New traxxas castle mamba monster extreme?

[BrianG]

I was out doing laundry tonight and got bored, so I started thinking about what possessed Trx to require an iDevice (why I decided to ponder this unimportant topic of all things is beyond me). I realized my beef is not so much about the Apple device requirement (even though I dislike their products), but the need to get anything to fully use what I bought.

I assume they chose an Apple product because they are standard sized with standard hardware, so it's easier to develop a standard interface. I can also understand their desire to program the the telemetry interface for iOS since it's a more controlled environment. Not to mention there are so many implementations of Android on so many hardware versions that support and ensuring compatibility would be a chore.

What I DON'T get is why any device is needed to unlock the ESC? Require the device for added features like touch-interface, data storage, telemetry, etc - not a "great" idea IMO, but understandable. But don't limit the base functionality without that optional device. So I have to buy an otherwise unrelated product to use what I already paid for? Kinda like buying a 1:1 car with a V6 engine, but 3 of the pistons don't fire unless you hook up some Bose Acoustimass home speakers to the stock headunit.

Some people argue that even a current CC system requires the optional Castle Link to "unlock it", but that argument is baseless. It's more difficult, but you can program lots of stuff via the old fashioned transmitter way. You aren't buying a crippled device that only the CLink can unlock - it's just a finer tweaking tool. Big difference IMO. Other people argue that you have to buy better batteries for current setups to get the full capability. Baseless again. It's not like the system is intentionally crippled until it "knows" you are running lipos, it just allows it to run better.

OK rant over.

[FG101C]

Originally Posted by Pdelcast

Yeah, but it PALES in comparison to the rides at Traxxas.

I've seen at Traxxas in the parking lot -- Viper ACR, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 430...

And at HPI -- Ferrari Enzo

My Nissan just doesn't compare.

So that's where the driver of that Lamborghini works. Seen it a few times while on my route.

Who else thinks those Revo diffs won't be able to handle those speeds?

[ta_man]

Originally Posted by BrianG

I was out doing laundry tonight and got bored, so I started thinking about what possessed Trx to require an iDevice (why I decided to ponder this unimportant topic of all things is beyond me). I realized my beef is not so much about the Apple device requirement (even though I dislike their products), but the need to get anything to fully use what I bought.

I assume they chose an Apple product because they are standard sized with standard hardware, so it's easier to develop a standard interface. I can also understand their desire to program the the telemetry interface for iOS since it's a more controlled environment. Not to mention there are so many implementations of Android on so many hardware versions that support and ensuring compatibility would be a chore.

What I DON'T get is why any device is needed to unlock the ESC? Require the device for added features like touch-interface, data storage, telemetry, etc - not a "great" idea IMO, but understandable. But don't limit the base functionality without that optional device. So I have to buy an otherwise unrelated product to use what I already paid for? Kinda like buying a 1:1 car with a V6 engine, but 3 of the pistons don't fire unless you hook up some Bose Acoustimass home speakers to the stock headunit.

Some people argue that even a current CC system requires the optional Castle Link to "unlock it", but that argument is baseless. It's more difficult, but you can program lots of stuff via the old fashioned transmitter way. You aren't buying a crippled device that only the CLink can unlock - it's just a finer tweaking tool. Big difference IMO. Other people argue that you have to buy better batteries for current setups to get the full capability. Baseless again. It's not like the system is intentionally crippled until it "knows" you are running lipos, it just allows it to run better.

OK rant over.

You don't have to buy an iDevice to unlock it: you can borrow one, download the app, unlock the ESC, and give the iDevice back to its owner.

According to Traxxas, unlocking is a one-time thing and does not require continued presence of the idevice.

If needing to buy one was your only gripe, its gone.

wow!First off excellent job from traxxas and an even better but expected great job from castle !!!Waayy outta the box for traxxas but.......this set up is a recipe for problems i.m.o whats the problem you ask?$1000$ PLASTIC!!!!! after this goes 100mph you will be in debt with the vegas mob.Ive had traxxas for years and this set up belongs in a ofna gtp 2e carbon fiber set up not traxxas buddys.this car will go 100ft then flip flop into a pile o'plastic tooth brushes springs and bearings wait for it wait for it poof boom theres the lipos burn this 1000$ headache into a plastic cookie! although, the speedo is to me as valuable as alien technology.castle's in kahoots with mamba martians

[Unsullied_Spy]

I want the chassis, suspension, and the motor but not their lipos, radio, or a neutered ESC. If I've got some spare money (highly unlikely) in the next few months I may look for a roller but that all depends. I've got plenty of room to go run one and I'd like to have an onroader that handles but the XO-1 comes with too much baggage IMO.

Originally Posted by anunaki

wow!First off excellent job from traxxas and an even better but expected great job from castle !!!Waayy outta the box for traxxas but.......this set up is a recipe for problems i.m.o whats the problem you ask?$1000$ PLASTIC!!!!! after this goes 100mph you will be in debt with the vegas mob.Ive had traxxas for years and this set up belongs in a ofna gtp 2e carbon fiber set up not traxxas buddys.this car will go 100ft then flip flop into a pile o'plastic tooth brushes springs and bearings wait for it wait for it poof boom theres the lipos burn this 1000$ headache into a plastic cookie! although, the speedo is to me as valuable as alien technology.castle's in kahoots with mamba martians

Glad some people around the world said verbatim what i said.Scary do some forum monitoring this was said by someone on another site "looks like a niko toys r.us tyco chassis"now dont get mad at me for my opinion,but we all know this thing will sell if it were $2000 once you show100mph on .......

Originally Posted by anunaki

Glad some people around the world said verbatim what i said.Scary do some forum monitoring this was said by someone on another site "looks like a niko toys r.us tyco chassis"now dont get mad at me for my opinion,but we all know this thing will sell if it were $2000 once you show100mph on .......

a nascar track banked to stop wind. a nascar track is a artificial environment for a rc car commercial advertizing a plastic 100mph 10 pound rc car take that plastic dohickey to 3 random parking lots and speed test it hahaaahaaaa.have your hobby shop on speed dial.it'll sell though

[Unsullied_Spy]

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...-On-Road-Sedan

Wow, I actually forgot about the GTPs. Makes the XO-1 look a bit silly the more I think about it.

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by Unsullied_Spy

Wow, I actually forgot about the GTPs. Makes the XO-1 look a bit silly the more I think about it.

Yeah, but the xo1 is 1/7 scale and the ofna is 1/8 scale. Having one less scale will make the traxxas much faster and more reliable. Need proof? 1/1 scale cars are very reliable and have way faster top speeds than r/c cars. The less scales the better.

Seriously though, with the gtp available buying a traxxas on roader makes as much sense as buying an $1100 hdmi cable.

[crazyjr]

Patrick, Are you saying the sensors are in the esc? I know temp and RPM will, but speed? How can you adjust for other vehicles?

[molak]

How is speed measured?

[DwightSchrute]

Originally Posted by molak

How is speed measured?

Speed is measured by calculating the distance you have gone and how long it took you to get there. speed = distance over time

on a side note, I think this new car looks cool but i think people are loosing sight that 100+mph for a speed vehicle isn't exactly uncharted territory. there are a handfull of us here and one vorza in x-treme rc magazine that can go into the triple digits for alot less money and still retain it's versatility with an 1/8 buggy.

in my mind all they are proving is that a 4x4 can break 100. there has been video of a few doing well over 90 on youtube for over a year. throw enough gear at it with a 1515 and there you go. you could probably do it fairly easily with a 2400 combo as well.

i too might try to find a roller, but i think the price tag of a grand is flat out silly.

Traxxas. The fastest name in radio control. Meh..... I would be much happier with: Brand X. The most reliable and durable name in radio control.

Seems to me all that Traxxas and HPI care about is what ridiculous number they can put on their boxes next to the mph. I am just over it. I can easily buy a better motor, better ESC and more powerful lipos to make my car go quick. What I need is a car that isn't going to fall apart or have it's drivetrain turn to dust. A car that is soundly engineered and even maybe a little over-engineered. Using Revo diffs was such a stupid call. They struggled in my E-Revo on 4S. Myfriend has even managed to destroy couple in his Slash 4x4. Now I know that was off road truck but the XO-1 will have a 1717 motor and running 6S. I see many people destroying a diff before they get through the first few days of owning this car.

Originally Posted by BIG-block

Traxxas. The fastest name in radio control. Meh..... I would be much happier with: Brand X. The most reliable and durable name in radio control.

Seems to me all that Traxxas and HPI care about is what ridiculous number they can put on their boxes next to the mph. I am just over it. I can easily buy a better motor, better ESC and more powerful lipos to make my car go quick. What I need is a car that isn't going to fall apart or have it's drivetrain turn to dust. A car that is soundly engineered and even maybe a little over-engineered. Using Revo diffs was such a stupid call. They struggled in my E-Revo on 4S. Myfriend has even managed to destroy couple in his Slash 4x4. Now I know that was off road truck but the XO-1 will have a 1717 motor and running 6S. I see many people destroying a diff before they get through the first few days of owning this car.

good point big block goood point.

Originally Posted by BIG-block

Traxxas. The fastest name in radio control. Meh..... I would be much happier with: Brand X. The most reliable and durable name in radio control.

Seems to me all that Traxxas and HPI care about is what ridiculous number they can put on their boxes next to the mph. I am just over it. I can easily buy a better motor, better ESC and more powerful lipos to make my car go quick. What I need is a car that isn't going to fall apart or have it's drivetrain turn to dust. A car that is soundly engineered and even maybe a little over-engineered. Using Revo diffs was such a stupid call. They struggled in my E-Revo on 4S. Myfriend has even managed to destroy couple in his Slash 4x4. Now I know that was off road truck but the XO-1 will have a 1717 motor and running 6S. I see many people destroying a diff before they get through the first few days of owning this car.

Completly agree, the car itself just looks a bit dull and cheaply made.
Im sure traxxas has the biggest profit margin on their car than any one else in the rc business.