Crawler Canyon Quick(re)view: Redcat Marksman

[@Chuck-w4c]

Thanks you for using non refundable minutes of your life to produce this wonderful entertainment.

[@Doug_Morgan]

His dedication to the hobby and sharing with others is remarkable. So very few can give so much of themselves to this level.

[@machinedred]

46:47 I have never seen a truck lean to the same side when either turning left or right 😂😂😂 good job Redcat

[@idiot_RC]

There are 1000 reasons to love your channel, but my very favorite thing is when you pause and describe in words the gestures you're making with your hands.

[@MrBowser2012]

I am loving this channel! Thanks for your efforts.

[@Chuck-w4c]

The wind chimes are soothing and reduce the anxiety induced by this beastly creature

[@derrickhays3627]

Hey all you have to do is change the axles,links,tires,wheels,servo,body,chassis rails,gear box,motor oh wait that would be Rattle Cat 😂 thanks for sharing love this place.

[@JagImaging]

My son has a Gen8 and it impressed me.. Goes everywhere my Trx4 and my dads TRX6 does but that said, we dont do hard core rock crawling.. It also also survived being driven by a 4 now 6 year old..lol

[@billtruett8593]

I can hear the angry red kat mob(army) (with pitchforks and torches)in the background as not wanting to hear the truth. Thank you for your time (and complete honesty) oh and a little humor to. Thank you enjoy the chuckle on a Saturday afternoon.

[@FaithSaraG]

The gearbox and transfer case are from the Gen8. That's why there's no gear reduction. Needs a Fusion.

[@CasperRc81]

Sooo I bought this $300 OTD. I already have the se1200kv and I pushed the pinion mesh together to get rid of the too much lash. Heated lock tight to pinion super glued on 🤦‍♂️. -brown back is scratch off green outside to rust appearance. -Steering Knuckle bump stop shave and countersunk screw. -have my own radio to control dual rate at different ends. -servo program it to “2” get the 7.4v runs it NP. -vented tires and built my own drag link to the knuckle. Tap and die 8/32 on an 1/8” rod traxxas end. Hate their links 😂. I have the RER12000 on order for rear under-drive. -thinking of ryft/spooled four link front axle assembly maybe. Truck wheels nice now I like the look but yeah REDclap!! Going to change the pan hard to straight after lowering. Moved shocks second hole front top at an angle. All shocks 50wt going to do rear sway bar but does whee decent and is smooth smooth now.

[@badcredentials4230]

Oh sweet gift, seeing this and knowing it’s a Wendigo with a different lid, fills me with joy and pity. I’ve watched nothing but I’m heating popcorn for the video aaaaand the comments!

[@simonkubacki9823]

I have a Gen 8 for trailing. I love the Scout 2 body, it looks great, it doesn't crawl well, but thats ok, I like to take it for walks.

[@biggoodlookinfella]

I've recently found this channel, and i have been binging nonstop. Love it!! I have a wendego that, after element shocks, 1800 2 in 1, the hair-tie suck down system and MANY other modifications, i have turned into a somewhat, sorta-kinda crawler-ish trail basher. Its now ridiculously heavy, bumpers, winch, lights and its perfect for my 10 year old to beat the brakes off. Kepp it up, fella!!

[@fuse557]

Great video! You have a great channel and I do really appreciate your knowledge and explanation of things. Good job!

[@ljaysperspective1775]

Im an RC anthusiast, from helis, drifters to crawlers. Bashers/Traxxas are also on the map. It doesn't matter what it is. I own a modest collection and some time ago, i was looking at the Wendigo, and then i considered the Marksman. The reviews are mixed across the board. Unfortunately, after viewing just about every vid on this truck. Despite the corrections that you Obviously pointed out. I'm not loyal to Redcat so im not disappointed because i was trying to find Something to like about this truck/Marksman, its hard finding something to like when nothing seems to work right on this. I appreciate your honest review. I wanted something that i could fix up not for crawling, though. Because i do have a few crawlers, and its hard to top Axial because they havebeen doing it so well from day 1. Having said that, perhaps im wrong but just about every crawler, eventually gets a new motor and esc. Tires and metal wheels for added wieght. Some add bronze parts to make the front end heavier. This application is formost used on all crawlers. With the exception that most crawlers are able to crawl out the box. After listening to your review it just seems like Redcat didn't know which route to take on this truck and its suffering from an identity crisis. I have seen a few positive vids and some have managed to make this truck crawl to some degree. Isn't that why we test servos, motors and esc, tires and wheels. I mean who has a stock crawler ? that hasn't been upgraded at all? Even good crawlers get an upgrade. Are most fans driving there crawlers out the box without any mods? No mods at all? Im just saying its a fun hobby, why get so dramatically correct. hobbyist love swapping electronics and other parts trying to find what works best. Thats the hobby. By the way i appreciate your servo reviews, and I think they are the best on YT. Thx for the invested time and energy. It's much appreciated. Keep doing ur thing. 👍 👍

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Yes I agree that pretty much every crawler gets upgraded or modified to some degree. The problem is, there are fundamental flaws with pretty much every Redcat crawler-- they genuinely don't know how to do geometry, so they all suffer from bump steer, torque steer, axle swing, you name it. We won't even go into the bizarre reverse ackermann in the axles, something usually only seen on F1 cars and other open-wheel, downforce dependent race cars. Redcat vehicles all have one or more fatal flaws-- that is, flaws correctable by taking one (or more) part(s) completely out of the equation. Want better steering angle? You have to replace the axles with something else. Want the front end to not be weird? Again, start replacing. By the time a Redcat crawler is brought to what I would regard as "basically competent" you've surpassed what it would have cost to start with something better to begin with. Redcat are masters of the false economy. Low entry price, but so many parts need to be replaced that it ends up being more expensive than anything in the same class. The Marksman definitely suffers from an identity crisis-- to the point where it's not really good at anything at all.

[@ljaysperspective1775]

@CrawlerCanyon Duly noted, thanks. It's a shame considering the cost. Once you get into the $400/$500 dollar range, you would think it's worth your while. I appreciate the clarification and feedback, and I truly enjoy both your crawler insight as well as the detailed servo reviews. Spot on! 👍

[@GhostRider-ii7tz]

Oh I love quick views.i got a red cat gen8 with the injora hard body jeep on a trade.had good upgrades.but setup was wrong.so i deep six the shocks.with better ones.moved the servo.redid the pan hard.with canyon trails.now it crawls great.with better electronics.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

The Gen8 is honestly the only one I ever hear people speak favorably about. I've yet to hear a single person say a kind word about the Gen9. But there is a pretty strong cadre of people doubling and tripling down on their inexplicable affection for the Ascent. Which performed (if I'm being generous) only better than this thing.

[@brianmorrison2846]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I think the canyon needs a high trail in the collection. They are very capable after modifications.

[@brianmorrison2846]

It’s got a clipless body and I know you can make it crawl rocks.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I'm sure I could make a High Trail out of a Sport Kit... ope, Traxxas disco'ed those. I don't know how many $550 RTRs are in my future.

[@bouncingnoise]

I already love the first few minutes❤😂

[@LumpkinMumfins1]

“If they were aiming at CACADOODOO…” 😂😂😂

[@benniullrich2237]

Did you already tested the redcat ascent 1:10? Whats your opinion about it? Cheers

[@Andy_Yates]

He did test the Ascent when one of the Canyon supporters sent it to him. The videos are up on his channel. He didn't like it and it has its own set of design issues

[@TrokaRC]

Geometry makes for bump steer. Doing a 4 link and revolver motor with servo on axle of course.

[@frestkd]

What's the differences between the Marksman and the Everest Ascent 1/10 and Everest Ascent 1/18 .... I have the Danchee Ridgerock and 2 Ridgerunners so far good fir the money...

[@CrawlerCanyon]

The Marksman is enormous. The Ascent is a fairly typical "1/10th scale" offering, but of course equipped with geometry every bit as bad as the Marksman, and axles that are arguably worse. The Ascent 18 is tiny-- 60mm tires and a 180 size motor. It's marketed as a direct competitor to the TRX-4m, but that's a misdirect-- it's a "hook 'em with the low price, keep 'em with performance that can be "improved" with factory hop-ups. There's well over $300 in Redcat hop-ups for the Ascent 18. That's the equivalent of putting $80,000 in parts on a Honda Civic. You still end up with a Civic.

[@frestkd]

Marksman is big, but an old design. You're biased, but most people are and you got a bad taste from previous Redcat Racing products. Of what I have seen on other channels the Ascent 10 scale, and Gen9 are better that previous designs from Redcat Racing. I love my Danchees after I did some modifications, but I figured that's a normal routine when buying RTR Crawlers or building them from scratch. The box stock Chinesism Danchee Ridgerock has comical RTL for 140 bucks and the newer Danchees Ridgerunner for 170 buck is an improvement, but it's still cheap Chinesism. I think Redcat Racing makes most of the money on the low riders RCs not the other stuff.

[@RCplamodel]

Top rig Brother!! Thatz a lot of cool 😎

[@joeblakcson6035]

Thoughts on the cross RC Tow Truck?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I have questions as to why they opted for full-blown 1/8th scale-- the Cross Tow Truck is as big as the Marksman. Are AR60-sized rigs making a comeback?

[@fuse557]

I'd also like to see an AT-6 or JT-6 compared to the TRX-6. BTW, The JT and AT are pain in the ass to work on.@@CrawlerCanyon

[@CrawlerCanyon]

@@fuse557 The TRX series might be one of the easiest to work on overall. Aside from the servo horn screw being absolutely obscured by the axle, everything else is easy to work on.

[@brianmassey7563]

@@CrawlerCanyon 1/8th on trails is a really good size. I almost never want to take my 1/10 out to the trails any more.

[@fuse557]

1/10 is the perfect scale as far as I'm concerned! I have an Evo Pro which is basically a Vanquish Stance RTR in 1/18 scale.

[@PerdueRC]

Redcat is selling left over Holmes motors and g1 1080’s from this production run for like $40 btw. About the best thing Redcat has done, and that’s coming from a Redcat owner 😂

[@mitsuman5555]

I had a Gen 8 for trail work and the affordability made up for most of its shortcomings in my mind, except for that gear noise. I couldn’t quiet it down and that’s ultimately what made me get rid of it.

[@JD-tl7ld]

What RC crawler is equal or better than this one at last month's price point? Can you take this crawler and make it better and still come in around the price point of an SCX10III or TRX4?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

To the first question-- that's a loaded one. We can't give the Marksman bonus points for being $90 off. At it's normal price of $380, there is a laundry list of better options. But for the sake of argument, let's do that anyway. $285 for a Marksman RTR, and we'll say it's up against a TRX-4 High Trail, so $550. That's $265 you could pour into the Marksman to try to make something of it. That's where you arrive at your first problem-- the things that need replaced the most are the entire drivetrain: axles, gearbox, T-case. The XR247 axle has steering angle, and there's nowhere near enough gear reduction to actually crawl it. Redcat specializes in dealing the false economy. The rigs look like a good deal provided you don't look very close. The unvarnished truth is, every single Redcat part you replace, the rig will get just that much better. When no Redcat remains, you will be left with something genuinely good. You won't get a return on investment when Redcat is involved.

[@JD-tl7ld]

@@CrawlerCanyon Then is sounds like this one is geared towards children that wouldn't know any better to care about performance. If this is an adult crawler and you have to replace every stock component, then there is not much point in it. I haven't been in this very long, it makes me glad I started with an SCX10. I almost bought one of these when they were on sale the last time and am glad I didn't.

[@thatprcrawlerguy187]

True the 1/6mb way batter for the money aka “buying happiness elsewhere”

[@rccrawlingaddict207]

Thankfully there are no deadcats in my fleet! I can't say they haven't tried, I get e-mails all of the time begging me to look at there stuff. All because I bought a kaiju body to put on my scx10II.....which is a rock crawler.

[@Bonitacreekrc2]

if the green is painted on the outside then you get rusted scratches

[@danwoodruff4323]

The Hershey chocolate 🍫 undercoat is supposed to give you a rusty look when scratching the green layer.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I think this sums that up for me: 😐 That would work a whole lot better if the outside color wasn't so darn close to the inside color.

[@thindigital]

Sweet infant baby Jesus this is gonna be great

[@AnySumptionBanter]

so when you run this rig... do the crows gather for murder as they hear the calling?

[@jord001]

I was hoping for something a bit better but Sadly its not great. Could probably make a light trail truck but I don't think I would buy one.

[@DaddyAiken]

Ever consider getting an scx6?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I have not, for the same reason that I don't do micros: it lives in it's own ecosystem. I have zero parts that will fit on an SCX6, it would essentially be like starting over. Add to that the fact that cheap beadlocks and a set of Tusks would set me back about $250. That is not a thing I do.

[@rb5031]

I feel like redcat needs to hire you so they can come out with a legit crawler so that that can really get on the map.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

All they would need to do is absolutely start from scratch, and that's not Redcat's way.

[@TrokaRC]

RedcatArmy happy fathers day.

[@jimbocreationsbu8203]

Maybe Ar60 in the front to fix the steering, a gearbox , maybe it will be ok

[@machinedred]

❤you and I both know the solution to that kinda gearing .... Fusio....

[@BillsWorkbench]

I do like the body style, the old jeep comanche puts a smile on my face. The tires helped, but it's not a crawler I will not be investing in.

[@Doug_Morgan]

I see you have a rock pile for an SCX6 by the wheel barrows.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Yeah, pretty much. That's probably around 10-11 tons worth.

[@twilliamrc4wd]

I work at a machine shop I dealt with some Engineers they do not want to listen when you try to tell him something doesn't work even if it's on paper you got to change it and real life is different than on paper Redcat is doing the exact same thing and I have not learned to put a little bit more money back in their products and make it better

[@mfnJOSH]

No views but 2 likes already at 6:01. You guys are on top of it. 😂

[@The_RC_Family]

There was a great comment in the 404 chat about how Redcat design they're crawler rigs, very funny. Thank you Mr C

[@themountain59]

They dont....they sell random stuff they find on Taobao😎

[@neildaniels5443]

If Redcat offered to employ you to design a crawler............ Wot say you good Sir.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

They don't want better. They want a thing veneer of fake quality stretched taut over a money pit. After all you can buy $300 in Redcat hop-ups for the $99 Ascent 18.

[@ekess7458]

Is the z review?

[@Bonitacreekrc2]

I see something that needs a reedy crawler 550 14t

[@CrawlerCanyon]

More precisely, Reedy Crawler, Radiolink Cool 9030, and 4S. BOOM, it's a Wendigo!

[@Bonitacreekrc2]

Please do it show us the WENDIGO!!! ,the steamyist of piles

[@mfnJOSH]

Rattlecat 2.0. Keep going til its good! 😭

[@FeralRC]

Had a Redcat Shredder. It was defective out of the box. Chassis didn't look bent but it seemed like it was bent. Body wouldn't fit right then I ran it about 30ft and it shredded a diff gear. Customer support gave me a bunch of trouble and wanted me to pay to send it in for service. Luckily I bought it on Amazon and just sent it back for a full refund. Done forever with the brand.

[@RiceCrisp320]

Can we get an 'upgrade' series on this where the only goal is to make it feel like the most Walmart grade RC you can buy spare parts for😂

[@yonicozac]

Shouldn't ackerman steering be the opposite? wher the inside wheel turns more than the outside? this car seems like it has anti-ackerman steering :)

[@CrawlerCanyon]

That didn't even occur to me at the time, but you are absolutely correct. More outer wheel angle is indeed "anti-ackermann," favored by F1 and other open-wheel race cars. So this is a carryover from the Wendigo, where Redcat (maybe) were trying to make the thing actually turn at speed. But as per usual, they implemented a setup from extremely low CG, rear-biased, aerodynamics.dependent on-road race cars into live-axled off-road trucks. So it doesn't work at all. Imagine our collective surprise.

[@yonicozac]

@@CrawlerCanyon I agree, theres absolutely no way they implemented this on purpose :) As "normally" fast cars, like 1/8 buggies and normal full scale on-road cars uses regular ackerman. Anti ackerman is used only on super fast cars that turn on such a big radius turns that the benefit of slip angle outweighs the benefit of the ackerman steering

[@toeshifter]

How does the decision process work in the Canyon? One could argue that this was, in fact, a Junk View. As a noun: articles considered useless or of little value. As a verb: discard or abandon unceremoniously. Thanks for your efforts. I find myself always seeking the Canyons advice before a purchase. Well done.

[@brianmassey7563]

I did not realize the gearbox was the same as the Wendigo....If I'd have known that I'd not have pursued this experiment. My intentions were never to keep the vehicle. I'd most likely just give it away to a fellow enthusiast with a child who wants to trail or something. But if the community has any other ideas, I'm open to them as long as Mr. Canyon is willing. Oh, the Marksman came AFTER the Windigo. It was totally a cash grab using recycled parts. If they were aiming for poo then this Marksman hit the bullseye. Priceless.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I don't make myself laugh often (I've heard the guy's jokes) but I very nearly got myself with that line. It helped bring me up out of the Redcat-induced funk.

[@johngookinsable]

seems tnere might be a need for some other esc settings lol

[@ninjasupreme5966]

I have a Wendigo with hot bodies sedonas on it, thing crawls like a champ.

[@brianmorrison2846]

🖐️

[@carltruva8872]

Looks like a jeepster

[@Casitascrawlers]

Your crawler tests are very specific to a set course that never changes & you run the same lines over & over which is good for comparisons but Crawlers & especially tires react in different ways to different types of terrain & conditions so your tests really only apply to the type of terrain you are testing them on so what may do well on your course may not do well on natural different type terrain where others live & crawl & just the opposite things that don’t do well may do well. Point being you can’t really do a true test or review unless it’s is run through different types of terrain I crawl a lot in natural loose boulders that are in ways way more difficult then your man made course also roots & slick rock are a whole different ball game especially when wet. I only crawl in natural spots & all are different by far that’s what makes it more interesting & you really learn about your crawler & set up.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Hey, when you're wrong you're wrong, and that's the beauty of this. You basically just said "the scientific method doesn't work," and well... just well. I love comment that questions the validity of empirical evidence, as 97% percent of the time Redcat is involved. If I were driving the Marksman in Iceland, the geometry would still be terrible. Down in Rio de Janeiro the body would still look like someone stole it from the Target. So to your "way more difficult terrain" I give you a solid thumbs up, because you (and I in equal measure) have absolutely no idea. I've never wheeled there and you've never wheeled here, so any judgement made by either of us is not evidence, but rather speculation. Nevertheless, the claim that "Thing X would do Obstacle B differently if Obstacle B was different" is kinda like saying blue and green are different colors. But I would say that "My terrain is harder than your terrain, therefore your conclusions are invalid," because that is a level of hubris that I have not attained, and hope never to attain.

[@Stinkyj6443]

Ok soooo...i have this friend......uuugghh nevermind....i dont know anyone you has 1 or seen 1 in person and can't stand it anymore so pls.....enter a world with me in which the rabbit must be explored and trigger must be pulled on 1 of these slightly larger vehicles....in this world we, I ve narrowed down to 2....to make it easier.....if you had to choose between the scx6 jeep....or the the new emo tow truck and or which would you like to see there....not a problem to drop it offf

[@chrispearce9224]

Shorts idea, see it it will make it around Mavericks once....then off site she goes.

[@brianmassey7563]

I had that same idea during the closing thoughts of the vid!

[@2Geek2bChic]

How can the lowriders be so cool and the crawlers be so terrible?! Maybe we should put some beadlocks on a lowrider and see if it crawls any better than this thing did...... 😆

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I don't think the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. Redcat are re-badgers, so I don't think the people designing/building the lowriders even know the crawler people.

[@2Geek2bChic]

@@CrawlerCanyon Well that must be the case because the back end of this "Jeep" is painful to look at whereas the lowriders are pure eye candy....... and they can actually do cool things too. 🤓

[@nicholasstephey8475]

😮😂😂 😢😢😢😢😢😅😅😅. These emojis tell the story.

[@HorslONE]

Omg, how can they even think about to release something like this peace of rolling trash. Thanks for the review…

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I assume they had a lot of Wendigo stuff lying around.

[@neildaniels5443]

I feel sorry fa Westworld man avin ta be seen in dat chunk of green n brown plastic 😢

[@HVT03]

Another Redcat, another failure, what a surprise 🤣 The only good thing in there is the 1080. A +300$ 1080...

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Imagine my surprise at seeing that the Marksman is the most expensive crawler Redcat offers. Nestled in price right between the TRX-4 Sport RTR and the 10.3 Base Camp RTR. Absolutely insane.

[@FeralRC]

Should have been a junk view. PLEASE post how many dislikes you get from this. I need a good laugh. How about a drinking game. Every time it fails we take a shot. See if anyone survives.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I feel like now I would be doing a disservice if I don't give the SS M16 tires a proper quick/junk view.