Thumper01
Active Member
My idea for this thread is to try to bring together all of the Arrma Granite Voltage owners and try to form some sort of consensus regarding this vehicle. The wide range of ownership experience with this truck so far is staggering. It doesn't seem that the Fazon Voltage has had the same variety of differing opinions up to this point (more on that in a minute).
So I guess I'll begin with my personal experience so far. My Granite Voltage is stock aside from a metal gear steering servo. I've been primarily running it on an older Venom 4000mah 20C 2s lipo. Lipo really wakes this truck up, IMO.
Although top speeds aren't staggering, I feel like this thing is very quick for having a 20T brushed motor. Handling is pretty amazing for this segment (2wd 1/10 monster trucks). I think the mid motor design has a lot to do with the great balance in air as well as the sharp steering. At times I think it has almost too much steering, lol. That's not something that can be said for any other two wheel drive monster truck that I can think of!
The suspension is definitely on the firm side, but I feel that the foamless tires aid in soaking up bumps and landing jumps. It drives a bit bouncy but not so much so that it becomes hard to drive or the handling is difficult to predict. The tires seem adequate and are up to the task for where I've been driving (driveway, side yard with short mossy grass, a little gravel, pine needles).
Durability wise, my Granite Voltage has been fantastic. Although I wouldn't say I've been excessively hard on this little guy, I've definitely put it through its paces. I've landed quite a few jumps very poorly as well as hit a tree mid-air a handful of times - with zero breakages. Perhaps the mild power and speeds this truck reaches in stock form are at least part of it's toughness. The chassis and suspension components (especially the A-arms) seem very durable.
I haven't yet experienced the drivetrain issues or electronics issues that many others have. This area is what I was referring to by my thread title. It seems quite a few people have suffered diff outdrive problems as well as faulty electronics. However, I don't see the outdrives being a problem with the Voltage Fazon owners. I'm thinking the smaller diameter tires relieve a great deal of stress on the drivetrain. There's a lot less rotating mass and therefore lot less stress transferred upstream upon landing on throttle or hard launches, etc.
In reading through some of the other threads, it seems there's been some heat issues (a melted motor mount!). This looks to be a problem when people try to run this truck on a 25 tooth pinion (which it seems Arrma leads you to believe is an acceptable gearing based on the pre drilled 25t slot in the motor mount). I have a hunch this is really only intended for the Fazon since it uses the same chassis, and therefore the same motor mounting plate. Arrma should definitely be a little more clear about this. While I'm griping, they should also publish ESC specs (especially motor turn limits and voltage thresholds). I have no idea what motors this ESC can handle, or if it's possible to run on 3s power (probably not recommended!)
That about sums up my ownership experience thus far. I've really been enjoying driving this truck. It's honestly kind of refreshing having a vehicle that doesn't do 40+ mph, lol. Being that the jury is still out on drivetrain strength, I'll probably leave mine in stock or close to stock trim. I feel that I've had a better-than-average ownership experience so far and would recommend this RC to first timers or those on a tight budget. I hope I don't have to come back and eat those words, lol.
What do y'all have to say about this truck?
So I guess I'll begin with my personal experience so far. My Granite Voltage is stock aside from a metal gear steering servo. I've been primarily running it on an older Venom 4000mah 20C 2s lipo. Lipo really wakes this truck up, IMO.
Although top speeds aren't staggering, I feel like this thing is very quick for having a 20T brushed motor. Handling is pretty amazing for this segment (2wd 1/10 monster trucks). I think the mid motor design has a lot to do with the great balance in air as well as the sharp steering. At times I think it has almost too much steering, lol. That's not something that can be said for any other two wheel drive monster truck that I can think of!
The suspension is definitely on the firm side, but I feel that the foamless tires aid in soaking up bumps and landing jumps. It drives a bit bouncy but not so much so that it becomes hard to drive or the handling is difficult to predict. The tires seem adequate and are up to the task for where I've been driving (driveway, side yard with short mossy grass, a little gravel, pine needles).
Durability wise, my Granite Voltage has been fantastic. Although I wouldn't say I've been excessively hard on this little guy, I've definitely put it through its paces. I've landed quite a few jumps very poorly as well as hit a tree mid-air a handful of times - with zero breakages. Perhaps the mild power and speeds this truck reaches in stock form are at least part of it's toughness. The chassis and suspension components (especially the A-arms) seem very durable.
I haven't yet experienced the drivetrain issues or electronics issues that many others have. This area is what I was referring to by my thread title. It seems quite a few people have suffered diff outdrive problems as well as faulty electronics. However, I don't see the outdrives being a problem with the Voltage Fazon owners. I'm thinking the smaller diameter tires relieve a great deal of stress on the drivetrain. There's a lot less rotating mass and therefore lot less stress transferred upstream upon landing on throttle or hard launches, etc.
In reading through some of the other threads, it seems there's been some heat issues (a melted motor mount!). This looks to be a problem when people try to run this truck on a 25 tooth pinion (which it seems Arrma leads you to believe is an acceptable gearing based on the pre drilled 25t slot in the motor mount). I have a hunch this is really only intended for the Fazon since it uses the same chassis, and therefore the same motor mounting plate. Arrma should definitely be a little more clear about this. While I'm griping, they should also publish ESC specs (especially motor turn limits and voltage thresholds). I have no idea what motors this ESC can handle, or if it's possible to run on 3s power (probably not recommended!)
That about sums up my ownership experience thus far. I've really been enjoying driving this truck. It's honestly kind of refreshing having a vehicle that doesn't do 40+ mph, lol. Being that the jury is still out on drivetrain strength, I'll probably leave mine in stock or close to stock trim. I feel that I've had a better-than-average ownership experience so far and would recommend this RC to first timers or those on a tight budget. I hope I don't have to come back and eat those words, lol.
What do y'all have to say about this truck?