Element RC Ecto Review! The Crawler You Need?

The Element RC Enduro is a flexible platform. It's brought us the likes of the Enduro Trail Truck kit, the Sendero HD, the Trailrunner and Knightrunner and the very capable Gatekeeper. At first glance, the Ecto is a Gatekeeper with a Sendero-esque polycarbonate body - but essentially a Gatekeeper underneath.
Is it something new, is it an improved Gatekeeper, or is it something else entirely? I don't know a lot about this one, going into it, but so many of you have been asking for it that it's high time we took a look!
Let's test!
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This video is Part 1! Find Part 2 here: • Watch Before You Buy: ...
Read our article: rc-tnt.com/rc-crawler-reviews...
Element RC's Ecto page: www.associatedelectrics.com/e...
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Chapters:
0:00 Element Ecto
0:10 Unboxing
0:18 A Closer Look
1:18 What's Included
2:08 Overdrive!
3:00 Ecto or Gatekeeper?
6:14 Vehicle Overview
7:12 Sendero vs Ecto
7:59 More Ecto Detail
9:40 On the Rocks
15:00 Test Debrief
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#rccrawling, #rcreview, #elementrc, #elementecto, #elementenduro,

[@eprc7585]

Why does front axle overdrive work better than say having twin speed gearbox and shifting it up for more wheel speed all round? In my head that must work better as with overdrive on an axle you are constantly losing traction somewhere just to make any progress.

[@RCTNT]

Oof, good point! I should have explained the benefit of overdrive in this video! It's a rock crawling thing. Overdrive helps maintain direction on difficult climbs where traction is low. It lets the front pull the rear onto and through problems. I've made a more complete answer on my Q&A page: rc-tnt.com/how-to/q-and-a/why-overdrive-the-front/ Cheers :)

[@eprc7585]

@@RCTNT ahh that makes sense. Great detailed vid as always and thanks for the detailed response 👍🏻

[@RCTNT]

@@eprc7585 you got it! Thanks for the excellent question, I'm glad you asked!

[@fishnrc294]

Yes I’m glad you got it & I know you’ll enjoy it a lot. I really liked it as a RTR and now it’s highly upgraded with a Hobbywings 2 in 1 1800kv combo, Reefs servo, Samix front knuckles & rear weights, metal bead locks & I left the original tires on because they actually work well. It performs super good & amazing to watch it climb. It will go up anything but I discovered on the steep downhills the rear is too light & it wants to flip over forward. It has a beautiful slow crawl now. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Thanks for sharing.

[@RCTNT]

Sounds like a beaut build you've got there. I'm not at all surprised you like it!

[@k24civic1608]

Can’t wait to see where this project goes

[@RCTNT]

Me too, actually. I'll keep it stock for a little while first, while we put it head-to-head with the Gatekeeper, the TRX4 Sport, the Axial Base Camp and perhaps the Capra. After that, minor tweaks and fixes to improve it and then, I guess we'll see!

[@madsrcbuggy]

That was nice to watch, I will definitely be looking out for your proper test, I hope the rain stops soon. And as usual, I am able to learn a bit from your videos, I have started looking a bit into pulse width modulation, so every bit of info helps me figure what it's all about. All the best, mate, have a good one!

[@RCTNT]

Great, glad you enjoyed it! Early this week we'll get the Ecto onto the problems, I'm looking forward to that. We'll also do an ESC round up, test, comparison soon. I'll go into PWM and other related factors then :)

[@mgscheue]

Excellent video. The Ecto is impressive. I bought my Gatekeeper, during a nice sale, with the thought of putting the Ecto body on it but I actually like the GK body a lot, aside from the long nose. A very capable crawler, especially with a few mods. The SSD knuckles made a nice improvement.

[@RCTNT]

I have no doubt you like the GK, Mark. It's a very capable machine! Thanks for watching this one, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@bartbbb1046]

You should have waited for a few weeks and get the green one! The Element chassis platform is really good and versatile, offering a faire amount of possibility. It won't disappoint.

[@RCTNT]

I bought this the day before they announced the green one! Oh well :)

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

Lovely green carpet you bought yourself for the backyard, and with heart shaped leaves on top. Came out beautifully on video.

[@RCTNT]

Thanks, that's oxalis, an insidious weed I just can't get on top of. It flowers beautifully in the spring but is out of control in winter! At least it's pretty!

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

@@RCTNT weeds are OK, much more habitable for little animals than the ma made lawns 👍

[@RCTNT]

@@polishguywithhardtospellna8227 I'll take native scrub over both of them :)

[@Andy_Yates]

Impressive performance straight out of the box on those wet rocks! Your rocks course looks like what I've been living with the last few months :). The Sendero + Gatekeeper = Ecto bit was great too. I have to agree with you it looks like the Ecto could use a smaller pinion or bigger spur to slow it down a bit. Great video as usual 👍👍

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Andy

[@YoShImUrA53]

The Ecto has never been my cuppa, but your technical analisys at the beginning and comparison with the other Element platforms was a total treat. Still, very impressive performance given the weather! Can't wait for more content. So many exciting videos in the horizon for this channel!! (I spy a 1/12th Willys that's already been opened!!)

[@RCTNT]

Thanks yoshi. The willy's has not been opened, only removed from its shipping box. What you saw on camera has not been unsealed yet! Glad you enjoyed this. I've been working away behind the scenes on improvements that'll unfold over the rest of this year. Looking forward to it! Thanks for watching along, good to have you here :)

[@YoShImUrA53]

@@RCTNT Yeah mate, wouldn't miss any entry from my favorite channel!! PS: I also wanted to echo the other comments saying the editing for creating the Ecto out of the Sendero HD and Gatekeeper was really great!

[@mikeashbaugh7773]

I’m interested in the ecto, just on the fence, I like the base camp a lot also. I have a red cat Gen 8 v2, and a built rock crawler, so looking to work another truck in that would be different . Great video

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Mike! Glad you found this helpful. I do have a few more videos that compare the Ecto to other rigs here. Have a look through my Ecto playlist, you should find any video comparison listed there that features the Ecto. Cheers! Element RC Ecto: kzbin.info/aero/PLP6qQhzesLdoFJT_HDfqQXVP4YGbl6sBY

[@zonegamma8197]

nice simple machine, good review thanks

[@RCTNT]

Nice way of putting it! Cheers

[@ConditionZero76]

Beautiful and serene crawler course or backyard etc , looks awesome.......

[@RCTNT]

Thanks, it's sure handy for vehicle testing!

[@ConditionZero76]

@@RCTNT yes for sure...

[@erickrzanich8000]

10mm I think is what you cut off the frame to increase approach angle. There are quite a few things to adjust the lcg out of the box as well, but I'm sure you're aware! You're going to have fun with that rig. Great video!

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Eric. I haven't read anything about it yet. I like to try to work stuff out first then look at what others are doing. I agree, 10mm looks about right for the front hacksaw treatment. Cheers

[@benlait3696]

A good way to get an Ecto if you do not require electronics is to buy a Gatekeeper kit, Ecto body and mounting post's. That way you get all the Gatekeeper kit upgrades like metal panhard mount, better plastics, steel pivot balls, high clearance link's and team shocks. Then sell the Gatekeeper body. The only trouble is the Ecto body is extremely difficult to find in stock anywhere in the UK, not sure about the rest of the world.

[@RCTNT]

That's a clever idea! Thanks

[@S1XTY7]

I'm in the process of doing just that right now. I THINK i found a gatekeeper RTR for $219 (assuming RTR unless the vendor mixed up p/n's) but it could be a kit.

[@RCTNT]

Nice!

[@shadow7796]

Personally, I really enjoy the more narrow body styles on my crawlers like the Gatekeeper, Ecto, Power Wagon ect. The performance is just better, less tire rub, less mess under the body too.

[@RCTNT]

Can't argue with the practicality there!

[@ConditionZero76]

Just more mess ON the body instead 😆,... I agree tho as far as for performance..

[@roblowrie1969]

Nice truck. It'll be interesting to see the difference in performance with the Gatekeeper/ Enduro. 👍🏻

[@RCTNT]

Very much so! I'll do that before I mod the Ecto. Coming soon.

[@muskokamike127]

I'm actually surprised the antenna lasted the first roll over haha...I thought that was a goner when I saw you attaching it.....

[@RCTNT]

It needs a soldering iron melt on the back of the pins. I'll do that soon.

[@maverickrc6530]

Hi. Liked the magic trick at the beginning of the video. Do you think sliders covering the body would help, or it will perform better without them?

[@RCTNT]

Hm, I think better performance without, most of the time - but the body will pay in scuffs and dents over time.

[@danweiss4928]

👍

[@michaeldorich4485]

I enjoyed your detailed review. Thanks for your attention to detail. There certainly seems to be a lot of competition in the crawler market. Since it was wet and it was not a fair test for the car, I had a question. I have never competed in a rock crawling event. In those events does the competition stop for rain?

[@Andy_Yates]

Living in the rainy state of Washington, I can tell you folks here run rain or shine. I was in full rain gear the last few times I went out 😂. Before I went to local events to see what people were using, I was watching Craig's wet tire tests pretty closely. If you're in a wet area, it'll be good to have a tire that does well on wet terrain. Some rocks might as well be ice when their wet, but you'd be surprised what these little crawlers can do in the rain 👍

[@RCTNT]

In most events you'd continue through rain. However, with the pin tires on the 2.2 crawlers (Sportsman/Shafty and Pro/MOA) lose most traction in the wet. If it was wet from start to finish then it's fair for all, but dry first then wet isn't fair to the later runners, so there goes the fun element. Gotta be fair or there's no competition and satisfaction of achievement! In short, it'd be at the event organisers' discretion. Most local comps run in all weather :)

[@michaeldorich4485]

@@RCTNT Is there such a thing as rain tires in crawler competitions?

[@RCTNT]

@@michaeldorich4485 cars are scrutineered before running so you need to run with what was passed at sign in. However, there are several great tires that are great on dry and wet rock - check out the video I linked for my Wet Rock Tire Test, for some examples.

[@michaeldorich4485]

@@RCTNT Great, thanks.

[@eltelturbo]

Is it worth getting the gatekeeper kit for the shocks? GK kit doesn't come with wheels though

[@RCTNT]

For the shocks? No. For the whole package? Well, if you like it more than the Ecto, yes! I'd say buy on which of the two stir you more. They are similar enough, really.

[@camilohernandez17]

Question for you! Would I be able to fit the Ecto body on a trx4? What kind of adjustments do you think I would need to do? Cheers :)

[@RCTNT]

I'd have answered already but a friend has borrowed my Ecto so I can't test for you. I expect the TRX4 will be too wide, though the wheelbase will probably be close. They're not a good match. But the TRX4 body on an Ecto chassis would work better.

[@bjorn1583]

morr heavy wrecker build anyone?

[@RCTNT]

Heh, not my bag but that's cool, I just had a look at what Matt and the crew at utv driver are doing. Nice.

[@bjorn1583]

@@RCTNT l want a morrvair body for my crawler but cant find a body in 1:10

[@RCTNT]

@@bjorn1583 you might try asking on reddit.com/r/rccars and also on rcgroups forums. If it's out there, someone in one of these communities will probably know about it.

[@benjamincloutiermainerc]

Can you do a portal axle vs stock axle review for the wpl c24

[@RCTNT]

I'll consider it, sure.

[@benjamincloutiermainerc]

@@RCTNT it's just a thought I haven't seen any yet I have regular axels on my wpl and often wondered if the portal axel are better or if they are just hyped up to be better

[@RCTNT]

@@benjamincloutiermainerc at this stage I probably won't do that video - but I did think on it today. For what it's worth, portals will increase your clearance at the cost of center of gravity. That's not its biggest issue for crawling, I don't think. It already has COG deficiencies so I wouldn't want to be exacerbating that. The C24 will really benefit from better tires and especially a better motor and transmission. I have a video about that already, if it's any help! Thanks for the ideas here, in any case. Good to talk trucks any time! Cheers kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHTOZWlrlsl3h9U

[@benjamincloutiermainerc]

@@RCTNT thank you I'm actually buying a trx4 off somone Friday so I'll be crawling with both lol mostly the trx4 thou I've been wanting one for months and found some nice lad willing to sell me one at a price I can afford

[@RCTNT]

@@benjamincloutiermainerc hey hey that's fantastic! I'm pumped for you! Enjoy :D

[@aorchotika]

Does the Ecto climb better than Enduro senduro HD?

[@RCTNT]

Mostly, yes, but not always. Sometimes the Sendero's geometry and balance will give it the advantage. But usually the Ecto will be more capable, generally spreaking.