NEW Traxxas BL-2S 2WD Rustler & Stampede Released!

Let's take a look at the new entry level brushless Traxxas 1/10 scale bashers! Will these be good enough to justify the extra cost over the Arrma Gorgon 1/10 Scale Basher Monster Truck? Let's find out!

[@RC-4-LIFE]

40+ MPH as long as you have optional gearing, perfect weather oh and it has to be kiss by a rainbow unicorn and dancing leprechaun!🍀

[@alphawlff]

And they don't sell that gearing. Thomley proved this months ago go see.

[@RC-4-LIFE]

@@alphawlff exactly! I’ve seen both his Bandit and the Maxx Slash videos! Traxxas fanboy KZbinrs make every excuse for their lies and garbage products where as Arrma , Corally and others keep it real! If you lie to my face with B.S. speeds right on the front of the box then what else will they do to try and sell their products!

[@DoRC]

Yeah that sounds about right.

[@RoostedFilms]

Ahhh good old Traxxas, always happy to charge ya for the "little extras" 😂

[@DoRC]

Yeah it's definitely getting up there.

[@tontoapache4948]

It's hard to get excited about Traxxas stuff but it's cool to see them do something to stay "competitive" .

[@DoRC]

Yeah I'm just not really sure what this model is competing with. It replaces their cheapest model but they've kind of priced themselves right out of the cheapest category.

[@michaelschaeffer3147]

Excellent review as always.

[@DoRC]

Thanks Glad you enjoyed :-)

[@RandyandCyndi]

Awesome video brother can’t wait to see what they perform like

[@DoRC]

Yeah I'm excited to find out too!

[@TheMitsosBlog]

I bought a second hand Traxxas Bandit already converted to brushless. In very good condition (like new) with the stock electronics in a bag and all the manuals. It's the latest version with the leds. I paid 120€, the best money I have ever spend on RC. I have Arrma, Tamiyas, wpl, wl toys and rlaalro. The last 3 where bought because of youtube hype, realized the hard way they were crap and sold with big lose. Always look at the second hand market you could find jems.

[@DoRC]

Yeah you just have to be careful cuz you can also find turds. I've seen a lot of people buy used vehicles and then get nickeled and dimed right up to the price of what a new vehicle would have cost.

[@SVTBansheeman]

It's hard to understand the big channels are just paid for advertising. It's like that with many many things.

[@AllInRc1971]

Very cool! It proves my point that without Traxxas, Arrma would suck. Without Arrma, Traxxas would suck. Those BL2-s systems are pretty sweet. I bought a ton a few months ago when Traxxas put them on sale. Really decent crawler motor.

[@DoRC]

Maybe so though Traxxas really doesn't have an answer to the Gorgon anymore. The stampede used to be fairly close in price but now it's way off.

[@dylanwhite6539]

The new slash mudboss has been clocked at 30mph, and with some aggressive gearing a 40mph speed run should be in the cards as unlike the vxl, the bl 2s runs quite cool on stock gearing.

[@DoRC]

That's cool. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

[@dylanwhite6539]

This may be a hot take, but personally I think 3s brushless systems ruin 2wds. It’s just too much power to put down with 2 tires, and handling suffers. I can see these BL 2s kits hitting the sweet spot between boring brushed power and excessive 3s power

[@DoRC]

Yeah it gets pretty difficult to control a two-wheel drive car with that much power. For a lot of people even the old brushed system can be a challenge.

[@allyoucando8486]

The Gorgon for the price you can't beat, but the way that Traxxas rc handles from my experience is way better. That is my opinion, respect to any person opinion, and another brand that has great handles well is Losi

[@DoRC]

I guess we'll have to see how they compare :-)

[@vivos71]

Looks like they did update the bandit, but pretty half assed compared to the Rusty and Pede. I think a clipless body was never going to happen on the buggy, it got the upgraded suspension but it’s unfortunate to see the XL5/12t and bushings still remain with the Bandit. Fingers crossed for the new update Bandit VXL

[@DoRC]

Yeah it looks like the bandit mostly got left behind on this one.

[@PankoPengwingo]

@@DoRC The fact that the Bandit is still around is surprising!

[@dylanwhite6539]

The magnum 272 is the exact same transmission we’ve had for a decade on the brushed trucks. the 272R is the fancy improved one, so no update there. Though for a entry level 2wd I’d still call it acceptable

[@DoRC]

Ah. I didn't realize that. They were advertising it as upgraded so I just assumed it was the better version.

[@dylanwhite6539]

@@DoRC yea, traxxas is sneaky like that. Though maybe they at least updated the input gear?

[@RcPlayer-tt2vw]

Hey 👋, I remember Jason from arrma on a live answering this question. Kits are a lot more expensive to produce. Basically because quality control “

[@DoRC]

Yeah I definitely understand that it's more work for them to make a kit I just don't think they should price it higher. That being said it was mentioned that the slash RTR will probably end up being higher priced as well so maybe it's not the problem I thought it was.

[@codiekennedy-lt2kz]

hey man just posting on a recent video hoping for a reply, does not pertain to this video. my question is between the rlaarlo 917/787 and the termonator which one is the best value for money both at 200$? i know they are two completely different styles i just only have the money for one right now and the price might go up soon. So right now im at there are plenty of good bashers around 200 but not to many touring cars decent for 200 but im double checking with someone who has owned or owns both.

[@DoRC]

Well personally I would go with the OT just because it's a lot more versatile. The on road cars are great for on road but at least for me that's pretty limiting. You can always lower the suspension and stick some on road tires on the OT and have fun on road bashing but you can't off-road bash the on road cars if that makes sense.

[@Rcdude2007]

I absolutely love the Rustler 2wd its my favorite Rc car and now that it has the BL-2S system in it with the clipless body and a new battery and charger im super impressed. Do you think they will update the VXL Rustler 2wd soon to?

[@DoRC]

I would imagine that they will but no telling when.

[@Rcdude2007]

@@DoRC got it also what happened to the Traxxas bandit? I haven’t seen them in stock in a while.

[@DoRC]

@@Rcdude2007 no idea. If I had to guess Traxxas isn't going to make them anymore but I don't actually have any inside information so I know as much as you do :-)

[@Rcdude2007]

@@DoRC thanks man!

[@stevemoon2136]

AHH, yes the 90s are back, baby!

[@DoRC]

Yeah a lot of this is still the same as it was back then though it is nice to see some updates.

[@n00b247]

I have only 1 question: still brass bushings or finally after 20 years ball bearings? Also, if I will have to choose one between Gorgon and Stampede I will definitely go for Stampede, brushless or not. But tbh that BL-2S is really really good for what it is and its miles better than that Titan12T550 sealed can.

[@DoRC]

I just checked the exploded view and thankfully it does appear as though it Is full ball bearing now

[@vivos71]

Ball bearings now, not sure about in the steering bellcrank, but transmission and axles yes

[@n00b247]

@@DoRC ok. I'm buying one. I also wish they didn't include a charger and battery cos I will swap for T-Plug or XT60H.

[@DoRC]

@@n00b247 Yeah it would be nice if they at least provided it option without the battery and charger. They say it's included for free but basically that just means they charge you for it on the base price.

[@dylanwhite6539]

I can’t explain why, but I really want to pick up the bl 2s stampede. Seems like a fun truck. Then again, it wasn’t that long ago that the vxl stampede 2wd was under $300 byob

[@DoRC]

That's the one I want!

[@dylanwhite6539]

@@DoRC I mean it just looks like big fun to wheelie. I really shouldn’t buy one, but that combo deal with the battery and charger is tempting. 250 with a 3Ah 2s lipo pack is a fair price.

[@knoxyboxy]

You think that I can put the Traxxas 3s brushless motor and esc on the stampede

[@DoRC]

Definitely though the transmission that comes on the VXL is stronger than the one that comes on the BL2S so you might end up having to upgrade that or at least part of that as well to handle the extra power.

[@knoxyboxy]

Thank u

[@shannonblack527]

Can’t wait to see you put 6s on a Rustler 😂

[@DoRC]

I'm not sure how practical that would be but it does sound fun :-)

[@dylanwhite6539]

Note that the 2s lipo battery and charger is a promotional item. No battery and charger is included standard with any of these vehicles. It does make them kind of a hard sell compared to the gorgon.

[@DoRC]

I get that it's a promotion but sometime I get the feeling it's a promotion that will always be there. This would be a pretty hard sell at that price without a battery and charger.

[@dylanwhite6539]

@@DoRC I fully agree. I think traxxas will at some point end the promotion, and then after a few months of a sales slump end up just putting them in the box for the same pricing. Seems like the traxxas way.

[@DoRC]

@@dylanwhite6539 Yeah that sounds about right :-)

[@SVTBansheeman]

Id have to see much the similar 4wd model cost to make a decision with either companys' offering. The new (to me) electric r/cs have way too much tq for just rear wheel drive in most cases.

[@DoRC]

Yeah I think the BL2S system will probably be pretty appropriate for rear wheel drive but any more power than that is usually just kind of a waste.

[@dylanwhite6539]

Note that right now you do not want to buy the slash bl 2s as it doesn’t have the HD upgrades of the others. Maybe the kit version does and that’s the reason for the upcharge. The slash has always been more expensive than the pede and rustler 2wds

[@DoRC]

Good to know! I didn't notice that.

[@vivos71]

I saw the Bandit wasn’t updated, hopefully it’s not dropped from the lineup as my local club used them as an easy way into vintage racing

[@DoRC]

I'm afraid it probably will be dropped. If they were going to update it they almost certainly would have done it with this release.

[@vivos71]

@@DoRC at lest traxxas parts support for it will probably outlive my children 😅

[@StevenYDG69]

I think a mid motor bandit is coming, but we’ll see.

[@vivos71]

@@StevenYDG69 i hope that’s not the case, as rear motor buggies have a charm to them

[@StevenYDG69]

@@vivos71 definitely, especially in dirt. Would be a shame to see one of their legacy models disappear. Mainly just hoping for a mid motor for my own selfishness, we only have carpet and clay near me so mid motor is the jam in that case

[@Macgyver46]

I feel like Traxxas hasn't come out with anything new, just modified or minor upgrade parts used as stock. Arrma, Losi and others still try and come out with new platforms and not just a small change to the same old stuff.

[@DoRC]

Yeah it has been a while since they've come out with anything really new. I guess the last thing was the sledge right?

[@Macgyver46]

@@DoRC I thought that was xmaxx based.

[@valkyrievillage3673]

The Arrma mega 4x4s seem to be a better deal, and easily upgradable

[@DoRC]

Yeah that's hard to argue with.

[@dylanwhite6539]

One major point this has over something like the gorgon is the gearbox. I know that plenty of people will claim to put 3s brushless power in the Gorgon and have no issues, but that is not my lived experience. Every ARRMA I’ve had with plastic gears and brushless power has utterly destroyed multiple plastic gears. The original blx85 composite gears did it, and my big rock 3s did it within 1 week of purchase. There is no replacement for metal gears, and traxxas gives you that out of the gate. I beat the hell out of a used rustler gearbox for a couple years and never had an issue. Hell, even arrmas original metal gear 48p 2wd gearbox withstood a beating from 3s castle power for years. I can’t, in good conscience, recommend anyone upgrade a Gorgon to brushless power. Not to mention ARRMA has been around for a dozen years now, is owned by the biggest manufacturer in the hobby, and *still* struggles with parts availability. My stupid grom has become a paperweight due to the back order on the upgraded diffs. Back ordered them 6 weeks ago. And upgrades like that don’t even exist for the Gorgon.

[@DoRC]

Sometimes plastic ears can be a problem but the Gorgon has extremely wide gears and they're supposedly pretty durable.

[@dylanwhite6539]

@@DoRC yea. I think of all their attempts at plastic gears, it’s their best one. But it’s like telling a southerner you’ve made the best unsweet tea yet. We don’t care, we’ll take mediocre sweet tea over any unsweetened tea.

[@WinkelManBearPig]

I was able to get at least that speed out of my Hobbywing 3656 and bl60 combo on my 2wd rustler with only 2s

[@DoRC]

Sweet!

[@WinkelManBearPig]

@@DoRC the calculated theoretical top speed was 53 I believe. It ripped until I fried the ESC running it on sand

[@DoRC]

@@WinkelManBearPig sand is probably one of the highest drag surfaces you can bash on

[@BeardRubEnjoyer]

Slash kit is $270? Hahahah, traxxas, bros, whatcha doin?

[@DoRC]

Does seem a little strange

[@MannyGotit]

This is a bad move Granite Grom all in $130 4x4 is brushed but its hella fun everything included. Traxxas smoking crack.

[@DoRC]

I'm not really sure the groms are the proper cars to compare this to. The Gorgon is the real competition for this as they are the same scale two-wheel drive etc. That being said the Gorgon isn't much more expensive than the groms are.

[@MannyGotit]

As an introduction to rc Arrma got it for that price the little thing is a proven basher. Im not paying $300 for 2wd as an intro to rc.

[@rc_jones7284]

i wish the bl2s slash had these things :(

[@dylanwhite6539]

Looks like you’ll have to buy the kit. To be fair, historically the slash has always been more expensive than the pede and rustler, so when it does get updated it’ll probably be 280

[@DoRC]

Yeah I'm sure they'll update it at some point.

[@rc_jones7284]

@@dylanwhite6539 I want to but the kit anyway because I love slash kits

[@dylanwhite6539]

@@rc_jones7284 the kit gets all the upgrades for you.

[@philstudt3511]

Parts support is why traxxas still nails it.. yes , they are more expensive, but the parts support and customer service is still waaaaay up there... Horizon hobby has been more disappointing as of late

[@DoRC]

Ever since Verizon had a system conversion problem about a year ago things have kind of gone downhill.

[@FYRC15]

It’s not hard to understand why people hate on Traxxas but they have the business model and the new people in the hobby on lock. There durability is one of the best as well. It would not hurt for a few companies to take a page out of their playbook for durability.

[@DoRC]

Maybe though I think the durability thing just depends on what model you're talking about. The max is very durable but their 3S stuff isn't great and other companies have been dramatically increasing durability lately. Team Corally is really good and even companies like wov Racing are making really durable cars now.

[@FYRC15]

@@DoRC your absolutely Correct and I probably misspoke because I only have the Maxx and the trx4. I have not got a chance to really test the others that you mentioned.

[@DoRC]

@@FYRC15 oh yeah those are basically The two toughest vehicles Traxxas makes:)

[@RC-4-LIFE]

I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “business model” or “new people on lock”considering Arrma has been killing them in sales and products sold for the past few years! Not to mention coming out with new products and designs and actually listening to the consumer about what they should do to fix previous issues. Traxxas’s business model seems to be-Put cheap inexpensive parts together and call it something new and we can charge $200-$300 more than the competitors similar trucks. Oh and let’s make sure that the trucks we put out don’t perform anywhere close to sufficient that way whoever buys them has to spend more money on upgrades that only we make! Let’s also lie about the speed of the truck right on the box! The one thing we don’t sell is the exact item that proves we lied and people would need to get the truck close to what we advertised! Again sorry for the rant! Bad experiences with Traxxas! Sorry for the rant but Traxxas is run by men in suits watching their bottom line instead of true RC hobbyists!

[@FYRC15]

@@RC-4-LIFE haha easy there cowboy. Read our entire conversation before you get to twisted.

[@coyotex850]

traxxas tossing in a 2s battery and charger makes this a decent deal but without that its kinda meh

[@DoRC]

Yeah I'd have to imagine they will have to keep that bundled in in order for people to want to buy the truck but knowing Traxxas they might not.

[@marktsarenko3943]

This thing is going to get stomped by 10208 😂

[@DoRC]

We shall see :-)

[@Boogie_the_cat]

You got that right. I'm no huge MJX fan but I'd buy the 10208 over this truck any day of the week. The free battery and charger is just a hook to get you stuck into buying overpriced Traxxas batteries.

[@GotNoRice2000]

With Traxxas, you're buying into platforms that will be supported for decades in many cases. That's why I can still buy any part I want to for my old Stampede 4x4 VXL and Rustler VXL, both purchased new back in 2011. In comparison, other brands have terrible long-term support for their vehicles. Not only are parts harder to find for those other brands even when the vehicles are current, but those companies tend to also retire old models and introduce new models with major design changes every few years, breaking parts compatibility. At that point those old vehicles become abandoned junk that no one makes parts for anymore. If you just use your vehicle for a couple of years before throwing it in the trash and buying a new one, then I guess it doesn't matter. But if you want to be able to maintain, upgrade, and customize your vehicle continuously over the years if not decades, then nothing beats Traxxas. I upgraded and customized my Stampede 4x4 so many times over the years that I ended up being able to build an entire 2nd truck almost entirely from stuff I already had in my spare parts bag.

[@DoRC]

Good point.

[@aknmtbr]

$200 with a battery and charger isn't too bad. Although they are going to get dominated by Rlaarlo and MJX.

[@DoRC]

If it was $200 that would be true but it's $250

[@aknmtbr]

@@DoRCoh shoot! I’m on night shift and was watching with subtitles. Lol😂 $200 must have been for the versions they replaced? Yah $250 is way too spendy

[@omegar3ll24]

Nah bro

[@DoRC]

Understandable. It's a lot of money for what you get.

[@Boogie_the_cat]

Traxxas paint jobs always make them look like toys. Not a fan. They need to get a new design. It's always this color splash of tribal tattoo jaggy lines. Like a unicorn was projectile vomiting on the truck body.

[@DoRC]

Yeah styles always such a subjective thing. I think it would be cool if they offered that kind of look and a more classic look.

[@LUNAtic1983]

It looks like Traxxas discontinued the Bandit...

[@DoRC]

I'm not sure. They seem to have a bunch of vehicles listed on their website still but have been out of stock for a while. I don't know if they're planning on restocking them or just letting them go.

[@RcSpeedFreak-kk8wj]

Just buy a arrma lol

[@DoRC]

That would probably be my recommendation though some people really like Traxxas. I like them too but for an entry-level car these are starting to get pretty expensive.

[@MrtipRC]

Plus you get a free 2s lipo and charger , I'm gonna grab the rustler and Bigfoot !

[@dreamy-topic9857]

I disagree I got one about a week ago and tbh about the only thing I regret is not getting a bigger/multiple battery’s and that I didn’t plug the holes on the wheels other than that Ibe taken this thing out almost 3 times daily as much as I can to bash it it’s been raining so I was going through the puddles and everything and I have to say (so far)I have not been disappointed as this has been my first ever traxxas car at all it’s actually made me want one of all their models lol

[@DoRC]

@@dreamy-topic9857 they definitely have addressed some of the more serious weak points with this update!

[@alphawlff]

Pass. I'll buy a roller instead.

[@DoRC]

Which one?

[@alphawlff]

@@DoRC Either a bandit or rustler

[@user-fn7zd8pl7w]

Traxxas…what a bunch of crooks.

[@DoRC]

Oh there are some advantages to buying Traxxas but I think they are definitely pricing themselves out of the beginner intro market. Maybe that's what they want though

[@omegar3ll24]

Disappointing

[@DoRC]

What particularly is disappointing for you?

[@dylanwhite6539]

Not really.

[@DArealCHAZZ]

I still feel there's better choices out there for the money and 4WD. But everyone have a great day and don't let off the throttle.😂

[@DoRC]

Yeah I mean the four-wheel drive versions of these cars aren't that much more expensive. There are also a lot of other options out there for 250 bucks.