MST CFX-WS DC1 Trail Test: It's a Mixed Bag!

[@Andy_Yates]

Really enjoying your content man. Even your early videos are pretty polished, which is awesome, and I feel is pretty unusual with a lot of creators. Really enjoying my Sendero HD! It finally dried enough outside to give it a test in my yard. It went right up some things I didn't expect, and couldn't do other things I thought would be easy. Lots of fun! I'm also learning a lot watching you drive your course, lines, techniques with the steering servo, and I never understood dig until now. Looking forward to more! Would you say a well-done Class 1 rig could do your gated course, or would a comp have a different course for Class 1 rigs? I'm getting curious about scale builds because I could possibly make a little brother of my '87 Toyota pickup with the solid axle swap :)

[@RCTNT]

I really got a kick out of your comment here, thank you! A class 1 rig cannot do my two courses here, nor probably 4 of the 6 test problems. Here and in a comp, a different course is needed. Mainly this is due to clearance (4.19" tires rather than 4.75" in C2, for example - rules vary a bit but that's the general cut-off), but also the greater weight many C1 rigs carry over C2. Speaking of C2, I'm really glad you're enjoying your Sendero HD. It's such a good performer, eh? Cheers :)

[@Andy_Yates]

@@RCTNT Yeah it's a lot of fun! Just been all around impressed, and yeah that factory servo is really impressive coming out of the box at 7.4V and pretty stout. I did order a set of 8mm thick hexes (6mm is stock). I got a set of Gmade steel beadlocks and they rub the steering arms just ever so slightly. I could probably file it enough, but it seemed the aluminum hex would be durable and get me the clearance for other wheels :)

[@RCTNT]

@@Andy_Yates sounds like a winning plan :) Nice one! (and thanks for telling me about it here, its fun to read about your plans!)

[@scalecrawlnl]

Thank you, enjoying and learning through the RC-TNT video library. Like the body and you made a really cool colour. Really appreciate this MST, in-depth review and may I add, awesome nature trail views when you were driving, what a beautiful sight, from cool trees to the city skyline in the distance 👍😊 Cheers Craig and a like added of course 💯

[@RCTNT]

That's very nice to read, thank you!

[@scottjlambert]

I bought one of these the other day but the RTR version from Asiatees using your link. Didn’t see them available in the USA so I paid the ridiculous $111 shipping and bought it. Made it here in 2 days from Hong Kong so I can’t complain about the shipping too much. What a great little trail truck, I love it!

[@RCTNT]

Oof, shipping can be rough when it's for bigger things eh! They are fast though! Thanks a lot, Scott, I'm so glad you're enjoying it :) I owe mine some more action really!

[@scottjlambert]

@@RCTNT I watched both of your videos about it and knew to keep my expectations at a reasonable level so I’m happy with my purchase. I’m using the same Axial wheels you used but put some Proline class 0 BFG Krawlers on it and it’s just right. Usually here I’d buy from a local hobby shop or AMain Hobbies so shipping isn’t so expensive.

[@RCTNT]

Ooh I bet that woke it up! Nice choice

[@YoShImUrA53]

You are getting comfy into this type of review, while showing some running trail footage, and personally I think it's giving the channel its own identity!✌🏻 As for the truck, well, I have an MST CMX with the older, rounder Jimny body (J3, MST calls it, as in the 3rd gen Jimny body), and yeah, they're not great out of the box. I think their deal is to purposefully leave some margin for tweaking and improving them, as part of the fun of the hobby. As for the build quality, they seem like a quality product. Yet I don't have a more unreliable rig. It's seriously the one I've spent more money on spares due to wear and breakages. But even though it breaks down and it's not capable, secretly I still love it. You figure that one out, lol! Maybe you need a 242mm CFX or CMX to understand... I will be getting their J4 body in CFX chassis for the full range of small trucks, and then my J3 will get both open diffs. My front is already open, for scale driving purposes, although it seriously hindered an already not very good performer, but I appreciate the challenges it brings in other ways. About the Disco body, I'm turned off as a scaler for the proportions (windows are too big, especially compared to how small the fenders and doors are). If I were a Discovery and scale nut, I'd get J's scale hard body and do a really good Camel Trophy one. It does miss an interior, but a universal one or getting creative could surely be part of the fun process of building it. About the advertised cool-looking 5-spoke wheels, those are actually one-piece plastic that came in my Jimny that I never used. They might end up in one of my Touring or Rally chassis, as they're no different to a regular plastic Touring RC wheel on the way they grab the tire or for hex sizing. They were the promotional wheels they used in all the teasers during this body/chassis WS variant development. Pity we don't live closer. I'd happily gift them to you.

[@RCTNT]

Thanks :) I'm still experimenting with presentation styles but this one is good (though YT mangles the picture quality even when I upload in 4K, let alone 1080 - doesn't matter what bitrate I set, it just never seems to be clear. Working on it!) You could be right with MST leaving things to be tweaked and modded. I've built some of their stuff before (axles) and they were fine quality, but this rig is somehow lacking in finish somehow. I'm building the cheap vanquish and the brx01 right now and they've both night and day compared to the MST build, but you get what you pay for too, of course. I don't know I'm a fan of the body, but the windows aren't too big are they? Maybe they are. I thought they looked about right but I could be off; I'll defer to your eye on that one! Thanks for the kind intention with the wheels. I appreciate the thought but aside from the logistics issue, I really don't mind these ones. Maybe I'll try with some other rubber and wheels at some point anyway, just to see if it can improve on the rocks. Dunno yet but I reckon the tires hold it back a fair amount, foams aside! Cheers :)

[@peregrineflow7354]

Well done and enjoyable. If someone loves that body it makes sense. You covered all the main points in a fair way. I particularly appreciate it that you explore budget friendly toys as well.

[@RCTNT]

Thanks! I'm filming another RGT/HSP model today. We'll see how it performs - I'm looking forward to finding out!

[@SlavaRC]

Very cool and beautiful crawler, awsome work bro!)🤩💥💯👍👏

[@SonoranScaleStudios]

I love all the acronyms! Always so creative to go along with some great content!

[@RCTNT]

Heh, thanks. Gotta have a little fun with it!

[@666impreza666]

Beautiful scsle truck. Nice review!

[@RCTNT]

Thank you :)

[@modzilla74]

Looks nice,... Sounds like a card clicking on bicycle spokes though

[@RCTNT]

Yes! The mesh is set correctly but I suspect the grub screw on the pinion is hitting the metal bracket it is close to. I tried to correct this but after a first go at it just decided to leave it. The metal will wear down soon and then it won't be a problem. The good old Italian maintenance method - more power and it'll come good, lol!

[@AUBREYTHOMAS1979]

I'm building one as a class 1 style light trail truck, and there is a very nice full interior available as a stl download for a few euro.

[@RCTNT]

Oh yeah? Thanks for noting that, I'll check it out!

[@KEVLAR_RC7275]

I'm waiting on my first crawlers/trail trucks to get here. Fairly new to the rc hobby anyways but those look like such fun.

[@RCTNT]

Awesome! What have you decided to get? I'm excited for you :D

[@KEVLAR_RC7275]

@@RCTNT I went with a Redcat Gen8 V2 and found a Laegendary Grando that I think would make a good backup.. The last I couldn't hardly find any info or reviews on,fairly new company I think. The truck looks built tho. You ought to check into them.

[@RCTNT]

@@KEVLAR_RC7275 ah, very good. You can't go wrong with the Gen 8 V2, that's a great choice. I haven't heard of the other one, I'll check it out. (How did you hear about it?) I just went and looked at their website. It looks like an scx10 clone. It'll go alright, I'm sure!

[@KEVLAR_RC7275]

@@RCTNT I was searching for a decent crawler I could afford at the time on Ebay with limited $. I found that as an open box never used for 220.00 or offer. So yeah figured that would get me into seeing if I liked it or not an made an offer......in the meantime I happend into the Redcat web page seen the gen 8v2 and by accident my finger hit the credit by affirm and next thing I know I got one of those coming.....Xtra batteries.....light kit.....now I just have to figure out the wife part......

[@RCTNT]

@@KEVLAR_RC7275 you're really the victim here, I see. I'm really sorry you went through all that. Thoughts and prayers, new crawling brother.

[@SoteroMurguia]

Great review! It’s a shame they cut so many corners. I was really looking forward to picking up this truck later this year.

[@RCTNT]

Thanks! It could be made better, I think. The tires in particular would change it in a big way, I suspect. I might test with some others soon. The body is pretty, and is now available separately, if nothing else!

[@SoteroMurguia]

@@RCTNT That is true. I have a couple of trucks that body could fit.

[@TinyTiresRC]

Been very happy with mine aside from the included foams and wheels. Eventually had a disagreement with the kit shocks as they would continuously vomit oil all over the place. Replaced them with some Incision Shocks. For what it's worth, I never buy a scale truck kit with high expectations. Even my Phoenix was bought without gratuitous expectations.

[@RCTNT]

Sounds like a wise approach :) Glad you're enjoying yours here!

[@UNCHARTEDANGLING]

what are those beadlocks called? they look great!!

[@RCTNT]

They're the stock plastic bead lock wheels that come with the SCX10 III range of vehicles. Black Rhino 1.9 bead locks

[@mhobby8009]

just bought my this week, using proline tires 1.9 working super great for RTR kit, but already twisted and broke the plastic rear long shaft, replace to metal all working well so far. Any suggestion what need to replace other than the plastic long shaft?

[@RCTNT]

Glad it's under control. No suggestions on replacements other than to take the moderate approach of 'use it til you break it, then upgrade the broken bits'. No hurry, enjoy it for what it is and see how far it takes you!

[@SnarkyRC]

Like a lot of rc "crawlers" on the market, they're actually just trail trucks. You gotta do a decent amount of mods to make them crawlers. MST's CFX-W that comes with the portal axles is more of a crawler.

[@RCTNT]

Very true, though I think the tires let it down the most. It isn't awful, just... not great. It can crawl, as you saw here, but yeah, you'd want to like this body you buy it, I reckon!

[@SnarkyRC]

@@RCTNT Yeah I very seldom use kit tires and wheels. Proline, Jconcepts and Pitbull are my go to tire brands.

[@RCTNT]

@@SnarkyRC fair enough. That was me too, until I did my tire test series. There are several really good OEM tires and I'd not have given them a chance before I did that testing! The ones on the DC1 here won't be in that list though, heh

[@SnarkyRC]

@@RCTNT Oh I've tested plenty of tires since the 90s. I agree OEM can be good but, will never be great. Otherwise aftermarket companies wouldn't be around. Unfortunately, OEM tires don't always cut it for every climate or surface. As a former racer, OEM tires never won me any championships lol.

[@RCTNT]

@@SnarkyRC well yes, of course, if you take it to competition levels, specialisation will outperform OEM - of course! Buuuut, the OEM rubber on some rigs these days is not too far off comp level performance, pin tires aside. The gap is shrinking, I guess I'm saying. That's good for us!

[@trashpandacustoms400]

Could you tell me the inner width of the bumpers? I'm thinking about a set for my TRX4 Sport. Great review!

[@RCTNT]

Sure. What do you mean by inner width? The mount points? Inside of the mount points is 39mm. Outside of the mount points is 53.3mm. Mount points are round and have a diameter of 7.2mm. Bash bar (rectangular thing moulded underneath the top part) is 88.5mm wide. Bar is 197mm wide.

[@trashpandacustoms400]

@@RCTNT Hey. I meant from the inside of the bumper tubes themselves. I'll most likely just purchase a set, but it would be nice to know if they'll wrap around the TRX4 Sport body.

[@RCTNT]

@@trashpandacustoms400 I'll check for you now. OK, inside to inside of the outer edge of the bumper is 187mm. It's about 5mm wider than the stock Sport bumper on each side. It'll be close but I think it will fit around the front of the Sport body, excluding the wheel arches of course. Hope that's what you're after!

[@trashpandacustoms400]

@@RCTNT Yes. That's exactly what I was looking/hoping for. Thank you!

[@AUBREYTHOMAS1979]

Also worth mentioning is that the fasteners are a bit soft and should be put in carefully with a new hex driver....

[@RCTNT]

I didn't have trouble with mine - but I do expect all hardware to be rubbish these days until proven otherwise! Never hurts to be gentle :) Thanks for the tip!

[@jonmandelbaum5395]

My only complaint about the body is it’s still held on with clips which defeats the scale look. It does of course need an interior. I’d love to see you do experiments with upgrades if you’re willing. What I’m wondering about especially is durability. I want beautiful things to outlast my interest in them.

[@RCTNT]

"I want beautiful things to outlast my interest in them". That's an interesting statement, I'll have to think about that. If I do more work on this car, you all will know about it. Have been thinking through what I might try. I'll get back to you.

[@vbspeed7571]

Hello from CA v&b speed

[@13riansup5]

What do you think about freemen/fs racing, I just bought it couple week ago.

[@RCTNT]

I know nothing of that brand, sorry. No useful opinion to offer here.

[@rcrelatedstuff6092]

Looks really nice. Great review even of this rig does not seem that capable. One question, will you make a proper review of that white big Excavator?

[@RCTNT]

Yes! It's coming soon! Many videos to make but I'll get to this one sooner than later.

[@mnmvuk]

Craig, I think I can see it in the videos but does yours have a noticeable toe out on the front wheels? Mine's off quite a bit. There's no adjustment on the drag link but it's not a tough mod to fix.

[@RCTNT]

Yep you're right, it's bananas. I decided not to address that because it wasn't worth it: light truck, low power, low speed, poor tires, etc. You're right though, it's way wide!

[@mnmvuk]

@@RCTNT Eh, you may want to adjust it. While it's not going to make it a monster crawler by any means, it certainly will help. Right now they're fighting each other as well as reducing steering accuracy......which in turn makes it less likely to climb better. I think I'll just shorten the aluminum tube on mine a little at a time. I have a tap if I need to clean up the treads after the cut.

[@RCTNT]

@@mnmvuk I've got shorter rod ends for it already. They'll go on soon. I meant I didn't address it in the video, but for sure it's worth fixing :)

[@shannoncold]

Thanks for the cool review. The transmission sounds noisy, I had a cfx and it was really smooth. Where is the noise coming from? PS, the Cfx came with oilite bushings.... aarrgghh

[@RCTNT]

The pinion grub screw is hitting the edge of something, I'm pretty sure. It'll wear a grove in soon enough, I've decided! Sorry you got bushings with the cfx, that sucks!

[@grrfy]

would need to raise the rear lights as well if wanted to Land Rover-ise it as well as badges

[@RCTNT]

Nice observation. I've just looked at it again and now I can't unsee that! D'oh! Lol

[@grrfy]

@@RCTNT 😄 might not be the height,they just look odd to me for some reason can't put my finger on

[@grrfy]

I don't think the rear window goes low enough ,rather than the lights being low looking at the top of the light to lower window line..Easier fix possibly?

[@Wild_Buggy]

👍👍👍

[@avipatable]

Good review. My big bug with this and the TRX4 body is chopping a nice looking body to make it look modified. This one has the chopped front end to assist approach and the TRX4 Defender has the ridiculously huge wheel arches. Both of these mods could easily be done by the owner and not the manufacturer, BUT there is no way to go back to a normal unmodified looking truck, and I think that is a real shame.

[@RCTNT]

Very much agreed. My preference is to leave it pretty, especially after the little testing we did here. Doesn't make a lot of difference-and if it really matters for comps or whatever, you could always put a lighter body on it for that. Keep the nice one pretty!

[@avipatable]

@@RCTNT it seems lots of us think the same! You can't run scale tyre on the Traxxas Defender body without it looking lost in the wheel arches. I makes my on resin arches and it looks a bit better with the Proline 4.35" All Terrain tyres, but still wagon wheels compared to the correct scale. All I want is a scale looking Defender - but with remote diffs and 2 speed...! And don't get me started on light kits! haha!

[@RCTNT]

@@avipatable ah I see. You're after a BRX02 with coils, I'm thinking - though unlockable diffs are a missing ingredient! I addressed that on my BRX01 by having part time 4wd and overdrive in the transfer case to the front axle, so when in 4wd I had that nice extra turning going on. Performance and scale, it's a compromise!

[@avipatable]

@@RCTNT Yes I watched your vid on that, and a few others on the BRX02... it does look very nice!

[@RCTNT]

@@avipatable I'm looking forward to going over the BRX02. Would love to see boom racing phat axles with unlockable diffs, that'd be the complete package then!

[@jonmandelbaum5395]

Is there a better chassis this body can go on?

[@RCTNT]

Probably. The body is 313mm, which is a standard size for 1/10 crawlers. You'd get this onto an SCX10 II, TRX4, HPI Vantage (oh, that's what I should do, I've built one of them already and it needs a body), among others. Body can be purchased separately, too. Link in description.

[@jonmandelbaum5395]

@@RCTNT cool. I can’t figure out why they or element made such beautiful bodies then hold them on with clips. It kills the artistry. I’d love to put it on any of those. Whichever is the most durable. I’ve seen some other running vids on here with interiors but the seat backs always seem too low/small. Btw speaking of land rover I’d love it if you could review the Carisma offering. And/or their pickup. The latest version that is. Which is supposed to have some great built in updates. Actually their “Coyote” body, based on the Toyota Stout for some reason, now comes cab-only as does their ford cab and they offer their own version of a honcho cage which I like the lines of. I know it’s a tall order but if you’re willing to do a video, their stuff is more affordable than the other brands you cited here

[@RCTNT]

@@jonmandelbaum5395 sure. I've had some experience with Carisma from two years ago (not great) and currently with their Arc ESC (very nice indeed, video coming soon on ESC choice), but nothing of their present line-up. I'll take a look.

[@jonmandelbaum5395]

@@RCTNT grand. Thanks. Also the RGT 131616 I mentioned which Is 1/16. I’ve seen three different KZbinrs put different WPL bodies on it. A D12, C54, and C34. The D12 videos are especially well shot I think. Because of the height of the chassis hardware the C54 guy simply avoided putting in an interior and blacked out the windows but it still looks great. The C34 is interesting the way he held it on because the part held on by body clips is in the front under the hood. Which is elegant. The D12 has precedent because if you google “Suzuki battle van” you’ll see a neat offroad capable van version of that same kei truck someone built, with external cage no less. Someone on fb also found a way to mount the D12 body to an MST Cfx or something but even tho it looks great I don’t like how it looks quite as much. Some have put the D12 on a WPL chassis too tho the narrower axles don’t look as bold to me. But some have put metal MN axles on C44 and c34 builds to great visual effect and they work great from what they tell me. I’ve had three cups of coffee.

[@jonmandelbaum5395]

@@RCTNT I’m in contact with the owner of the company. They added a lot of improvements and optional things. One of the more interesting improvements is they raised up the steering linkage crossbar in front so it’s less vulnerable to impact. They downgeared it too and there were other things I can’t recall

[@aaronhouser3711]

Has anyone found an interior kit for the MST DC1?

[@RCTNT]

I've not seen one yet, though you could adapt something else to it without too much trouble. Even the generic injora polycarbonate interior should fit with some trimming. But it'll take some experimenting.

[@NoLimitRC87]

Wouldn't be for me that but the body is awesome they shouldn't of advertised it as if it was licensed tho, can you buy the body separately? As I'd buy the body in a heart beat, awesome review tho buddy that view was out of this world with the city in the background where was it if you don't mind me asking buddy

[@RCTNT]

Everything's in the description - the body is available separately, yep. Location is Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia. It's a nice spot.

[@bernardrc1137]

Have a look at my reely freeman vids,I have with stock tyres on her and more recently duratrax showdowns, also doing my crawling assault course in my garden, she is good 😇😇👍,,, I reckon mate ,that little Sheila, coud do yor course, no problem mate,over ah tinny,,,(my Aussie accent, ain't that good 😁😁😁😁👍,,your very good in your vids at explaining things 👌👌👍

[@RCTNT]

Heh, on ya, cobber, I'll take a gander. Cheers

[@bernardrc1137]

That's why it reminded me of my reely freeman,,scx10 wheels,,apologies to harp on,,but the fs racing reely freeman rtr crawler will piss all over that mst and eat for breakfast,bro its £180.50p in uk,,,excuse my language no malice intended against you or vid,actually an really good vid bro, I learnt something about forms in tyres n servo positions 🤔😁😁😁😁😁👍

[@RCTNT]

Glad you learned something. If it isn't clear yet, this vehicle isn't about price. The RGT truck in the background walked up problems this thing couldn't do and it was cheaper again than the Freeman. This one is about the body, really. They kinda missed the mark but it's still not entirely terrible!

[@rcinemaker]

Is that MST tough enough for mudding?

[@RCTNT]

I think so, yeah. They make a solid enough drive-train as long as you don't overpower it. On 2S you could go with big rubber and it'll take it all day long I reckon.

[@rcinemaker]

@@RCTNT Okay I see, thanks bro!

[@mattmanix5104]

They butchered the wheel arches too much for it to be really scale. It's not a bad attempt at a cheap crawler like the HPi Venture

[@RCTNT]

True, but it does still look alright. I don't mind it for the price, as you say :)

[@mattmanix5104]

@@RCTNT of definitely. It's nice to see something different (again like the HPI venture was, now there's 3 brands selling Toyota FJ cruiser styled crawlers). I'm currently torn between the MST and the Team Raffee hard body but after driving my friend's HPI Venture with a Team Raffee Jeep Wrangler hard body......I think I'm going hard body.

[@RCTNT]

@@mattmanix5104 performance isn't everything. Smiles per mile is a bit part of it. Have fun!

[@paulschryer9571]

- The makers of the DC1, probably made this Scale SUV an "servo on axle" rig, cuz of - I'm guessing their servo probably doesn't have enough power to properly force the servo in each direction. 🤔..... So, it is just a change (any) buyer can make, NOT A BIG DEAL !! ...Wahhh !!! - This is not a rocket science, and some RC companies have a hard time "making budget" for some RC releases !!! But thanks for pointing this out to everyone. 👍 This should be a "fun" hobby, not a hobby of ridicule to a high level of personal concern, by the reviewer. - Let's see you make budget (if & when) you design/bring a NEW Scale truck to market !! I challenge you to do better.🤨 This is an over critical review of a good looking rig !!! Not all RC companies have an unlimited budget !! 🤔

[@RCTNT]

Thanks for your thoughts, Paul. It's a nice truck and I'm sharing my thoughts on a rig as a way for me and hopefully you to enjoy it. My latest video on it yesterday showed how just a small change can really bring out some serious performance improvement - but your approach may just be different to mine and that's fine. There's room for everyone in RC. I'll enjoy it my way and you enjoy it your way. All good :) For what it's worth, you supply your own servo for this one and for this rig, cost may come into it given they're building on the CFX-W platform, but actual materials cost is similar for CMS vs axle mounted. Either way, there is zero ridicule in this video. It's constructive criticism and an enjoyable way for some of us to get to know a crawler. If you watch my videos regularly you'll hear me say the best crawler is the one you have today and the DC1 is no different - great little truck. I've scratch built three different rigs over the years - not kits, but actual scratch built, with all the chassis and geometry design and headache to go with it. It's always a game of compromise, finding the best mix to suit your purpose. That would be accentuated at scale, no doubt. For the DC1, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have an axle-mounted servo config given the apparent aim to make a detail-focused scale model, but it also isn't too hard to convert to CMS. I may cover that in a later video. Anyway, thanks for watching and for the comment. I appreciate your point of view, aside perhaps from your use of ridicule to make it! We can agree, it's a pretty vehicle. Cheers.