The Ascent 18 is arguably the best entry level mini crawler available. So much bang for buck here, and I enjoy it much more than a stock Axial SCX24. The Ascent 18 still needs a few upgrades, though. First, start with the free ones: Reposition battery forward, put ESC on the slider, bring shocks in to lower the center of gravity. Then the must-haves: Links and drive shafts flex too much and will leave you sad when (not if) they break. Wheels and tires. Finally, some nice to haves: 1:24 transmission to gear it down and make it crawl better, brass portal covers, OD/UD gears, longer sliders. Brushless, if you want.
I cut the springs on mine. I cut probably 1/3 of the spring off the front, and just about 2 coils on the rear. Epic free mod, as well as moving the electronics to the skid and battery to the other skid
Out of the box, for the price, good luck beating it. Are there better crawlers? Yep, but you're gonna pay. Fantastic beginner crawler, it's the one my wife uses when we do a "family crawl" as she isn't into RC and isn't good at driving them. With the Ascent, she crawls right there with me and our boys, no issues. GREAT CRAWLER! Edit: mine is stock except the wheels and tires, 1.3 injoras with 72mm tires.
I bought the red one at their introductory price. Injora has come out with accessories for the Ascent 18 already. Injora's prices are cheaper than Redcats for upgrades. Also people have said that the Ascent 18 can use the TRX4M transmissions.
Out of the box the Furitek MIGHT have a slight edge but only because of the electronics (not that I hold the Furitek system in high regard). That being said, with what you're saving on the Redcat (including not needing bearings) you can buy a brushless system and the Redcat will outperform the Furitek in every way! Lots more potential for upgrades with the Redcat, as well. To me, the Traxxas isn't even in the running. Cool video 👍
Would be nice to these missing items become available. scx6 honcho clear body, the new clipless pre-painted traxxas blazer body and the interior option.
I have 3 different 18 scale crawlers (Traxxas, FMS, Redcat).. All three are great but the Redcat is the best out the box and bang for the Buck. I lucked out and jumped on the 99$ deal though. Still can’t believe what a deal that was for what you get
Aftermarket has really picked up for the Ascent 18, at least a dozen different places making links, several are solid links, at least half a dozen places with prices much lower than Redcat. With most being readily available on Amazon.
Very nice comparison I actually like all three of those vehicles for different reasons. However when it comes to cost... all you got to do is look who's in office everything costs more nowadays.
I don't believe shocks are very important on a crawler. Especially these smaller ones...as they crawl...when do they ever land hard enough to compress th shocks.....just saying...im stoned 😂😂😂
They definitely matter, just in different ways! You’d be surprised how much it will affect torque twist and their overall ability to go vertical or side hill
Shocks have a massive impact on crawling ability. It's not for absorbing hard landings or handling like bashers it's for allowing controlled articulation while at hard angles smoothly, instead of unloading at a certain angle like a friction shock will, or the opposite having to stuff suspension will make your RC look like a monster truck and the shocks will hardly move.
The Ascent 18 is arguably the best entry level mini crawler available. So much bang for buck here, and I enjoy it much more than a stock Axial SCX24. The Ascent 18 still needs a few upgrades, though. First, start with the free ones: Reposition battery forward, put ESC on the slider, bring shocks in to lower the center of gravity. Then the must-haves: Links and drive shafts flex too much and will leave you sad when (not if) they break. Wheels and tires. Finally, some nice to haves: 1:24 transmission to gear it down and make it crawl better, brass portal covers, OD/UD gears, longer sliders. Brushless, if you want.
All the Trx-4M lines up are bushing 😉love all video you make, continue the great work 👍 👏
I cut the springs on mine. I cut probably 1/3 of the spring off the front, and just about 2 coils on the rear. Epic free mod, as well as moving the electronics to the skid and battery to the other skid
Out of the box, for the price, good luck beating it. Are there better crawlers? Yep, but you're gonna pay. Fantastic beginner crawler, it's the one my wife uses when we do a "family crawl" as she isn't into RC and isn't good at driving them. With the Ascent, she crawls right there with me and our boys, no issues. GREAT CRAWLER!
Edit: mine is stock except the wheels and tires, 1.3 injoras with 72mm tires.
I just bought one of these last week. Love to see you posted a video on it! Haven’t used it yet.
I bought the red one at their introductory price.
Injora has come out with accessories for the Ascent 18 already. Injora's prices are cheaper than Redcats for upgrades.
Also people have said that the Ascent 18 can use the TRX4M transmissions.
I’ll take the Furitek, thank you.
Then go over there
I have both and Redcat goes where furitek can’t it’s better right out of the box
Out of the box the Furitek MIGHT have a slight edge but only because of the electronics (not that I hold the Furitek system in high regard). That being said, with what you're saving on the Redcat (including not needing bearings) you can buy a brushless system and the Redcat will outperform the Furitek in every way! Lots more potential for upgrades with the Redcat, as well. To me, the Traxxas isn't even in the running. Cool video 👍
What brushless system would you put in the Redcat?
@@TimmyToasty The new Hobbywing system or a Holmes Revolver 280 and Dinky RC Micro Pro ESC
@@jerryvolpini7987thanks. I just got a bunch of downtime and need something to do
Would be nice to these missing items become available. scx6 honcho clear body, the new clipless pre-painted traxxas blazer body and the interior option.
I have 3 different 18 scale crawlers (Traxxas, FMS, Redcat).. All three are great but the Redcat is the best out the box and bang for the Buck. I lucked out and jumped on the 99$ deal though. Still can’t believe what a deal that was for what you get
Excellent comparison.
The stock power system in that Redcat runs real well on 3s, in my experience.
Nothing beats brushless control and power though.
Aftermarket has really picked up for the Ascent 18, at least a dozen different places making links, several are solid links, at least half a dozen places with prices much lower than Redcat. With most being readily available on Amazon.
Don’t the trx4m’s come with bushings
Yes, yes they do..
Great review
"High center of gravity" as you call it... still beats the pants of trx4m's modded and otherwise at my course.
What about the FMS rig?
Wait so sag is good in the oil filled shocks ??
You have a cool job dude.....i would love 2 work at an RCstore...😎🤙🏻
The TRX4m's actually come with bushings which I think is a big con. At the price point bearings should be standard.
Dang i hate mini crawlers, but its an amain Brett video so i will give respect. So anyway, Brett why won’t you go on matt and Josh livestream?
TRX4m are bushings, not bearings. Personally I prefer that, bushings don’t rust
off topic what's a good rc boat for a lake?
Very nice comparison I actually like all three of those vehicles for different reasons.
However when it comes to cost... all you got to do is look who's in office everything costs more nowadays.
First
It might be feature packed, but I don't find the body attractive at all. That's my biggest hang up about it.
Swap bodys
I don't believe shocks are very important on a crawler. Especially these smaller ones...as they crawl...when do they ever land hard enough to compress th shocks.....just saying...im stoned 😂😂😂
They definitely matter, just in different ways! You’d be surprised how much it will affect torque twist and their overall ability to go vertical or side hill
Don't bogart that joint my friend😅😂🤣
Shocks have a massive impact on crawling ability. It's not for absorbing hard landings or handling like bashers it's for allowing controlled articulation while at hard angles smoothly, instead of unloading at a certain angle like a friction shock will, or the opposite having to stuff suspension will make your RC look like a monster truck and the shocks will hardly move.