Brian: Yep and again, I will state the LVC is a good backup system to rely on, but as soon as you start seeing your power cutting off and on, you need to stop driving immediatly to prevent over discharging the Lipos' as thats what it sounded like you did initially and then it just grew worse from there. Im not sure about the voltage drops when you get close the LVC, so I won't say yes or no on that theory, we typically stop driving when we notice a big drop in speed.

Me: So you don't think anything was wrong with my setup or where I driving?

Brian: I sure don't think so. Everything looked exactly right and hell, I run with 22/44 gearing on my Flux and i'm running Badlands on another vehicle and I"ve had no such issues and that grassy area from your pics wouldn't definently not cause our batteries on normal conditions to puff like yours did. Unfortuately, I will also state that it really sucks that their is no industry wide standard for measuring and determing Lipo's actually C rating as well as voltage variables and mAH measurements. The brushless and Lipo industry hasn't been around very long and it sucks because due to a lack of agreement upon manufacturers, corporations and the like in regards to Lipo's, the consumer like you, has to find and wade through all the misinformation and garbage to try and determine was it true and what is false or just personal biased opinion.

It also sucks if someone doesn't have a knowledgable local hobby shop to go to for the right information and answers to their questions, especially for brushless and Lipo. They get told the wrong or inaccurate information and they go and unforuantly make an expensive mistake and have to pay for it in the end. What makes it worse is that someone see's them driving or flying a high end Lipo powered product, they get excited and rush and splurge on a expensive setup of either plane, helicopter or car. They don't do their research and find out whats required to run and maintain these high level hobby equipment and the the end result, it broken expensive toys, fustrated and angry customers and empty wallets.

Me: Yeah, my LHS is very good and the guy is very knowledgable, but he's still somewhat new to the the high end monster truck brushless and Lipo stuff, and he pretty much carries and recommends Thunder Power which I've heard are good, but damn they are expensive!

Brian: We along with Thunder Power take our C ratings to a standard beyond what other Lipo makers do and test them to make sure they meet and exceed what we put on our Lipos as far as output, voltage and mAh. Thunder Power does make very good stuff, I will say that other Lipo makers unfortuntely don't go as high in their quality requirements and the customer ends up getting screwed in the end when they fail. Again, feel free to contact us directly and we will help you as best we can in any area that you have questions on, thats what were here for. And I will try to remember you, but to be sure, please call or email me directly when you send your Lipo's back so I can set aside two of the more robust and updated packs when we receive them from the manufactuer.

Me: Wow, thanks so much Brian, I really appreciate it! Until now, your Lipo's were freaking awesome in my Flux, it just flew across the dirt, so I have no complaints against your product and especially SMC now that i've spoken with you twice now.

Brian: Thank you again, and yes, I've watched your youtube video's in that dirt bowl alley place and i've seen your Flux rip and scream across the dirt and it was impressive to watch, its an awesome truck. Thank you again for being honest with us, we do appreciate that as its become rarer and rarer among people AND companies and we strive to be different and better, and please contact us if you have any questions or concerns

Me: Thanks again so much Brian, i'll have to send my Lipo's in around two weeks from nowdue to finacial reasons which is a bit past the 3 month period since I bought them so I was worried about that

Brian: No worries, we will take care of you and get you up and running again with the more robust and updated packs once we receive them.

Me. Awesome! Thanks again so much Brian for your understanding, support and time for me. I know your busy so I'll let you get back to it.

Brian: No problem and again, contact us if you need anything, we want to be their for our customers

Me: Thanks and well keep in touch!

Brian: Thank you Bryce and have a nice day!

Me: You to Brian!

*both hang up*

And as Walker Cronkite so eloquently put it "And that's the way it is...." :D

Thanks to SMC and Brian, I will be taken care of, i've learned my lesson, gained valuble incite and knowledge and looking forward to driving my Flux in the near future with some new SMC Lipos! Oh, and i'll be raising my LVC to 3.4/3.5v