I Built a VRD Carbon a Week Before Nats!

This is the Vanquish VRD Carbon, a 1/10 scale competition kit designed to dominate Performance Scale and Class 2 comps without you needing to design a killer rig. You supply your own electronics, wheels, tires and body - and Vanquish sells all of this - and you're ready to build.
How's it drive? Where better to test than at the Australian Nationals for 2024! Let's take a look!
What: Vanquish Products VRD Carbon 1/10 Competition Crawler Kit
Buy Here: vanquishproduc...
Model Specs from Vanquish:
Lightweight Spec VFD Transmission
3mm Matte Carbon Fiber Frame Rails - 6 degree flat skid plate
37% Overdrive
F10 Portal Axles
Brass weight tubes in axles
Alloy heavy portal knuckle weights
Front Axle Overdrive Portal gears
Rear Axle Standard Portal Gears
Lightweight Machined Chromoly VFD Transmission Gears
Machined Spool, Ring Gear, Pinion gear in axles
Chromoly Universal axle shafts
Hard Anodized Shock Bodies
Stainless Steel Links with HD Bent rear links
Incision Pro M4 Rod Ends
Stamped Aluminum Rock Sliders
Adjustable multi point body mounting system
I'm running:
- Vanquish VRD Carbon body
- Injora 1.9 Beadlock wheels
- Vanquish VXT2 4.75" tires (they're 5.09")
- Vanquish dual-stage foams to suit
- Rhino 40A ESC and 1900kv 540 motor
- Flysky GT5 Radio system
- Hobbywing 10A BEC
- jxServo 45kg Brushless WP Servo
Find more P/Scale runs from the 2024 ECCF nats event here:
• 2024 ECCF Performance ...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @rctnt
Articles:
What's the Best RC Car? rc-tnt.com/gui...
Best RC Crawler? rc-tnt.com/man...
Follow us:
Website: rc-tnt.com/
Twitter @rctrailandtech and on Instagram:
/ rctrailandtech
WHERE TO BUY RC STUFF:
Buy kits, models & upgrades here: www.asiatees.c...
Send money directly to people living in extreme poverty (lets combine our resources to help those most in need):
community.give...
#rccrawling, #rcreview, #vanquishvrd, #vanquishcarbon, #vrdcarbon,

[@jimveness9375]

Two comments Craig: gee it performs well and …. nice driving too!

[@RCTNT]

Thanks, she went well

[@Br0rB]

Should have gotten the Rhino 80A, it has a 10A bec. Plenty of power. :)

[@RCTNT]

Oh really?! Then yes, I should do that! I even have a couple of the 80a variants here. I'll fit one before the next comp. That's the obvious answer, thank you!

[@Br0rB]

@@RCTNT no worries. It's really the biggest downside to the 40A version. Not many ESCs around that can boast about having a 10A bec. There are some knock off Rhino ESCs on Aliexpress now too, that are just as good from what people I know that have tried them tell me, and of course they're a fair bit cheaper. Same specs otherwise, but need their own programmer. The Rhino one won't work.

[@RCTNT]

I'll stick with rhino. It's already so well priced, a knock off nearly seems like a false economy.

[@Br0rB]

@@RCTNT Fair point. It's crazy how all the copying works in China. Even something like the Rhino, which is already cheap, and good, gets copied. I have a couple of really cheap AM32 ESCs, like 15 bucks. 45A, but needs soldering wires and such. Will be trying them out as soon as I find the time. If they work, that's a crazy low price. They'll need an external bec though.

[@Socalnik66]

Love my Stance. And I can’t leave anything alone. So I swapped out electronics with a Fusion pro, Reefs 500 and Radiomaster mt12 radio. I’m a sucker for anything with portal axles. Love your content.

[@RCTNT]

Glad you're enjoying it! I love the Fusions except in comp rigs, where I don't think the weight trade-off is worth it for HobbyWing's flavour of FOC. That said, the unit is certainly in the right spot in the Stance, isn't it! Rock on, crawler bro!

[@Riker7392]

It is such a pleasure watching you drive (I agreed with the kid saying you're the best there haha), and talk about something you obviously love mate. Watched nearly all your videos over the last 2 months, and I've gotta say I hope you keep doing it for a long time to come! Thanks heaps

[@RCTNT]

Aw thanks 😊 I don't need to be the best, I just need to love it. Got that covered, yeah! Cheers

[@muskokamike127]

7:33 good job craig, I thought "he's never going to make it u..oh good job"!!!

[@Noizy-Boy]

It would be interesting to see the SCX10 Pro on portals versus the VRD. 🤔

[@RCTNT]

Agreed

[@RCplamodel]

👍👍👍 Wow awesome video, and cool rc car 👍👍💯 Nice video, nice rc car 👍👍💯

[@RCTNT]

It's an impressive kit, yes! Cheers

[@hyperc5249]

Awesome. I just ordered my stance and a pile of upgrades. Bummer about the BEC. I'm glad to see you are healthy and doing well. Definitely the best down under channel. Heck, maybe the best straight-up crawler channel worldwide. What tires and foams did you run on the carbon? Bash, Crawler, Repeat!

[@RCTNT]

Thank you 🙏😊 Vanquish vxt2 with dual foams to suit

[@hyperc5249]

@RCTNT OK. So they were C2 legal? I know they are bigger than 4.75 inches, so I wasn't sure if they were the VXT2s.

[@RCTNT]

Yep, they state 4.75 on the sidewall, so that makes them legal. I don't like that vanquish did this, but since they're legal of course I'll run them.

[@hyperc5249]

@RCTNT Good to know. I already ordered a set of Jconcept Megaolithics, but I will just use them on a different build since these are C2 legal.

[@RCTNT]

A guy at the comp was running those same jconcepts on his vanquish and he did quite well. You're looking for Rohan - he has 5 runs in this list, at the bottom. I'm pretty sure they were the tyres he's running. He said he didn't want the VXT2s with the Vanquish because with portals the car is tall enough already. That's a valid point! kzbin.info/aero/PLDJ1u6BChxVEb3VwiMKVsMU2bRrpEtpV_&si=-chtRA_cDCqjv9MI

[@areadierc2803]

I'm running a reefs 500 off the 40 esc 3 amp bec at 7.4 and a large capacitor plugged in to the reciever. No brown outs yet.

[@RCTNT]

The cap would help, for sure. I think a combo of tall tires, grippy rock, and uncompromising comp day driving was enough to overwhelm mine.

[@areadierc2803]

Just checked mine , I'm running a fairly short servo horn , that mite be reducing the amp draw just enough to keep it running

[@RCTNT]

Could be. I was using the shorter hole on mine too. It all adds up. Your servo motor may be more efficient than the one in my jx servo brushless 45 kg unit, too. It's worth half what yours is!

[@troypostie1252]

Love these break downs dude. Nice stuff. Ty👍🤠👍

[@RCTNT]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 🙏

[@PleasureAfterWorkRcCrawlers]

The Scx10 Pro has option portals now....keep on with your vids 👌👍

[@RCTNT]

Yep, it'll be good to compare them.

[@JT-np1op]

Keep it up duder

[@unclecyte]

Try out the stubby kit and a direct power servo 👍🏼

[@RCTNT]

That would be the correct answer, yes

[@muskokamike127]

ha, not to be a prick, but FINALLY the warm weather is here in Canuckistan and YOU are wearing the toque for a change hahaha

[@RCTNT]

Lol yes, see you in 9 months, sunshine

[@markcole6475]

I just got the portals for my scx10 pro…..seems better but haven’t driven it much yet to compare…might be a game changer! Great video as always…love all these great pro rigs!

[@RCTNT]

I'm definitely looking forward to upgrading my SCX10P and testing it against the Vanquish on some comp-style courses, yeah!

[@Warby1]

I am looking forward to the VRD vs SCX10 pro comparison.

[@RCTNT]

Yeah, I should do that.

[@rcarty419]

Love your stuff dude!! They look very nice for sure love to try one! Nice driving. It would be annoying if every podium was won by rtr or kit builds with shocks and everything all in 100 percent the stock config. Have great rest of your week dude!

[@RCTNT]

Thanks. I disagree though, I think it would be fantastic to see stock rigs winning things. It would mean the hobby is very accessible to more people. Until recently, to get a decent comp rig, you needed access to esoteric knowledge that's a complete mystery to anyone outside the 'in-group'. You need an idea of how to build, where to buy, what to buy, how to tune, plus those three things everyone's doing with their tires, foams and knuckle weights this season, and those two extra things from shapeways, plus the electronics skills to solder up that stack of esc and bec, and don't forget the caps on your de-lidded rx. You get the idea, it was a bit of a barrier to entry. Something like the VRD Carbon or the SCX10 Pro brings raw capability to the masses - to say nothing of the Stance or even a lightly modded Ecto. Folks can still get specialized with their custom builds for that extra 6% of performance, and I'm there for it. But I am very glad to see how capable the kits are now. It's a big deal for the comp side of the hobby. More accessible, means more people, means more great product choice and accessibility for all. It's a win!

[@walthersonr.c.3360]

Hello I like your reviews, keep them coming Sir .

[@RCTNT]

Hello I appreciate your feedback, keep them coming Sir. 😋🙏

[@CrawlerCanyon]

If you're running an RX powered servo, get the Rhino V80. The V40 is far better served paired with a direct-power servo. I recommend the Stance RTR to no one, ever, because it's a VRD with about $700USD in parts taken out of it. The VRD kit is a better buy. Shame on Vanquish for not making it clear that the RTR is a super-nerfed version. If they had established what you're giving up in exchange for the RTR bits, I think far fewer people would have bought a Stance RTR.

[@RCTNT]

The v80 is the correct answer, yes. I wasn't aware of the 3A vs 10A BEC difference before - I am now!! Oh well, I'll get em all next comp 😅 Regarding the Stance, I see two ways of looking at this. In one way, I agree with you and you're absolutely right, the VRD Carbon is much better value. But on the other hand, you can buy a Stance, fit the same brass on the front axles as I've done on the Carbon here, and drive the car to the podium. It's still capable enough in its stock form (with added weight) to be dangerous at comps in capable hands. It also lowers the barrier to entry for newcomers to the hobby. (And can you name a more capable RTR crawler in stock form?) Two sides of the same coin there. I actually agree with you, to a point - but I do see a place for the Stance, too. Cheers 😊

[@CrawlerCanyon]

@@RCTNT I outright refuse to give a pass to the Stance because I feel like it justifies Vanquish's shenanigans-- I mean, they went so far as to put sintered gears in the axles-- shame on you, Vanquish. They'll also happily sell you CF "upgrade" rails for $100USD a pair, and getting the "VFD Spec" gearbox to the same outfit as the one in the VRD Carbon will cost you around $300 USD. The Stance RTR embodies everything negative about the RTR-ification of the hobby, AFAIC. Capable? Sure. Why wouldn't it be? It's a detuned, de-spec'd VRD Carbon, sold at a premium. And never forget to keep it in perspective-- Vanquish went from nothing but kits and premium parts to almost nothing but RTRs-- IN TWO YEARS-- and cutting every corner until all we have left are circles. Vanquish should change their motto to "Bottom lines over crawling lines," because at least that would be honest.

[@RCTNT]

Ah, that's the missing piece: perspective. I'm evaluating the car, while you're using it as a lens to look at Vanquish. Both valid, but we're not comparing the same thing. I've taken a few minutes to think on your points and to see it from your view before replying. I empathise and even agree, in that light. But I come back to what you get as a standalone vehicle. It's capable. Sintered gears with modern methods are very good. It's the cast gears that break, still (looking at you, RC4WD and Gmade). At this point, we disagree: the Stance, as an RTR on its own, is fabulous - my opinion. Relative to the Carbon, I still think there's merit for the RTR if you're new, on a budget, don't expect to upgrade beyond a better motor and servo "later", etc. But being informed about the differences and thus the value is important - and the differences could be clearer.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

@@RCTNT plenty of folks have grenaded that front ring gear in the Stance, while I don't know if anyone has ever defeated a machined Vanquish gear. Good thing replacing it with the one that should have been in there from the beginning is $40. Again-- you're 100% right-- I'm not attacking the Stance so much as I'm attacking Vanquish for dealing off of the bottom of the deck. And personally, I think the Phoenix is a better overall buy than the Stance (if we're talking RTRs) because it's significantly more versatile-- and the body doesn't look like a boat. That also helps.

[@RCTNT]

You're going to make me a believer (disbeliever?) at this rate. If the front gears are blowing on people, then yeah, bad move. Tell you what though, I really wrestled with the Phoenix. Just couldn't get it to drive the way I wanted until I finally worked out a few geometry changes. It was a whole thing. I had people commenting saying I didn't know how to drive, did I know it wasn't a crawler but a trail truck, etc., but I got it to being a good driver, eventually. Dunno I'd take it over a Stance if I could only have one... It is prettier though!

[@erichawkins6231]

I have the Holmes v3 esc and a team spec crawl master outrunner with a reefs 800 lp brass vrd carbon on the corrupt carbon chassis the vrd is insane at crawling it amazes me with what it can do and how predictable the suspension setup is

[@RCTNT]

I'll have to look into that chassis, out of interest. The Battle Axe 2.0, is it? Thanks!

[@77seriouspaul]

Another great video 🤙

[@RCTNT]

Thanks 👍

[@allanwenzke749]

That Vanquish looks the goods! Pity I just blew all my money on an scx10 pro...Anyway I have a poizd t3 which I am using a RHINO Esc and Holmes motor. I also run a direct power NSDRC servo which rules. You should give them a review. They are the best servo I've ever used. I really need to get up to that event that you go to. I have a heap of crawlers and no where locally to enter a comp? I have a killerbody lc70 body to put on my scx10 pro that will look very scale once I have finished it. I am going to put a quik spray weed spray unit on it for extra scale points!

[@RCTNT]

We're hosting it here in Vic, next year. And we're running events all year. So is the seqrcc club (they've even got a comp on today). Hit up the groups on Facebook and you'll not miss out. I love my Holmes direct voltage servos. I don't doubt the nsdrc ones are also great. I just built this car quickly with what I had on hand, right before the comp!

[@doodlepugg]

Awesome little rig. Those comps look hectic trying to find your line, walk around it yourself, people talking to you, camera guy casting shadows 🤪 must be hard to concentrate!

[@RCTNT]

Yes and no. It's also quite chilled. My recent Mini video (the one where I interview Pricey) shows another of these, and the next video that publishes also has a couple of my Scale-1 runs - they're all pretty chill, eh. I mean, it helps that I set the Mini and Scale-1 courses as I knew where I was going, but for unfamiliar courses like the one in this video, you all walk it together first and then take turns going first on the different courses over the day. There are usually 5 courses per class, so everyone gets a go, depending on group size. It's fun.

[@doodlepugg]

@@RCTNT sounds like a great laugh! I'm getting more and more people around me into RC already 😁 between my boy's cheapo 1/10 truggy, my old hong nor sct and the little moa/4ws crawler they captivate everyone and convince them to get involved!

[@pandacrawler6x6]

Awesome and Cool Review my Friend ❤!!! 🐼👌🏻

[@RCTNT]

Thanks :)

[@pandacrawler6x6]

You're welcome my Friend 🎉 Cheers 🐼🏆🐻‍❄️👌🏻

[@bearbeardmike6533]

Appreciate your videos man! I just got an 80a rhino and have been pretty happy with it powering my reefs raw500. Can’t wait for the next video!

[@RCTNT]

Thanks! And yes, the 80a variant has a 10A BEC - clearly the one I should have used. I'll swap my 40a out for the 80a, as I even have a couple lying around here. Obviously the better choice!! Cheers

[@Andy_Yates]

You're on a roll with releases! Glad to see the VRD Carbon performing for you and too bad about that BEC dying. I put the bigger Rhino in my class 1 because they didn't have the smaller one when I ordered it 😆. The bigger, heavier one is supposed to have a 10A bec but it's also bigger and heavier :). With some throttle expo on the transmitter, the Rhino feels great. Big punch and also has that electronic anchor for drag brake

[@RCTNT]

Very nice. I think a BEC here will do the job. I love the system as it is, otherwise. Very predictable and smooth. Thanks for the info!

[@mitchkent9219]

Great vid! And all your reviews. I’m from Sydney Australia and I was wondering if you or anyone in the comments knows of any good rock crawling location around this area. Getting right into it now and would love to get more involved. Cheers

[@RCTNT]

Have a look at this group: facebook.com/groups/sydneycompcrawlers/ Check past events, as those locations will be all the good ones 👍

[@vlozity]

I use the Rhino 80A ESC w/ a 2340kv Rhino motor partnered with a 9imod 45kg servo... no issues. If you use 40a esc then you will need direct power servos or a BEC. After owning a Vanquish VS410 Origin Ltd. kit, stopped buying VP kits and started building my own crawlers from scratch. Not a fan of the lack luster 6 degree skid angle clearances... 12 degrees or higher should be the standard Your comp gates are too wide

[@RCTNT]

I like your power combo choice, I'm going to change to that this afternoon, I think.

[@HeavyHaulagePilbara]

Thankyou for the video. Learning about the sizes of brushed motors, just wanted to confirm where you detail the brushless with 1900kv 540 motor is that a S12 or S20 in the brushless sizing please ?

[@RCTNT]

I'd go the 20 in this one. 12 better for weight but the flatter you make the motor, the lower its torque output, all else being equal. If it's flat, the magnets are shorter and the windings have less copper - simple enough idea, right? So while really short out runners have their place on crawlers, the vrd chassis allows very long motors. Go the 20, be happy 💪👍

[@HeavyHaulagePilbara]

@@RCTNT Cheers for the fast reply Craig. 😉

[@ronnymiller7395]

Ive been thinking about getting a crawler and was really looking at the vanquish vrd stance as well. But this upgraded one looks pretty cool. I don’t believe there is any competitions in the area I live in. But even aside from competitions would it be better enough to be worth building one like the carbon? I’m not really sure what all parts I’d need to get. Only cars I’ve messed around with is an xmaxx

[@RCTNT]

You're picking one of the best cars here, and please let me encourage you to go the kit route rather than RTR in this case. It's a wonderful machine. You might consider this list a good starting point: Rhino 80A / 2250 esc/motor combo; Brushless 7.4v or 8.4v servo of choice; The Vanquish body to suit (or the Stance body - is the same, only pre-painted; Beadlock wheels of choice (vanquish, injora, etc); Tires and foams of choice (I like the VXT2s and dual foams, but many don't - plenty of options out there); Radio system of choice (GT5 is a great starting point and allows for more models in future at a great price (fs-a3 receivers are under $10} if you expand your rc fleet). In stock form this car is amazing. If you want ultimate crawling out of the box, you're looking in the right place. Cheaper alternatives to consider include the Axial Capra and Element Ecto, both of which can be made fairly epic without a lot of money spent. Then there are the custom options, but you're starting out. Learn with one of the above and you'll be on The Path to Crawler Enlightenment.

[@ronnymiller7395]

Oh so you have to assemble everything including the wheels going that route? Are there decent pre assembled wheels?

[@RCTNT]

@ronnymiller7395 not really, but they're not hard to do at all, with some exceptions. Honestly, do one set and you'll find this to be the case.

[@ronnymiller7395]

Thanks for the info! Ok if I get the carbon kit the only thing I’m missing is motor, esc, receiver, transmitter, wheels, tires, body?

[@RCTNT]

So long as you get an ESC with sufficient output for your servo (or a direct voltage servo to run off your battery), yes, that's all you need. If you need more power, a BEC can also help - but something like the rhino 80A has a 10A bec built in, eliminating any worry about this.