Even though their history prior to 2016 involved tweaking/improving rebranded China generics pretty much across most of their line, the Gen 8 was designed, developed and prototyped in the USA by Redcat. It's not a cookie cutter generic by any meansRedcat cant' hold a candle to Traxxasss with TRX4. Don't let that Axe system fool you. This Gen 8 is way overpriced. The Gen 8 hype fizzled out.
The Axe system is flawed. HW doesn't sell many. So they are offing it to Gen8 Redcat.
Understand that i am not a Traxxas fan. But I am into Crawlers...I have different brands including a TRX4 hand me down giveaway.
Redcat may work for you though.
Redcat is a China rebranded product co. The Gen 8 was originally plagued with issues. Who would invest into a more expensive version because it has BL and other "goodies". Redcat has not improved the Steering geometry and a few other tranny output shaft issues. But if you like the way it looks on the shelf that's ok.
If you look inside the receiver box the names of the engineers are molded into the plastic. Nice little touch, I think.
Engineers names?????
My hard earned dollars would never go to Redcat again. My son received his first Redcat as a gift from a relative when he was very young. Perhaps being a stepping stone for him was a consolation. My son is 10 and he now drives his 6S Noto. pretty well. But Rcat parts and breakage and then parts on B/O. Dealing with RCat on the phone. Nitpicking with me. Waiting months for ordered parts. I ended up buying a second one for the parts. I did the math. It was cheaper to buy another. Truly not a Hobbyist grade company to me. IMO. Many people love them. Something for everyone guess.
The Gen 8's HW Axe system is only 2300KV. It is a 540 Can motor( $111.00). The 2700KV and 3300KV (550 can motors) optionally available motors are $130.00 from HW USA Direct. You are stuck with an Axe motor or change out the Axe ESC and motor combo for another type/brand. I think most crawlers including the Gen 8 would benefit from a 2700KV and higher motor, if "brushed" motors are not an option for you.
My point is that although the Gen 8 Axe incorporates an expensive ESC/motor combo, it is a closed system. And perhaps limited in many regards considering its a $500.00 Crawler from Redcat, a company with poor support. I can't fault Redcats efforts. But effort doesn't always equate to success. The first Gen8 was a mess. Sales petered out well after the much hyped release a year ago. So they needed a gimmick to make a new one at $500.00.
A 550 can does fit in the Gen 8. I have a Holmes Hobbies 550 brushed motor in my Gen 8.The Gen 8's HW Axe system is only 2300KV. It is a 540 Can motor( $111.00). The 2700KV and 3300KV (550 can motors) optionally available motors are $130.00 from HW USA Direct. You are stuck with an Axe motor or change out the Axe ESC and motor combo for another type/brand. I think most crawlers including the Gen 8 would benefit from a 2700KV and higher motor, if "brushed" motors are not an option for you.
And, does a 550 Can 2700kv and 3300kv Axe motor even fit in the Gen 8? I think probably not. Do I have to buy a Gen 8 Axe to prove my point?
I welcome opposing views with proof to back it. I am not always right. Just posing the argument to those with an actual Gen 8 Axe and have had experience with many other different Crawlers from RTR to build kits.
The concept of a RTR Crawler with a Brushless is innovative. Other brands will probably join in and that's a good thing. Holmes Hobbies all the way. But I'm more into his brushed line of motors. They are unequaled in the industry.
Stay away from the low end stuff and you will be fine. The Gen 7, Gen 8 and Team Redcat models are all I would even look at. Everything else is cheap China rebrands.
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