Watch Before You Buy: Element Ecto To the Test!

[@RenBobbins]

The best mods you can do for your Ecto are all free. - Lower ride height (raise shocks on tower, raise panhard mount, rear shock mount on trailing arm) - Thicker shock oil in the rear (40-45wt AE) - Sand tabs off of battery tray to lower the CG of the truck (may require some trimming on the tray to clear drive shaft) - Bumper mod (remove 10mm from the front chassis rail to suck front bumper into the truck) After those are done, then I would recommend new tires. Then, like he says in the video, add weight down low, up front. After doing all of these things, my Ecto can often out perform carbon chassis belly draggers.

[@RCTNT]

Good info, thanks for taking the time to share that. I'm looking forward to seeing what performance we can get from it. Your list is similar to what I have in mind, with a few tweaks here and there. The first round will be $0 mods. Thanks!

[@connorclark8541]

I like how it handles without the sway bar and a 60wt oil in the rear. Stock up front but raised location also

[@RCTNT]

Good to know, thanks!

[@slottygw2wvw842]

Nothing is free...... when you spend 40 hours modding something with parts you already have you already lost ''time'' and didn't get paid ;) Sure it's a hobby but nothing is free..............

[@RCTNT]

As far as I'm concerned, the time spent in modding a crawler is the payment itself, in terms of relaxation and enjoyment. That's part of what makes it a hobby rather than a job!

[@WestyCoastHermit]

Great review as always! Looking forward to the upcoming comparison video you've got coming!

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Chris, me too :)

[@creekcreeperrc7972]

Very nice review my friend 👍👍 have had my eye on the ecto for awhile. Love that stealth x transmission. Besides the trailing arm suspension catching up it seems to do quite well!

[@RCTNT]

Thanks and yes, it's a little performer alright!

[@kjflyte5088]

Trailing arms are for running fast over uneven surface, not really scale for crawling.....and as you said ecto is so light it likes to push versus climb.

[@RCTNT]

As it turns out, I was wrong about this vehicle. The Ecto is their most capable of all the Enduro line, by my testing. Who knew!

[@DaveGlitchHare]

Been a while since I last saw one of your videos (been moving house) brilliant as always! Now I've got to catch up. Cheers!

[@RCTNT]

Oh right! Hope it all went smoothly. Nice to see you back and thanks for watching this one Dave! Enjoy the new digs :)

[@jgb114]

Great, great review! Enjoyed it and got alot from this vid.

[@RCTNT]

Oh cool, thanks for letting me know :)

[@shoky11TV]

Hi there Craig! Great video again - when no one is looking.....change the skids and slip the Ecto body on the Sendero chassis and see how it performs. Will give you an idea of the effectiveness of some future mods.

[@RCTNT]

Thanks for the tips! That's not a bad idea, eh. Cheers :)

[@YoShImUrA53]

@@RCTNT I for one, would love to see how that works!

[@bartbbb1046]

The vegetation has grown a lot on your 6 problems track! Another great review, great work! We have exchanged a few months ago about putting trailling arms on an enduro chassis, and I now have my answer. Not the best idea :)

[@RCTNT]

Heh yeah I don't get the impression they're for crawling. I recall that chat. Nice to have a bit of closure on it! Cheers

[@scottjlambert]

A lot of KZbinrs seem to like this one for crawling but your consistent driving and the 6 problem course really sheds a light on its weaknesses. Still a great truck and would love to see an update if you modify it.

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Scott. It's still a performer! I like being able to compare stuff though. Fair and measured is helpful. Thanks for watching this one! I'll have a couple of mods and test videos with this, but first a little in the way of comparisons with other relevant rigs. Cheers

[@michaeldorich4485]

This is another excellent review. Thank you.

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Michael!

[@madsrcbuggy]

Really nice to watch, although a bummer with the rain, hope it dries out soon! I have the Gatekeeper, so basically everything you are telling about the Ecto is of great use to me, I'm still trying to figure this out, great fun!

[@RCTNT]

Oh nice. The GK is a great machine. I love the hinged body, it's really nifty :)

[@jdsrcs8061]

Great review. The Ecto is next in line for me to buy!!!👍👍👍

[@RCTNT]

Oh cool! It's a good rig, deserving of much rock time! You're going to love it :)

[@arni7810]

Nice!!! Is the element enduro zuul better than this one?

[@RCTNT]

The Ecto redeemed itself and I later concluded that it was (and still is) the most capable Enduro model in the range. Zuul is the same as Ecto, except it has smaller tires and a different body. Related videos worth watching: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4HaoXmfgMeJa7M kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2Wq36bhNJrbdE Cheers

[@arni7810]

@@RCTNT oh ok, because I want to get the black element ecto, since it looks cool and has the rust paint color underneath!! I'll check out those videos. So your saying the the ectos having same underneath like the chassis ect?

[@RCTNT]

@arni7810 the entire Enduro range has the same chassis. They just switch around the front and rear parts and pop a different body on to suit. Both Ecto variants and Zuul v1 are identical, other than tire size and body. Zuul V2 has IFS2, I'm pretty sure, though I haven't looked at that one yet.

[@arni7810]

@@RCTNT ohh ok cool thanks for all your help

[@Andy_Yates]

Nice one! It looked like it would do well from the wet testing and the Ecto really came through with drier rocks 🙌. I'm hoping for a dry weekend for an easy crawling adventure. It's the wettest spring on record here with rivers near flood stage. I've become so used to wet traction that I'm forgetting what these tires will do when they're dry 🙃

[@RCTNT]

You made me pause for a minute. It is winter here now isn't it? Yes, yes it is. Your wet spring has become wet summer. Weather be changing, that much is clear!

[@Andy_Yates]

@@RCTNT Yessir it's nearly our summer solstice :). I suppose that means it's almost the official start of winter for you! And yep, weather patterns have been bananas here

[@RCTNT]

@@Andy_Yates that's nearly winter solstice here then. Wet, dark and cold here. I'm looking forward to the 3 weeks of spring we'll get before bushfire season!

[@bidibulle6795]

Hi . I follow you from the beginning and your tests are always the best for me. Today I need your personal opinion on 2 RTR crawlers that you tested for a future purchase. Which one would you buy today knowing everything you know about them. the AXIAL SCX10 III BASE CAMP RTR or the Element RC Crawler Enduro Sendero HD Trail? It's for leisure not for competition, only for the forest course and a bit of "crawl" I don't want to modify them apart from the tires. Thank you very much for your answer .

[@RCTNT]

Thanks heaps for following along all this time! Did you see my articles on rc-tnt.com about both of these? Sendero: rc-tnt.com/rc-crawler-reviews/sendero-hd-rtr-rc-crawler-review/ Base Camp: rc-tnt.com/manufacturer/axial/axial-base-camp-rtr-crawler/ If it's between these two and you'll be doing mostly trail driving, Base Camp is my pick. If more crawling, they're both fine choices. If you have limited budget and will be crawling more than trail driving, Sendero. BC will be better than Sendero on trails, generally speaking, but they're truly very similar machines overall! What do you like the look of more? It's okay to consider that too! You'll love either of them, I'm confident. Happy decision making! PS. Sunday night my time, Sunday morning USA time, I have a 4-rig challenge video with Base Camp and Ecto in the list. You may find that informative if you're not buying this weekend.

[@bidibulle6795]

@@RCTNT The look of the Sandero is so beautiful, I love the cage behind it. I know I could always change the bodywork on the Axial but yes the look of the Sandero is a plus for me. I also find the super "overdrive" on the sandero. I already have a "small" Axial (scx24 gladiator) I know that this brand makes quality and that in general the components last a long time, the plus of the axial is that it has "portal" axes! I live in the mountains in France in the Pyrenees, here there are a lot of rocks that's also why I have a weakness for the sandero, but as said I also want to go for a walk on the trail. The choice is cruel!!! I need the most polivalent and reliable (limited budget). Thank you very much for answering me. I can also wait for your next test, my purchase is scheduled for July.

[@RCTNT]

@@bidibulle6795 understood. The Sendero is still fine on the trail - you could compromise by using just the 5.7% overdrive instead of going up to the 11% gear. As long as you don't want to tow with it, the Sendero will be very good. And for what it's worth, I've had zero breakages with the Sendero-it has worked very hard on my tire test videos and so forth. My expectation at this point is both the Axial and Element vehicles will be similarly durable over the longer term.

[@bidibulle6795]

@@RCTNT Thanks a lot for your help . I will wait for your final comparison on Sunday and then make my choice. It may be very tight between his crawler !!! Anyway, one or the other will already be a joy for me, it will be my first crawler in 1/10 (I only have buggies) and then the bodywork changes! Thank you again, looking forward to Sunday, have a nice day and take care of your health.

[@henryoak2001]

Does this rig have locking differentials

[@RCTNT]

All Element RC Enduro crawlers have locked diffs, yes. They don't unlock remotely though, if that's what you're asking. Full time locked.

[@radrc]

Awesome climbing! My next RC will be a crawler. 👍

[@RCTNT]

It's a great machine. I just finished at a race track this arvo and while it was fun, it was expensive on energy and concentration. Crawling, conversely, is very relaxing :) Such a great niche in RC!

[@radrc]

@@RCTNT i need more tranquility in my life. Crawling looks fun, technical, and relaxing compared to high speed driving.

[@RCTNT]

It really is!

[@VinceBurroughs]

Can anyone please tell me what are food options for a rock crawler that's 500 and under?

[@RCTNT]

Hey Vincent, start here: rc-tnt.com/manufacturer/multiple/what-is-the-best-rc-rock-crawler/ I've covered a bunch on the channel here - and featured and tested them, not just talked about them. If you want to go deeper, go through my catalog here. But that article will get you started :)

[@VinceBurroughs]

Do you suggest the Basecamp or the Enduro Ecto

[@RCTNT]

You can pretty much buy on personal preference there, as both are very good. Watch them both in action in this best-of comparison test: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqSpm6Csh8Zlg8U

[@VinceBurroughs]

Thank you! I'm subscribing

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

There was gum in the end 😏 In Polish we have to say chewing gum, otherwise its just gum-guma in Polish Guma=rubber=tire rubber or chewing rubber so to speak 😅 Also we call a flat tire as guma in urban language. "to catch guma" That anti roll bar removal is prolly the first ecto trial mod

[@RCTNT]

Oh nice, thanks for that! Language is fun. Yes! That bar is coming out! Been thinking about my first round of mods. Looking forward to testing!

[@ConditionZero76]

Great review....

[@RCTNT]

Thanks, the Ecto made it easy! Its a unique and interesting rig.

[@ConditionZero76]

@@RCTNT agree its very nice, although essentially a gatekeeper with a different body ,nevertheless very capable and cool rig..

[@RCTNT]

@@ConditionZero76 pretty much what we covered in part 1, yeah. I was surprised that the only difference under the body was those bent front lower links! Did not expect it to be the same! Still, it works :) Oh I just realised, "unique" was exactly the wrong word to use in my last reply, given the subject here, haha

[@ConditionZero76]

@@RCTNT lol all good, I know what you mean .....

[@crawling86]

Might be great at faster speeds 🙏 Might have more control than your typical chroller going fast.

[@RCTNT]

Absolutely, yes. It suffers a little on the rocks but the trade-off is definitely that it has more stability at speed. I probably could have spent a few moments on that, since it's part of why this rig is the way that it is! Thanks for mentioning it!

[@RCAdventurePalopo]

Cool 👍

[@reddeerrebelrc6674]

Remove the sway bar

[@RCTNT]

It softened with use and performance has improved. Sway bar stays for now :)

[@Jesse__t08]

Definitely Aussie 😂

[@RCTNT]

Last time I checked!

[@reddeerrebelrc6674]

Why are they " problems"? They are obstacles in a course.

[@RCTNT]

They're problems to solve, or obstacles to clear. Just word choice.