Best 1/18 scaler on the market?

[master farter]

There seems to be so much choice now when it comes to the little 1/18 crawler choice with the new trx4m, roc hobby offerings and alike.

 

so what’s the best one out the box do you think?

im leaning towards the trx4m but the fms Chevy k10 looks awesome! I just wonder if it’s as capable as the likes of the trx4m

[Fat Freddy]

I’ll be interested to see what the verdict is on this. 

[Stormbringer]

same here as im thinking on getting a TRX4m

[BlackSeaRC]

As always it really depends upon what exactly you want - ultimate scale appearance or optimum performance?  Some of the hard-body trucks (e.g. FMS/ROC Hobby) look amazing with their scale details but will never perform as well as the buggy style products.  There certainly is a growing choice nowadays though with 1:18 scale products available from a huge number of brands including Absima, Axial, Capo, Eazy RC, FMS Model, FS Racing, FTX, Hobby Plus, Panda Hobby, RC4WD, ROC Hobby, Traxxas, etc.

[Lone-wolf]

There are some great looking models out there but i feel 1/18 s only suited to an indoor course, or smooth ground as they just lack clearance on outdoor sites, i ended up selling my 1/16th due to this issue

[BlackSeaRC]

I have a ROC Hobby Katana 1:18 and it performs pretty well outside.  It has a hard body and a more scale orientated chassis so therefore is easy to roll-over on side slopes.  A Lexan body and wider axle track would give better performance, as will upgraded brass parts.  I would expect the Traxxas TRX-4M to out-perform it.  The Axial UTB18 would be better still (although not strictly 1:18 scale).  However, my Katana is completely stock and you can see the type of terrain it can operate on in the video below:

 

BlackSeaRC

[Stormbringer]

it did pretty well in the vid mate 

[Gaz!]

Now, from both sides here,

 

Roc Hobby trucks are as already said, amazingly detailed bodies, and seem far more capable than they look. As for parts back up, ive no idea as i never broke anything on mine. So i would recommend if you set your sights on the Land Cruiser/katana etc. the Eazyrc glacier, (basically the same as the red Chevy k10) is another very good looking truck, my lad bought one, i initially thought he was wasting his money but wow, it is a lovely truck visually and doesnt do too bad although the longer wheelbase and body overhang do limit performance and the lights on it are just poor, if you want lights, you’d better get your self another light kit, its the biggest let down of the truck in my opinion.

 

Trx4m’ s,  before i start, id like to admit, im a big old Traxxas fan (too old for the boi bit now i think lol), but Traxxas have once again nailed it. It will conquer terrain, looks fantastic (hard body) and already the aftermarket stuff is everywhere on eBay. There is however a suspect bit on the truck, its the way the servo mounts to the axle and the steering bar looks all wrong, again in my opinion.

 

to summarise, i personally dont think you would be disappointed with any mentioned, i love the detailing of Roc hobby and they have the most thought about packaging too. The Eazyrc glacier/k10 is a awesome looking truck but thats compromised its performance, the Traxxas will no doubt need a little customising to find the sweet spot but when you do find it it will be awesome.

 

sorry for the ramble and it is just my own opinion based on my experiences with mentioned trucks.