Many started preferring bug bodies for their rock crawlers as they would help roll the car back on it wheels. The included radio is your basic RTR type, but it has a nice feel, and I really like the stubby antenna, also that the steering and throttle trim knobs are easily accessible. The receiver and ESC are combined together in an all-in-one unit, and while it is a very compact unit that saves space and weight and does its job well, it is unfortunate that if I want to change receivers to bind to my radio, I also have to add an ESC. The Temper uses a 1/10-scale size servo, so even though the Spektrum servo is a basic plastic gear unit, it is the larger size so it has much more torque than a mini servo, and the size also opens up numerous options. I feel they should be moved inwards for better triangulation, which will help with torque twist and allow for more steering because the tires are about to hit the links as is. The lower links come straight out to the axles. There is such a thing as too much articulation. The shocks and springs are a little long allowing it to over articulate. I almost want to steal them for my other mini crawler! The setup of the suspension is where I feel it could use some work. The blue aluminum links look really nice. They have just a little bit of pack to them. The shocks on the Temper actually feel very good for mini shocks. Steel universals connect the composite sliders from the transmission to the axles, and the diffs are locked at either end, to effectively put power to all four wheels at all times. So you know it is more than stout enough to handle the power from the stock system. I have heard of people using the three gear transmission and modified versions of the axles in their mini class comp crawlers. The stout 4WD drivetrain is a standout feature of this RC crawler. Using smaller LiPo batteries will open up your battery mounting options. I’m not a huge fan of the battery placement, but this is a typical RTR setup. An upper plate holds the battery and ESC in place. Between the plates is sandwiched a skid plate, to which the the transmission is mounted to keep the motor’s weight at the lowest point in the chassis. The chassis is standard for a comp crawlers using twin vertical plates made of shiny anodized aluminum. I’ll tell you this RC is not based off any crawlers in Horizon Hobbies line up, so parts like the transmission and axles are unique to the Temper but since it uses standard sized ball studs, parts like shocks and linkages are transferable and since it uses 12mm hexes, wheels are a standard fit. In this hobby people always want to know, “What’s it based off of?”, since many companies base their vehicles off others in their lineup, and people want to know parts compatibility for potential upgrades. Spektrum High Torque Metal Gear Servo, SPMSS6020, $39.99 When it comes to rock crawlers, more torque is always better.Dynamite Prophet 80W Charger, DYNC2015, $69.99 If you don’t already have a LiPo charger, this is a good starter unit that will come in handy as you advance through the hobby.This will make a drastic improvement in keeping the center of gravity low. Parkzone 7.4V 800mAh Lipo battery, put a servo tray on the rear axle, and mount this battery to the tray with Velcro.However it does have some quality parts, and I just see the potential of what it could be with a little work. I was disappointed in the the steering radius, since a mini will typically run in smaller areas. I feel the suspension could use some work out of the box but I would say the same of any RTR crawler. I think this is a great rig for the first timer, the go-fast guy that wants to try other aspects of RC, or to mess with around the house. All-in-one ESC/receiver means if you change one you have to change both.So while the ECX Temper is a mini crawler aimed straight at the first time driver, I will also be looking at its potential for the more advanced builders too. Hardcore DIY project guys might also look at these cars for potential parts for competition crawlers, and the narrow width of the axles also makes them useful for super-scalers, where you want the wheels tucked in the body. Advanced RC enthusiasts might want to consider one to run around the house when the weather is bad and you can’t run your big cars. Mini crawlers aren’t just fun for the first-timer, though. Mini crawlers are particularly well suited for starting out because they can be run almost anywhere. So it is nearly impossible to get into trouble driving them. Rock crawlers are actually a great way to get acquainted with driving an RC, because they will drive over anything and since they are geared for torque they are not too fast. ECX is a brand that is known for beginner friendly vehicles that make it easy for the newcomer to jump into the hobby.
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