Impulse vs Sonic Wake!!!

[Varooom]

Hello fellow crazy boaters (I mean that in a good way).

Been out of the hobby for a few years (my last boat was Revolt). I have moved since then and there is a large holding pond (small lake) across the street from me. Since its just a walk across the street I have decided to get back into the hobby. It's a county park and I have seen several people running electrics and wind powered boats there. Nothing gas allowed in the lake. Last weekend there was a guy flying an electric plane with pontoons, very cool.

I have decided between the Impulse or Sonic Wake. I really like the self-righting of the Sonic, but I think the electronics of the Impulse is better and perhaps faster. 160 amp ESC in Impulse vs 120A in Sonic. 2000kv motor in the Impulse, 1900 in the sonic. Sonic has dual cooling but the Impulse has the DX3 transmitter vs the SLT3 in the Sonic. Both are 6s which I like. Both have the SR315 receivers.

My only recovery system right now is a fishing pole. The lake (holding pond) is large enough that if it flips on the other side of the lake I will be screwed. Need to work on better recovery.

It's mostly for bashing but you never know. Some guy has been running A Traxxas Spartin out there that might need a lesson.

So its self-righting or better electronics.

Open to any and all comments.
Thank you for your time,
Varooom

[CJPB32]

I have an Impulse. I really like it. It took a while to get the cg, tabs, prop, and stinger figured out to keep it from porpoising but she's is steady now! I can run full trigger in flat water or slight ripples but cut back when it is very choppy. I only fun run, in a 1300 acre lake from our pontoon boat. I hate saying bash because I try not to bash her into anything solid! LOL Once I got her setup, I rarely flip it; maybe if I hit a stray wake too fast?

Look up some of my posts for setup tips, correctly rerouting the cooling hoses, etc. The stock prop is probably for speed but I dropped the pitch to get less top speed but much longer run times; I run a 3 blade. I can run for nearly 10 minutes until the batteries get to about 3.6/3.7 volts. I have 4 sets of 3S Spektrum batteries. I know the voltage can go lower but 3.6/3.7V makes the after-run maintenance easy; I only have to charge to 3.8 for storage voltage until the next weekend.

The ESC temp/caps are the hottest and usually about 100F or up to 130F if I'm really pushing hard and long. I upgraded with larger cooling lines and outlets for more water flow.

The Impulse has a fiberglass hull, dual cooling (one in the hull and one in the rudder).

I like the Spektrum equipment because of the built-in telemetry; I didn't have to add-in any other bits. Maybe the batteries aren't as "good" as other brands but they work fine for me.

I have never lost radio signal and I run her probably 100+ yards away from our boat. One day I will experiment on how far she will go to lose the signal.

[Varooom]

Thanks CJPB 32,
I would grab the Impulse in a heartbeat if it was not for the self-righting of the Sonic. But you make a good point, set it up properly and don't flip. I also really like that the Impulse has a fiberglass hull compared to the plastic one the Sonic has. Maby I can turn my old Revolt into a recovery vehicle.
Thanks again, I will check out your other posts
Varooom

[leski379]

Thanks CJPB 32,
I would grab the Impulse in a heartbeat if it was not for the self-righting of the Sonic. But you make a good point, set it up properly and don't flip. I also really like that the Impulse has a fiberglass hull compared to the plastic one the Sonic has. Maby I can turn my old Revolt into a recovery vehicle.
Thanks again, I will check out your other posts
Varooom

I own both. The sonicwake v2 is way ahead of a (older) spartan IMO and the self righting is killer, plus its very upgradeable. The Impulse 32 imo is way better for the buck. Like you mentioned the power system and the fiberglass hull. The Impulse will run 8s remember, with some care. I've taken the impulse32 to 86mph with a big prop on 8s. All stock otherwise. The sonicwake's stock power system will get you into the 60's briefly.

[Cinnabun]

I was have had the same indecisiveness, ultimately i chose the sonicwake v2 because of the self-righting however I do have other boats that dont self right. I will eventually own an impulse 32, recovery isnt a huge issue because i run the boats on a huge river while out in my real boat.. most of the river is swimmable and current is non existent.

lucky you to still have a revolt 30. that was my favorite boat ive owned to date, I wish I could find another in decent condition.