PapaRC
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- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
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- Arrma RC's
- Granite
I'm you from a year in the future. I bought the Granite 3S BLX as my first 1/10 scale truck. I'm about to retire my first 3s Lipo battery (probably about 100 charge cycles) and I have some info for you.
First, the good news: I have been, and am still, having more fun than I should be with this truck. Some of my latest shenanigans include launching it from a ramp on my roof, turning it into an FPV vehicle capable of chasing full-size cars down the street, and performing flashy backflips at night using LED lights. It doesn't break easily.
Next, here's my two hundred cents about owning this truck:
1- I bashed it using a 2300 mAh battery and it would last about 20 minutes, which was long enough for me (depends on personal preference, of course). I'll be upgrading to a 3000 mAh battery, and expect that will be plenty. Don't buy a cheap charger. They don't balance the cells properly, which makes the batteries last less long. Also, make sure your battery is rated to handle the 100A continuous current that will be drawn by the truck's ESC. There's simple math involved to determine this.
2- The Spektrum STX2 radio that comes with the truck, to me, is plenty good for bashing purposes. If you want to race the Granite or something, you're going to need more than just a new radio. (Read: this is not a race truck!) Swapping the radio is NOT an essential upgrade if you're just going to be bashing. I've never touched the Tactic radio, but it must be better, because people whine about the STX2 a lot.
3- A Stampede body will fit on the Granite if you drill new holes. Drill the holes on each end 7 cm from each other, and 29.5 cm between each end.
4- I did end up with leaky shocks. However, it's because my baby girl sat on my truck. Swapping them is NOT an essential upgrade until they start leaking. I used ZD racing 8001 and 8002 to replace mine. It's a little bit of work to get them on but they work.
5- My stock steering servo cooked after a month. I tried to have Arrma send me a replacement, but they wanted to inspect my truck, and the cost of shipping the truck to them from Canada was 10x the cost of the servo. I bought a cheap one from Banggood.com and haven't had a problem since. Easy to install, direct fit, 3x the specs of the stock ADS-7M. Arrma customer service is probably better in the States.
6- You really have to pull like a madman to get the power module out of your truck, or you can gently pry it out with a flathead screwdriver.
7- It handles like garbage at full speed. That's what 1/8 scale Arrma truggies are for, I imagine. Slow down before turning, or it'll finish the turn in a barrel roll.
8- I've never owned a Stampede, and can't provide a good comparative opinion.
9- Read on Lipo batteries. They are much more complicated than charging a cellphone. Once you get the hang of it, you'll feel so smart and accomplished.
Have fun! I really do.
First, the good news: I have been, and am still, having more fun than I should be with this truck. Some of my latest shenanigans include launching it from a ramp on my roof, turning it into an FPV vehicle capable of chasing full-size cars down the street, and performing flashy backflips at night using LED lights. It doesn't break easily.
Next, here's my two hundred cents about owning this truck:
1- I bashed it using a 2300 mAh battery and it would last about 20 minutes, which was long enough for me (depends on personal preference, of course). I'll be upgrading to a 3000 mAh battery, and expect that will be plenty. Don't buy a cheap charger. They don't balance the cells properly, which makes the batteries last less long. Also, make sure your battery is rated to handle the 100A continuous current that will be drawn by the truck's ESC. There's simple math involved to determine this.
2- The Spektrum STX2 radio that comes with the truck, to me, is plenty good for bashing purposes. If you want to race the Granite or something, you're going to need more than just a new radio. (Read: this is not a race truck!) Swapping the radio is NOT an essential upgrade if you're just going to be bashing. I've never touched the Tactic radio, but it must be better, because people whine about the STX2 a lot.
3- A Stampede body will fit on the Granite if you drill new holes. Drill the holes on each end 7 cm from each other, and 29.5 cm between each end.
4- I did end up with leaky shocks. However, it's because my baby girl sat on my truck. Swapping them is NOT an essential upgrade until they start leaking. I used ZD racing 8001 and 8002 to replace mine. It's a little bit of work to get them on but they work.
5- My stock steering servo cooked after a month. I tried to have Arrma send me a replacement, but they wanted to inspect my truck, and the cost of shipping the truck to them from Canada was 10x the cost of the servo. I bought a cheap one from Banggood.com and haven't had a problem since. Easy to install, direct fit, 3x the specs of the stock ADS-7M. Arrma customer service is probably better in the States.
6- You really have to pull like a madman to get the power module out of your truck, or you can gently pry it out with a flathead screwdriver.
7- It handles like garbage at full speed. That's what 1/8 scale Arrma truggies are for, I imagine. Slow down before turning, or it'll finish the turn in a barrel roll.
8- I've never owned a Stampede, and can't provide a good comparative opinion.
9- Read on Lipo batteries. They are much more complicated than charging a cellphone. Once you get the hang of it, you'll feel so smart and accomplished.
Have fun! I really do.
thanks again for the great response, can’t wait for my granite to arrive.
