Oops, my finger slipped...

[mini-z_ov]

And seems to have pushed my Wraith 7k, 33a pro car esc and digital radio into my rather innocent looking £69.99 Atom XB. The Wraith is a rather large 380 size motor that barely fits into the little atom, and throws it around with RSPCA baiting abandon. Not kidding, I actually prefer this model to any other mini I've owned, and I've owned lots of the big name models. For a start it didn't cost me an arm and a leg because it had AE or Losi on the side. The drivetrain is solid (really, really solid), the steering is pants but no worse than the 18T, the build quality is excellent, the parts are strong and it's presently standing up to a power system that my MLST needed around £100 worth of mods in the drivetrain department alone to stand up to. I've got a 3s lipo on the way to really give it a work out and we'll see how it does, but so far this little car is the bargain of the century.

Another thing to note is that the stock battery in my MLST wouldn't even entertain running this system. The little 1100 NIMH battery in the Atom is presently running the system set up for my TP 20c 2000mah lipo (high punch, cut off still enabled etc.) without even cogging. And it has enough power to dump the atom on it's roof, regardless of the wing.

[Laughing Potato]

Keep me up dated on this please, could be just what I'm after for a little mess around brushless. I'd like to know how it holds up over a bit of time. What are the parts like to get hold of?

[Stumungous]

Me too, I keep looking at the Strada for something cheap to have a play with. Trouble is there are pretty much no reviews on that and nobody seems to own one... which is rather odd.

[mini-z_ov]

Parts are easy to get hold of, any shop that stocks anything from mirage racing will be able to get spares. You can get hop ups from Atomicmods too, as this is a pro pulse/megapro rather than an rc18t rip off.

Having said that I've not broken anything yet, and it's running just about the nastiest brushless setup you could squeeze in there, with the exception of a lehner based system.   

[mini-z_ov]

My vapextech lipo came today, juiced up to max she took 1600 mah and was sitting at 12.6v (11.1 1550 mah 20c cont. 40c burst lipo, not bad for £21.95 with free delivery). I'm afraid the rear diff may have given in to my rather rough driving style, however I managed to get in a couple of charges and 15 minute runs and more importantly a few w.o.t GLORY RUNS. I'd say she's running around 45mph, easy, with room to gear up comfortably. It's passing traffic at half throttle.

I have never, ever driven anything quite this brutal. I'm gonna stock up on diffs and keep running it like this, it's too much of a buzz not to. I'm also going to stock up on tires.

I think I may have been responsible for the diff letting go though, I must admit I've not bothered adjusting them (ball diffs) ever, so they were probably running real loose.     



I'm aware the battery is far too large for the car, thank god for the twin graces of velcro and a tight fitting body shell eh?

[Dreadstar]

The Mirage site has the RRCI review on the Atom,and it gets glowing reviews too.
  My club(CSOR) is running a winter series with these cars,(must be stock,no mods allowed),so far,14 units have been purchased.We are really looking forward to getting our mucky little paws on them,they look like great fun,and a pleasant change from the smelly 1/8th's that we normally drive.

[Laughing Potato]

,(must be stock,no mods allowed)

I would like to run in a series with these rules. it stop the biggest wallet wins you often find at clubs. I great way to get into racing without busting the bank account.

[Dreadstar]

Indeed it is,our club sponsor model shop,Tay Racers,managed to get us a super deal on the Atoms too,they will only cost us 59.50 each   If that doesn't do it for you,then I don't know what will.

[mini-z_ov]

That's a great price. It's probably the best value RC around at the moment.

They are more than pokey enough stock to be entertaining, wheelies all over the shop!

[Dreadstar]

Have you broken anything on it yet,or are they as hard as nails?

[300bhp/ton]

And seems to have pushed my Wraith 7k, 33a pro car esc and digital radio into my rather innocent looking £69.99 Atom XB. The Wraith is a rather large 380 size motor that barely fits into the little atom, and throws it around with RSPCA baiting abandon. Not kidding, I actually prefer this model to any other mini I've owned, and I've owned lots of the big name models. For a start it didn't cost me an arm and a leg because it had AE or Losi on the side. The drivetrain is solid (really, really solid), the steering is pants but no worse than the 18T, the build quality is excellent, the parts are strong and it's presently standing up to a power system that my MLST needed around £100 worth of mods in the drivetrain department alone to stand up to. I've got a 3s lipo on the way to really give it a work out and we'll see how it does, but so far this little car is the bargain of the century.

Another thing to note is that the stock battery in my MLST wouldn't even entertain running this system. The little 1100 NIMH battery in the Atom is presently running the system set up for my TP 20c 2000mah lipo (high punch, cut off still enabled etc.) without even cogging. And it has enough power to dump the atom on it's roof, regardless of the wing.

Thanks for your reply

Couple of Q's about the Atom.

Where or who sells those motors and suitable ESC's?

And that sounds like a monster battery for not a lot of money, I've tried Googling vapextech, but I can't get the vapextech website to load, is there anywhere else that sells them?


Lastly, what are your views on the XT compared to XB? Are they basically the same (minus wheels, bodyshell, front bumper & rear wing).

Any advantage over one or the other, I kinda liked the look of the XT.

Thanks

[Dreadstar]

The XB & XT both use a common chassis,with as you said the only differences being the wing and tyres, and of course the shell.One of the great things about them though is the cost of the spares,cheap as chips. front arms;c-hubs;hub carrier.....4.99,same for the rear.Spare diffs....4.99 each;shocktowers,top plate & bodyposts....4.99.Gearset:- stock pinion & spur plus 2x upgrade pinions & spurs...4.99.Wing & stays ...2.99.Upgrade alloy oil shocks...11.99/set of 4.Turnbuckle set...9.99. Steering servomount & saver  ...4.99. Chassis & gearbox set...9.99. Wheel/tyres set of 4...8.99(Buggy or Truggy). Servo inc saver ...8.99.Clear bodyshells(both types)...8.99.For any other prices or upgrade parts,go to  http://www.mirageracing.com/piw.php?partNo=MV12102

[Big_Mr_V]

Couple of Q's about the Atom.

Where or who sells those motors and suitable ESC's?

And that sounds like a monster battery for not a lot of money, I've tried Googling vapextech, but I can't get the vapextech website to load, is there anywhere else that sells them?

There are plenty of ESC's and motor's that will fit - basically anything designed for that scale... As for the batteries, check Ebay. Always loads of Vapextech stuff on there

[mini-z_ov]

The system I have in their isn't really designed to be used in such a small vehicle. I need to get some spares for it now, haven't succeeded in breaking it yet, but the drivetrain needs some attention as the diffs are slipping.

I got my system from B-P-P, www.B-P-P.com and the battery is available here:  http://www.vapextech.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_High_Power_Model_Control_Batteries.html

It loads fine on my PC, so give it another go. You may wish to find another battery that fits better, I've seen some however they are usually of a lower c rating.

Have you broken anything on it yet,or are they as hard as nails?

Nails would break before this does... I've had blow overs at 50mph and ended up with mild grazing on the shell.