RC crawling is one of the most interesting off-road activities you can participate in. It involves using special RC cars, referred to as RC crawlers, to scale through obstacles. It is best to start with a mini RC crawler or even a micro RC crawler as a newbie.
The best mini RC crawlers you can consider buying are; Axial SCX24 Chevrolet RC Crawler, Goolsky Devastator Rock Crawler, FMS RocHobby RC Rock Crawler, EAZYRC Arizona RC Crawler, and Losi Night Crawler RC Rock Crawler. Your first option should be the Axial SCX24 Betty Limited Mini Crawler.
You should know that RC crawlers are not fast; what they lack in speed, they make up for in durability, strength, and capacity for rough riding. So, you should not expect a mini RC crawler to be fast.
Mini RC Crawlers
There are various brands of mini RC crawlers available, and if you are learning how to operate a mini RC crawler, it is best to go for the best in the market. However, it would be best if you had the first option when buying a mini RC crawler for the first time.
Axial SCX24 Betty Limited Mini Crawler
The Axial Betty Mini Crawler is one of the best mini RC crawlers you can purchase. It is 7.8 inches long, 4.2 inches wide, 3.9 inches high, and weighs 0.5 pounds. The Axial SCX24 Betty Limited Mini Crawler was produced to celebrate Axial Racing's fifteenth year of manufacturing RC vehicles.
It features a 2.4 GHz three-channel radio system, an Axial AS-1 servo, an Axial AE-6 electronic speed control (ESC), a dynamite brushed electric motor, and a 350 mAh 2S LiPo 7.4 volts battery pack. It also features a solid axle front and rear suspension. The ground clearance of the mini crawler is 1.06 inches, and the rear track is 4.2 inches long.
There is a throttle trim knob on the transmitter for high, medium, and low-speed settings, a switch for third channel applications, battery level indicator, steering trim, a switch for steering servo reversing, the on and off switch, a bind button, and steering dual rate.
Axial SCX24 Chevrolet RC Crawler
The Axial SCX24 Chevrolet RC Crawler is designed to imitate the 1967 Chevrolet C10 Truck and is 8.4 inches long, 4.4 inches high, 3.9 inches wide, has a ground clearance of 1.06 inches, and a wheelbase of 5.2 inches. It is a 1:24 scale mini RC crawler with all the capabilities to conquer off-road terrains.
It features steel front and rear axles, realistic steel chassis frame rails, and steel dogbones. It comes with a 2.4 GHz radio control system, an 88T 030 brushed electric motor, and a 350 mAh 2S LiPo 7.4 volts battery pack. The Axial SCX24 Chevrolet RC Crawler comes in two colors, silver and light green.
It has coilover shock absorbers, splines drive shafts, full ball bearings, hole wheels, KX tires, functional LED lights. This mini RC crawler is designed to perform excellently well through tough climbs and rough trials. It comes with the transmitter, all electronics, servos, receivers, electronic speed control, batteries, motor, and charger included.
FMS RocHobby RC Rock Crawler
This is one of the best mini RC crawlers you can purchase; it is modeled after the Toyota 4WD Model Car. It is a 1:18 scale mini RC crawler with all the features of the Toyota Land Cruiser. It is 11 inches long, 4.6 inches wide, 5.3 inches high, and weighs 2.61 pounds. It is recommended for people aged 14 years and above.
Some of the features of the FMS RocHobby RC Rock Crawler are a robust chassis, multifunctional light control system, durable crawling tires, powerful electronic system, consisting of a two-in-one receiver and electronic speed control, an independent servo, a 7.4 volts 380 mAh battery pack, and a high torque brushed motor.
It comes with a 2.4 GHz radio control system and a three-channel receiver. It has a total run time of 30 minutes, and all the electronics are completely waterproof. The radio control system has a control range of up to 80 meters, and the mini RC crawler can reach a top speed of 3.1 mph.
Losi Night Crawler RC Rock Crawler
The Losi Night Crawler RC Rock Crawler is 25 inches long, 9.3 inches high, 13.5 inches wide, and weighs 8.86 pounds. It is one of the best mini RC crawlers available, with an authentic scale body featuring an exoskeleton cage protecting the crawler in all conditions without compromising its performance.
It features a 2.4 GHz radio control system with transmitter and receiver, a Spektrum waterproof servo, a 60A REV/FWD brushed electronic speed control, and a 35T 540 brushed electric motor.
Some of the impressive features of this mini RC crawler are its LED light bar and rock light, front and rear solid axles, metal front axle and center driveshafts, ultra-low direct-drive transmission, four-link suspension, twin vertical plate chassis, a large battery tray, scale accessories, and swamper tires.
Why Your First Crawler Should Be Micro?
One of the big questions many people who want to start operating RC crawlers ask is if a micro crawler is the best for newbies. There are different reasons why it is best to make your first RC crawler a micro RC crawler.
First, controlling a micro RC crawler is much easier than a mini RC crawler; since micro crawlers are smaller than mini, they are easy to control and maneuver. Also, since you are about to get your first crawler, it is best not to spend a lot because you need to learn how to operate a crawler on off-road terrains.
Micro RC crawlers cost less than mini RC crawlers, so if while you learn how to operate the vehicle, it gets damaged, you would not feel it because you did not spend a lot purchasing it.
Also, if you reside in the city with no access to off-road terrains, you can operate a micro RC crawler indoors and turn any surface into an obstacle course. When operating a mini RC crawler outside, riding it over rocks looks easy, but with a micro, it feels like an off-road park; the obstacles are more realistic.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Mini RC Crawler
Before you purchase your first mini RC crawler, there are some things to look out for. These features will help you make an informed decision when selecting a mini RC crawler. No one wants to spend a lot of money purchasing a vehicle. They will not get value for their money. Here are some things to look out for.
Battery
This is one of the most important features to consider when purchasing a mini RC crawler; you do not want to purchase a vehicle with a short runtime; there is no fun in that. It is best to choose an RC crawler that uses a LiPo battery rather than a NiMh battery pack.
Mini RC crawlers that use NiMh battery packs are usually cheaper, but the power drops faster than those with LiPo battery packs. Although you need to store and charge LiPo batteries properly, they can get damaged.
Tires
The type of tires a mini RC crawler also plays an important role in determining how efficiently it will perform. Although, as a beginner, you do not have to worry about the type of tires the vehicle has because you are still learning. Professional and experienced RC operators are very particular about the type of tires.
Wheel Drive
There are two types of wheel drive in RC cars; you have 2WD and 4WD. 2WD is not suitable for rock crawling, so if you see any mini RC crawler with 2WD, you should not purchase it. 4WD is perfect for rock crawling.
Final Thoughts
Different people have different preferences; some prefer micro RC crawlers to mini RC crawlers, mainly because of the versatility. Regardless of what you want, an RC crawler meets your taste. There are different mini RC crawlers available in the market, and if you are not well informed, you can make a wrong decision.
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Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.