Which is the better buy? Redcat Ascent vs Ascent Fusion

There is a $100 price difference between these two trucks. That can mean A LOT to some folks. So - is the higher price for the Ascent Fusion worth it? I put the two side-by-side to judge what you get for your $$$.
Interested in picking up one of these trucks? Either get them straight from Redcat, here: www.redcatracing.com/?ref=faS...
Or pick them up from AMain Hobbies, here: bit.ly/3PZEPwY
Video timeline:
0:00 Choices
0:06 Price
1:08 Components
3:22 Performance
4:48 Test Drive
9:36 Which should you buy
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[@FLRCQUAD]

Great video, you told it like it is 100% and I agree with everything you said! Newby just getting his feet wet into Crawlers and on a budget, can't beat the RED AASCENT!

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@annasoming]

good comparison of the parts. thanks for the vid.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad to help! Thank you for the kind words.

[@Frankredline]

Hands down the best video ive seen comparison thank you roadside rc.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you for those kind words! I am glad you liked it!

[@OrnalGriffith-qp3pw]

What's Happening Captain Hopefully All's Well You answered all my questions as usual .... Your content is fun and educational at the same time. I was at the Hobby Shop the other day and they had New Fusion on display .... I'm definitely getting one ASAP!!

[@RoadsideRC]

They are a GREAT truck that I think most folks will really appreciate.

[@DJArkum69]

I love that you turned the base RTR model into a builders kit. Nice work. Also,I love all your drift videos.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you! I can't take credit for the work done on the Ascent Fusion though - that is all Redcat!

[@DJArkum69]

@@RoadsideRC Thing is a beast.

[@Bucky5068]

I love that black and red! It looks sinister! Cape Crawler said it looks like Ascents brother that just got outta prison 😂. Love your content and breakdown!

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you! Yes - I agree the color scheme is very nice!

[@Turtlefry]

I do not have the knowledge, yet, to question anything you said in this video. I can also say, great video! I found it informitive and entertaining.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you for those kind words!

[@adamrodgers2377]

Thats a awesome Crawler at a friggin great price. Thanks for the review!! 🤙🏻

[@RoadsideRC]

You got that right! Redcat is being aggressive with these! Thanks for the nice comment.

[@MJBrandonEnglish]

Id really like to see the weight distribution on this truck. it looks amazing and awesome video as usual.

[@RoadsideRC]

Sorry I left it out! It is 60/40 f/r

[@FLRCQUAD]

Great video as always, I just ordered the Red Ascent Love the look and on my backyard course which consist of all rock yard (Arizona ) no dirt or grass just 7 -4-foot diameter 10" high rock piles most trucks go over moderately easy, but you can flip any truck over if you take the wrong speed and line.

[@RoadsideRC]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy it when it arrives! Did you get the standard Ascent or the Fusion?

[@FLRCQUAD]

Have 10 trucks lol

[@FLRCQUAD]

RED

[@FLRCQUAD]

@@RoadsideRC I got both

[@RichD]

First rule of RC, Never add up the upgrade spending! Or replacement spending! Or initial costs! Seriously what a bargain that new Ascent is. Good stuff.

[@RoadsideRC]

Ha! What is the second rule of RC?

[@adamrodgers2377]

​​@@RoadsideRC Second Rule... Don't tell your Gf/Wife what any of this cost 🤣🤣🤣 I'm lucky though, my Daughter and Girlfriend love R/C 😁👍🏻🤙🏻

[@user-lq2if2mj7d]

Nice video thank you. My question is would or could you do the same video with the Fusion vs the hundred dollar more Vrd Stance ?

[@RoadsideRC]

I keep putting the Stance in my cart...then taking it back out...then back in...then back out! Maybe I just need to click the button!

[@billhenderson8014]

Love the video. are you running stock tires on both how do you like them and are they plastic wheels on the fusion. Only thing i didn't like is it not having a bed never liked that look. I also find it strange that it rubs as bad as it does for an RTR seems like a miss in quality control but i believe you had to trim the fenders on the other one if i remember right. So definitely like the value of the fusion but maybe find rhe red body or a Rc Pirates flat bed

[@RoadsideRC]

Hi there! Yes - running the stock tires on both trucks. They are actually quite good. Yes - the plastic beadlocks on the Fusion. More to come on that. They include the body mounts in the box, so you can run whatever body you want. This Fusion body is basically the blue standard Ascent body - just painted different. I'll trim it slightly and the rub will be gone.

[@Frankredline]

I approve with your opinion.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks!

[@mika_models]

A little bit body rubbing with Fusion. But if I remember right there was also some tubning with basic Ascent but you modified it. Right?

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes! Good memory. I have not trimmed the body on the Fusion yet.

[@markcole6475]

Nice review as always….ive done some research on the Fusion version and seems like a great deal. So much so I talked a buddy into getting one….he loves it except for one thing……the throttle is extremely sensitive, the truck is very hard to drive slow for crawling like intended. I’ve been on the net looking for answers and there’s nothing. Wondering if you have seen how to turn the throttle sensitivity down?….hes tried a 2s and read the manual and nothing.. I feel sort of a bad talking him into buying with an issue that potentially will cost money to fix

[@RoadsideRC]

Interesting! Sounds like it needs a throttle recalibration. That should be in the manual. The low-speed throttle control on the Fusion is exceptional - so either it just wasn't calibrated correctly or there is something wrong with the motor & esc combo.

[@Bonitacreekrc]

could i put only the CF rails on my blue ascent without the CF shock towers and motor plate

[@RoadsideRC]

I believe so, yes.

[@BangForYourBuckRc]

Buy the first ascent if you want to completely mod it with your own stuff, buy the fuzion if you want to just run it and don’t have a lot of time to do mods. Simple. Both awesome, for me the nod goes to the fuzion! Could always do like you and buy both! 😃👍🏻💯

[@RoadsideRC]

Good point of view - thanks for sharing!

[@benlewis5469]

top notch n dead on ty bunches

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks!

[@thomasblair7996]

I will be getting one,like everything about it except for missing the bed part of the body,other than that i can't see how you can go wrong!!!

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks Thomas!

[@Bucky5068]

Yes! It is literally the only thing I dislike about the Fusion. Not sure if it will stop me from getting the Fusion.

[@cubsfan2304]

Would this work as a decent trail truck? Where we live it’s more trail than crawling, but I still kinda want a better crawler😄

[@RoadsideRC]

Of course! Any crawler can go down a trail, so you are good to go.

[@NathanStorer-RC]

Can the fusion take a full body? My only concern is that the carbon fiber may spinter after a couple of tumbles if it's not protected. Other than that, I hope they have clear bodies available, given that the Fusion only comes in one color. Would be awkward showing up somewhere and having five people show up with the same body haha.

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes! It comes with standard body mounts in the box- so easy to swap to something else. It is rather common to run a carbon fiber chassis in crawling these days - haven't heard much about folks tearing them up. Will be interested to see. As near as I can tell - this is the same front cab as the blue body, which means the clear is already available.

[@bryanmoore739]

Which radio systems were used in the trucks?

[@RoadsideRC]

It is the same 4-channel they have been putting on everything recently. Good news - it is good for a winch!

[@chriskryder2994]

I'm not sure why anyone would even ask this question. The motor / esc.combo really was necessary as the stock hw1040. Had about the worst low speed modulation I've ever seen. Reverse was even worse. Everything else and there's a lot more going on than that. The dreaded panhard bar interference and broken mounts fixed . These two items were necessary on the og model. Yes a $40 hw 1080 fixed the modulation and drag brake issues. Besides color or wanting the full body which redcat sells bolt on ready why buy a standard ascent? After redcat realizes that the fusion will set all kinds of company records I see them dropping the original

[@RoadsideRC]

Like I said in the video - I think there is a place for the standard model - but that is just my opinion.

[@PaperrouteRC]

How long has ascent been out

[@RoadsideRC]

Around 6-7 months, if I remember correctly. Why?

[@PaperrouteRC]

@@RoadsideRC cause I never heard of it until I heard about the fusion wish I would’ve knew about this truck months ago cause I’m on month month and this seems like a good truck for somebody that’s on a budget so this confuses me that I’m hearing about this truck, it seems like it came a lot more popular when the fusion came out maybe I’m wrong

[@rjmara6781]

Of course they release the fusion a week after I pulled the trigger on the original Ascent.🤦‍♂️

[@RoadsideRC]

Tough luck!

[@ethanrowland9220]

Same lol

[@jimlayhey1965]

the most important thing motor is lower

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes!

[@thewatcher819]

Both good one obviously better… over $285 dollars better 😅😮😢

[@dibbees]

It's only $110 dollars more. $100 if you compare to the blue body model

[@slottygw2wvw842]

let's put it this way. The only thing the Fusion has over the ascent is a brushless motor / weight in front. The rest is USELESS carbon fiber chassis who cares? so i'd still go for an ascent save the money and buy a proper brushless setup if needed i never run them in a crawler i dont see the deal i perform as good. Then the weight in front thats it.

[@RoadsideRC]

Well, I certainly disagree with your viewpoints - but it is great they have the standard Ascent for you! Saves you $100!

[@franktl3423]

Am I the only one feeling betrayed as a first buyer spending extra money to make the original a bit decent performer (yes, turned out to be pretty overhyped by most KZbinrs) and then redcat learning from peoples improvements for free, using that knowledge to after only a short time bring out the improved version to make people spend money again. On what it could and should have been the 1st one . I feel redcat with this is showing me a big middle finger. I paid even more than the price of the fusion version to import the 1st one. They lost me as a consumer for sure.

[@RoadsideRC]

That is certainly a negative view on it. It could also be seen as positive with how Redcat interacts with their customers and makes improvements. Honestly, this is just a standard vehicle model. Whether you look at 1:1 or RC, manufacturers tend to release the "standard" model first, then later followed by the upgraded versions. This just follows that same model. The fact that Redcat is now offering such a great truck...at a ridiculously low price...is great for the crawler community overall.

[@annasoming]

I agree. why put out something that people already made instead of taking it one step further? they did this before with their danchee line and coming up from behind, to really make a mark, imagine if they added just dig, or made it soa and dig; just something a little more. there are so many fasciitis to this hobby, its almost political at times, and it can't take criticism. No, you're not the only one, as there are a lot of ascent owners miffed. I am not an ascent owner as i didn't like the chassis among other things.

[@andrewhead4365]

I do 100% agree that the original Ascent was way overhyped and I purchased one. I Added Fusion, brass front portal covers, brass diff covers, new tires/wheels, and mini T springs in front. I still hated the truck because of the terrible front suspension geometry compared to others on the market so ended up selling it. Being mad and upset that a company learned from consumers after releasing their first comp style crawler doesn’t make any since though, that is what they should do. Real testing on any RTR only begins when in consumer’s hands. I think the new Fusion Ascent is a great deal for what you get but they didn’t change the one thing I hated with the original so I won’t be buying, SOA 4 link front end and i would be a buyer

[@annasoming]

@@andrewhead4365 this is what other ascent owners are saying. and one of the reasons why i didn't get an ascent; an element is a better deal at the same price. what I wish they had done, like they did with their danchee line, was listened to the community, and came out with a rig that was actually progressive; they didn't just clone what the community had done, they put forward progression on it.

[@craigpimlott204]

Got to be honest I like the look of the original body over the fusion version ..

[@micahandamyzastrow4910]

I hope your wife doesn't watch the budget breakdown videos.

[@RoadsideRC]

Completely fine if she does!

[@tonymorrow-SCRedneckRC]

While I give Redcat props for giving us an upgraded Rtr with stuff most of us already do, compared to there other bodies the Ascent and Fusion are hands down the ugliest bodies ever made, and theres no excuse for the severe body rub.

[@RoadsideRC]

I actually like how the bodies look - and body rub is fixed with a simple snip with scissors. If you don't like the bodies or the rub, they provide everything you need to install aftermarket bodies right in the box!