Which e-buggy is best?
 

So I'm in the market for an 1/8 e-buggy, I don't really want to go conversion route since there are plenty of buggies out there right now that were designed as e-buggies. Im looking for something decent but I dont really want to pay a fortune either.

Right now the Hot Bodies Ve8 looks like the best bang for the buck at ~$299 and has the option of running brakes or motor brakes plus I believe the slipperential will fit it.

The Ofna Hyper 9e also looks good and is a bit more money at around $499, but I dont think I can run the slipperential in it.

The brushless setup I'm thinking of running would be the MMP on 4s with a Tekin buggy motor.

Let me know what buggy you guys are running or what you would suggest.

I would go for the Losi 8ight-e.

Not really partial to Losi's personally, plus they are expsensive, I think the 8e race roller is like in the $750 range, and I certainly can't afford that. Thanks for the tip though, what is your second choice?

One of the top nitro guys at the local track had a 8ight-E and didn't like it, he just showed up with a Ve8 last weekend and loves it.

What I have read about the Ve8 is that its a good buggy especially for the price. A big complaint is the short battery tray, but I have a couple neu batteries that will fit.

You could consider the RC8e which costs $375 @ TH. I believe Ryan Maifield runs a (upgraded of course) RC8e or maybe and RC8 conversion.

I have a RC8Te since recently and it's great!

Those 8ight-e 2.0's can be had for 650, but that comes w/ an esc and motor. Buy a 8ight 2.0 roller and convert yourself and save money or buy a tekno 2.0 kit and the rest on ebay and save even more if you wanted the losi.. I love mine and won't be changing for at least another year... at least.. If I didn't have a lot of spares and a full setup already for next year I would go for the Ve8 myself.. the battery tray is small but the hyperion cx packs fit perfect and are more than enough for a MMM combo or similar (4s 5k setup).

There are three things that I wouldn't be able to tolerate on the Ve8 if I had one. The fact that it has a plastic chassis, the fact that it has a the battery and motor on the same side, and the issue with the battery tray being small.

I like my 8ight because there are so many tuning options you can do to it that can't be done on other buggies. There's the smart diff, spool insert, and front one-way. You can also set it up for onroad using the proper spring rates and shock towers.

Not to mention that it is extremely reliable. My 8ight has been in my posession for over two years and it was bought used. Over the last 6 months i have raced it through about 40 qualifiers and 15 mains (including two 30 min mains) with just one dnf in a 6 minute qualifier, which wouldn't have happened if I was using the stock wheel axles.

I have a Hyper 9e and a converted Xray 808 and I can't decide which one I like better. They are both great, the Hyper is a bit more twitchy, which can be fun an the Xray is super smooth and light.

Thanks for all the inputs, I think im gonna grab one of the Ve8s for the price I can't beat it, plus Amain has 10% off, free shipping and a free t-shirt this weekend so I can get it shipped for $270.

Just a quick question... are we able to run nihm batts instead of lipos on e-buggies?

Sorry for the stupid question.

They really are not good enough for 1/8 applications..




PS Towerhobbies has the ve8 for even less w/ the 60.00 coupon and free shipping if you are a member.

Thanks, stum for the quick reply.

Am leaning towards the Losi 8ight-e 2.0 and thought i'd ask coz i have only ran my Cyber 10B with nihm batts.

Thanks again.

Trying to run Nimh in an 1/8 application is asking for trouble. Pick yourself up a decent lipo pack like a Hyperion pack or if you are on a budget a zippy pack and you are all set.

My Vote is for the Hyper 9E, love mine !!!

The Losi 8ightE is a great platform but the Exceliron Sucks.

Noted with thanks, FastXR :)

Guess I better start reading up on lipo maintenance and more.

It's time well worth spending. You'll find that lipo is actually cheaper than nimh in both the short and long run. A Zippy flightmax 4s 3000 mAh 40c lipo setup, which is what I will be using (just came in the mail) will blow away any nimh setup by far, will have similar runtime (enough for 10 min main), can be charged in less than 12 minutes (with a powerful enough charger), is 13oz, and cost $37 for the pack itself. If you don't mind spending about $15 more you can get a slightly heavier 4s 5000 mah for the 15-20 minute mains. There are plenty of options from hobbycity.com.

Thanks, SpEEdyBL. Am only afraid of the maintenance part of it. Am pretty sure they're great seeing how many are/have been using them.

Well its done I ordered the Ve8 on A-main should be here by the end of next week, but I probably won't do much with it til the spring, when I need it (Yah right, im gonna tear the box open like a kid a christmas).

Looks like Christmas came early for someone :mdr:

I guess it will be more of a pre christmas present and maybe for Christmas Santa will bring me a nice new MMP, Tekin T8 1400kv and a bunch of 6s lipos :D

Wish I had one coming :) I'm working on trying to get a Ofna DM-1 though, already have the tekno conversion.. just need the actual kit now.

I thought about conversions, but have been down that road already so for this one I figured I might try buying a kit where all of parts are designed to fit LOL. It'll probably boring, maybe I'll do a nitro conversion on it.

You should also consider Caster Racing electric buggies and truggies, in particular their pro kits. While not as popular as other brands, they are on par with team kits and well priced. Parts are available readily from casterracingusa.com store for those in the US, and it's a purpose built electric 1/8 so no messing about with conversions.

Performance wise they are very balanced due to two battery laydown config, which may be bad or good depending what batteries you already have. Pro buggy $365 and pro truggy $450.

Thanks for the info, I ended up buying one of the Hot Bodies Ve8s, which still cheaper than the caster, it should be here by the end of the week, wooo hoo.

Ve8's are great like the D8 it was based off, just beware of the composite parts breaking in bashing crashes and cold weather.
Check this thread for more info from RC-monster members about Ve8 here http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23835
But adding bracket to protect batts from pinion is a definite must.