nexus74

Hey all,

I'm really debating weather to purchase the Revo 3.3 or E Revo Brushless.

Past nitro experience:
<meta charset="utf-8">I've had good experience with my T-maxx and the engine was always reliable, however, that friggin one way starter bearing constantly went out (a $20 part). I'm not sure If this is still an issue 11 years later. If I stay with nitro, I have to consider that I will always be spending money on fueland engine up keep.

Why I avoided electric:
I've never been crazy about having to charge a small armada of batteries just to keep my vehicle running for more than 10 minutes. There was absolutely no way I would purchase an E-Maxx back then. Even though that's what convinced me to get a T-Maxx (1st gen) back in the day, I realize that technology has changed and Lipos are getting cheaper.

I've really been leaning towards the E-Revo BL but I'm concerned about the battery costs. The only way I'll go for is if the low cost lipos that I'm seeing will fit the battery compartment of the revo. For example, hobbypartz.com has a 5000mAh 2s 40c lipo for around $35.00, however, the site doesn't bother to put the dimensions of the battery on the product page... Having said that, I wouldn't mind buying 4 of those batteries<meta charset="utf-8">($140 total)and say two chargers ($56 each) but If I'm only going to get 8-10 min run time for two at a time batteries, then forget it...ridiculous.

Breakdown of major expenses:

E Revo BL Costs:
- Kit: $700
- Two chargers: $120
- Four 5KmAh 2s 40c Lipos: $140 (if they fit)
Total: $960
Wow, getting expensive for 1/10 scale, eh?
And that's with the lower cost lipos. No way I'm paying $200 for ONE pair of batteries that's gonna give 10 min run times.

Revo 3.3 Costs:
- Kit: $550
- Fuel(1 Gal) $30 (continuous cost)
(starter, starter battery, starter batt charger, electronics batt and charger incl)
Total $580

At this point the 3.3 is looking better. It costs 60% less (at the start).

One more thing to consider is what Traxxas is going to come out with in the fall (MAYBE). I'm not trying to start any rumors so I won't even speculate, but It does affect if I buy now or wait...

What do you guys think??

Thanks!
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t9dragon

My Feedback: (11)

Personally, I would go with the brushless E-Revo. Even though it cost more up front down the road it will be cheaper. Here is one thing to remember when comparing nitro and electric, with electric you won't have the noise, complaining neighbors, oily/dirty mess, smell and tuning of the motor that you would have when running nitro.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Noise factor? Winner E-Revo

Is noise of any concern at all where you run? For some people the noise doesn't matter, but others who live in urban areas need the things to be quiet.

Ongoing costs? Draw

People can say what they want, nitro and brushless are pretty much equal in ongoing expenses. An electric can toast a $35 lipo or a $150 ESC just like a nitro engine needs gallons of fuel or glow plugs or the occasional rebuild. There is no guarantee that operation of one will be cheaper than the other.

Clean up? Winner E-Revo

No spent fuel and oil all over the chassis.

Maintenance? E-Revo

No after run oil, no carb, no clutch, no opti-drive, no second servo or reverse servo to contend with. Fewer moving parts in the drivetrain.

Fun factor? Draw

The brushless will have more intense power and is more impressive to drive but unless you have an armada of batteries and since the ESC motor need time to cool between extended runs, you can't run electric continuously the way you can nitro. Nitro is fun and you can run it as long as you want so long as the batteries in the receiver and transmitter are good.

Honestly, it is personal preference. You can't go wrong with either IMO. Some HATE nitro and others LOVE nitro. Some LOVE electric and some HATE electric. I run both and like both near equally.

I can say that if 5th scale is an option to you, it is worth looking into more. For $1,000, you have an HPI Baja 5B 2.0. The startup costs are higher, but the operating costs are much lower. You get the benefit of refueling for very long run times, 5th scale cars are built SOLID and fuel is only $2-$3/gallon + premix oil. I ran my HPI 5T for almost 2 hours straight last weekend. It cost me $3.00 in gas to run the whole time and no parts broke.

I have discussed this with many people and the consensus is that 5th scale is cheaper to operate over the long haul and offers a great bang for the buck. Some of my friends have stopped racing short course and nitro 1/8 because 1/5 scale is cheaper to race.

nexus74

Thanks Dale,

Noise is not an issue.

Yeah, I've definitely thought about the Baja 5T. Now that bad boy is $1300 off the shelf. I realize the 5B is cheaper.

I've really been wanting something different. For what E Revo costs (with my given setup) I could easily move to the 5B....Maybe I'll just hold out for 1/5 scale.

I wish Traxxas would develop a 1/5....I realize it's a smaller market so I won't hold my breath.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

1/5 scale is becoming an ever increasing market so you never know. The 5B platform has really opened up the 1/5 scale market. Traxxas did have a 1/5 scale model back in the day, so you never know.

nexus74

Ahh yes. I believe you're referring to this:http://www.traxxas.com/products/nitr...rx_monster.htm

Traxxas Dev

The e-revo and revo 3.3 are best in class and both awesome trucks. They are just by preference.</p>

nexus74

I guess for me, electric is just not where it needs to be. I mean, In the 80's, when I had my Traxxas Cat, I was getting at least 10 min or more run time...on NiCd!

So here we are, 30 years later, and we are still averaging the same amount of run time?? Doesn't make sense to me.<br type="_moz" />

HpiTrax383

My Feedback: (2)

Honestly if i were you i would go for the 1/5th scale, and i noticed your from st.louis too. you could take that down to st.joe state park and rip across the sand flats there, i saw two guys there that had 5b's last time i was there and they were just flying past some dirt bikes and wheelers.

nexus74

Yeah, the sand flats sound fun. Hopefully I'll be moving back to Florida soon...I could run it on the beach, but I kind of baby my RC's.

Does anyone know if Traxxas is still having trouble with their one-way starter bearings? That's a huge factor for me...don't want to deal with that again. It's my only nitro complaint.

mufflerbearing

OWBs have been almost a non-issue on the 2.5 and 3.3 engines. I just traided in a really tired 2.5 that still has it's original OWB in it.

I think you could have been cleaning the OWBs rather than replacing them. They should not go bad that quick, however my pro.15 did have problems with it's OWB. I was constantly pulling it apart and cleaning it.

steed2-inactive

little off topic but on my one of my savages I drilled a little hole at the top of the roto start, and one at the bottom...when the bearing would start to slip, i would give it a shot of brake clean and like new again. followed by a shot of grease for the gears.....just an idea. i got sick of pulling it apart also.

steed2-inactive

hey i was lying in bed last night reading with the wife, i came across one of your trucks in an old rcdriver mag. twin axial, giga crusher i think....that thing was a beast! good job!

steed2-inactive

oh and one more thing, i have been running my savage flux hp with 5000mah 6s batteries and am getting huge run times, havent hit the lvc after 25 min of running?

ajb1205

You will get a lot longer than 10 minutes of run time on a charge. Like steed2 said...expect to get over 20 minutes of run time running 5000mah+ lipos. Performance wise you cannot exven comapre brushless to nitro...brushless power is insane!

nexus74

Over 20 min is good. Now, if the low cost lipos that I saw on HobbyPartz.com will fit, we may be in business.

I agree, brushless has great torque, speed and a lot less upkeep. Well, at least from what I've heard, the BL motor doesn't require much maintenance.

My LHS says that the local track is racing BL against nitro and is spanking nitro. Because the nitros have to pit, they also make the BLs pit to keep it fair.

They also told me more and more people are moving away from nitro,is this true? I know my friend won't go back to nitro as a result of all the tech advances in electric.<br type="_moz" />

ajb1205

I used to be a die-hard nitro guy...swore I would never go electric. In the past 6 months I have sold all my nitro stuff and converted 2 Revos to brushless (also have a Rustler VXL). For me plug and play is super nice when you are working 2 jobs and have 3 kids...still not enough hours in day lol. Now with the HUGE performance gains going to brushless and lipos, nitro just seems slow.

nexus74

ajb,

I was like you, still am to a certain degree. I thought having to keep two batt's charged all the time was detracting from the experience. With nitro, all I have to do is pull up refuel and go... maybe 5 seconds to do that.

With electric, I just need to get set up correctly from the start, and theoretically, hardly any expense to keep the thing running, well with the way I baby it at least. Lol, I have a 1st gen TMaxx that's in like new condition...<br type="_moz" />

nexus74

Ok, I've made my choice. 1/3 scale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeEPiMS7TFc

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Thanks! I forgot about that truck! I did end up selling it. I hated, HATED those Axials... They were cursed. Here I am a seasoned nitro veteran of almost a decade, and even after 2 tear downs, reseals and rebuilds I couldn't keep those things from randomly leaning out with skyrocketing temps. Try after try after try and the engines would both go into a super lean condition. It was bizarre. It probably had something to do with the fuel tanks and constant tank pressure now that I think about it. I remember that I gave it one last go around about a year ago and when it gave me problems again it was on eBay the next day.





So, after reliving that trauma in my head now, I vote E-Revo!

steed2-inactive

well i just pulled the old revo 3.3 off the shelf and did a complete restoration of it. everthing is new except for the tires and rims. heres a pic i ended up using the latest body! looks great. i backed it with parma rally green.. the tmaxx is pretty sweet to all alluminum, with rpm a arms and shock towers. the blue savage has a 3 speed, axial 32rr-1, integy alluminum shock towers and a arms. the xl has an f 4.6 running 13/47 gears and hauls pretty good with those tall trenchers. the flux is stock and is absolutely insane. eats all the others for breakfast. absolutely no comparison...the power is just stupid!...i love it. but will always like nitro better. just seems more realistic! sorry off topic just proud of my toys-scott

nexus74

Steed,

In that pic your Revo seems to make the Savage look small, at least to me it does...and it's a XL to boot.

steed2-inactive

yea that pic really does make them look small. the revo is the same size as the savage x and flux ( just sits lower, but has a little bit larger wheelbase), the t maxx is the smallest, sure doesnt look it in the pic though.

nexus74

Is opti-drive an issue with the Revo 3.3 as far as maintenance and/or configuration?

Oh, one other thing. The new Revo 3.3 is larger than it's predecessor, so does that mean it's longer and wider than the E Revo?<br type="_moz" />

ajb1205

There are only 2 different sizes of Revos...the 2.5 and the 3.3. The "new" 3.3 has offset rims which makes it wider but not longer (unless you install the extended rear a-arms). The E-Revo is a bit longer...about 10mm or so if memory serves me correct.

As far as the opti-drive, I had nothing but problems with it and a FOC was the very first thing I installed when I bought my first Revo 3.3.