The most over-rated RC currently made. Youtubers LOVE this crawler, according to one, Traxxas is playing chess and everyone else is playing checkers! Yeah right... lets list the problems: poor slow speed control, bushings, shocks that stick, along with the cheapest radio Traxxas has, where there is only adjustment for steering trim, you cannot adjust any endpoints or anything else. I did buy one because I like the Defender body, but after getting it, I'm regretting it. I also bought a FCX18 LC80 and it just blows this thing out of the water, two speed transmission, portal axles, great low speed control, really nice lights, excellent controller with all kinds of functions and adjustments, including the ability to turn on and off the lights. I would say the bodies are comparable in quality, the only thing the TRX4M has over the LC80 is body clips, which are nice, but in the end not a big deal since you access the battery on the LC80 through the hood. I didn't trust Youtubers before I bought this thing, now I really don't trust them, I simply cannot believe how everyone raves over this vehicle. I did put on brass hex nuts, Injora wheels and tires, put in some bearings, and bound a TQi transmitter to it as per one Youtuber. However, while the radio did bind, none of the functions on the TQi radio are available for the TRX4M. I couldn't get the radio to do anything but drive the truck, even lost the steering trim that was on the TQ transmitter. One commenter apparently called Traxxas and they said the TRX4M ESC/receiver was not compatible with the TQi transmitter functions, well I believe it.
Anyway, if you are Traxxas fan, fine, go ahead and buy it, but if you are on the fence, or are deciding between this and an FCX18, get the FCX18 HANDS DOWN, there is simply no comparison, no matter what Youtubers and Traxxas fanboys say. If you think I'm exaggerating, compare the specs listed above, and don't forget the super cheap Traxxas radio that comes with the TRX4M that NO ONE talks about. Oh and after you put the low gearing in, forget about speed of any sort, forget about using it as a trail truck, forget about wheel speed. The low gears definitely help the slow speed control for crawling, which I was most interested in. Also, I do have fun with this truck, the body looks great, I just think that unless you specifically want one of TRX4M bodies, or are a Traxxas fan, there are better options out there. Apparently the Redcat 1/18 Ascent is an awesome crawler that leaves both the TRX4M and the LC80 in the dust when it comes to pure crawling performance.
I added one star due to Amain's excellent customer service, I will definitely order from Amain again and my disappointment with the TRX4M does not reflect on them.
