traxxas cutting corners on motors?

[norcoforever]

recently i've been hunting down the best deal for a motor for my D8T and noticed that 2014 traxxas motors are being listed as castles but i'm not convinced, they seem to have stiff wires and have an open can end, heres a link to the motor from modelsport do people think they are still castles?

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/traxxas-cm2200-1-8th-brushless-motor-2200kv/rc-car-products/386309

[Tug]

I think they're simply trying to compete with the budget brand motors out there. It makes sense as not everyone can afford top flight motors. I'm using a couple of budget motors at the moment and apart from running warmer, they're spot on.

Are the Castle motors actually Castle? Or Castle/Neu? I don't know, but Castle might be having their name put on motors made by leopard or HW? I always prefer a top brand finned can myself, but can't always justify it, hence trying some lower brand gear.

As for Traxxas, they really are happy to sell anything!

The one you've linked just smacks of cloning.

[mydoddy69]

They say there the new waterproof version but be careful they can be had stateside for around

Edited September 23, 2014 by mydoddy69

[turok007]

castle are in business with traxxas     there was a lot of trouble a while ago about who makes castle stuff. 

[norcoforever]

i think i miss explained my point/concern, i wouldn't have bought one from ms (no offence just too much) my concern was newer guys to the hobby buying something being listed as a castle motor when in reality i suspect with the stiff wires, can design and colours of the heatshrink is actually a leopard motor. i've got nothing against cheaper motors i've had loads lol i just think it seems unfair for sellers, not traxxas (who no where state it is castle motor anymore) to list them as castle motors

[Tug]

Well, it looks like Traxxas have decided to try and increase their margins by having motors made to identical specs as the Castle/Neu we're all familiar with, but who's making them is anyone's guess. Trouble is, modern Traxxas bearings are appalling, if a bearing fails in these motors, then all that attention to detail (finned can, heat proof cable, big bullets) all goes to waste!

As you said, if they're not claiming it's Castle, they're doing nothing wrong, but I wouldn't buy one under any circumstances, their kit fails far too easily. Trouble is, noobs will have too much faith in the Traxxas name!

[-BEZ-]

If I'm to be honest it looks closer to a leopard motor (with a can cut like a neucastle) than a older style 15 series neucastle motors.  I can only presume they are reducing their manufacturing costs to be more competitive against the strong Chinese brands like hobby wing and leopard. However It doesn't seem to be making any difference with reducing the "kit" cost of a traxxas model which seem to be rising higher and higher each year. 

 

Pretty much everything gets made in china apart from the really expensive stuff: Neu, Lehner and  Plettemberg for example.

 

I have an old type 1515 neucastle motor I use for a basher motor.  I fitted with ceramic ABEC7 bearings from BOCA and its been going strong for over 3 years now.