Got the Spartan, Can't run it yet, but some first impressions...

[JMSCARD]

I will probably never tear out the stock electronics, that's not why i bought it. Traxxas claims 30+ with the supplied 3000mah 7-cell NIMH's, 50+ on 6s lipo still remaining completly stock, no mods needed. Honestly, if it'll run mid 30's on good NIMH's, i'll be very happy! And if i go to, let's say 4s lipo and run upper 30's or maybe 40, bonus! I am not a serious racer anymore, been there, did that for many years, now i just run on the weekends on a populated 22 mile long lake, not a little pond! I don't get very much glass smooth water, if it'll handle some chop that's what i want. I've run my SV27, and 30" Dumas v-bottom up on the lake alot, the Dumas handles some bumpy water pretty good, the SV27 not so much. Also, i didn't pay $400 bucks either, Tower has some pretty good discounts and the shipping was free!!

Jason where you live at in NY? I live in the center of Vermont in Montpelier, about a 35 minute ride to Burlington where I bring my boats every once in awhile to run on Lake Champlain at a buddies camp... I also race my pan cars occasionally in Plattsburgh NY...

Jason (JMSCARD)

[tiqueman]

Oh yeah, i would love to take a trip to Florida and give this boat a run, it's killin me just looking at it!!

Send it down, Ill run it

[Checkmateguy01]

Jason where you live at in NY? I live in the center of Vermont in Montpelier, about a 35 minute ride to Burlington where I bring my boats every once in awhile to run on Lake Champlain at a buddies camp... I also race my pan cars occasionally in Plattsburgh NY...

Jason (JMSCARD)

Hey Jason, i'm way down state from Lake Champlain!! I'm down around the NY-PA border, but i do most of r/c boating up on Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.

[Dangerous_Toys]

Oh yeah, i would love to take a trip to Florida and give this boat a run, it's killin me just looking at it!!

Dangerous_Toys: It has a 540xl 1600kv motor (re-branded Faigeo i believe?) and a new Velineon VXL-6s ESC, but they don't say what amp. I think the rumors are like 80 or 100 amp, but i'm not sure. I doubt i'll ever get up to the 6s set-up, it would fun no doubt, but not when you have neighbors, docks, and boats/lifts to worry about, plus less than glass smooth water, it's just not safest idea in my opinion. That's one of the reasons why i haven't gone the big scale gasser route, or run any of my old nitro boats up there instead of the brushless electrics.

Traxxas must be keeping the motor KV and esc Amperage a secret...

[Snowride]

Glad to see you got your boat. Seems like most of us are slowly starting to get them. Can't wait for some posts about actual handeling, speeds and run times on various cells. Personally I will be running 3S at 6000mah. Hoping it will produce around 8mins or so. I know I will not be able to run mine until April at the earliest. Have fun and enjoy.

[sjslhill]

That's a very nice looking boat, these RTR boats get people into the hobby and I like Traxxas products. It seems they are not very friendly to people like OSE though. I have 3 Summit trucks and they are very nice. I just might order this Spartan, Tower still has that $60 off and free shipping.

Kinda shocked at the forzen water with all the global warming.......it's frozen here in Ky as well, has been for weeks.

[RIPFENCE]

i think that a lot of guys on ose including myself sometimes think its better to spend the 400.00 on hull/motors..but that is expected when you have racers and guys who enjoy installing components and having more control over top speed, handling, components...etc etc..i do agree that getting an rtr is the way to get to know electrics but the new people need to be aware of the overexpectations that seemingly flows with the hype an marketing techinques...i will say this though..i am glad the quality of the rtr's is getting better and i think the manufacturers are listening..its places like ose where the real testing happens..and btw enjoy the spartans

[Snowride]

This $400 keeps popping up but the reality is most of us, including myself have paid $325 delivered. You have to also keep in mind the battery packs and the RX radio alone are worth over $100 so basically we get the complete boat for around $225. The whole package seems to be a great deal for someone who is just starting like most of us here who have ordered one. If you are well into the hobby already, the radio and batteries are a waste of money but then again could be sold on ebay for a little cash back. Again, for the beginners it comes with a great warranty in the USA and take a look at this manual which is actually very well written compared to some of the chinese translated illegible crap found on most stuff today. http://www.traxxas.com/pdfs/5708_manual.pdf

[sjslhill]

Myself

I am in the camp of running a bit slower, longer. Ever see an offshore race live or on TV?

I like the fact that Traxxas is still looking at either NIMH or LiPoly, I still like NIMH in many applications.

that's just me however

Steve

[RIPFENCE]

i was just responding to the not ose freindly comment thats all...and yes its a good deal for starting out

[sjslhill]

Traxxas does not give Steve and margins as I understand it.........not a good thing. In batteries A123 expected us to sell A123 cells for $16.50ea and they let people sell them for $6ea on E-bay.

I am done with A123 and their Gov. backing, they have never made a profit either.

[RIPFENCE]

gotcha..meaning not price freindly too

[Diegoboy]

This $400 keeps popping up but the reality is most of us, including myself have paid $325 delivered. You have to also keep in mind the battery packs and the RX radio alone are worth over $100 so basically we get the complete boat for around $225. The whole package seems to be a great deal for someone who is just starting like most of us here who have ordered one. If you are well into the hobby already, the radio and batteries are a waste of money but then again could be sold on ebay for a little cash back. Again, for the beginners it comes with a great warranty in the USA and take a look at this manual which is actually very well written compared to some of the chinese translated illegible crap found on most stuff today. http://www.traxxas.com/pdfs/5708_manual.pdf

Tower = $390

[johnf]

I believe he means with a membership. You get 60 off orders over 300, and free shipping.

[Diegoboy]

How much does membership cost?? I know how much, just making a point