lights. I hope they make versions availible with the roll cage/bumper black like that one close up of the front lights.

If its around $250 I'll get one, but not for anything more...the above average servo and fantastic radio would be the only electronics I kept, so I hope its a decent price.

[chewie]

bet you can retrofit all this stuff on the speed t ROFl

[z-man280]

either way, i think it looks great.

[Linkster]

bet you can retrofit all this stuff on the speed t ROFl

Maybe even a XXX-T CR. ;)

[7urb0_c471]

When I first looked at this, I was disappointed in the lack of real vehicle-specific engineering, and the closed-endbell motor they include. I was reminded by someone, however, that they have spent much money and effort designing the 8ight series. Although I question that (because it was nearly 2 years ago), it makes smaller efforts such as these more understandable.

Yeah, Losi Racing is definitely dying, but they will stay around as a company like Traxxas. To racers though, Losi is near death.

I agree to an extent. Associated seems to be leading the way with Losi trailing, but I am hardpressed to believe that Losi's ingenuity and prowess will lead them to become commercialized RTR manufacturers; racing chassis will outlive their RTR chassis.

[Monsterbrad]

Well all I can say is a bunch of those going around an off road track would just be way to cool.
For me I was tossing the Speed t and the Rustler VXL around leaning towards the Speed T.
Now there is another idea.
This thing with a nice Novak 5.5r in it
that would be awesome

[Kden46]

This Looks Really Kewl!

It seems funny that it took this long for someone to finally get a Race-able Desert/Stadium Truck to actually look like one!

A bunch of these running on a Track are going to look Very Kewl!

Think they will make a Body and Cage set for the T4 ;)

[rhcsavage21]

i think it looks awesome!
sry linkster and chewie i hate to say this, but truthfully your opinions about anything losi makes mean nothing, you guys hate them, and prefer AE.
i have a felling that a lot of these company's not just losi are running out of ideas for innovation.

[PeterV]

C'mon guys, "Losi racing is near death"? Losi is definitely more focused on 1/8 scale nitro, but they're still racing. Don't forget why a company bothers to race: it's to sell vehicles to people who care about racing. Right now, winning races matters for buggy and truggy customers, so Losi is out in force. Racing is not selling Rustlers for Traxxas, so why should Losi bother with a 1/10 electric program if they're trying to sell an XT to the kid who is thinking about the Rustler? Show that kid a Speed-T, a Desert Truck and a XXX-T CR, and I gaurantee you the LAST truck he'll pick is the CR.

I'm not saying you have to like this or agree with it, but just remember that racing is always a promotional tool for selling product. If racing isn't an influencer for a particular product, then a race program for that product is a waste of money.

[Monsterbrad]

I am going to have to agree here
Racing anymore is just to expensive or just to time consuming to go stand at the track all day and run 2 or 3 times.
I am all for all these new trucks and cars and to see people get into this hobby.
I have been running rc cars for almost 20 years and I love it still to this day.
It has become an obsession at this point but it's still one of the best hobbies to be involved in there is always something new.
I like losi and always have since the xx version.
Yeah they have there crappy trucks and cars but who doesn't.
Not to mention that have one of the best Monster trucks on the market and some killer 1/8 scale stuff also.
I like the desert and will probably have one.
I just hope they shared all the XXX components which I have for my racer!
:D just need to throw a brushless in this thing and it will be awesome blow through the yard out on to the street and 60mph down the street
AWESOME

[ElectricThunder]

I'm not over joyed at the revealing of this truck, but it seems like Losi is getting smarter with the diff.:D I like the wheels/tires too. I'd rather buy a Wheely King or something though instead of this. It kinda doesn't do it for me.

[z-man280]

C'mon guys, "Losi racing is near death"? .... Racing is not selling Rustlers for Traxxas, so why should Losi bother with a 1/10 electric program if they're trying to sell an XT to the kid who is thinking about the Rustler? Show that kid a Speed-T, a Desert Truck and a XXX-T CR, and I gaurantee you the LAST truck he'll pick is the CR.



Just what I was saying Pete! Just because they come with something for the everyday basher doesn't mean they are walking away from the track! Traxxas aimed a majority of it's line-up at the average joe, running in his yard, ect. Did it work????

ALL the way to the bank! Everyone else is noticing it too, or else there would be no RTR's, Traxxas, or anything else. Possibly very little for this hobby too. Wonder why prices have actually DROPPED in comparison to 20 yrs ago??? You can thank EVERY RTR out there for that in my opinion.

Losi knows this works, and sells to the masses, to help keep the cost DOWN for their race vehicles. If it wasnt for cars/trucks just like this , your Losi 8ight would cost MUCH more than what you can get it for now.

Not only does this work for them, but for us too. Bashfest is all about what this truck represents- having fun!!!!!!! Think we are the only ones who know that? ;) Not a chance.


Cool truck Losi...I know I will grab one.....

[wlfgnggtr]

Why is it that everytime Losi release a new rc, everybody always says the same thing... Losi isn't focused on racing anymore... Last I checked, Adam Drake just won the Neo 08 race, and Mike Truhe finished second. How is that giving up on racing?? Because they don't release a new racer every 6 months?? Why should they?? The 8 is a highly competitive racer, both the truggy and buggy, and it seems to me that all the new designs are following Losi's lead with the centralizing of the weight. Proline is touting the Lpr tires... Losi had the Xtt's on the 8T a year ago...
For the first time Rc'r Losi has a great selection to choose from. If they like what they buy, and want to race later on, more than likely, they will be buying a Losi race rc...
I for one think the Desert truck is sweet, and yes I will be buying one to go along with the other Losi rc's that I own :cool:

[ElectricThunder]

C'mon guys, "Losi racing is near death"? Losi is definitely more focused on 1/8 scale nitro, but they're still racing. Don't forget why a company bothers to race: it's to sell vehicles to people who care about racing. Right now, winning races matters for buggy and truggy customers, so Losi is out in force. Racing is not selling Rustlers for Traxxas, so why should Losi bother with a 1/10 electric program if they're trying to sell an XT to the kid who is thinking about the Rustler? Show that kid a Speed-T, a Desert Truck and a XXX-T CR, and I gaurantee you the LAST truck he'll pick is the CR.

I'm not saying you have to like this or agree with it, but just remember that racing is always a promotional tool for selling product. If racing isn't an influencer for a particular product, then a race program for that product is a waste of money.

I agree. Although Traxxas does have a race monster truck; the Revo, and I bet the Revo winning helps sell more Revos.:D

I remember first getting into this hobby, and I started off with an RC10T3. I bought it because I knew it was raceable and had won races. Being a dumb kid, I thought," No way dude, this is a frickin' racer, awesome sweet cool yeah woo!" It definitely helped sell me the T3. That and I didn't like the Losi's design.:p

It's kinda funny, because I've never raced any of my RCs a day in my life (including my T3 that I still have). They're all bashers. Go figure huh?

And one other point I would like to bring up; how many people race compared to bash? Losi is going for the market that they know will make them oodles of money. It's smart business strategy. Who are we to blame Losi for wanting to make money?

[jlee]

Would like to see the cage and rollbar available in black or dyeable white. I liked the wheel/tire combo.

[Racer Rob]

Those would be killer to race as a spec class, closed end bell motor, stock tires, and all!

[rccardude04]

I have no gripe with "Losi" focusing on the basher market rather than the racer market. The issue I still have with them is the fact that they will not stop releasing the exact same vehicle, on the same chassis, with minor modifications, over and over and over again. They seriously sit around and think of new ideas that will sell to n00bs and that their sales reps can talk shops into buying. Heck, look at the recycled radio gear from the Slider. And the Dynamite Tazer 12T ESC. There's like nothing new on the truck except for a roll cage, and the lights. Every single other piece appears to be recycled straight off of some other vehicle they have. Please, Horizon/"Losi," stop what you're doing before you put yourselves out of business and leave tons of hobby shops stuck with crap they can't sell/support.

That being said, I really do like how the thing looks. The roll cage is, unfortunately for my argument, quite innovative. The lights are pretty sweet as well. Too bad they couldn't put a midrange sensorless brushless system in it though. Brushed motors should be illegal pretty soon.
-Eric

[Racer Rob]

I have no gripe with "Losi" focusing on the basher market rather than the racer market. The issue I still have with them is the fact that they will not stop releasing the exact same vehicle, on the same chassis, with minor modifications, over and over and over again. They seriously sit around and think of new ideas that will sell to n00bs and that their sales reps can talk shops into buying. Heck, look at the recycled radio gear from the Slider. And the Dynamite Tazer 12T ESC. There's like nothing new on the truck except for a roll cage, and the lights. Every single other piece appears to be recycled straight off of some other vehicle they have. Please, Horizon/"Losi," stop what you're doing before you put yourselves out of business and leave tons of hobby shops stuck with crap they can't sell/support.
-Eric
People just don't get the behind the scenes it takes to make this stuff.

If they use parts they already make, then they can keep costs lower. Lower costs, means more sales. Besides, its less parts hobby shops have to stock to service their customers, which equals better chance of the parts you need being in stock. It all makes sense to anyone who understands how it works. Look at auto makers, they offer the same car/truck platforms, but with different badging/styling. Not only does it give customers more choices, but keeps costs down. Every new part they have to design costs big bucks. You have to pay someone to design the part, then someone to make prototype parts, then pay to test the prototypes, then pay for production pieces to be made. After that, you have to pay someone to package it for re-sale, pay someone to come up with a new part number and enter the part into the system. Multiply that by x amount of parts and you could see why it makes sense to recycle what you have. Horizon owns all or part of Losi, Dynamite, and more, so you use what you have. Who cares if they are recycled parts, they were able to offer it for $229! If its not broke, why fix it. This idea works, and has for years, and will for years to come.

I have zero interest in a normal XXXT but would love to have one of these.

[Monsterbrad]

The XXXT is an excellent truck and has been around for a long time so why not base a new truck off that.
Plus all the parts that I losi guys already have will fit which is awesome.
And I have to say I was the first one that thought about a bunch of these runnig around a track all together would be awesome. :D

[B4 Stealth]

I am really disappointed in the fact that racing is fighting a losing battle. being a die-hard racer for 3 years, I am scared that racing engineering and R&D is taking a dive due to the higher profit of the bashing scene. I haven't scene the lack of performance yet, but I have a feeling that the B5 and the 4X just won't make the same leaps ahead that the B4 and the XXX did. are their any companies out there in the electric racing scene that commit fully to their racing programs??? Even associated is faltering!! I know mugen and serpent are still full race, anybody else??

[nitro_newbie]

this is sick ima get one of these and the tamiya rock crawler too!! yeah!

[Smib]

This is not a desert truck. This is a desert truck body for a 2wd electric stadium truck. Do not want.

[ElectricThunder]

I am really disappointed in the fact that racing is fighting a losing battle. being a die-hard racer for 3 years, I am scared that racing engineering and R&D is taking a dive due to the higher profit of the bashing scene. I haven't scene the lack of performance yet, but I have a feeling that the B5 and the 4X just won't make the same leaps ahead that the B4 and the XXX did. are their any companies out there in the electric racing scene that commit fully to their racing programs??? Even associated is faltering!! I know mugen and serpent are still full race, anybody else??

Yokomo, T-Tech (the people who now make the X10 Predator), Corally, Academy, Schumacher to some extent and I'm sure there are a handful of others.

Those are the only ones off the top of my head that I can think of that produce lots of racing kits with either very few or NO "basher" kits.

[PAJAMAZ]

KUDO'S to LOSI!!!!!!!!! Great idea,looks great,and it's a Losi so we know it will perform great. In real life off-road desert racing is becoming more popular and now just about every Saturday afternoon ( 3:00pm EST.) you can catch a race on the T.V. If Losi set up a tent at a Southern Calif. SCORE event they
would probably sell these trucks like hotdogs! Okay so it doesn't have a brushless system in it, no problem it kept the cost down. If you want a brushless system then go buy one it's a free country. And maybe just maybe
they are holding out to put a brushless system in a 4wd version of this truck in a couple of months...........then what would you say??? Now aint' that a another great idea! I will be picking up two of these sooner or later once I sell some stuff online, then off to the garden center to get some solar powered landscape lights to shine on my track so we can do some off-road racing chasing after one another's taillights on the rollcage (where they belong)!

GREAT JOB LOSI

[z-man280]

KUDO'S to LOSI!!!!!!!!! Great idea,looks great,and it's a Losi so we know it will perform great. In real life off-road desert racing is becoming more popular and now just about every Saturday afternoon ( 3:00pm EST.) you can catch a race on the T.V. If Losi set up a tent at a Southern Calif. SCORE event they
would probably sell these trucks like hotdogs! Okay so it doesn't have a brushless system in it, no problem it kept the cost down. If you want a brushless system then go buy one it's a free country. And maybe just maybe
they are holding out to put a brushless system in a 4wd version of this truck in a couple of months...........then what would you say??? Now aint' that a another great idea! I will be picking up two of these sooner or later once I sell some stuff online, then off to the garden center to get some solar powered landscape lights to shine on my track so we can do some off-road racing chasing after one another's taillights on the rollcage (where they belong)!

GREAT JOB LOSI



best post in this thread yet!

[PAJAMAZ]

Thank you kindly..............

[7urb0_c471]

best post in this thread yet!

quoted for truth. Pajamaz, you're absolutely right. I apologize, Losi -- forgive me my sinful words from before! I had no idea off-road racing was taking off, though:rolleyes:.

[z-man280]

quoted for truth. Pajamaz, you're absolutely right. I apologize, Losi -- forgive me my sinful words from before! I had no idea off-road racing was taking off, though:rolleyes:.

Pfffffffffffffft!:p

[Mini-TBasher55]

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=LOSB0102

I'm actually considering getting one and putting in a Sidewinder. It would be the first Losi car in years to get my attention, but the headlights and design have caught my eye.

[BIGDADDYV]

This is going to be the first Losi truck i actually seek out and buy when it becomes avaibile locally .... I think its a solid looking truck and a has everything that a truck of that caliber needs ...

[Racer Rob]

I am really disappointed in the fact that racing is fighting a losing battle. being a die-hard racer for 3 years, I am scared that racing engineering and R&D is taking a dive due to the higher profit of the bashing scene.

Well the racing scene is dying. Its not what it was even 10 years ago. It plain just costs too much to race anymore. Hence, why bashing is what the industry is counting on to pay the bills. Look at all the tracks that have closed, etc. I have a track in my back yard I built to run with my buddies. I don't go pay to race. $15 to run a total of 20 minutes is a joke if you ask me. (3x 5 min qualifiers, 1x 5 minute main) Plus, you have to spend tons on tires, etc just to stand a chance. No thanks.

Racing was a blast back in the day, racing JRX-2's and RC10's. You ran the biggest knobs you could find that you got a season out of, and roost the crap out of your buddy every chance you got. Now they sweep dirt tracks... and run bald tires :rolleyes:

[dkj-M3]

no one mentioning the gear diff. wish they made one for the gas truck.

[Racer Rob]

Yep I would rather have a gear diff over a ball diff any day.

[rfmtx]

Finally, RC manufacturers are embracing scale detail not seen since the Tamiya Sand Scorcher. When I came across this truck, the first thing I thought of was my long lost Sand Scorcher. I absolutely loved the detail of that vehicle; it also had some get up and go for its day as well as a sealed electronic box so it could run through water and snow. :)

next step, offer this truck in a kit to build

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xPr6voO-F4

[Monsterbrad]

This will be added to my collection for the wife with a brushless system in it.
I am beginning to think about going all electric again :D