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Losi 1/10-scale Comp Crawler Race Roller

rcgawker — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:07:05 +0000

Incorporating real engineering elements from full-size rock crawling competition, the 1/10 Comp Crawler represents the pinnacle of RC rock crawling design. Every part, every feature and every inch is designed to mimic real-world competition platforms, resulting in the most advanced 1/10-scale radio control crawler ever developed.

The list of innovations that make the Comp Crawler an RC revolution is long, and it starts with a solid foundation. The Twin Vertical Plate (TVP) chassis with adjustable upper shock mounts offers unbeatable stability and rigidity in a durable, lightweight design. The result is confident handling over any terrain and outstanding suspension articulation. And Team Losi Racing has gone one step further, by offering this innovative crawling chassis pre-built and tuned right out of the box. All you have to do is add the electronics of your choice and paint the included Lexan Grappler Pro body.

Team Losi Racing’s Comp Crawler is the first rock crawling platform in the industry to offer a revolutionary front and rear “dig” transmission. The use of an optional third channel setup allows the front or rear drive axle to be disengaged, locking the wheels in place and acting as a steering brake for precise lateral movement on and over obstacles. The transmission case has been fitted with adjustable servo mounts that will allow for the use of most “mini” servos and includes an aluminum servo arm. The third channel on a 3-channel radio (such as the Spektrum DX3R) allows the full use of the DIG transmission, and also requires a micro servo installation for actuation. If you do not have a 3-channel radio system or extra servo, there is no need to worry – the Comp Crawler will function with full-time 4WD with our without a dig servo hooked up.

The solid axle setup on the Comp Crawler offers a significant reduction in flex for improved performance. Inside, the axles utilize a worm gear drive for outstanding precision in throttle control and maneuverability. Another benefit of the worm gear drivetrain design is the elimination of the “torque twist” commonly found in shaft driven rock crawlers. As a result, the Comp Crawler stays in contact with the ground for uninterrupted grip.

The Comp Crawler features a 4-link suspension layout that offers 70 degrees of suspension articulation. This specially designed 4-link suspension setup is used in combination with the Twin Vertical Plate chassis to reduce axle swing and eliminate side-to-side movement for increased steering and maneuvering precision. 7mm diameter aluminum suspension links are hard anodized and triangulated to the center of the chassis for better balance front to rear when the suspension starts to twist. 4-inch aluminum threaded shocks with titanium nitride (TiNi) shafts allow the suspension to articulate without any binds.

Designed with the demanding conditions of competition rock crawling in mind, the steering system on the Comp Crawler provides precise control as well as class leading performance with 45 degrees of steering throw. The front caster blocks feature 10 degrees of caster and the spindles are attached with heavy-duty steel king pins. The steering geometry also allowed Team Losi Racing engineers to raise the main steering link closer to the axle housing, giving the Crawler additional clearance when approaching obstacles.

Just like full-size crawlers, the 1/10 Comp Crawler utilizes functional beadlock wheels with aluminum outer rings. The functioning beadlock allows for the tires to maintain more contact and traction, while the aluminum outer rings provide evenly distributed pressure for unbeatable tire mounting. Losi’s National Champion Rock Claws 2.2 Tires come mounted on the beadlock wheels, complete with foam inserts. The added ground clearance from the Rock Claws tires makes conquering any and all courses easier.

Features:

COMPACT FRONT & REAR LOCKING (DIG) CENTER TRANSMISSION ALLOWS THE CRAWLER TO OVERTAKE OBSTACLES WITH EASE
FRONT AND REAR SOLID AXLE WITH WORM GEAR DRIVE
FRONT AND REAR LOCKED DIFFERENTIAL PROVIDES FULL TIME 4WD
4-LINK SUSPENSION MINIMIZES REAR AXLE SWING,ALLOWING FOR MORE PRECISE HANDLING
3-PIECE 2.2″ BEAD LOCK WHEELS WITH ALUMINUM OUTER RINGS
2.2 LOSI ROCK CLAWS TIRES WITH FOAM INSERTS
4″ ALUMINUM THREADED SHOCKS WITH TITANIUM NITRIDE (TiNi) SHAFTS ALLOW THE SUSPENSION TO ARTICULATE WITHOUT ANY BINDS
DURABLE CV FRONT AXLE SHAFTS ALLOW FOR INCREASED STEERING RANGE
TWIN VERTICAL PLATE CHASSIS WITH ADJUSTABLE SHOCK MOUNTS
ZERO ACKERMAN STEERING PROVIDES CLASS LEADING PERFORMANCE WITH 45 DEGREES OF STEERING THROW
ALUMINUM UPPER AND LOWER SUSPENSION LINKS FOR ADDED STRENGTH
RACE ROLLER CHASSIS IS PREASSEMBLED; SIMPLY ADD ELECTRONICS, PAINT AND GO

Losi TEN T – “The Most Advanced R/C Car.”

rcgawker — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 03:13:36 +0000

“The Most Advanced R/C Car.- says Popular Science” The new 1/10th scale Losi TEN T is one of the coolest new cars to come out since the traxxas T-max. This new RTR truggy is packed with new innovation and performance. Losi’s revolutionary Remote Onboard Starting System (R.O.S.S.) and Spektrum’s DX3S radio system with integrated Telemetry means you can not only start your RC car with a touch of a button on your remote, you can also see the speed temperature RX voltage and more. All this and a spectrum radio to boot.

The engine is a jaw dropping 3.4cc 34000 rpm with a beautiful ionized aluminum heat sink.
Some of the main features of this truggy are..

Threaded, Anodized Shocks
The TEN-T’s big-bore, 12mm machined aluminum shock bodies are blue anodized for smooth operation and wear resistance. Threaded shock collars offer easy yet precise adjustment of pre-load and ride height. Shock pistons and bladders are specifically designed for the TEN-T’s chassis design and weight provide optimum ride and handling.

2-Shoe Clutch
The TEN-T’s 2-shoe clutch is based on Losi’s race-oriented clutch design for incredible durability and acceleration. Whether you’re racing on a track or tearing up the backyard, the clutch design will give you the power you need.

4mm Tie Rods with Captured Ends.
We’ve designed the TEN-T’s tie-rods with captured ends to stand up to extreme impacts and virtually any terrain you’ll encounter. Captured rod ends prevent accidental disconnection and keep the suspension solid and reliable.

Black Anodized Aluminum Chassis
Precision formed and machined from 3mm thick premium aluminum alloy, the TEN-T’s chassis provides a rock-solid foundation for unbeatable strength and stability. The chassis plate features a black anodized coating for increased durability and resistance to the elements.

Losi Digital High-Torque Steering Servo
The Ten-T’s high-torque digital servo gives you incredibly strong, fast and precise steering response and control.

I would not be surprised to see this as the next big movement in RTR Nitro cars. The bar has been raise again!

Overdrive 2.2 Comp Weighted Beadlock Wheels

rcgawker — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:43:43 +0000

When it comes to rock crawling you need a good set of tires and a cool set of wheels. The is a comp ready beadlock wheel with 3 offset, each wheels comes with 3 hub and 2 copper weight rings. These wheels not only preform great they look awesome!

* CNC machined billet aluminum
* Weight with Copper Ring: 208grams/7.33oz
* Weight without Copper Ring: 108grams/3.8oz
* Width without ring: 27mm/1.06inch (one wheel)
* Width with ring: 38mm/1.49inch (one wheel)
* OD: 2.2inch
* Offset: Max, midddle and min.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell RC Car

rcgawker — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:28:08 +0000

This Hydrogen Fuel Cell RC Car Upgrade Kit is one of the coolest RC cars kits I have seen in a long time. It is pricey though, hopefully when these hydrogen fuel cells become more common place the price will come down to earth.

The H-cell is a unique integration “upgrade” kit for electric hobby R/C cars, designed as a drop in unit that can fit inside widely available Tamiya TT-01 type chassis. The H-cell system designed by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies includes a 30W air-cooled, air-breathing and self-humidified PEM fuel cell stack with integrated bright blue light-emitting fans and a sleek aluminium casing. The integration kit also includes electronic controls, a miniature pressure regulator and three 10L metal hydride canisters in a hydrogen storage rack. At maximum power output and with a single charge, the H-cell can run the car at 35 km/h for over 1 hour, as opposed to just 15 minutes with the conventional Nimh battery.

, creator of the H-racer, has unveiled an exciting new application for Radio Controlled, 1/10th scale model car enthusiasts. Named the H-cell, Horizon’s integration kit upgrades battery-electric R/C cars to next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The H-cell kit is designed as a drop in system for the widely available TT-01 type chassis from Tamiya. The advanced H-cell kit is now being shipped, and a US$1500 refuelling system that uses industrial hydrogen gas is also available.

It comes complete with a hydrogen fuel cell power unit and an adaptable, futuristic body shell. The heart of the kit combines an ultra-compact air-cooled, light emitting PEM fuel cell system, and a scaled down fuel storage system that can safely carry up to 30 liters of solid state hydrogen. With the H-cell, passionate hobbyists can transform their cars into futuristic looking, zero emission fuel cell power concept cars reaching speeds of 22 mph (35km/h), ultra-capacitor induced acceleration, and 4 times more power autonomy (60-70 minutes) over conventional rechargeable battery solutions.

The H-cell offers passionate hobbyists and professionals the opportunity to discover zero emission fuel cell vehicle mechanics on a 1/10th scale. It’s a very sophisticated and technologically advanced product. With the H-cell, we can envision the start of a new category of R/C hobby ‘concept cars’ that have a very different proposition to Nitro-gasoline powered trucks or buggies, said Taras Wankewycz, Horizon’s Vice President.

Horizon is the first company to introduce consumer fuel cell products on a global and commercial scale, and is now focused on enhancing the power output and functionality of its applications.

The new power system for uses a scaled down system configuration applicable to portable power solutions, or real-size vehicles, Wankewycz explained. The H-cell will encourage innovation in refueling concepts and develop a practical network of small-scale hydrogen distribution, an essential step for many applications to be powered by fuel cells. Horizon is already working on making such solutions viable and economical.

Vintage RC car ads, remembering when.

rcgawker — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:42:43 +0000

Vintage RC cars are hot property, ask any RC cars collector. The older the car the better it is.
Since the modest beginnings of modern day RC hobby till date, a lot has changed in terms of aesthetics and performance. Technology itself has evolved over this period of time and has been so for the betterment of the hobby and as per the wish of its aficionados.

Though the latest gadgets are in they have certainly not replaced the good old vintage RC cars. The nostalgia of wriggling around with a late 70s or early 80s radio controlled car is way too much to handle for some of the devoted enthusiasts who have been into this hobby for probably as long as the hobby has been around.

If you have a place in your heart for old vintage RC cars you will love these vintage RC car Ads

Want to see more?! check out http://www.vintagercweb.com

History and of the RC Car

rcgawker — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:33:51 +0000

The 60’s  R/C cars started in the mid-sixties. Pioneers made 1/8th scale pan cars using .19-cubic-inch 2-stroke model airplane engines. 1 Around 1967, companies like

WEN

, Model Car Enterprises, Dynamic Models, and Associated started to produce car “kits”.

The 70’s  Besides disco, this was also the era of 1/8th scale “gas” powered R/C cars. Companies such as Wencon, Control Technology, Delta Systems, Dynamic Models, and Model Car Enterprises produced cars such as the Wen Car, Scorpion, Delta Dash II, and the MCE car.

Powering these cars to incredible speeds were two-stroke, internal combustion engines mounted on an aluminum chassis. These engines used fuel made of a special blend of nitrogen, methanol, and lubricant.
Electric powered cars started to emerge in 1974. WorkRite and Leisure were some of the companies that produce these electric powered cars.

In 1976, Tamiya Inc. released their very first R/C car, the 1/12 Scale Porsche 934 Turbo. This was powered by an electric motor with a pan chassis and direct drive transmission.

Three years later, the first 1/8th Scale On-Road Gas World Championship was held in Geneva. Phil Booth, from England, was crowned World Champion driving a PB Racing car.

Cars in the 70’s were designed to run on-road, such as smooth parking lots. followed up the Porsche 934 Turbo with others such as the Lamborghini Countach, Toyota Celica, and scale Formula 1 cars such as the Ferrari 312T3 and the Tyrrel P34 Six Wheeler.
The release of the Tamiya Rough Rider in 1979 brought a new dimension to the hobby. The car was capable of running in off-road conditions such as dirt, rocky terrain, and water. It had a die-cast suspension system and large rubber tires.

Immediately following the Rough Rider was the Tamiya Sand Scorcher. Both cars are now collectibles, sometimes fetching over a thousand dollars in eBay.

These off-road cars could be run anywhere. In backyards, rough parking lots, or baseball fields. Little did anyone know that this would start the R/C craze in the 80’s.

The 80’s These were the fun years of the hobby. The 80’s saw an explosion in the popularity of the hobby, most notably in the 1/10th scale off-road category. This was an era when you could expect to see 400 competitors in a major race.

The 80’s also saw World Championships, held every two years, for the 1/12th scale on-road electric cars. In 1982, Associated Electrics became the first 1/12th Electric On-Road World Champion.

1985 was the year of the first IFMAR 1/10th Electric Off-Road World Championship. Again, Associated Electrics won with the RC10.
This was also the year that Tamiya surprised everyone by introducing a 4-wheel drive (4WD) buggy called the HotShot. This was the first true off-road racing car from Tamiya. It was faster than its 2WD predecessors, especially in slippery and dusty conditions.

1986 was the year of the first IFMAR 1/8th Gas Off-Road World Championship. 5 These were awesome 4WD beasts capable of speeds of 40 mph, off-road!

By 1988, 4WD off-road cars exploded in popularity. Top electric cars were the Schumacher Cat (1987 World Champion), Kyosho Optima Mid, and Yokomo C4.

In 1/8th Gas, the Kyosho Burns 4WD took 2nd place in the 1988 IFMAR World Championships.
This year also saw the emergence of a new class, the 1/10th electric on-road racing cars. These lightweight cars had incredible power-to-weight ratio, capable of circling oval tracks at speeds in excess of 40mph!

In 1989, cars went even faster. At the Encino velodrome, a 1,000 feet bicycle track, Kent Clausen drove an electric RC10L to an incredible one lap average speed of 57 mph!

The 80’s were truly the best years for the hobby. Crowned were World Champions in 1/12th scale electric on-road, 1/10th scale electric off-road, 1/8th scale gas on-road, and 1/8th scale gas off-road.

The 90’s  The decade of speed. Kent Clausen drove an electric RC10L to a staggering speed of 70.1 mph at a bicycle track. This heralded a new type of racing, Superspeedway. Here, cars are run in large oval tracks, sometimes in bicycle tracks 1000 feet long.

At the second International Electric Drag Racing Association World’s Drag meet, in 1992, electric cars covered 132 feet in 1.8 seconds at speeds over 75 mph.

This time also saw the emergence of 1/10th scale gas cars and trucks, such as the Serpent Impact and electric trucks modified to run using 2-stroke engines.

1992 was the inauguration of the first IFMAR 1/10th scale electric on-road World Championship. Held in California, USA, the event was won by Joel Johnson driving a Trinity Evolution 10.

By 1993, 1/10th scale electric truck racing was popular. What started out as monster trucks for backyard bashing, these racing trucks are as technologically advanced as their buggy counterparts.

There was a downside to faster speeds. Battery, motors, tires, and cars became more advanced. Money became an issue, and to an extent, a necessity to win races.

To make racing more affordable and fun, parking lot races were organized. It was a move back to the origins of R/C car racing of the 80’s. Fun was the name of the game.

It is worth noting that Tamiya started to introduce scale and realistic looking cars similar to real cars that we drive everyday. These would eventually lead to the popularity of “touring” cars in the year 2000.

1994 saw the arrival of 1/10th scale gas trucks. Associated released the RC10GT, and Tamiya the TR15T. This was also the inaugural year of the Tamiya Racing Championship in the USA, set to promote low cost racing.

1995 saw the first IFMAR 1/10th scale I.C. On-Road World Championship. This was won German Michael Salven from a company called Serpent.

1996 saw the trend towards smaller scale cars. Tamiya had the mini series, cars that were technically 1/10th scale but had dimensions similar to a 1/12th scale. The Roadrunner GTO 962 was a 1/12th scale, 4WD touring car. BRP released a 1/18th scale on-road truck.

In 1997, the first Kyosho World Cup was held in the Philippines. With 30 teams from 17 countries, the winning team came from the Philippines. These cars were 1/10th scale powered by 2-stoke gas engines. Adding to the realism was the 1-hour long race, which included several pit stops for refueling and repairs.

Touring car mania was on. Companies such as ABC, Associated, HPI, Kyosho, Losi, OFNA, Roadrunner, Schumacher, and Tamiya produced over 40 different cars to choose from.

1/8th scale on-road gas was a domination of an Italian driver, Lamberto Collari. He won 5 straight IFMAR World Championships from 1989 – 1997. The car was a Serpent Vector with a 2-speed transmission and a 3.5cc engine. Racing speeds were in excess of 70 mph!

1999 saw the rise in popularity of gas-powered cars. Off-road gas buggies from Mugen and OFNA. Tamiya even joined the gas car craze by producing the TG10 Pro.

2000 Present The year started of with Atsushi Hara winning the 2000 IFMAR International Scale Touring Car (ISTC) Electric World Championship for Japan.

2002 was a shocker, when Surikarn Chaidejsuriya of Thailand won the 2002 IFMAR ISTC Electric World Championship, driving a Tamiya car. It was a surprise because this was the first time a Tamiya car has won an IFMAR World Championship.

The Future of R/C The fun hobby of R/C is currently experiencing dwindling interest and slow growth. Does the future look grim for the hobby? Will it, like a fad, eventually die out? Personally, I believe that this hobby is too much fun to die out.

As to the future growth of the hobby, I believe in the concept of “self-fulfilling” prophecy. If we predict that the hobby will grow, subconsciously our actions will lead towards achieving that goal.

As a mere hobbyist, what can I, or we do? Well, we can start by helping out newcomers and beginners by giving them helpful advice. And that is the main motivation for me in writing this book. To help newcomers, and see this hobby grow and exceed the glory years of the 80’s.

The next step would be to organize low cost, non-competitive, and fun racing events. The idea is for us to all experience the fun of racing, win or lose. And for newcomers and beginners, you can help the hobby by inviting your friends to get into the fun hobby of R/C cars.

Sources:
1. rccartips.com
2. Steve Pond, Radio Control Car Action Magazine, January 1990, p. 108
3. rcvehicles.about.com
4. Robert Schleicher, Model Car Racing, 1979, p. 95
5. www.tamiyausa.com
6. IFMAR Web site – http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ifmar/
7. Steve Pond, Radio Control Car Action Magazine, March 1989, p. 66
8. Rich Hemstreet, Radio Control Car Action Magazine, January 1990, p. 58
9. Mike Ogle, Radio Control Car Action Magazine, November 1992, p. 120
10. Mike Ogle, Radio Control Car Action Magazine, January 1993, p. 168
11. Radio Control Touring Cars, Fall 1997, p. 32 – 43

Crash your RC car like a Superstar.

rcgawker — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:30:35 +0000

I laughed out loud when i saw this. Look at the expression on the drivers face. He is crest fallen. I have never seen a car break in half.

Ok one more got to love the slow motion crashes.

Venom Creeper review

rcgawker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:08:05 +0000

Venom is best known for their electronic accessories, batteries, motors, and other tidbits, but the Creeper is Venom’s first venture into the kit market. And what better way to kick off entering the kit segment of the hobby than with a competition ready crawler? In my opinion, Venom made a wise decision and jumped into the right market at the right time. There’s no argument that rock crawling is making a big impact on the RC hobby, but will the Creeper make a big impact on the RC crawling segment of the hobby?

Features
Give ‘Em The Shafts - Venom’s included VC drive system provide smooth operation throughout the suspension’s range of articulation and steering. The drive shafts are composed of steel shaft ends and ball joints while the main slider shaft is composed of the same glass filled nylon as the rest of the kit. These shafts are lightweight, helping keep the CG low, and are also durable for punishment on the rocks. Venom uses the same style joints in the axles to provide maximum steering angle, up to 40, while still maintaining smooth operation and durability.

Wheel Weights - The Creeper features a unique wheel weight system that other crawlers don’t offer. These beadlocks are capable of receiving Venom’s optional wheel weights (available separately) for added tuning and traction. Each wheel is capable of receiving six weighted inserts, available in both 1.3oz and 2.5oz increments, allowing for a total of up to a pound per wheel.

Lock ‘Em Up - One of the coolest features on this rig is the lockable differentials. A sliding mechanism on the outside of the axle housing contains a shift fork on the inside that engages the red anodized locking ring. The red anodized ring slides back and forth to engage the three locking pins into the differential bevel gear and thus locks the differential for some serious crawling action. As an optional part, Venom offers a remote locking kit (VEN-8347) to allow you to lock and unlock the differential on the fly.

Some good rc rock crawler videos

rcgawker — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:39:06 +0000

If you ever thought about getting into rc rock crawling here are a few videos that might inspire you. It’s amazing to watch these trucks climb what looks to be impossible angles and rocks. Your Traxxas Revo would be on it top attempting this

Pro-Line 1.9″ Chisel Rock Crawling Tire

rcgawker — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:42:10 +0000

Like the larger 2.2-inch version, the new 1.9-inch Chisel rock crawling tire is molded in Pro-Line’s exclusive G8 compound. This compound was developed specifically for crawling and offers solid traction and an extended tread life. The 1.9 Chisel features additional sipes and tread enhancements over the 2.2-inch version that should help in side hilling and overall climbing ability. Pro-Line also includes its 1.9-inch memory foam. Let’s see how these tires perform.

I mounted the Chisels up on Pro-Line’s new Titus 1.9 inch weighted Bead-Loc wheels. They come pre-vented and have a total of 4 oz. of weight per wheel. These are a 3-piece design and as a true bead-lock, no glue is required. 12 screws are used to retain the outer ring.

The 1.9-inch Chisels bead fit in the Titus Bead-Loc wheel perfectly and I was able to easily and quickly mount up the tires. Removing the weight from the rear rims was as simple as removing two rubber O-rings holding in the weight. Since I was testing these wheels on a Losi Mini Rock Crawler, I went with 4 ounces in each front wheel, and no additional weight in the rear.