Castle - Make A Special Edition Monster

First, I really appreciate Castle stepping up to the plate to make a reliable ESC for us 1/8 & Monster guys. I am sure all the bugs will get worked out so no worries.

However, I want a manufacturer to really make a true bulletproof ESC for the more serious hobbyist who is more concerned about performance instead of price.

I would gladly pay $500 bucks for an ESC that
1) is easily programmable
2) runs cools without a fan up to 6s with high amp motors
3) has a case design that can handle 40 mph lawn darts over 30 foot triples

I think many of the people buying these ESCs for 1/8s are not as price sensitive as the 1/10 basher crowd who buys their other systems. I probably have dropped $2k on my rc8 conversion in total. I rather just pay it all upfront for one system I know is going to work flawlessly even if it cost more.

I have yet to see too many teenagers or saving up their allowance for their 1/8 conversion. Most of us have jobs, mortgages, wives, and pretty decent disposable income. While I am sure Castle wants to bring it to the masses, much of the demand for these components is coming from guys like me. I am sure many of the flaws we are seeing have to do with the price point of the ESC.

So, Castle design and make us a "Factory Team" Monster where you aren't cutting corners in quality for us racers and guys trying to break speed records. I will be first in line.

[suicideneil]

1. MMM is easily programmable, although the Quark SSB will have a programming box for field use, just like a few of the ebay esc that are around.
2. Almost impossible. Only way to do that is to make the esc huge, and use lots of FETS that are over-rated for 6s 200amp use. Im thinking it would look something like the Schulze things, huge flat pancakes that wont mount in a truck very easily.
3. See above. You could put it in a case like the Quark monster pro, but again, it would be huge.

Seems like what you are after is the Tekin RX8....

[ilpufxit]

I too would pay more if necessary. I've spent a lot of time and money researching and building several brushless conversions. (8ight, 8ight-t, Muggy, E-Maxx and others). Bring on the bulletproof, I'll pay. I understand that toys are meant to break so that the manufacturers can sell us parts, OK but, give me the option of paying all my money up-front and saving the time and frustration and I'm there!

[Arct1k]

I'm pretty sure that the MMM will get to where it hits 1, 2 & 3 once the shutdown issues have been solved and some time has passed for basic/simple "mods" to be perfected.

I think the Monster is close performance wise once the component bugs are worked out. Mine was running really cool and I use a high amp Neu 1512 1.5d on 4s. Mine never got over 150 degrees and that was after the fan broke during a race. I think the case and fan design is a bit weak for racing. I would have gladly paid more for a more durable case. The base of the case should be aluminum so it can be screwed securely to the car or top plate. I would also lose the grill on the top of the case and have the fan screwed directly to the heat sink which is what I am going to do after I get mine back from Castle.

[lincpimp]

Easy cure here for mounting. Make a molded stap arangement that fits over the top and down the sides of the MMM. Have a few feet that have holes so that it can be attached to the chassis. Use some servo tape under the esc for a little shock protection. I would also like to see the MMM have an internal cushoin to protect the lower board from contacting the case. And a really good fan, with bigger bearings.

A stand alone program box would be cool, but it would have to be like a pda with the casle link program on it to offer all of the adjustment, like the throttle and brake curves. Maybe a box or card that can control the std prog menu of punch control, brake %, etc. would be good enough, I never fool with the curves.

[tc3_racer_001]

well... im still a teen in school who has limited money, and very little time to earn it! for me, a $500 esc, while being ALMOST bulletproof, would not be affordable. this is why i congrtulate castle, even with its current temporary problems is an extraordary esc for an even more impressive price!

their products have enabled myself and many other people my age access to this technology and fun.

ryan :)

[jhautz]

I'm with you Edumakted. A factory team edition with some upgrades would be nice. Personally I dont care if it needs a fan as long as the fan actually works and would be easily replaceable without tearing the whole thing completely apart to get at it. The current case is useless for any kind of long term racing use. One of mine is already falling apart and its only been on the track for 2 race days and 3-4 practice sessions. The thing looks like Frankenstein from all the zip ties and mods I have had to do just to keep it together.

I have already started sketching some ideas up in solidworks for an aftermarket case for this thing. I dont have anything really worth doing yet, but I think I'll be able to come up with something that will be an improvement. Right now I'm trying to keep it all plastic. It may incorporate some of those press fit threaded metal inserts so it can be mounted mechanically. I agree with you, this thing is just a little to heavy to be trusted to only servo tape.

Originally Posted by tc3_racer_001

well... im still a teen in school who has limited money, and very little time to earn it! for me, a $500 esc, while being ALMOST bulletproof, would not be affordable. this is why i congrtulate castle, even with its current temporary problems is an extraordary esc for an even more impressive price!

their products have enabled myself and many other people my age access to this technology and fun.

ryan :)

The current version doesnt need to go away. The current version would probably be fine for 75% of the current customers once the bugs are worked out. I think he is saying he wants an option in addition to the current product.

[DRIFT_BUGGY]

I wouldn't pay $500 than only did all that, would expect it to have some sort of solar panel aswell which keeps charging the battery as driving or something

[tc3_racer_001]

it HAS got regenerative brakes... thats better than nothing :D

[Sammus]

Well, on the wishlist why not make it 12s, with a built in BEC that can handle a 20A load, with programmable output voltage.

But seriously, I think it would be tops if there was a BEC that had a built in programmable LVC. It even says in the faq that the ccbec is often used to replace rx batteries with lipos.

[JERRY2KONE]

This issue has been repeated several times by Lutach, ByanG, and a few others who have asked CC for something more user friendly by the more experienced R/C hobby guy. Castle says that they are working on something for that group, but it does not take priority because they know it will not be as big a seller as something like the MMM. Companies like CC earn their profits by selling large amounts of their products, not just a few for the hi-tech enthusiest. So we can wish all we want, but unless someone is willing to put their money where their mouth is thats just not going to happen any time soon. Like stated prior maybe the Tekin RX8 or the Quark mk111 will be the ticket for now. It is nice to have options and this to will happen at some point, but there is still alot of money to be made with the products that are available to us now. From CC's point of view the demand is just not there yet for what you are asking. I am willing to bet if one of the top sponsored R/C racers was asking for this, it would be done. Best of luck with your quest.

My .02 on this subject

for a pricetag of $500 I would expect it to handle 32 cells like the MGM can, that ESC can be run without a fan and be ok...if you could combine the physical abilities of the HV MGM and CCs programabilities...that would put a smile on my face....:-)

Every ESC has it's strengths and weaknesses. I am just saying I would be willing to pay a premium for an ESC that incorporates all the strengths. I guess I am just tired of paying for things that cut corners to keep cost down for the masses. I rather pay for quality upfront instead of having to mod things or buy two or three. You aren't really saving money in the long run.

MGM: I like their design and they run cool. However, the programming and braking seem to need some work

Quark: Really smooth ESC, but has heat issues

Monster Max: Great programming capability, but needs better case design to be really durable.

Tekin: Vaporware...

To me castle is the closest. I know people wanted 6s, but honestly, I would have taken an updated regular Mamba for 4s with a better case design and incorporated BEC. My modded regular mamba worked flawlessly on 4s with the bec except for the crappy plastic case. I think if Castle really challenges themselves, they can come up with a better case design that is more durable and won't exceed the cost that the masses are willing to pay. The current design isn't good for anything except running your truck at 60mph up and down the street which I am sure is what most bashers are going to be doing, but it won't last more than a couple of trips to the track.

Here is what is needed:

1) threaded heat sink, so we can screw the fan directly to it like on the old school Mambas

2) a single piece case that uses screws to access the ESC guts. Not those little wimpy screws from the old Mamba. Has screws that allow direct screwing to the chassis or a top plate.

[jhautz]

Screw it. Why wait for CC to do it. We could be here till we are old and grey witing for that. It sounds like all you really want is a new case thats tougher. Lets just design one to fit the MMM guts, make it and sell it as an aftermarket upgrade. Its not all that hard to do.