Yes
the
little Duratrax Vendetta TC 1/18th scale touring car has been out for just over year, and why am I so late to review it....and who cares anyway? Well I am here to convince you that this car is relevant and important in today's market!
First, let us check out price. I snagged mine for $119.00 minus a $10.00 coupon
from Tower. That is $109.00 as a RTR vehicle. You just need to supply battery pack! I must say this is a deal, and far better priced than any competition and a formidable good value. Despite the ongoing jobless recession, it is amazing how many high priced cars continue to be presented to the public. I commend Duratrax and Tower for this value package!
Comparing this to my totally unloved Associated RC18r, I wish I had bought the Duratrax first! The Vendetta TC is just as fast, has higher quality components, and a REALLY nice chassis with multiple suspension adjustments, some aluminum parts, nice shocks, and long wear tires. The chassis is a quality piece of molded plastic that seems "20 times" stiffer than the RC18 chassis! Also this thing has a darn cover to protect the spur gear from small rocks and sand! This minor difference is my most MAJOR difference as I can run this car more than 10 times up and down my block without having a ruined spur like in my RC18! And no, I no longer live in the snow belt, so my road is clean, but my rc18 continued to end up sidelined with ruined spur gears!
Interesting is the design of the Vendetta; the car uses full size receiver and steering servo. Actually a positive in my book, the Vendetta looks like it would accommodate most standard servos, and mounting is a snap with just double sided tape! Also as a note, the radio system is great, if not plain, but who cares. It is a solid 27 mhz transmitter in my hand, and great range with never a glitch. The stock speed control is compact and can easily handle the VR3 "high RPM" motor with nary an issue. My only complaint is that reverse and brake seem to not be consistent regardless of how I drive or set the throttle trim on the transmitter. Sometimes when I want just brake, I end up triggering some reverse in the process.
I am having fun driving this little car. I doubt I will be changing the running gear any time soon. The chassis and transmission should be able to handle the increase of speed with an aftermarket brushless system no problem. I just don't feel like stressing the running gear if I don't have to, and this car I am trying to keep stock (and reliable).
This car truly is a miniaturized version of a 1/10th touring car. The car even handles as such, like it is on rails, and really seems to like the asphalt. I haven't had an opportunity to test on carpet as there is no track right by my house-let alone one with a race class for these beasts...what a shame! Running on asphalt I have the tell tale scratches on the bottom of the tub chassis, but aside from that, everything is like new....including the tires. Maybe I am a light user, but I see these tires wearing nice, and they have great grip even on cold (40 degree F) asphalt. As for speed, I see this car as a real 25 mph machine with stock motor and gearing. The stock gearing seems like a decent compromise for acceleration and top speed, and having no alternate gears in my possession to try, it stays as stock for now!
Duratrax has done such a good job with this car. It makes me want to try their other offerings. Their Rally would be nice for rougher pavement, and even maybe a little dirt, but what really has me interested is their new SC stadium truck. Running a slightly longer chassis, and with similar suspension to their buggy, that will be a winner.
Being an online retailer of 1/16th-1/18th battery packs, it was a good idea for me to get a Vendetta chassis vehicle. Many a customer has inquired about fitment of the battery packs I sell. The Vendetta chassis is short and requires a 2x3 stick pack. Our EP1500 packs fit fine as long as the black plastic endcaps on the packs are removed. We even just fit our
ACE1800 Lipo pack in the battery compartment. It was a tight fit, but check the pictures as to it fitting as well as our EP1500 pack w/plastic endcaps removed. The longer chassis on the new SC truck will use 6x1 side by side packs or our 1800 ACE pack no problem.
I continue to run our Vendetta TC up and down my street as stock. My only modification has been the addition of a Deans Ultra plug on the ESC for better current flow. My only maintenance has been the addition of shock oil to one of the rear shocks (it was low from the factory). So no complaints and a lot of fun! This high quality product will make me buy a SC stadium truck when funds allow. I am still amazed when I read some forum comments that Duratrax is sh_t. What about Associated's "flexible" flyer rc18 with no GEAR COVER!!!!!!
Please check out all my pictures and help support me support the hobby by checking out some of my excellent battery packs from my web store
www.BeatuRacing.com!
