Cheap & Capable! The Redcat Ascent 18 Mini 1/18 Crawler Truck

Is the new Redcat Ascent 18 the best new Mini Crawler? We compare the Ascent to the TRX4M High Trail and Brushless Fury Wagon and the results are in!
Ascent 18 Trucks:
Blue: www.amainhobbi...
Graphite: www.amainhobbi...
Red: www.amainhobbi...
Other Trucks Shown:
TRX4M High Trail: www.amainhobbi...
Fury Wagon: www.amainhobbi...
SCX24: www.amainhobbi...
Ascent 18 Hop Ups:
Brass Servo Mount: www.amainhobbi...
Brass Outer Portal Cover: www.amainhobbi...
Brass Inner Portal Cover: www.amainhobbi...
Brass Front Links: www.amainhobbi...
Brass Rear Links: www.amainhobbi...
Steel Transmission Gears: www.amainhobbi...
Ascent 18 Brushless Systems from Furitek:
Starter 2S: www.amainhobbi...
Torpedo Combo: www.amainhobbi...
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[@rcruncrawlers]

All the Trx-4M lines up are bushing 😉love all video you make, continue the great work 👍 👏

[@hikingphotog]

Aftermarket has really picked up for the Ascent 18, at least a dozen different places making links, several are solid links, at least half a dozen places with prices much lower than Redcat. With most being readily available on Amazon.

[@StevenYDG69]

I cut the springs on mine. I cut probably 1/3 of the spring off the front, and just about 2 coils on the rear. Epic free mod, as well as moving the electronics to the skid and battery to the other skid

[@Solatso]

Out of the box, for the price, good luck beating it. Are there better crawlers? Yep, but you're gonna pay. Fantastic beginner crawler, it's the one my wife uses when we do a "family crawl" as she isn't into RC and isn't good at driving them. With the Ascent, she crawls right there with me and our boys, no issues. GREAT CRAWLER! Edit: mine is stock except the wheels and tires, 1.3 injoras with 72mm tires.

[@Usul]

The Ascent 18 is arguably the best entry level mini crawler available. So much bang for buck here, and I enjoy it much more than a stock Axial SCX24. The Ascent 18 still needs a few upgrades, though. First, start with the free ones: Reposition battery forward, put ESC on the slider, bring shocks in to lower the center of gravity. Then the must-haves: Links and drive shafts flex too much and will leave you sad when (not if) they break. Wheels and tires. Finally, some nice to haves: 1:24 transmission to gear it down and make it crawl better, brass portal covers, OD/UD gears, longer sliders. Brushless, if you want.

[@deezrcz]

I just bought one of these last week. Love to see you posted a video on it! Haven’t used it yet.

[@JCpNK]

I have 3 different 18 scale crawlers (Traxxas, FMS, Redcat).. All three are great but the Redcat is the best out the box and bang for the Buck. I lucked out and jumped on the 99$ deal though. Still can’t believe what a deal that was for what you get

[@andrewforte]

I bought the red one at their introductory price. Injora has come out with accessories for the Ascent 18 already. Injora's prices are cheaper than Redcats for upgrades. Also people have said that the Ascent 18 can use the TRX4M transmissions.

[@michaeldorich4485]

Excellent comparison.

[@spinrushrc]

I’ll take the Furitek, thank you.

[@shawnjohnson2837]

Then go over there

[@israellopez-p4s]

I have both and Redcat goes where furitek can’t it’s better right out of the box

[@jerryvolpini7987]

Out of the box the Furitek MIGHT have a slight edge but only because of the electronics (not that I hold the Furitek system in high regard). That being said, with what you're saving on the Redcat (including not needing bearings) you can buy a brushless system and the Redcat will outperform the Furitek in every way! Lots more potential for upgrades with the Redcat, as well. To me, the Traxxas isn't even in the running. Cool video 👍

[@TimmyToasty]

What brushless system would you put in the Redcat?

[@jerryvolpini7987]

@@TimmyToasty The new Hobbywing system or a Holmes Revolver 280 and Dinky RC Micro Pro ESC

[@TimmyToasty]

@@jerryvolpini7987thanks. I just got a bunch of downtime and need something to do

[@wikyWargaming]

The stock power system in that Redcat runs real well on 3s, in my experience. Nothing beats brushless control and power though.

[@efeezhee4088]

Would be nice to these missing items become available. scx6 honcho clear body, the new clipless pre-painted traxxas blazer body and the interior option.

[@shawnrichardson118]

Great review

[@johnwayne666]

You have a cool job dude.....i would love 2 work at an RCstore...😎🤙🏻

[@cak5171]

"High center of gravity" as you call it... still beats the pants of trx4m's modded and otherwise at my course.

[@ekpauly]

Dang i hate mini crawlers, but its an amain Brett video so i will give respect. So anyway, Brett why won’t you go on matt and Josh livestream?

[@captainzaku1198]

Wait so sag is good in the oil filled shocks ??

[@MultiSkyman1]

What about the FMS rig?

[@RadRift]

Don’t the trx4m’s come with bushings

[@deezrcz]

Yes, yes they do..

[@troycutsforth9234]

The TRX4m's actually come with bushings which I think is a big con. At the price point bearings should be standard.

[@jqueenchannel]

Put axial scx24 out of the game instantly. Still waiting when axial gonna change their trans links esc and motor. And all the other garbage like hinges etc..

[@dylanwhite6539]

TRX4m are bushings, not bearings. Personally I prefer that, bushings don’t rust

[@NBC_NCO]

Very nice comparison I actually like all three of those vehicles for different reasons. However when it comes to cost... all you got to do is look who's in office everything costs more nowadays.

[@Arnovanderschaeghe]

First

[@davelogan77]

Metal gear servo, all ball bearings... Traxxas - you listening???

[@JD-tl7ld]

It might be feature packed, but I don't find the body attractive at all. That's my biggest hang up about it.

[@creekcreeperrc7972]

Swap bodys

[@johngantner9314]

off topic what's a good rc boat for a lake?

[@johnwayne666]

I don't believe shocks are very important on a crawler. Especially these smaller ones...as they crawl...when do they ever land hard enough to compress th shocks.....just saying...im stoned 😂😂😂

[@StevenYDG69]

They definitely matter, just in different ways! You’d be surprised how much it will affect torque twist and their overall ability to go vertical or side hill

[@shuster1921]

Don't bogart that joint my friend😅😂🤣

[@creekcreeperrc7972]

Shocks have a massive impact on crawling ability. It's not for absorbing hard landings or handling like bashers it's for allowing controlled articulation while at hard angles smoothly, instead of unloading at a certain angle like a friction shock will, or the opposite having to stuff suspension will make your RC look like a monster truck and the shocks will hardly move.