I would probably use a 7.4V Rx pack rather than a regulator - I do the same with my 1/8th - good suggestion.

killajb, I'll get in contact about that if my search proves fruitless. Is there any real difference between the two versions?

The XO1 version is more effecient due to newer guts

Redcat should do a shortcourse truck based on this.

I see Arct1k, I'll have to look out for one of those. Anyone have any favourite US-based shops that does this kind of stuff?

There are a lot of people parting out xo-1's on eBay. Might be able to find a UK seller.

After doing a search I came up with 1 XO-1 motor, and they look very sought-after looking at the completed listings. The total price (by the time it's imported and including an MMM) is getting on for that of an XL2 combo...

In the UK, I seem to be struggling to find the one I found yesterday, but it was over £220. Add to that the cost of an ESC and again we're into XL2 money.

Killajb, I may well have to take you up on your offer...

That whole biz about prices and importing stuff sux.. In an ideal world, an XO1717 and MMM shouldn't cost much more than an XL2 controller. Check ebay again as I spy an XBE with an XL2/Leopard 5698, 8S worth of batteries and the likes for what would be a good deal considering you'd have to buy all that stuff separate PLUS a new XBE to start with. Or... if you wanna start fresh and new and still want the 1717 I'll save it for ya.

Just found that XB-E (had to go onto the US site to find it...). Problem is that the buggy can be bought in the UK for £420 new, and even at UK RRPs, the XL2 combo is ~£380 from the US, and I won't use the batteries with it. Even so $1100 isn't bad, but I'd hate to think what the shipping will be (probably +£100 at least) and then import tax (20% + ~£15 on top of that). Total would be about £687 + £100 + (£787*0.2) + £15 = £959.40 as opposed to a UK XBE and a US XL2 which would be ~ £800-850. And that's with Castle's 2028 instead of a Leopard.

My other option is to go for an MCD RaceRunner or one of the new FG Short Course trucks. Both are a bit more than the XBE, but neither will need parts changing, and they both have clear bodyshells. In the UK, the distributor for both FG and MCD is really good, so an MCD V4 rolling chassis starts at £530, and a complete RTR petrol FG is well under £1000. I may well start with an engine and then go brushless when the big stuff is a little more widespread and reliable. Run times also bother me a bit.

Beware of posting actual prices here.. it conflicts with RC-Monster sales. In any case, it's good to see a mathematical representation of the "Suckiness" of price differentials between here and there. Wish we had XBE(UK) prices here and you folks could acquire Castle products for US prices there.

Thought about MCD's offerings before. Before 7075RC came out with their upgrades that is.. In my humble opinion.. too heavy and gonna need full 2028 power on 8s to push that thing around. Clear bodies? Yeah, that's a bonus. Some other bodies fit the XBE well if you poke around those other forums a bit.

I have a 5ive-T awaiting an ESC, so I am all-too-familiar with the larger offerings. They seem to spank all the other FG, Nutech, and MCD models handily when all are run close to stock. That said, I find my XBE easier to sling around my makeshift track faster. Just my $:intello:0.02

I think what i like most about the Rampage is that it very much looks and works like an 8th scale buggy. Such an easy platform design for maintenance, very simple.

Wish they weren't $700+ for the XB-E. I wish they sold a rolling chassis, or kit form version of it so you could fill out your own electronics.

Kershaw Designs sells rollers

Yes and no. I get the sense that they are buying them as RTR's then stripping the components out to sell the rollers. If thats the case I'd rather buy brand new RTR and strip/sell the stuff myself. The rollers would have to be in the $500 range before I'd consider them from Kershaw.

Yeah, he strips them, and you don't save much.

Everyone that buys one loves it. I want one now!

I've been quietly starting my own XBE bandwagon since I purchased one after they first came out. Have a baja clone and a 5ive-T but the XBE is by far my favorite. Converting my losi to brushless is put off repeatedly cuz I could well-equip another XBE for the cost of a quality esc alone. There may be a few anomolies out there, but for the most part I think all XBE guys feel the same way.

Marvin, im not sure if you have purchased a car yet but have you thought of getting an FG especially as now they have electric conversion available. You could also use the SKY RC 1/5 scale setups to save some cash here are some links.

You could pick anyone of these models from very basic and RTR to all out comp models
http://rc-car-online.de/shop/en/97-fg.html

The conversion kits
http://rc-car-online.de/shop/en/2814...-supplies.html

I use all castle gear in my 1/5 conversions as well as NEU motors but you could also give SKYRC a go.

Here is a link
http://www.skyrc.com/index.php?route...product_id=161

http://www.skyrc.com/index.php?route...product_id=141