Electronics Reviews
R/C
Airtronics Blazer Sport w/ 91402 servo -- radio system
When I first got started with my Traxxas Bandit, I was fairly clueless about everything and anything in particular. I asked one of the moronic salespersons at the hobby People in Encino what radio I would need to complete my kit. After he pointed at the Airtronics M8, I asked if they "had anything...cheaper." He then reluctantly pulled out a blue box containing the Blazer Sport radio system. After installing it in My Bandit, I have been very pleased with its performance. While the 91402 servo is a bit low on torque, its fine for bashing duty, and a gear has not yet stripped after months of abuse. I like the feel of the wheel more than my other radios, but I think a nice rubber grip would've been a nice thing to include. Nevertheless, the range is great (until, of course, you rip up the antenna wire on the receiver), and I haven't had any glitching. While the M8 would've been nice, I'm getting along just fine with a great, entry-level radio.
Duratrax ESC-100 -- esc
Don't even think about buying this esc. Just don't. Firstly, let me begin by saying that Duratrax has a fairly bad track record for their cheap electronics as well as their plastics, with the exception of the Streak esc. The ESC-100 was built in a partnership between Duratrax and Futaba, and was probably the cheapest esc on the market at the time, with a price of $35 on Tower. I'm not going to waste my time telling you about the controller, but I will tell you these major points: It's big. It's heavy. It's poorly built, with a poorly installed 35A fuse and cheap wiring. It is jerky. It has a 27t limit. It broke in a 5 mph curb collision. Finally, and this is the most damning thing that can be said about it: It's Duratrax.
Futaba MC230CR -- esc
There are two thing's that you'll notice about the MC230CR when you open the package: It's pink, and its small. While the pink ain't great, the size is excellent. It's very light, and the size makes it easy to fit in any car's chassis. It has one setup button, and beeps indicate the status of the setup procedure. My only real gripes with the controller are the rather stiff wires and the lack of one-touch setup. However, it performs smoothly, and has several noteworthy features. Instead of engaging reverse immediately after shoving the trigger into the reverse position, it puts the car into brake. This is extremely helpful for those of us with lead fingers, and it also reduces the stress on the drivetrain quite a bit. Return the trigger to neutral, then into reverse again to initiate reverse. However, the best feature of this esc, in my opinion, is the fact that it beeps when the switch is in the "On" position but there is no signal from the transmitter. It helps you remember to turn off the car as well as the transmitter. The MC230CR is a great, if somewhat expensive, entry-level or stock racing esc.
LRP Runner Digital plus Reverse -- esc
After my Duratrax ESC-100 quit on me, I decided that I was not going to have to deal with another cheap-o speed controller. After a bit of persuasion from the morons at Hobby People, I spent $50 on an LRP Runner. Before I say anything else, let me say this: This esc is NOT the most well-featured esc that can be purchased for the price. However, should you want a bombproof controller, this is it. It has a 17t limit, thermal overload protection, circuit protection, and some other stuff I won't bother mentioning...it's all at Tower, anyways. After installing the Runner in the Bandit, I left it alone for a few days, until I decided to get a 19t Chameleon 2 Pro. After deciding on Duratrax PowerPoles for my connectors, I soldered them onto the motor wires of the Runner. Even with my piss-poor soldering, the Runner came out with out any problems, and has been performing flawlessly since. It has gotten extremely wet, extremely hot, and, in one memorable incident, packed full of sand and then doused with a health serving of salt water. After a cleaning, it worked just fine. It turns off motor capabilities when it senses moisture, so my stupidity did not end up costing me. Finally, the Runner, as all LRP electronics, has a lifetime guarantee. Go for it, man.
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