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Traxxas 1/16th E Revo VXL Review

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Traxxas 1/16th E Revo VXL Truck erevo Traxas Velineo Brushless 1:16th Truck mini revo review tested

Should I buy an Erevo Hop ups Tuning Upgrades 50mph 60mph Series Parallel rpm aluminium push rods

Source: Traxxas RC

What Traxxas say...

Traxxas sets the standard for power, performance and innovation. Now, for the first time, all the speed, quality and capability you expect from Traxxas is available in 1/16 scale with the new 1/16 E-Revo VXL. At 14 inches long, E-Revo VXL is about half the size of the 1/10-scale E-Revo. But don't call it a "mini"—this is a whole new category of R/C performance and fun that no mere mini-model can match. Beneath the factory-finished polycarbonate shell, you'll find the winning suspension technology of the seven-time National Champion Traxxas Revo®, screaming Velineon® brushless-motor power, and the convention-busting innovation of the E-Revo.

Full Specs

NEW TQ 2.4GHz Transmitter and Receiver with Traxxas Link™

Ready-To-Race® with included 6-cell NiMH Power Cell battery and charger

30+mph with included NiMH battery, 50+mph with additional NiMH battery

Revo suspension technology for superior handling and control

Full-time 4WD Velineon® 380 brushless motor—largest in class Waterproof electronics

Torque-control™ slipper clutch Sealed differentials Realistic all-terrain tires with foam inserts

Traxxas High-Current Connector Metric hex hardware Rubber-sealed ball bearings

TQ 2.4GHz High Output transmitter with Traxxas Link™

Automatically stores and loads settings for up to 20 Traxxas Link-enabled models—just switch on and drive, "model selection" is not required.
Multi-Function knob
Adjustable steering and throttle percentage (dual rates)
Adjustable steering and throttle sensitivity (exponential)
Adjustable steering and throttle end points
High 13ms frame rate and near-zero latency for responsive control
5-channel micro receiver with dual channel-1 inputs

Race-winning, F1-inspired Revo® suspension technology and E-Revo integrated chassis design, perfectly optimized for 1/16 scale

Traxxas High-Current Connector allows high-capacity battery packs to deliver maximum voltage to the Velineon Brushless Power System

Velineon VXL-3m Electronic Speed Control

LiPo, NiCad, and NiMH compatible with two-stage low-voltage detection
Sport Mode – Forward / Brake / Reverse
Race Mode – Forward / Brake
Training Mode™ - 50% Forward / Brake / 50% Reverse (patent pending)

Velineon 380 Brushless Motor

High-performance sensorless design
High-strength Neodymium magnets
Efficient, high-speed ball bearings
Precision-balanced rotor
Gold-plated 3.5mm bullet connectors

Digital High-Torque Waterproof Micro Steering Servo

Waterproof, o-ring sealed receiver box

Sealed, silicone-filled differentials—an industry first in 1/16 scale

Torque-Control™ slipper clutch system

Telescoping universal-joint driveshafts

Rubber-sealed ball bearings

External gear cover with easy slipper access

Rocker-actuated shocks provide true progressive damping and spring rates

Threaded-body, oil-filled shocks permit fast, precise preload adjustments and deliver smooth, consistent damping

Fiber-composite monocoque chassis

Speed control and receiver are securely fastened to chassis

Integrated battery compartments with intake and exit cooling vents

Quick-release battery doors for fast pack changes

Scale all-terrain front and rear tires offer superior on- and off-road traction

Pre-glued Talon™ tires with high-performance foam inserts

Black-chrome Gemini™ 5-spoke wheels

High-downforce rear wing

Full line of genuine Traxxas accessories available

E-Revo VXL is backed by unparalleled Traxxas support and parts availability

Traxxas E Revo VXL 1:16th Brushless Truck Review

The 1:16th E Revo VXL has taken the RC world by storm this super-fast mini truck has proved immensely popular, with people from all corners of the RC world buying one of these trucks. The 1/16th E Revo uses the same tried and tested chassis architecture as its bigger bother. The kit features an on-board suspension design using push-rods and rockers to activate the internal laid-down shocks. This gives the model a low centre of gravity and has a lot of tuning options allowing you to set your truck off for all surfaces and running conditions. The shaft driven 4wd system is powered by the Velineon 380 4000Kv brushless motor capable of hitting over 50mph when using 2 LiPo packs. Keeping that kind of power in check in such a small and light truck is almost impossible, but huge fun none the less.

To drive this truck is remarkably good, like its bigger brother the suspension gives fully independent damping to each corner and with its low centre of gravity it handles well. It can obviously suffer on the rougher terrain due to its size and long grass will bog it down somewhat. Other than that it hooks up nicely on most surfaces and handles in a predictale manor. The stock springs are a little soft making things feel a bit sloppy, but this can easily be address with some firmer springs and thicker shock oil. Its not a precision racing chassis but it wouldn’t be fair to compare it to a carbon fibre touring car, so we wont. On a single pack the truck feels within its limits, when you start to run it on duel battery packs, big increase in power will make things very lively to the point of uncontrollable.

Its from this hugs amount of power and speed that the troubles come with this kit, running on a single battery pack for just general bashing, the truck is great. Add fuel packs, high speed running and a bit more spirited driving and the shortcomings of this kit will come through. The suspension is a bit too soft and the push-rods are not up to the job with a lot of flex and slop in them. The transmission can also suffer with drive shafts easy to break under heavy load.

The good thing is there are a full compliment of option parts and upgrades available form both Traxxas and other manufacturers. All of the issues with the truck can be easily addressed and put right. For most of us in the hobby working on the model is as much fun as running it and a few cheap upgrades make this truck one of the best on the market.

So should you buy a mini E Revo? If you do any sort of off-road or street running it has to be on your list. For the new comer to the hobby you have a small, relatively cheap kit that is easy to work on and great fun. For the more experienced hobbyist you have a fun truck won’t break the bank and is just a hoot to play around with. This truck seems to have universal appeal in all corners of the Rc world, give one a test drive and you will see why.

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