This setup is nuts! I bought this as a replacement of the stock E Revo 2.0 ESC and motor. The stock motor, while it had decent power, it ran really hot and wasn't balanced well. One of the first things I did when I bought the car was pull the out and spin it up to max RPM on 6s just to check it out. Right out of the gate, it was noisy and vibrated my hand to pieces. I switched out the stock bearings (with essentially no use) to some nicer ceramic bearings. It made it considerably quieter, but still vibrated terribly. I put it back in and used it from there on out. No matter the gearing, that motor still ran hot. On the other hand, the ESC never even hiccuped... until one fateful day.
After a couple months of minimal use (Winter in the Rocky Mountains) I got my batteries charged up and ready for a run. I tested the car out in my house and everything sounded and felt like normal. Nothing out of the ordinary. I started driving it around in a local park on some short/cut grass. I never went above 3/4 throttle as I was still testing and making sure there wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It's driving great, then out of now where, the car made a slight thump noise and stopped driving. I thought maybe I just broke a hub carrier or axle. As I'm walking to it, next thing I know, it's smoking a slightly pink color and smells of burnt plastic/electronics. As I'm running to the thing, I'm thinking a battery blew up. Nope, the ESC melted and blew up in fire. All the epoxy resin the circuit board is potted in was melted and shot all over the inside of the car. After crying for a minute, I thought it's time for a proper setup. Castle Creation was a no brainer' for me.
After getting the new setup installed and programmed with the Castle Link (an absolute must!), the car ran beautifully. Just like before I tested the motor out without installing just to see how it sounded/felt. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!! It runs so quiet and smooth. There is essentially no vibration from that motor! The internal magnets are far, far stronger than the ones on the stock Traxxas motor. Even when they were both brand new, the Castle motor felt like the magnets were 20 times stronger and that is not an exaggeration. I was so excited to run this in my car. Also the Castle Link is so cool with the data logging. Now there is no more question on motor/ESC temps (still checked with my thermal heat gun to verify). The first 5 runs on stock gearing in a park, dirt piles, and streets, the motor temp never got above 124 degrees and the ESC never got above 153 (I believe the ESC fan starts to kick on at 150 degrees). There is so much flexibility with programming and setting the car up exactly how I want it to run. In terms of power compared to the stock system, I would say that it has 15% to 20% more power. It just feels stronger than the stock system, no question.
You cannot go wrong with this system (so long as you didn't buy a counterfeit one). Upgrading to the Mamba Monster X is the best thing to do for the E Revo 2.0. HANDS DOWN!!! If anything happens to my motor/ESC I'll update this review.
Purchased for an E_Revo 2.0, drops in and bolts up no problem. I recommend adding the ESC cage from RPM to your cart, forget that double sided tape. Very smooth throttle response compared to stock electronics, especially during start up. The included Castle link coupon was nice, programming with the transmitter gets the job done but the link really opens to door to tailor performance to your liking. Also, telemetry is a nice feature if your have a compatible Futaba system.
Fantastic setup for my Losi 8ight T super easy to setup and awesome power! Only thing I would suggest is you get a castle link or tuning card when you order the combo. With my Futaba 4pv I am unable to switch the motor direction with just the TRX. So in reverse it has full throttle, easy fix but just have to wait for the tuning card to arrive.
This set up is FAST and water proof to boot! Install was straight forward on my 1/10 Traxxas Summit. Plug and Play other than soldering on your preferred battery connector. I was able to reprogram the ESC manually with the supplied instruction manual to reverse rotation of the motor. No Castle link required. If you want to upgrade a brushed system to brushless you cant go wrong with this Castle combo. RPM also sells an ESC mount that worked perfect in my summit. Would highly recommend.
My limitless is a rocket ship running max amp batteries . it's got unbelievable power and runs cool .
I have this combo in an MT410 with a 16T pinion and couldn't be happier. Wheelies and even standing backflips on _3S_, and as much power as I am currently comfortable with on 4S. Also note that there is a lot of misinformation about sensored operation. For example, there are posts on multiple forums stating that if you want to reverse the direction of the motor, you have to either run unsensored and swap the wire order OR use a castle link. This isn't true - you can go into a programming mode with fixed set of programming options and answer "yes" or "no" with brake/throttle to accept those options.
Fantastic job, Castle!
i didn't buy my first combo at amain but i will say the system is rock solid. Just wish castle included the sensored wire.
The motor didn't explode, the carbon fiber unwrapped from the rotor. It was kind of like having your drag brake set at 50%. It billowed black smoke from the out shaft hole as the carbon fiber burned inside the motor. All in all pretty impressive. I replaced it with a Hobbywing.
The Monster X ESC died a while ago, It got replaced with a Hobbywing too.
I highly recommend the Hobbywing EZrun 8 system. Iv'e had no problems with mine.
I put this badass combo in my Typhon TLR roller and couldn't be happier with the choice. Price was the best around, thank you Amain! Now I go through tires but happy to do it!
Within about 5 minutes of running in a Tekno SCT410 (10th scale, short course) on 2S, the ESC just died.
After speaking with Castle on the phone, troubleshooting, pulling logs, flashing firmware, making video proof, taking photos, and even un-soldering a Tekin ESC out of my buggy and swapping it into the SCT, it was determined to be a bad ESC.
It will be replaced under warranty, but this has left a bad taste in my mouth. While Castle customer summer was good, it still requires you to have a spare ESC or motor around to complete their "process of elimination". If you don't have spare parts laying around, expect to have to make a trip to your local hobby shop for to obtain proof that the ESC is in fact to blame.
Still, I'm very content with their customer service. Yes, I had to jump through hoops, but they did ask the correct questions which gives me confidence their tech support is at the very least, competent.
My esc when out of my traxxas max bought this combo and it is awesome and fast.
Perfect fit into a revo 2.0, very smooth and impress throttle control over the stock electronics. Nearly zero cogging at low rpm.
Well packaged. nice manufacturing. easy to install and set. Looks great. Works fantastic.
After initially having some problems, I was able to get it up and working. It is a very strong motor and really makes a tmaxx move.
Bought both the Mamba Monster 2 and Mamba Monster received it two day before the time they said.Love the speed with which I got this.
I put this in my Losi 8ight-T. Great combo. I definitely recommend it.
The review above is very questionable to say the least. This combo is strong\ quality !
I bought this motor to renew my traxxas summit, I run it at 3s and it runs great, I have not broken anything, it is fast, fun and safe so far.
The only detail is that perhaps I expected a little more smoothness to crawl but it's not too bad, it's still well controlled.
Many thanks to Amain's service and especially to Todd who gave me the necessary advice for my project.
Very good system. I’ve had a lot of brushless and brushed for that matter, systems through the years. I’ve always liked castle stuff and their latest sensored combos are phenomenal. Even though I tend to run mostly hobby wing stuff in my track cars, I tend to run castle stuff in my bashers.
I’m running this in my Tekno MT410 on 4s. It is plenty powerful and has been running ridiculously cool. Just finished bashing the truck and the motor has been running at 120 on the motor and 85 on the esc in 70 degrees ambient, no fan on the motor. It’s a 16 tooth pinion on proline mx38 belted tires in the truck for those inclined.
I see no need to run the system on 6s. I’m sure it would be a blast but I see no need to be hard on the drive train (diff cup specifically). I mean, it has no problem flipping on its back from a wheelie at 40mph. It’s perfect.
Excellent ESC Combo. It should be noted that I had to purchase another Monster X ESC due to the first being almost DOA. Had lights and sound, but motor just struggled to get started. Had to send it back to castle. Gonna be a few weeks. Didn't want to wait so I bought another Monster X ESC.
4 stars.
Now on the the review for the replacement esc + original motor.
Amazing power, fit and finish are great, sensored control is very precise and smooth.
I'm running this in a Traxxas Maxx V2. Immediately swapped out the stock ESC and motor for this castle Monster X combo so I have no idea how it compares to stock.
Power is incredible, only running it at max 75% throttle programmed in the settings. I don't desire any more than that. Hits about 60mph. 20/54 gears and 6s. May drop to 18/54.
Adjustability via the castle link BluTooth module is excellent. Detailed adjustments for a multitude of parameters and different profiles that can be saved for different tracks, speed runs, bashing, etc.
Only cons (besides the fluke DOA ESC)
- is motor runs a lil hot geared conservatively on 6s.(even with a medium speed fan and alluminum heat sink.)
- BluTooth module is not included and is $55 separately.
Would purchase again, especially since I got it for less than $280 with tax.
Would have gotten 4.5 Stars if the original esc wasnt DOA.
Would have gotten 5 if it ran cooler or included a fan.. or if the motor was also made in the USA. Or if it had Bluetooth out of the box.
Would have gotten 3.5 stars if I paid full price
