Team Associated Reflex 14MT Is Awesome! You Probably Shouldn't Buy It.

The new 1:14 Scale Reflex 14 MT by Team Associated is a very cool car. It has some tight competition from Rlaarlo, HBX, Bezgar LC Racing and more! Can it compete at it's price? Is this the mini bash Traxxas and Arrma should be aspiring to beat? Let's Find out!

[@TheSocialProfile]

Instant sub when you popped the diffs. So refreshing to see someone not shilling and actually comparing.

[@DoRC]

Thanks I appreciate it! I try and be as honest as possible with my videos so more of that to come :)

[@jhsumatt]

Actually comparing a foreign branded cars vs the brand name stuff when it comes to price and what you get. Awesome man. Subscribed.

[@DoRC]

Thanks :-) lots more cool stuff coming!

[@stevec9704]

I bought the 14b gamma and to be frank, it’s my favorite car. It rips and is a hoot to drive. Been very durable too. Easy to work on.

[@DoRC]

I'm not surprised. This is definitely a well-built and awesome truck it's just really hard for me to recommend it when you can get the same fun and durability out of other trucks that are half the price. If it was $150 I would feel very differently about it. Thanks for watching and if you enjoy my videos a sub is appreciated!

[@alantaylor353]

YOU DID NOT JUST USE YOUR LICENCE PLATE TO PATCH YOUR RC RAMP.!!?? YOU ABSOLUTE LEGEND.!!! 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@DoRC]

Hey when you need to bash you need to bash :-). Thanks for watching and if you enjoy the videos a sub is appreciated!

[@VetteWay2Fast]

In the market for a small ramp jumper for the driveway. This seems to have the power and wheel mass for air control. You mentioned the other option might be better. The only thing I worry about on the overseas cheaper cars is parts availability and long downtimes for shipping said parts. One thing to consider on the cheaper options. Great channel btw, like that u torn it down for an in depth review of components

[@DoRC]

Glad you enjoyed the video. The 16889 platform has been around long enough that parts are pretty readily available for it and you usually don't have to buy them from overseas. I've had to replace a couple things on it over the year or so that I've had it and I almost positive I was able to get What I need to directly from Amazon. Of course that could change at any time and parts availability reliability is probably better with the team associated car. I don't think you would be disappointed either way though.

[@luisLP5752]

I was soooo excited for this. i even built up my own hype, but after having fun with both the hbx and the mjx at less than $140, i think ill just have to pass on this for now. If i ever see it on sale, ill probably pick one up. Thanks for the honest review!

[@DoRC]

Yeah at 150 or even 170 I think it would be a much better proposition but at over $200 it's just really hard to recommend. Don't get me wrong I don't think anybody will be mad if they own one because it is a really nice truck and probably the highest quality 1/16 style monster truck you can buy. It just isn't worth double with something like a 16889 pro is to me.

[@genevakeith3876]

I don't think you gave that tortoise a fair shot... No count off, no nothin'? Appreciate the in depth review and tear down. Agree with your assessment. Good video!

[@DoRC]

I really don't think he was interested. Maybe we can have a rematch one day :-) thanks for watching!

[@N1TRO-N4NO]

I got a Hyper go from AMZN so fs so good and the only thing against it would be the 2 batteries that it came with (not bad) but no battery balancer plug in. Cool review dude! you got a follower!

[@N1TRO-N4NO]

Also...I am planning to build some little ramps for my son to have fun....any videos about how u built yours? U know for fun not for big air time...

[@DoRC]

No I didn't make a video but it's pretty straightforward. Basically I just drew the size and angle I wanted on a piece of plywood cut that out then cut out a second piece of plywood screwed some 2x4s in between them and then screwed down a piece of plywood for the decking.

[@livegood9876]

Id also like to know if the 14MT battery compartment could fit a 35mm wide 2s lipo battery; if you removed the battery holders/supports? Looks like there is a few more MM with those supports removed. I would just velcro the bottom of the battery to the chassis. Thoughts on placing velcro at the bottom of the sides of the body where it is close to the side of the chassis (in between both wheels) and use that in lieu of the body pins to hold the body in place?

[@DoRC]

As long as you keep the length under around 78 mm 35 mm will fit without any issue Even with the end pieces on there. It's actually a pretty generously sized battery tray for the size of the vehicle.

[@mikeday62]

If the left/right sides of the body fit close to the chassis, then one inch pieces of velcro at the four corners will hold the body tightly in place. Using velcro is quicker and easier than the metal clips. I'm getting ready to order one of these trucks. I can not wait any longer! 😮

[@DoRC]

They are pretty close to the chassis but they're also not super long so I'm not sure how reliable velcro will be. Definitely try it and let me know!

[@livegood9876]

If you were going to upgrade to metal gears for front and rear diff, what type of grease would you use in those diffs, does it even matter? They are not sealed so probably would not hold fluid all that well. Or would you put fluid in and just keep refilling over time?

[@DoRC]

Any kind of medium viscosity grease will work just fine. You don't want to go too heavy because it'll cause a lot of drag but pretty much anything greasy will work. The reality is that RC car gears just don't get that much use compared to gears in automotive or industrial applications so the lubrication isn't nearly as picky.

[@PigglyWigglyDeluxe]

I’m absolutely stoked to get mine. The aftermarket will catch up because the aftermarket doesn’t ignore associated like they would chinesium disposable whatever trucks. I’ve never heard of HBX and I’ve been in the scene for years. It’s less than a Traxxas 1/16 and carries with it the reputation of associated MT trucks so it’ll sell. Give it a few months and we will have aftermarket options to clean up some loose ends.

[@DoRC]

Maybe. In my experience the team associated basher trucks aren't really as well supported by the aftermarket and these little trucks might not get any attention at all. Is actually a pretty good aftermarket for the HBX16889 trucks. They've been around a while and have a pretty good following. That being said I don't think you'll be disappointed in the truck at all in its stock form. It's really awesome I just have a hard time recommending it when you can basically get the same fun and durability for half the price.

[@hiramrodriguez4323]

I got one and I agree with what you said. Way more refined than my mjx, but its needs a new esc for sure. I'm sure you can make your own diff gaskets.

[@DoRC]

What don't you like about the stock ESC? I didn't have any issues with mine. Thanks for watching and if you aren't already subscribed a sub is appreciated:)

[@hiramrodriguez4323]

@DoRC well it's not waterproof to start, no 3s and not programmable either. So for those reasons it's getting replaced with a hobbywing.

[@DoRC]

@hiramrodriguez4323 The ESC actually is a hobbywing and it is waterproof. It's a WP16BL30. I know the stock hobbywing WP16 BL30 has nine different programming functions. I assume this one will have the same options as the reedy rebadged ones usually don't eliminate any of them. They can be set via the button or via program card. I did just test it though and unfortunately they do have it limited to 2S only. That's a bummer because that's an artificial limit. That being said this car is already got Pretty decent power on 2S. The main electronic preventing the car from being waterproof is the receiver. I don't think the servo is waterproof either but that's usually pretty easy to at least make water resistant. Bearings will also be a problem. They are shielded and will get torn up pretty quickly but again that's fairly easy to replace.

[@hiramrodriguez4323]

@DoRC I haven't tried my hobbywing programming card yet. It says water resistant on it, and the hobbywing says waterproof. Especially because it sits right behind the wheel. It's definitely fast enough, but I like the option to run on 3s and turn down my gains to make it more controllable when needed.

[@DoRC]

@@hiramrodriguez4323 Yeah it's going to be the same amount of waterproof as the 16 BL30. I don't see any reason why hobby wing would make a less waterproof version. All they do is encase the circuit board in epoxy. It would actually be more work for them to create something that was still water resistant but not waterproof. I believe for these you have to connect the program card to the connector that goes to the receiver and then power the program card externally but you can also just use the buttons to try and see what program options are available. If you want to upgrade it it would probably be best just to get a 16 BL30. It'll do 3S and will fit in the exact same spot since they have the exact same outer case and footprint. They are pretty cheap.

[@livegood9876]

Do RC - do you see any need to upgrade the radio system on this MT14? Supposedly the ESC is not great and the brakes are too strong, I may upgrade ESC was curious about the radio and transmitter? Do you typically use the RTR radios with your trucks?

[@DoRC]

Had no issue with the ESC or the brakes. I didn't use the stock transmitter and receiver on this truck as I need to use the one that has my camera mount on it but I have used the same exact combination multiple times before and haven't really found any problems with it. For general bashing what comes with the truck should be just fine

[@livegood9876]

@@DoRC Thank you - What's your favorite radio (brand/model) and transmitter for bashing?

[@JFlyer1973]

Just gotta wonder about parts support really on the cheaper rigs. Cus the pricing difference is hard to get past. Son and I are in the market for a couple back yard bashers in smaller scale now due to our other rigs being too big and all starting to be fitted for racing. Wanna bash at home. Looking for the best rig for that. Small yard, grass, big tree roots (jumps), dirt. 1/10 just gets across the yard too fast. This is really checking the boxes other than cost… 🤔

[@DoRC]

Well these are 1/10 scale they're just two wheel drive and a tiny bit smaller than a granite. I think parts support will be good. Horizon is usually really good with their parts support

[@jeremymiller2340]

I didn't realize that little thing was over 200 bones- a tad high for sure- I still like the looks of that reflex buggy with the military type "ish" graphics. This truck just doesn't do it fo me. But I'm sure it is for some. Still it's a nice little truck just not 200 worth maybe 170 but not 200 gheesh

[@DoRC]

Honestly for me the look is probably the biggest selling point. I'm a huge fan of the body style and have it on both my MT-8 and MT-10. I don't think anybody will regret getting this car as it's a lot of fun and very well built I just have a hard time recommending it when you can get a 16889 pro that does pretty much the same thing and is also very durable and fun for half the price. Thanks for watching and if you aren't already subscribed sub is appreciated!

[@livegood9876]

With a truck like this, do you just continue to fill that center diff (over time) with thick fluid as it leaks out with no seal? What weight fluid would you personally use?

[@DoRC]

Yeah probably. Not really much choice. I'm guessing it's probably something like 100K in their stock. I might go up to 1 million as it would be less likely to leak out. Unfortunately you can't even custom make a gasket for it because you'll change the backlash between the internal gears. I suppose you could possibly shim them to make up for it but that sounds like a lot of work :-)

[@paulmccarter908]

​@@DoRCgrease in the center diff?

[@DoRC]

@paulmccarter908 Yeah you could do that

[@hyperc5249]

Good review. But.... I am not impressed with these either. I will take my MJX 14210 Hyper Go over these all day long. Better chassis, cvds, esc, ect. I agree with the HBX being a better buy as well.

[@DoRC]

Yeah it's really a nice car and it is a step up in quality over most of the other cars in its size range but I don't think it's enough of a step up to justify double the price.

[@pjpankratz8829]

lol why was the HBX 16889A Pro body on backwards? What tires did you have on it?

[@DoRC]

That's just how it happened to get slammed on the last time I put it on. Those are trencher 2.2s

[@pjpankratz8829]

@@DoRC BTW great video content!

[@DoRC]

@pjpankratz8829 Glad you enjoyed :-)

[@livegood9876]

How would you compare this to a 1:16 E-Revo? Handling/acceleration on 2S? Also maintenance, is this 14MT harder or easier to work on than the REVO?

[@DoRC]

I would say this is far and away better than the 116th Traxxas stuff. Given all the other options that are out there for small RCs I don't think I would ever recommend the 116th Traxxas vehicles to anybody. They're expensive fairly weak and extremely difficult to work on. The 14mt is a dream to work on compared to those things.

[@livegood9876]

@@DoRC Thanks for your feedback on this

[@DoRC]

You're welcome Thanks for watching and commenting :-)

[@livegood9876]

@@DoRC Do you think that the M ERVO is that much more difficult than a Revo 2.0 to work on? is it just the size and small spaces, what makes it difficult?

[@DoRC]

No I wouldn't say it's any more difficult than a E-Revo 2.0 just everything is smaller so that's inherently somewhat more difficult. The designs are very similar. That being said compared to modern designs the E-Revo 2.0 is pretty difficult to work on for a lot of things like differentials etc.

[@daylightdies7194]

£200 isn’t bad but I have limited space for batteries and I’d liked to of been able to use my 3cell batteries

[@DoRC]

Yeah you'd need to upgrade the power system to do that unfortunately.

[@paulmccarter908]

Holy moly 2 bills

[@DoRC]

Definitely not cheap but it is a cool little car.

[@ragsixracing]

All thats missing is sealed diffs?

[@DoRC]

I think the lack of sealed center differential was the most disappointing specific thing because it is essentially a and unresolvable defect. Even if you put a gasket in there it would spread the internal gears apart which would probably cause them to strip. Putting grease in there wouldn't work because then it would just diff out really badly. Ultimately though I think the main reason for not recommending it is that you can get very similar results from other available vehicles for half the price. The 16889 pro that I showed is extremely durable and can often be had on eBay for under $100.

[@MRCG68]

don't forget mt14 has center diff

[@DoRC]

Yep. That definitely an advantage but does that make it worth more than double?

[@dadario1946]

but which module runs with a 48p pinion??

[@DoRC]

Sorry I'm not sure I quite understand the question. Can you elaborate on what you're asking?

[@dadario1946]

@@DoRC which pinion module to have??

[@DoRC]

@@dadario1946 Do you mean modulus as in mod 1 mod 0.8 etc?

[@dadario1946]

@@DoRC Yes sir

[@DoRC]

​@@dadario1946Unfortunately there is no direct conversion from one to the other. 48P is close to mod 0.6 but they're not actually compatible.

[@NathanSaparevski-iz1lm]

Is it 3s or 2s

[@DoRC]

It's limited to 2S.

[@revee1000]

Just save a little more and get the mt10

[@DoRC]

I think these two vehicles serve very different purposes. The MT-10 is a great general basher but the 14MT is able to be used in places that something like the MT-10 wouldn't. This thing looks like a little toy and because of that you can run it basically anywhere and no one's going to give you a second glance. But that's just my opinion and you know what those are worth :-) thanks for watching and if you enjoy the videos a sub is appreciated!

[@MrTimmyGT]

I agree, that was my exact thought when I saw the price. Why would I buy this when I could get the MT10 for $120 more or an HBX for $70-$80 less....the price point just leaves it in no man's land. It's a shame because it does look pretty sweet! If I ever see it on sale for $40-$50 off I'll buy it in a heartbeat!

[@DoRC]

@MrTimmyGT Yeah it's definitely higher quality than the Amazon specials but I don't think it's higher enough quality to justify more than double the price once you factor in buying a battery.

[@philipbrits2984]

Can't believe they lie upfront on their website stating it has sealed differentials. Kind of lost my respect to TA🤥

[@DoRC]

Yeah I verified in the manual and there are o-rings For the outdrive's but without a gasket to seal the housing to the gear there's no way that differential fluid is going to stay inside these. I definitely don't think these should be called sealed. At least I've never seen any other supposedly sealed differential that didn't have a gasket there.

[@AndrewSury]

MT10 turned out to be pretty cool. This? I think I'll pass.

[@DoRC]

Yeah the MT-10 is a beast. I'm actually in the process of giving the MT-8 and other chance with some upgrades but this one while I don't think you'd actually be upset if you owned it I have a hard time recommending it given the alternatives

[@Oosh21]

Tortoise 🐢

[@DoRC]

Good catch! He still lost though :-) thanks for watching and if you aren't already subscribed a sub is appreciated

[@ironj100]

This truck is great . No way I’d get the No name over this. The reflux mt is a tiny Bash beast. Maybe Hvper Go can keep up. Team Associated is the Hobby way.

[@DoRC]

It's definitely an awesome truck and it's built very well. I just have a fair amount of experience with the cheaper brands and A lot of them can keep up. The 16889 pro is extremely durable. So is the bezgar 161. Both of them cost less than half of what this does. I don't think anybody will regret buying one of these if they do but you can have just as much fun with a truck that's just as durable for less money. Thanks for watching and if you enjoy my videos a sub is appreciated:)

[@lyricofwise6894]

Quality and features more important than name

[@jdmikeg4]

This is definitely worth $200 dollars. It's a TA which means there are upgrade parts for it.

[@DoRC]

Maybe. There are also a lot of upgrade parts available for many of the other smaller platforms. I don't think anybody will regret buying one of these I just have a hard time recommending it when you can get similar durability and fun out of something that costs less than half as much. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@darkfalconsteele170]

Shocks are not oil filled and they want over 200?? uh no...

[@DoRC]

Shocks are oil filled. The front and rear differentials are not.

[@darkfalconsteele170]

@DoRC As much as that was bouncing around that has oil filled shocks?!?! Could have fooled me. Anyways I still would not purchase it.

[@DoRC]

@@darkfalconsteele170 Yes the shocks are oil filled and actually for a little car like this It's pretty well sprung and damped. These little cars are very light and they just don't have a lot of inertia so even small bumps are going to toss them around pretty hard. The terrain I was bashing and isn't really ideal for that size of vehicle I was just trying to push it to show people what it was like at its limit. It's a really cool little car and it has actually become my favorite small basher but it is very expensive and I have a hard to recommending it to other people given the alternatives out there that cost less than half as much and are almost as much fun and almost as durable. Ultimately I don't think anybody buying one would regret it but still a tough thing to recommend. Thanks for watching and commenting :-)

[@darkfalconsteele170]

@@DoRC You are welcome sir. No disrespect or anything. I can see why it is so difficult to recommend it. However, with the amount of money they are selling it for, they could have made it so much better.

[@DoRC]

@@darkfalconsteele170 oh no I did not feel disrespected. I didn't make it or price it :-) And yeah, while it's definitely a cool car I feel like it would have been a lot better at $150 or so.

[@GsxrMark70]

I see no actual comparison. You prove the associated truck is durable. You obviously have no clue how durable the cheap truck is in comparison. You bash the team associated simply because of the price? Get back to me when you properly run like 8 battery packs through both trucks. I am certain your choice of "cheap choice" will be broken and waiting forever to get replacement parts, and therefore a waste of money. As the team associated will have every readily available part, when and it breaks. Replacement parts are VERY reasonable. I'm not wasting my money on some cheap crap that will just have you spending more money in the long run repairing or replacing parts or truck. That is a waste of money. I know from experience that team associated will last. I own an Associated Reflex 14, and it is proven and the exact same platform, only I'm sure this truck is improved. I say spend your money wisely, you get what you pay for. Buy cheap junk and then need to replace the cheap junk again months later. How is that saving money!?

[@DoRC]

Sorry if I want clear in the video but I've owned the 16889 pro for about a year and have probably 50 packs through it. I take it camping with me and it's been through a ton of abuse. The 16889 platform has been around a while and parts are both cheap and readily available. I'm not saying that the 14mt is a bad truck. It's a good truck. But in my extensive experience the 16889 is also a good truck and is less than half the price. Thanks for watching!

[@deltazero3796]

Wait for discount. Still, worser than MT 10, yet way better than garbage MT 8.

[@DoRC]

Yeah the lower prices would definitely be more compelling. The MT-10 represents excellent value for money. I'm actually in the process of giving the MTA another shot. There are multiple people that I have a lot of respect for who swear that the MT-8 with a few upgrades is one of the best RCs ever made. We shall see they'll be an update video on that coming out in the future :-)

[@deltazero3796]

@@DoRC Whe test of upgraded MT 8 if ever?^^

[@DoRC]

@@deltazero3796 should be fairly soon. I'm actually excited to find out myself so I would say in the next month for sure.

[@deltazero3796]

@@DoRC Nice^^

[@DoRC]

@@deltazero3796 If you aren't already subscribed Make sure you get subbed so you don't miss it :-)

[@alantaylor353]

That's a pretty cheap expensive RC.!

[@DoRC]

Yeah it's definitely affordable. I think that if it didn't have such steep competition from other vehicles in the same size class that cost half as much It would be easy recommendation but unfortunately those vehicles do exist.

[@brokenmember1658]

Rahter buy the reflex than support a company that rips off other brands

[@DoRC]

I can appreciate that. The basic 1/16th monster truck design definitely has been passed around a lot. Thanks for watching!

[@TheDoozie43]

It’s a team associated bro. Much better than some Chinese knock off junk. Sounds like you’re new to the hobby though so I’ll let it pass lol.

[@DoRC]

I've been bashing pretty much daily for about 20 years now and have owned just about every vehicle that's been produced in that time. So I'm not sure I would consider myself exactly new to the hobby:) Seriously though I think you would be impressed with the quality and durability of some of those Amazon vehicles. I've owned most of them and have bashed them all pretty hard. The team associated is definitely a bit of a step up in quality but is it more than twice as good? I don't think so.