Suits

I travel about a three hour round trip to go to Redfin Models in Baldock. http://www.redfinmodels.com It's a bit of a jaunt but we make a day of it with my boy, sort of adds to the fun. The owner there Jason is great, happy to chat and very helpful. I get all my big purchases there and like others have said, Modelsport serves me very well for consumables you need quickly.

I popped to Redfin today to pick up a few bits and pieces. Primarily a new front bumper for the Notorious and a proper set of dedicated screwdrivers. Thing is though while I was there I picked up a TRX4 and a little Axial Deadbolt crawler for my boy. The TRX4 Defender has been on the cards for a while and Jason there very kindly built me a little battery converter, so that I don't have to buy a Traxxis battery pack for it, I can use one of my current 3S packs. My boy has wanted another house crawler ever since his Bangood special gave up the ghost a while ago, so he's buzzing and fell asleep in the car on the way home cuddling it. I love the way this Defender looks and it fascinating have such a different platform and variety of parts to discover all over. It certainly suits our bashing trips and my boy has driven it quite a bit already, the slower pace really lets him explore it.

After the wonderful advice of @Ant.p I picked up that 25kg servo from Amazon for £20 delivered and set about changing it out this morning. This is the first part I've had to replace on my Notorious and to be fair, was a pretty daunting task really. I soon worked out what needed to be removed and where the screws underneath realised the holding pieces. Had a bit of trouble with the steering server, as sadly original Spectrum part didn't feel like it wanted to fit the new servo, so I went with the new one, which introduced a few issues that I managed to get past but it's not as smooth as the original alignment. I used that video to do my end points and was very very helpful, as I'd messed it up which only became apparent as I arrived at the park and realised the steering was switched. I managed to remember the process and managed to sort it out in the field. It needs plenty of tweaks to be honest, be it end point setting and/or servo seating but at least it's running and we're back out having fun. In regards to the failed Spectrum servo, I spoke with Jason at Redfin and we've sorted that. I'm going down there on Monday to pick up a few bits and may very, very well be tempted by a new truck...

Wonderful man, thank you so much, I'll pick that up and take note of the video, cheers !!

Nice. That one you link too, is out of stock though, is this one suitable ?? https://www.amazon.co.uk/ANNIMOS-Digital-Waterproof-Crawler-Control/dp/B07GK1G5FV/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B07GK1G5FV&psc=1

I didn't no, but just did. Cool, yeah, it's clear that the truck is poor under power at steering - I always assumed it was due to the shift of weight to the rear and the from the front wheels just not getting traction and understeering. I'd be keen on trying something else for sure, I'll pick one of those up if you recommend them as an improvement. Thanks again.

Ah, sweet. I picked it up from Redfin in April this year, I'll speak with Jason there and see what he says. Thanks for the heads up man.

Hi Guys, Bit of help if you don't mind. So me and the boy were out bashing this morning at our local spot in the woods when, what I think has happened is the that steering servo has given up. I landed a really innocuous jump that I've landed 50 times prior when the truck suddenly stopped and the cell count that happens when you power it up suddenly started. It counted the cells as normal and in full but the steering was stuck on full lock to the right. I turned it off and inspected the truck. It seems that the servo is stuck on full lock to the right, when I powered it up there was no response at all from the steering although the truck would drive forwards and back. Even if I try and force the steering by twisting the wheels it's clear that there is a mechanical force keeping it at full lock. We left the 6S truck as it was, finished top with the 3S truck and brought it home. Upon inspection, the servo is fully locked to the right and I get nothing from it under power. I removed the servo, and it looks fine. Is it worth opening it up to see what is what, or is it clearly finished ?? I also assume that there will be a connector on the other end of the servo wiring that I can unclip from the ESC ?? Finally, what do people recommend I do about a replacement, do I go like for like or is there an better option ?? Pictures attached to help with the diagnosis. Any help or advice will be greatly received, I'm popping to Redfin Models next weekend, so Ideally I'd like to order a replacement Monday for collection later that week. Cheers, Nick

Went out today for the first time in months and months. Took the boy and went for a good blast near me with mixed surfaces. Cars were both great, took some big hits and both have great individual character. Batteries didn't seem to last long as I remember. They were their first use in maybe six months, had been stored outside in a weather proof garage and had been balanced prior to storage. I've balanced them again and will see how they fair. Time could have just git away with me though as it was fun. I'd like a Crawler soon.

Yeah man, as time goes by and I use them both side by side, I'm starting to appreciate the heft of the larger scales, they feel more rewarding to drive well.

Yes, that's what my research has led me to also. It just irks me that I'll need to buy another battery for it. However, I really like the idea of building it myself so I'm looking at those kist also. Cheers for the heads up.

Cool. Thanks for the seasoned response. I'm new to the hobby so forgive me for not being aware of the water that's passed - but I get your drift.

Just curious really, I'd like to explore this platform and ideally having all my cars on the same platform would be cool. (Batteries etc..)

Yeah, I'm going to see how long I can hold out getting another 3S truck. Winter will be the turning point where the appeal of two 3S's trucks will be at its peak. I always liked the idea of a X Maxx but living with the Notorious has made me realise I prefer 1/10 scale. Good luck with your new truck, sounds cool man.

So I recently went away and stayed in a cottage for a long weekend, took both cars and ran plenty of packs through both all day long on the beautiful short grass they had there. While we were there, (on the second day of three) I caught the Notorious front wheel on a bit of fencing and it popped the pillow ball out of the hub, I didn't bring any tools, so that was that. For the rest of that evening and a little the next day I solely drove the 3S Granite and started to wonder if I actually prefer the 3S Arrma cars over the larger, heavier more powerful Notorious. They just seem so much more simple, to me anyway. Less batteries, smaller, lighter, easier to carry about and just as much fun as the bigger bois, or close enough anyway. I was convinced I wanted rid of my Notorious and wanted another 3S car. Then today, I finally got the gumption up to fix up the pillow ball on the Notorious, got a couple of packs charged up and go test it. It was fine, it was great actually sliding about in the dust at the industrial estate near me. It's certainly got a lot of character. So I don't really know where I am with the 6S Notorious, I still think I'd prefer another 3S car for the reasons I state above but the absolute heft and force of the Notorious and the cool noise it makes does an awful lot for me. I also need to find better spots.

Wow, are these the ones from the mid 90's ?? I would have gnawed my arm off for one of these when I was young, I seem to remember one being red and one yellow. Either way, this is cool.

Cheers man. Yeah, so took this out yesterday for the first time and ran two sets of packs through it. Most obvious difference to my Granite is the heft, understeer and pace this thing picks up. Drivetrain makes a good noise mind. Will have to considered larger areas/spots to run it and with it's larger size and increased pace I'd feel better in larger spots. The understeer is horrific. Even off the power and turning in, it just scrubs the wheels. Gave it a good run on short grass, medium length grass, gravel, dust, tarmac and then mud/wood floor. Towards the end of the second set of packs I was starting to get the handling of it and was sliding the car to get it into the position I wanted. Great fun, awful lot of punch on tap when I need it and makes a cool noise. I'm going to leave it stock for a while longer and try some different spots/areas and get jumping next. My boy who inherited my Granite, (albeit on a new 2S pack and with the throttle at 50%) burnt through is pack in the time it took me to get 3/4's through my first set. Because it's dialled in a bit and the space allowed it, he just kept it pinned the whole time - he had a whale of a time though !!

After getting into the hobby last September, today I picked up my second RC. Incidentally it was also my sons first time in a model shop and he was totally blown away by the crawler track, stacks of cars, models, tools and spares - loves it he does. I already have a Granite V3 and have picked up this Notorious 6S as an excuse to pass my Granite onto my son. We got into this last year during the Pandemic like I expect hundreds of others have. Anyway, I'm just enjoying a glass of red wine and going over the truck, manual and parts. Then tomorrow we'll run a few packs through the Notorious and the new 2S pack I got my son for the Granite. It's such a rewarding hobby.

Thanks man. Yes, my son is over the moon with the fact he'll be getting my Granite. To be totally honest it was his desire for a new truck that got me getting another one. He'll be 4 in June and had been driving a Monster Jam 2WD truck that finally broke back end of last year, so we've been sharing the Granite. He's gentle on the throttle and seems to be able to control the truck rather well, surprisingly so. He'll be getting the Granite full time now, but so that I can take my eye off him a little bit and enjoy my new Notorious, I've picked up a 2S cell and will put that into the Granite. I will also alter the throttle to about 50% and see how he's goes, that's the plan and he's over the moon.

Hello everyone, thanks for the help and suggestions. I ended up getting the Arrma Notorious 6S V5. I decided to stay with Arrma due to the battery connections matching my current batteries and the familiarity of the brand. I made the decision to increase my budget, as the other Arrma 3S trucks all seemed variations on a platform I already had, so decided to go bigger and harder and make the step up. I picked up a pair of 3S packs and a 2S pack that I will throw into my Granite BLX and give to my son, who adores it (also grabbed a bat-safe box). Spoke with Redfin who matched the price I'd been given online and obviously the benefits you get when speaking face to face with someone. Sorted. Stoked.

Yeah, there is that. I do also prefer the look of the Arrma cars. I just wonder if it'll be a missed opportunity to try another brand.

Oh, just noticed that Traxxas take different battery connectors to Arrma stuff - that's annoying.

Oh, that's a good shout, like you say a bit different. Not totally blown away by it's looks, but that's ok. It'll be a lower, wider platform than my current Granite by the looks of it so that's really appealing. Cheers man, good shout, it's currently top of the list.

Hello all, some advice and opinions please.... I picked up an Arrma Granite BLX V3 last September and me and boy have enjoyed the life out of it. So much so, we're looking to get a 2nd car now so that we can both enjoy them at the same time. Our playgrounds are generally the local fields, woods and forests - so all off-road and a bit of a mix. I've been considering a Arrma Typhon V3 BLX as it's a different platform and will be fun to try something else, although I hold no affection to Arrma, just that I'm familiar with the brand. I'd like to try a Traxxas truck but have know very little about them, I'm open to all suggestions really. I'm comfortable with the £400 mark and I'd like to stay around the 3S power band, as I already have a few battery packs for my Granite so would be best if they could all use the same batteries. The plan would be for me to get something new and pass the Granite onto him. Like I say, I'd consider anything really bit would ideally like to try a different platform or another brand. Cheers, Nick

I literally ordered another Gens Ace 3S last night to go alongside my current 3S that I use with my Granite. Seem perfectly adequate for what I use them for.