Tower Hobbies stopped carrying Traxxas WELL before Horizon purchased parts of Hobbico, resulting in litigation between the two companies. This was the result of a dispute over patent infringements and was allegedly one of the reasons that Hobbico declared bankruptcy at the end. Tower Hobbies is owned by Horizon, which is also involved in the lawsuit against Arrma, a company that owns Arrma and is being sued by Traxxas for copying the Revo suspension on their Nero model.
The issue has been spreading widely, with many customers still waiting for a refund on an order that was paid in full over two months ago. It is important to note that Tower Hobbies did not go down due to Traxxas, as they owed its vendors millions in debt years before ARRMA even came out. The lawsuit against Arrma is based on the fact that Arrma copied the Revo suspension on their Nero model.
Tower Hobbies has been a loyal customer for 32 years, providing stock parts for their EMaxx and Slash 4×4 vehicles. However, they have recently discontinued most items bearing the Traxxas name, and the company has a policy regarding coupon codes. This decision comes as Tower Hobbies continues to struggle with the ongoing legal battle between Traxxas and Hobbico, who have been battling for years to stay afloat on their investments.
📹 Traxxas vs Arrma – Battle of the Brands
Today we dive deep comparing two major brands in surface R/C – Arrma & Traxxas. On the surface, these two companies appear …
Who is the owner of Manebi?
Manebí is a lifestyle brand founded in 2013 by Vera Drossopulo and Antonello Benati, focusing on day-to-night holiday shoes. The brand has expanded its offerings to include beachwear, ready-to-wear, and accessories. Manebí’s designs are carefully crafted with love and passion to celebrate the endless summer vibe. The brand offers a variety of services, including fashion, marketing, footwear, wholesale, retail, consumer, ready-to-wear, bags, and beachwear. There are 30, 921 open jobs available for public relations specialists.
Who is the owner of the Hobbico?
Hobbbico, Inc. was a manufacturer and distributor of hobby products, including radio control airplanes, boats, cars, helicopters, and multirotors/drones. The company had around 850 employees worldwide. In 2018, Hobbico filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced its sale. Horizon Hobby acquired control of most Hobbico RC brands and IP, except for Great Planes Manufacturing. Estes Industries acquired the Estes-Cox business unit, and a German venture capital group acquired Revell Germany whole and the Revell-Monogram brands, IP, and molds.
The company distributed over 150 brands of hobby products, including about 30 proprietary brands. Hobbbico was the exclusive distributor for Futaba radio control products in North and South America, O. S. Engines in North America, and HPI Racing, Italeri, Novak Electronics, and Nine Eagles in North and South America.
Who is Traxxas owned by?
Mike Jenkins holds the positions of Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer at Traxxas.
How long have Tower Hobbies been in business?
Tower Hobbies, a leading online retailer, has a long history of making shopping easy and enjoyable. They were the first to offer toll-free “800” phone order lines and launched their award-winning TowerHobbies. com website in 1995. Tower Hobbies has always prioritized customer satisfaction. In 2018, Horizon Hobby acquired Tower Hobbies, allowing them to offer an extensive selection of best-selling brands from popular hobby manufacturers like Axial, ARRMA, E-flite, Losi, Spektrum, and RealFlight. Tower Hobbies thanks customers for their continued support and promises to continue providing excellence in service, selection, and support for over 50 years.
Does Horizon Hobby own ARRMA?
ARRMA website, its content, functionality, and design are protected by copyrights, trademarks, designs, and other intellectual property rights. The website is not a toy and is not suitable for children under 14 without adult supervision. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring minors receive appropriate guidance. The product is not suitable for public streets, near people or animals, or in small areas.
It is important to read the online manual and familiarize yourself with the product and its electronics before operating. The kit is in accordance with RED Directive 2014/53/EU and should be kept out of reach of small children. The website is in compliance with RED Directive 2014/53/EU.
Is Tower Hobbies owned by Horizon Hobby?
Tower Hobbies, established in 1971 by hobbyist Bruce Holecek, is currently a division of Horizon Hobby, LLC, headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Horizon Hobby, LLC is a subsidiary of the larger company.
What happened to Hobbico?
Lincoln International, a leading global mid-market investment bank, has announced the sale of Hobbico, Inc., a company based in Champaign, Illinois, in three separate transactions. The sale was made under section 363 of the bankruptcy code. Hobbico designs and distributes radio-controlled and general hobby products globally, offering a wide range of vehicles, models, and related accessories. The company’s products are sold through a network of independent hobby dealers, big-box retailers, and online platforms.
Lincoln served as the exclusive investment banker to Hobbico and worked closely with the management team and stakeholders through the chapter 11 bankruptcy and section 363 sale processes. The comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives led to the sale of Hobbico’s operating businesses to three different acquirers, including one in Germany. Managing Director Alex Stevenson expressed satisfaction with the successful closure of the transactions and the preservation of Hobbico’s iconic brands in the hobby industry.
Does Horizon Hobby own ArRMA?
ARRMA website, its content, functionality, and design are protected by copyrights, trademarks, designs, and other intellectual property rights. The website is not a toy and is not suitable for children under 14 without adult supervision. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring minors receive appropriate guidance. The product i
s not suitable for public streets, near people or animals, or in small areas.
It is important to read the online manual and familiarize yourself with the product and its electronics before operating. The kit is in accordance with RED Directive 2014/53/EU and should be kept out of reach of small children. The website is in compliance with RED Directive 2014/53/EU.
Is Traxxas or ARRMA better?
Traxxas is the optimal selection for RC aficionados, as it offers superior durability, extensive aftermarket support, exemplary customer care, and a user-friendly interface, particularly suited to those new to the field. Regardless of one’s level of experience, Traxxas provides unparalleled excellence and reliability. Select a Traxxas model from RC Superstore to enhance your RC experience with a comprehensive range of in-stock vehicles, including cars, trucks, and associated components.
Is Traxxas hobby grade?
Traxxas, founded in 1986, is the leading manufacturer of Ready-To-Race nitro and electric radio controlled vehicles. The company focuses on innovative designs and fun designs, making it easy for anyone to get started in radio control. Traxxas offers a range of products including trucks, cars, speedboats, quadcopters, and accessories. Prices start at less than $150, with over 25 performance models under $350. Traxxas has been engineering and building the world’s fastest and most innovative Ready-To-Race® radio-controlled performance machines since 1986.
Their models are fully assembled with powerful, feature-rich radio systems and are ready-to-drive in just minutes, including the 100mph Traxxas XO-1 supercar. Traxxas has made several firsts, including fuel-burning Ready-to-Run RC, driver-actuated forward/reverse transmission, remote-operated locking differentials, high/low transmission, auto-shifting 2-speed transmission, waterproof electronics, 2. 4GHz transmitter with Apple iOS interface, 100mph RTR vehicle, and self-righting monster trucks.
Why doesn t Horizon Hobby carry Traxxas?
It is erroneous to assume that Horizon’s surface brands are a substitute for Traxxas’s pristine and well-ordered state. Rather, they may be a reaction to the Traxxas dealer pricing structure, which provides incentives for exclusive Traxxas surface product distribution.
📹 Top 3 Items for your Traxxas R/C
Today we encounter 3 items that help remove r/c headaches and make life with a Traxxas vehicle a bit easier, safer and more …
We should all be grateful that both exist. And Losi, and Axial, and… because each company pushes the competition to keep improving. My favourite buggy is my DBXL-E 2.0. Trophy Truck is the UDR. Basher, the Kraton EXB. Crawler, the TRX-6. On road, the Felony. We live in a great time for awesome RC’s. Stop bitching about which is better and just enjoy them.
I’ve just gotten my first couple Arrma vehicles in the last 2 weeks. A Kraton 6S V5 BLX and a Big Rock V3. Both are awesome. Been out of the hobby for a while. I’ve been nursing along an old Helion Dominus 10TR. Replaced the motor pinion and spur gear with one from another vehicle that’s an approximate fit since the original part can’t be found anymore. The Arrmas are great. I did have a Traxxas 1/16 Summit VXL about 8-10 years ago. Was a pretty cool little RC. But I don’t see going back to Traxxas unless it was something specific like that. The Summits are pretty cool. I just don’t like how proprietary most of their things are. Battery compartments and connectors are very limiting. I tend to think of Traxxas as the iPhone of the RC world and Arrma as Android in a sense.
Great article and I’ve been around in the ’80’s to see this transition in RC!!! I still love building kits and installing upgrades! I love the fact nowadays these RC vehicles can take just about anything one throws at them without breaking into tiny pieces..!!! Two great brands and proud to support both of them over the years…… Healthy and Happy New Year to all !!!!!!!! Oh and thanks Santa for the Blue 3s Senton….!!!! 😉
Traxxas needs modernise it’s lineup, udr is good xmaxx and maxx but the hoss is just a stampede also in my opinion for the price too much plastic slash needs revised too I have a few traxxas and only ones I trully love are trx4 udr and spartan I would love to see a new x01 rebuilding mine just now but a roller type would be awesome too think they a little behind right now competition really stepped the game forward
Traxxas also practiced some not so good business practices to put them on top, like suing all other competitors into bankruptcy. HPI is making a comeback and is being resurrected by HRP and hopefully will give them a run for their money. I’m glad they all exist I just bought an Arrma Kraton but I think I can see an Xmaxx in my future. I’m also rebuilding my Savage. I’ll have the best of the past and current models.
I love that traxxas has a lot of upgrade parts available as well as aftermarket parts. 10 people could have the same Traxxas vehicle and each one could be completely different. Unfortunately Arrma just doesn’t have that same level of customization available, I would love to see some aftermarket wheels for my felony.
You guys are biting off more than you can chew. The canyon between Traxxas and Arrma is filled with lava. I am happy with my Traxxas products and the only Arrma that interests me is the 8s Outcast. I don’t care what brand you own or want, you will break it. Arrma fanboys will complain about Traxxas breaking, but parts are extremely cheap. A whole chassis can be picked up for the X-Maxx for $22……22 dollars!, can the same be said about any of Arrmas 8s line? Traxxas fanboys will say, you’ll bend the chassis on the first jump. That may happen but the electronics (short of stupid RTR servos of any brand) are better in the Arrma. Extremists are the ones who are “killing” the hobby, but anyone in business knows the extremists are the ones that make for the best sales. Healthy competition is the best for all hobbyists. We all win. The only things I hate are holding onto something (like a lawsuit for example) which you clearly know nothing about. Read the documentation as to what the lawsuit was actually about. Stop using it as a damn crutch as well. If it wasn’t for Traxxas marketing, would any RC company be what it is? My first RC was a Traxxas because Traxxas was everywhere I looked, was my buddies first RC too. As well as many many other people I meet along the way. I’m a RC fan, not a company fan. I see something I like, I buy it, doesn’t matter the brand name on the box.
I have bought 6 traxxas’s the past years. I have had tons of problems right out of the box. Especially their nitro models. I could write 4 paragraphs about what has happened. But they do have great parts availability. But for the price you pay for a Traxxas. You shouldn’t have problems with the electronics right out of the box. And parts shouldn’t fall of your car when you’re on your 2nd break in run…..
Here’s a great analogy traxxas is like the apple of RC cars it’s simple and it just works and they’re easy to fix and just get repaired because they’re super popular but armor and Horizon and everything else is like Android it’s way more powerful you can do a lot more with it but you need to know how to do it
I just got into rc and I’m 40. ive spent a lot on traxxas vehicles and have no regrets. think I’ve found my true passion. I now want arrma vehicles as them seem very cool also. if I’ve learned one thing in my 40 years it’s that you shouldn’t take life too seriously and you’ve got to have fun. that’s what I’m all about now
arma vorteks is insane durable. my buddy ramped it 15times and never broke flew 20feet+ i have my traxxas slash 4×4 i did it once and broke my axle/driveshaft. ARMA IS BUILT TOUGH SO IS TRAXXAS BUT IF I COULD GO BACK I WOULD GET THE VORTEKS made by arma. Insane ddurability and insane flying skills and speeds like 4×4 vxl.
I own both and enjoy both. But, my Arrma RCs are simply more durable. Last week I accidentally hit a metal bike rack that was cemented into the sidewalk with my Arrma Typhon 3S. It made the bike rack hum and vibrate like a big tuning fork! I had visions of total destruction but to my amazement nothing on it broke! I continued driving it and 3 battery packs later I went home. From past experience if I had hit that bike rack that hard with ANY of my Traxxas RCs there would have been broken parts all over the place!
My very first real 1/10 scale R/C car was the OG Traxxas Cat way back in the late 80’s. I raced the crap out of that thing before upgrading to a Kyosho Optima Mid and then finally, a Losi JRX-2. Traxxas was an unknown company when I got my Cat. When I returned to the hobby nearly 25 years later, I couldn’t believe how much of a dominant force the company has become. It makes me feel like I was a small part of history.
For nearly 27 years I’ve been apart of traxxas brand in my household and the parts availability is amazing but Armma hands down done right and setup correctly will dust a traxxas. I have both a kraton 1/5 built from scratch and a traxxas x Maxx built from scratch. Both running the same 8s castle creations mamba xlx combos and 2 4s Gen ace lipos. My kraton 8s out runs my xmaxx and takes bashes alot better
Traxxas needs to get their pricing under control. I bought a $100 light kit that sat on the shelf for under a year and had failed led’s from sitting. sad. I just bought a Arma Senton BLX Brushless for $439 here in canada with a heat sink and cooling fan and unreal strength built in. If i had paid the $589 for the slash that is prone to heat issues and comes bare bones from traxxas i would have been plenty upset. This Arma is of the hook and scary fast and handles very good, My Traxxas Crawler trx4 however is Beast in its own right, a good competitor but again pricing for their 2wd and brushless 4×4 stuff is insulting in this market.
Loved your article. Im older than a boomer. First rc hobby cars i played with were the frog, grasshopper and fox. The i got i to nitro with the Kyosho turbo burns. Fast forward a few years and HPI was king for awhile with 2 or 3 variants of nitro savages and rs4’s. I quit just about the time Traxxas came onto the scene eit their nitro trucks. Pulled 1 if my old savages out of the attic this week and used a torch to free up the engine and take it apart to clean. Cant wait to show my son what this thing can do. Obviously started thinking about whats new, beinf out of the scene for a long time. Your article fit the bill perfectly.
I work at a hobby town and have done so for a few years we sell 3 arrma cars to 1 traxxas car typically. When it comes to parts and broken rc cars we tend to see 3 broken traxxas cars to 1 broken arrma car. The Traxxas rep told us we need more parts in our store because thats where we make most of our money and the cars are designed to break to support the business that carry traxxas cars. Yeah we stopped carrying traxxas cars after the traxxas rep told us that.
As someone starting in the hobby, Traxxas priced themselves out of contention for me. When you factor in being locked into using their batteries and chargers unless you buy some sketchy adapter and when I can get a 3s Granite 4×4 or Senton 4×4 for the same price as a brushed 4×4 Slash or Rustler, it’s an easy choice. That being said, my first ‘Brand name’ RC was a Team Associated. lol
Traxxas might be the first to do the RTR. But ARMMA is the first to push out more RCs cars in 1 year, and 👏 for pushing Traxxas to make more cars really. So let’s be honest, if it wasn’t for ARMMA, we “could” still to this day have old Traxxas RCs, or the old stuff would of been around a couple more years at less.
Hello Horizon Horizon hobbies can I help you? Yes my car needs a part warrantied…Sure we will send it to you right away!…Hello Traxxas Support? Yes my car needs a part warrantied…Sure we will email you a will call tag and you pay shipping to and from out facility and we may warranty your part… Hand down Horizon hobbies customer service/care is on another level! Game changer for me
I’m an experienced r/c enthusiast I will be 70 this October Ive seen a lot of changes over the years ! been in it for 40 yrs. I’m not a big fan of TRAXXAS this is why they have there own battery connections, now ARRMA can run an EC5 / TX90 or a spectrum battery ! when you first get into the R/C hobby you don’t know this it takes a little wile to get your feet wet !!! And don’t get me wrong ! TRAXXAS makes a darn good product ! but you can buy batteries anywhere when you you buy ARRMA ! EBay, Amazon or local Hobby Shoppe ! so this is my opinion ! food for thought !
It was Traxxas’s affordable, heavily supported, neophyte friendly Rustler 4X4 VXL and TRX-4 Sport that won a trepidatious, electronics-challenged 62-year old man to this hobby two years ago. Since then, an Axial Capra, LOSI DB Pro, Axial Bomber, and most recently a Traxxas HOSS have been added. I would love to have a RC sailboat as well as the new Axial RYFT rock bouncer. But my property has neither a pond/lake to sail a boat or a steep, rock-strewn 20+ foot high hill to challenge a 1/10 scale ‘Rock-Bouncer’. If I need to leave my property to enjoy a particular RC truck or RC genre; NEITHER is considered for purchase.
They’re all so crazy since lipo technology started. I’ve got 3s vxl rustler. It is ridiculous speed. When things broke I just upgraded parts. Now its got wheels off arrma or bigger size traxxas on it with oversized hubs stronger shocks and shafts have glued diff to lock it which makes better to drive and not stripping diffs, alloy gears and couple other things. How fast do you need. Mine with oversized wheels can almost drive upside down and can re-right itself using revs. Backflip from deadstop on flats. Will do jumps higher than a house aswell as can do frontflip to double backflip in one jump. Does about 140km+/h on back wheels. So crazy compared to old rc cars and nitros I had. At 43yrs old and they are sic fun to rip and launch around. Avagud1
Nice comparison, thanks!!! I am very new to RC and Amain has been super helpful. I started with a TRX4 Sport at the start of COVID. Followed that with TRX4 4×4 Merc. I saw the Infraction articles and was able to get a V2. That Infraction actually satisfies my need for speed!!! No more speeding tickets 🙂 I really like hiking at a reservation near my house and the Losi Lasernut was a great trail runner. I quickly realized that it’s kind of fragile and is not at all a basher. So for bashing I was able to get a Typhon v5, which with some M2C upgrades is super tough and super capable at everything. It just needs the right tires for the task. For me Traxxas support had my TRX4 sport down for 2 weeks to replace an ESC. Losi support by comparison has been super responsive with all the Lasernut issues and has send out all parts that I needed immediately. The Arrma warranty really speaks for itself. So that’s really long winded…. I’m glad to have found this hobby. I’m a car guy and I do track day events in my Camaro and my Shelby GLHS. This hobby has really filled the gap for me. And tires are cheap😃 !!!
I use to have one Nitro scale 1:10 from Traxxas 15 years ago and Traxxas been around long time and good RC product, but now I come back for RC hobby I bought Arrma Senton and it is not bad brand I am ready buy another one but I am going to buy Traxxas so I can have both best RC product.. Great article.
Awesome presentation Brett. I love them both but probably got more of a hankering for Traxxas. Plus I love the officially licensed body’s such as Ford Mustang, Bronco,F150,32 Ford, Chevrolet K 10, Blazer,and mostly everything Traxxas does. Arrma on the other hand I don’t think they do any officially licensed body’s but they do make some extremely high performance trucks and very rugged too. Arrma also I don’t think have the same problem with electronics as Traxxas does. Arrma use Spekrum radio gear and batteries. Whereas Traxxas are known to have problems with their steering servo on the TRX 4. But that’s all part of the hobby. Not even an army tank will last forever or even for a longtime without maintenance.and RC cars and trucks require the maintenance too. I’ve heard lots of stories on YouTube about horizon hobbies being really hard to deal with when warranty issues arise. And apparently horizon hobbies own both Traxxas and Arrma? I still love them both but I like Traxxas more for their officially licensed truck bodies.👍👌 Just a small query Brett, what is the music used in this article ? Like the name of the performer ? Thankyou again for a great article presentation man you’ve got an AWESOME job.👍
Got my first Traxxas Bandit back in 1989 when I was only 6 years old. I still remember it costing $202 out the door, with tax, with an extra battery and Hobbico 15 minute charger. My dad hooked me up! I’ll never forget that thing. Sparked a life-long hobby that I’ve let come and go a bit over the years, but I’ll always love.
I own products from both companies, and the Traxxas vehicles are easier to work on because of the parts interchangeability across so many models. My Kraton 4s has been pretty solid too though, I’ve only broken one rear drive shaft and the servo died since owning it. The STX2 radio that came with it was fine, but I did swap it out with the SLT3 radio about a month ago. I put the STX2 radio in my Losi Mini T 2.0.
The next rc I buy will be an arrma but I have several traxxas models and love them all. My trx4 is the only one that has proven extremely reliable. I’ve been extremely hard on it in the year I have owned it and only had to replace an axle shaft and the steering servo. My 2wd slash started life as a brushed version. It’s now at least 75% aftermarket parts. The only stock parts are the shocks, transmission and body mount posts. My mini revo has been durable but have had some breakage. I’ve also upgraded just to make it my own. Overall I’ve been very happy with my traxxas products but I’m ready to try a new brand to see what they offer.
Hpi was the benchmark of durability back in early 2000’s . I have owned various kits from them, but with time hpi kept on falling behind . Few mistakes cost them for example they were kings of 1/5 scale rc’s, but they failed to make their two wheel platform into 4wd . They had nice gas version of short course truck, but they lost to losi because losi sct was 4wd. They just kept on banking on savage platform and did nothing new . On the other hand Traxxas kept on innovating ( I always found Traxxas to be overpriced for what you got ) . Other companies like Aarma joined the game . I myself have been a HPI fan, but they are years behind now .
I’m at 58 I’m a huge Arrma fanboy. I’d still take a E-Revo if I could find one at my Shop right now. I have 3 Arrmas and they are the best. I need to break a Traxxas to see what it’s made of. Great article. As Arrma grows it’s gonna become Apple/Google, especially with Horizon backing them now. Money talks and those Brits got it going on!
You know something? Traxxas is what got me started in hobby grade. That OG Stampede still makes me smile when I think ab it. That being said tho, I am just a guy who likes the hobby as a whole and have used many brands. For instance, Duratrax was my fav go to for their stadium trucks. Both electric and nitro. I even stuck a Novak brushless system on my Evader b4 brushless was cool LOL. But all in all this vid puts out a good point that ive always taken to heart. That is, go out and grab what you like. Have fun and make some memories 🙂
Talking top end RC cars, although arrma have more options they are all very similar platforms, where as traxxas have less options but more variety. Take the xmaxx, summit, udr, slash and trx are totally different chassis where as a krayton, outkast, senton and typhoon are very similar. I’d probably rate arrma with better performance for cost but much prefer traxxas for their style and design
The way arrma and traxxas build their cars its like traxxas in helping arrma. Let me explain traxxas do low end tester rc so either 2 or 4 wheel drive e try level stuff, arrma do high end high speed experienced stuff. Traxxas bring people into the rc space with a slash and then people move to arrma when they become expressed and want more speed. P.S. this is just me eyes as this is what I did, i started with a slash 4×4 then went on to an arrma kraton.
Got my first Traxxas in 2000 it was the Nitro Sport and I absolutely beat the piss out of that truck. I abused that truck for 6 years lol. By time I was done with it literally everything was either zip tied or epoxied together. I actually stripped it down the threw it away lol. After that I bought an RC10GT and kept running that until I got out of the hobby in 2009.
Very good description of companies. My first rc vehicles were Team Losi JRX Pro and Traxus Rustler Pro Traxx truck. I still have them and actually dug them out of storage and bought new batteries and Protek charger after 20 years. That Traxxus truck instilled alot of good memories for my two sons and I who are now grown up. I recently bought a used Traxxus Rustler VXL so I can reignite the passion again in all of us. Traxxus is a good company for people entering into rc. Aarmas are for hardcore all out bashers and extremely serious about their sport. Maybe one day but not there yet. Lol
I totally get the distinction, and as an old rc newb; traxxas. I like how they’ve experimented with fun stuff like onboard audio and while this might sound a bit weird – their packaging & marketing stuff takes me back to the excitement of being a kid in the 80’s. I’m still holding out on a bigger purchase though – I need either a hoss or slash 4×4 clipless system with oba; then I’m all in!
I think it’s important to point out that although Traxxas does make more vehicles in the 2S/3S line, a Traxxas 3S 4×4 vehicle is about $80 more than an Arrma 3S 4×4 vehicle, and a Traxxas brushed 2wd vehicle with a battery is within $20 to an Arrma 4×4 vehicle with a battery. Arrma vehicles overall have better value while still having great customer service. That being said I got my Arrma Big Rock 3S from my local hobby shop rather than online shopping.
I have about 10 different rc cars from many different brands, including a Kraton and a Senton, in my 15 years in the hobby I have never come across a better User experience than what Traxxas offers… I don’t even talk about performance, speed, durability, etc, it is about simplicity, ease of use and convenience, Traxxas has designed their cars from the ground up to be modular, super simple to repair and maintain, clipless body mounts, fast and simple battery holders, their line of chargers are the only real plug and charge experience in the market, everything is designed to simplify the interaction of the users with their products as much as possible, and that is what sets them apart from anyone else, whenever I go back to my other rc cars feels like I’m back to the 20th century, I’d say they are not very different from Apple. Traxxas brings enthusiast products to the masses and that has a price.
I own traxxas and Arrma cars. Traxxas has been far less reliable and has had more QC issues. My rustler 2WD had several loose screws out of the box and has broken parts many times. Stock motor went out after about 5 minutes. The Arrma Senton I have did great with a brushless swap and has taken far more abuse than my traxxas cars and still hasn’t broken. Only downside is I may have gotten a bad motor as it burnt out after about 15 minutes from the box. But after the hobby shop replaced it with warranty, I couldn’t kill that motor no matter how hard it tried so I put a brushless motor in.
I have 4 rigs Two ARRMA and two Traxxas. Arrma 4s line is crazy good. Parts support on the other hand isn’t so good. Broke an arm on my Kraton 4s. Still waiting on the part. Traxxas also good but getting overpriced on most of their cars. 769 for a Sledge? I just can’t. I stick to 4S. Traxxas Maxx V2 and just picked up my first crawler in a long time, the TRX4 sport high trail.
Honestly both brands are great. Arrma is good but traxxas is better. I think once arrma offers a better transmitter with their vehicles out of the box that isn’t so delayed and once they can put a more durable chasis on the the kraton and more bulked up toe links etc. Then they will be just as good as traxxas. Buy that’s the only thing keeping them from being one for one from traxxas in my opinion.
My issue with Traxxas, is they priced themselves out of the enthusiast market. If you are a true newb it’s great, you get first class service. But the issue is, the experienced enthusiasts just wants a car/truck and go play. they usually already have good batteries a charger and maybe even great radios, they just want a good truck at a decent price. The best example is the Hoss, the hybrid between the stampede (probably replaced it) and rustler 4×4. It’s pricing is almost shameful at $479.00. Take it’s companion from Arrma, The Granite. At $310.00 it’s far cheaper and while the support is not as extensive, the $160.00 savings allows you to select your own batteries and charger. The only issue i have with Arrma, is the lower end cars (3-4s) don’t have much in adjustments, other than slipper and diffs. The only wat to match Arrma pricewise is to buy a brushed model (Rustler only, not yet seen a hoss brushed offered), then put your own brushless in it, but then you’ve gone over the $310 price of the granite (which is already brushless BTW). Please do not get me wrong, I started with a Traxxas Rustler brushed, I love Traxxas, I just hate that now that I have experience, they do not offer a price comparable option and they try to lock you into their ecosystem. I have called out Traxxas, for being the Apple of the RC world and not in the good way either
My first new kit was a Traxxas Sledgehammer 🙂 but then fell out of the hobby until last year. Both companies seem to be churning out some quality gear. Wish there were more kit versions for us guys that like to build as well as bash/drive. Have to say there seems to be loads of companies out there now doing great stuff. A really good time to be into the hobby!
The best one…is whatever you happen to be looking for at the time. Simple as that. Traxxas does some stuff better than Arrma, and Arrma does some stuff better than Traxxas. Traxxas obviously kills it when it comes to ease of finding parts, simple platforms, etc. But Arrma certainly offers some extremely impressive out of the box specs/included parts for the price.
Both are great companies, I have ran my fair share of Traxxas nitro and electric on road and off road cars. I have since switched over to Arrma for both on and off road. Big thing for me was going to the Spektrum systems and batteries as they work with other non traxxas or Arrma cars that I have. Plus the cost of a Spektrum 3s 5000 MAH 50C is $75, vs Traxxas 3s 5000 MAH, only 25C, is $69.95. Would love to see this article updated, given Arrma seems to have expanded more 3S and 4S vehicles. Great article
G’day guys happy new year and all the rest..!! Anyway just about to buy my first decent RC truck/buggy…. I’ve broken it down to 2 cars…. Traxxas Rustler the new version or the Arrma Typhon 3s with all the new gear on it. Arrma $550 and Traxxas $699. You have 24hrs to help me decide. I’m thinking Arrma cause it’s 1/8 scale… probably easier to break..?? Lol, help meee..
Personally, ARRMA suits my needs. I’ve got my Senton 3S V3 and it’s amazing. The only thing I’ve broken so far about 20 packs in are some tires, which were available at my local hobby shop. And let’s be honest, tires aren’t a big deal, and they were completely my fault. I was ramping off of a decently sharp wooden board and it cut the rear tires. Other than that bit of user error, it’s been perfect so far. And everyone I’ve talked to about the Senton say the same thing: that it’s fun to drive and is very low maintenance and very very very durable. I have tons of respect for Traxxas though. They’ve really got everything RC and do most of it very well. Other than some really outdated models (XL-5 line), they are top dog. If you are looking for your first hobby grade RC, I’d personally recommend an ARRMA Senton or Granite 4×4 MEGA. They come with a battery and charger and are nearly indestructible. Very easy maintenance and cheap parts. Parts are most likely at your local shop as well. You should have no issues getting parts, and that’s if you even manage to mess the truck up! Now, that’s my personal opinion from my experiences. You might not want a basher type vehicle. You might want an on road car, or maybe a crawler, or a nitro. But since I’m personally not too interested in those genres, I wouldn’t recommend one from my experience 🙂 Whatever makes you happy is the right choice for you!
I started with a Tamiya Grass hopper that I converted to a hornet then I got a frog then a fox and a hot shot then I got a rc 10 then I bought a keen hawk then I got a nitro monster truck that was a lot of fun then I was out of Rc’s for twenty years my first truck that brought me back was a Kraton 6S then I built a Kraton 6S I picked up a TRX 4 sport that I built it up and Kyosho trophy truck I sold both of those and picked up a felony 6S and a Mojave 6S Arrma is my go to now I love the durability and how they handle and the looks are spot on for me I truly enjoy working on them 1/7 scales are a lot easier for me to work on I’m 51 and every time I run them it always puts a smile on my face it’s a great way to destress after a rough week at work a couple of guys I work with enjoy running there cars also we all need a hobby it keeps us from going crazy LOL
Soo, I or we watched this for you to as US what actually “IS BETTER ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯” I thought I was perusal it for YOU to TELL is. I plan on getting 1 of them soon.. I just can’t decide. I’ve heard both are good BUT.. The new Arrma 8s isn’t really a “basher” Help me decide whoever. I want one that’s cool, fun, can be bashed, hit the mud, hills, get bashed hit puddles and ready to run. What’s everyone recommend? Is there anything better out there vs these 2? Umm, Losi…?
I’m fairly new to the hobby ( about a year in) and I will say starting out Traxxas vehicles are very fun ….engaging… easy to use and the customer support is second to none…and also those that are new and don’t understand the more complex chargers on the market ..well traxxas makes it full proof with there easy to use chargers and batteries. Yes they are a little more… but we your new to something…simple is better. And for my arrma trucks…..they are fast tough as nails….and a great alternative to traxxas with a bit of a more affordable price point. 💯
I have Traxxas and ARRMA, the two brands offer to me that I want in each rig. But Traxxas is always more complex, has his own App and Telemetry system, made his own electronics, more reliable prices in spares, in the actual time, ARRMA under Horizon Hobby, is less quality compared with HobbyCo epoch, IMHO.
I love crawlers and I use Traxxas exclusively. TRX-4 continues to impress me. Put a little weight on its front and it will vaporize the TRX-6 All RC vehicle will rust if untreated. Recommendation. – “Use a low cost clear body shell to mitigate damage to your perfect factory show room body to increase its longevity.”
Both are great, because they wont sell. The first arrma wasnt reliable as traxxas but I think they caught up in a good way…more steel/alu parts. Traxxas with their self righting system it’s awesome! As a 42 y.o. I really like the scale of the trx4 but I want something fast. If traxxas is working on a “lasernut” style and a “RB10” 4S capable 2 speed sensored. It would be my future RC’s I like the Ryft, I’m just not sure about the reliability same for the Losi. It’s a toy I want to play 75% and wrench 25% not the other way around!!
Honestly, we need ultra-low-quality toys with garbage radios that end up in landfills: Traxxas. The people who waste money on that stuff keep the hobby stores alive, since those shops tend to operate on real low margins; if one hobbyist buys an ERB and nets the hobby shop $40 in profit and maybe $100 in future parts / fixes, but 5 mooks each buy a bandit/rustler/stampede netting the shop $50 in profit but a future $200-$1500 in parts and labor…there’s just no contest. Cheap garbage keeps mom and pop running the store.
I started in the early 90s as a racer. Losi guy to the core. 30 some years later I have a rustler and am looking for a couple more stampedes. The slash shares most of the parts with these 2 models. I view traxxas differently than I did as a racer snob. I could have got a rustler as my first 10th scale stadium truck. I instead got a JRXT. I can still buy a rustler brand new in the box. A JRXT is an ancient collectible now. So who won? Racing comes and goes…….bashing is forever! Btw I have some aarma as well and they are great as well.
If Arrma ever gets into Nitro I might support them. I grew up with HPI and a friend had traxxas. I absolutely disliked Traxxas designs and materials after dealing with his, and even their nitro engines remained flawed (no bushing in the upper piston side of their connecting rod). I just can’t see myself ever buying traxxas even if the xmaxx looks appealing. I want a kit, when does traxxas ever do kits? And I want Nitro. Sure modern electric is fast, but I grew up on cheap toy store electrics and hearing Nitro just beings the car alive. I do have a couple of modern electrics, but I can’t watch electric races online since it just seems so boring. Market is flooded with rtr electric, need more nitro and more kits Arrma, you’ll get a new customer since your quality seems good. Until then my savage remains my go to, along with my recently fully built Nitro RS4 3, with my XT2 and T4 sprinkled in there.
Traxxas is dyeing on its ass IMHO. I have all the 6s and 8s vehicals from each company. My local hobby shops have stopped dealing in Traxxas as Traxxas makes it hard for warranty swapout and general dealer support. I have heard this from 3 local local shops and now anything Traxxas I have to buy online. I can’t look and touch anything Traxxas and I live in ATL! Arrma on the other hand is fully supported and they seem to fully support their dealers. All my local dealers sell Arrrma but the consensus when you speak to the local shops is it’s just not worth the ball ache. Traxxas are like RIM, sat fat and happy and backed out on the important stuff to now loose their seat to Arrma. Traxxas just got fat and lazy IMHO. Too bad, I have had three friends go to by the XMaxx only to purchase the Kraton 8S because all the dealers talk smack about Traxxas and their utter lack of dealer support. Traxxas is fun, I also have the TRX4 but hey, I can’t get traxxas in hand locally so I spend my money else where instead of with Traxxas.
Traxxas cars were so brittle in the late 90’s to early 2000. I had a losi xx, xxt, and a team associated rc10 gt. A few years ago i bought a heavily modded slash 4×4, there is nothing left on it that was there from new. It’s ok. I also have a losi truck(hobbie town) that is ok. I prefered the old xx and xxt. They were i think better quality cars.
I remember my 1993 Traxxas Nitro Hawk. I hated that thing. I had a start box and glow plugs were expensive and I had no experience with carburetors and Nitro fuel wasn’t cheap either coming from electric being new to Nitro, that thing sat in the corner of my house like a neglected step child. Then 10 years later I whipped it back out. Cleaned it up, tuned it, bought a drill start system for it I loved it.
Im a big traxxas fan simply for parts availability. Ive been into stadium trucks for over 25 years and can still get parts for my 20 year old rustler basher but i have no parts support for my losi xxx-t since the horizon buyout. Ive had problems getting parts for older horzion owned companies as well, im pretty certain they drop parts support for the older stuff just to sell new cars.
Good God Man…. it seems like a one sided debate here. I hate to say it but there is nothing special about the Traxxas brand compared to Arrma, or any other RC brand. They both break just as fast as I can fix them so whatever your RC hearts favor they both require aftermarket parts and lots of extra money and work to keep them on the ground. This article was definitely a Traxxas YouTube commercial that was super disappointing cause this debate can be explained and presented so much better than that. Whatever, I can’t even get Traxxas vehicles anymore cause of the poor strength of the plastic, I just trash and bash them to the grave. RIP Traxxas….. Hail ARRMA. HAHAHA
I am personally a Traxxas fan. That being said, I am not a fan when it comes to Traxxas customizing their battery compartments encouraging you to buy their name brand lipo batteries. I just purchased the Traxxas Maxx and I already know when it arrives I have battery straps on standby! The waterproofing and variety does give Traxxas a big edge. I do like your article and I do respect Arrma trucks are great tough trucks and can bash with the best of them. They are both great companies and if your going to the bashing route, I don’t see how you can go wrong with either one! I do like Arrma that they aren’t pushing you to use their devices only and they seem to encourage you to mode their trucks to what makes you happy. Traxxas is into modding as well, but they want you to mod with their stuff only. Which is a downer. I have used Traxxas over a decade ago when I was using nitro’s and they really stood out back in that time. I have had some nitro’s that were just straight up crap! One monster truck just during break in just sitting there running not even moving had parts falling off and more when I started just letting it finally run during the motor break in. Now that is crap! I ended up leaving the RC trucks just over a decade ago due to bad times and I had to sell everything off. Now a decade later with the huge improvements in lipo batteries I have started getting back into the hobby 3 years ago starting with the Traxxas Rustler 2×4. I was so impressed how tough that little truck was and the crashes with it and it just kept on going.
I find for durability, it comes down to the driver, and location. If you drive both companies in a wide open airplane runway with zero obstacles neither of them would have issues. I find you just pay more for traxxas because you get more intangible things from traxxas that the average person overlooks. But for an rc enthusiast, you don’t need any of those intangibles. Usually end up paying 100-200$ more to get the same experience
Current XMaxx and Kraton 8s owner here. XMaxx hands down. Handling, pep, air control, non-bending chassis, battery life. It’s heads and tails above the Kraton. The Kraton is a tank that gets half the battery life. I’ve sent my XMaxx off jumps twice as high as I will with the Kraton due to friends that own the outkast and Kraton which bend chassis like spaghetti. Granted aarma takes care of them but the XMaxx just doesn’t have all those faults. Happy to own them both but I know I can never run that Kraton as hard.
I still prefer ARRMA 🤷🏽♂️ there the present and the future to me no disrespect to traxxas I feel traxxas is stuck in the past. Traxxas has great reliability from te longevity and ARRMA has great handling RCs to me. I had both love both but prefer and ARRMA over traxxas cause I prefer a great handling RC and ARRMA RCs are Modern where traxxas has t really droped anything new or truely exciting new and fresh beside the traxxas MAXX. It even the most prefer the X maxxx.
This was meant to start a rc war lol, but here we go: I prefer Traxxas all day. I don’t really like any arrma cars, and I may be an caveman, but I love how long Traxxas has been around. Every Traxxas car I’ve had is fast and strong, people will say they suck and are slow and break but I know what my experience was not them. I may just be a Traxxas fanboy, but for you it’s whatever u like is what matters! Let’s not fight over brands and all rc together regardless of the make. Leave the drama to reality TV, and let’s enjoy life while we have it!
It’s like apple vs Samsung (traxxas being apple), you start off with a cheaper Samsung till your able to buy a more expensive iPhone. However everyone has their preferences, I own an arrma and love it with my heart but deep down if I had the funds I’d go with traxxas all day I feel like the materials they use are unmatched compared to many brands
I gave up fixing my Traxxas Emaxx when I plugged a new battery in only to fry the ESC. Electronics from Traxxas are overpriced thanks to them locking you into using only Traxxas connectors. Decided it was time to get a nitro, and went with a Losi 8t. Traxxas is too shady of a business to get anymore of my support.
There is not the best brand there just is the best model for a specific drivingstyle, terrain and budget. I like Traxxas very much but now i am driving Associated and Kyosho buggies on a raceway because Traxxas sucks if you won’t bash it. Some friends use Arrma models for the same raceway and i think they suck, too. Every day im on the track there is one Arrma killing its diffs.
For beginner novice Traxxas gas more options and as user becomes more efficient and their driving improves as well as their eye hand coordination they can step up to the powerful trucks. Arrma is for more advanced experience drivers with there 6s and 8s trucks. I am for both Traxxas and Arrma. I have a Losi 22-4. Brett your articles are Awesome and offer education and your knowledge is awesome.
The RC Hobby is far to exciting to have a favorite brand . The diversity and innovation both Traxxas and Arrma offer make it far to tempting not to allow yourself to indulge in eithers products . The truth is Traxxas and Arrma arent the only companies that put out exciting RC, theres Tamiya, Losi, Team Associated………., you just cant pick a winner . Those that are die hard fans of one single manufacture really dont know what they are missing .
Traxxas is good cuz all the Selection of aftermarket and OEM parts most other rc companies only have oem replacement parts love my 4×4 slash and vxl rustler both 800 dollar vehicles wit mods rpm and proline getting a losi nitro truggy 1/8 scale 60 mph out the box, other good brands other then Traxxas and losi hpi etc so many different companies to get into, bash on
Man I loved building my traxxas car. Building is as fun as driving for me. All the time and money I put into my slash. Then I got the green first gen kraton and it was everything I was trying to make my slash into. Just in incredible the progress arrma has made from team Durango. Now onto the T maxx. And jato.. nitro is such a pain but I absolutely love it. Love this hobby.
I like both, but I will say the quality build of the spektrum components in the Arrma are garbage in my opinion. Again… the quality build. They components get the job done but the build is cheap feeling and not robust at all. I think if they can improve on that, then the Arrma as a true RTR kit is the best. I purchased 2 Arrma that I had to almost instantly after a few light uses had to change a servo and an ESC. That’s no bueno amigo.
Traxxas is for beginners and kids. If you look at a Traxxas wrong it will break. I’m almost fifty years old and my first cars were Traxxas I’ve owned a lot of them. Ever since I bought a Arrma, no more Traxxas for me. Arrma is for adults and advanced rc lovers. Traxxas is for people who want to spend money on broken parts constantly. And I’m not a Arrma fanboy like you guys call it today.
As far as bashers go, I’ve always been a Traxxas fan, having owned a Bandit and still driving a Slash 4×4 and Rally Car. I have had hundreds of hours of enjoyment over the last decade, using these cars. They are tough as nails, fast and spare parts are relatively cheap and easy to get. However, when I looked at purchasing a UDR and was doing my homework, I quickly learned that if you’re after a hardcore super fast, super tough desert truck, then the ARRMA Mojave is the way to go! This RC 1/7 scale truck is the bees knees when it comes to Offroad bashing. It’s tough and I’ve had it up to 100kmh (60mph, or there about) on a hard surface. I’ve used it on a BMX track, launching it off massive jumps and drifting it through mud puddles. And it didn’t skip a beat. Recently, I purchased an ARRMA Infraction V2, and that is another level of fun. 80mph out of the box; You can’t beat that. Hardcore drifting and massive speed runs, just part of the enjoyment. So, Traxxas or AARMA?? To me, they’re both fantastic manufacturers, and you really can’t go wrong purchasing an RC vehicle from either of them. 🤷🏾♂️
I agree both companies offer great vehicles. The public is better served by having competition amongst companies. What I do not like about Traxxas, is the company itself. They offer great products, but have a bad reputation among consumers and product reviewers for they aggressive policy of wanting to sue everyone. Arrma on the other hand is a more consumer friendly company. They always listen to complaints from consumers, and improve their products accordingly. I cannot say the same for Traxxas. Is almost like they are tone deaf.
Arrma should thank Traxxas for opening up the rc world to newbies,, Traxxas is across the board the best game in town, Arrma makes great products,, but their aftermarket support sucks ass,, my favorite basher is the mojave,, love it I never worry about breaking my traxxas stuff because I can run to my local hobby and get parts,, I’m always worried about my Arrmas because if they break itll be a week or two before I can fix it,, if Arrma can step up its vehicle support they would be king,, but until then they are not the best company
I think both companies about pages nail their respective focus. I’ve been doing nitro and electric R/C cars/trucks, various aircraft, and boats for the last 35 years. My X-Maxx came underspec’d. Steering servo with nylon gears on a 24lb. 8S truck is not smart and stripped on first drive with no reason for it to do so. No bashing. Customer support wasn’t good either. At a $1000 price point, you’d think you would get MG servos. Getting into a Traxxas vehicle, you should expect to have to do some upgrades to make it work reliably.
I started with Traxxas. Once TW eliminated coupon codes I took a couple years off buying rc. Then I heard about this company called Arrma. I can’t afford to buy each version that comes out, but do own 6s Typhon, Talion, and Senton. I bought them all when TW would accept coupons. Now that’s gone too…… At least there’s still easy pay! still having fun with both brands!
I don’t know which one is better, but being a newb and buying my son and myself a Granite and an Xmaxx, I will have to say that for the money we are much more impressed with the Granite. I clipped a small root at moderate speed in the XMaxx and the front end practically grenaded. Pretty disappointing to have to rebuild half the truck over such a minor incident. the granite has held up much better. At this point, I would say we personally prefer Arrma.
Both bring something to the table with intermediate hobbyist to race ready rigs. I started with a first gen nitro rustler in 98. Then a nitro sport and tmaxx when it first came out. Then went out and got a hpi savage in 2002. Then got away from rc and came back with a new rustler and then jato 3.3 finally got away from nitro and got a slash. Now i have arrma felony arrma senton 3s only old rigs i still have is my first nitro rustler which now has a os .21 instead of the old tired trx.15 and the first tmaxx with the upgraded 3.3. Haven’t ran the nitro cars in years but looks like these new lipo rigs are where its at with 3s and 6s and 8s cars
I have had plenty of Traxxas through the years and they make some great products, but after the whole suing Arrma for the suspension design they took from elsewhere it really soured my desire to use anything Traxxas and since then i have personally avoided anything from TRX. That is just me though, i can only vote with my wallet and ever since that debacle it has been Arrma and Axial and a few other non Traxxas brands. Each to their own
Those are not the 3 must have. They are shocks and or caps, hub carrier’s, and last but not least hing pins Lol. Now other Traxxas models have other problems as well but that is your standard Traxxas problems and the main ones for the 4 models i have. Just be prepared to upgrade parts right out of the box because Traxxas does not care to fix the flaws in the design.
I think, if you run Traxxas LiPo batteries, the Traxxas LiPo cell voltage checker should be your #1 thing to get. It is portable, stash it in your pocket, and where ever you drive, you can check your cell’s voltages. You can check if you’re getting low, if you are getting near storage voltage, have a high voltage, if the batteries have bad cells (over or under voltage). You can also check all your other LiPo voltages because it connects to the balance plug. That’s how I check my other LiPo packs. There is also the Traxxas Link, which I have never used, can anyone tell me how it is? Aluminum parts can definitely improve the vehicle. I use the aluminum hub bearing adapter in my Slash 4×4. That is the piece thay goes on the clutch in the bearing to the center driveshaft. I also use aluminum hubs, and Pro Line aluminum shocks. Everything else is plastic, so that any damage has a weak spot to go to that is easily replaceable, and won’t “shock” the rest of the components upstream. I have never used fans, although I have considered getting a van for my VXL-3s esc. I have had my truck get very hot, but to preserve my LiPo batteries, I generally don’t run in very hot conditions. This is about 95 degrees F and higher. I also want to point out getting the right charger. Traxxas has pretty much made their batteries proprietary to their chargers. The cheapest unit is $50, which is all you need if you have the cell voltage checker. I wish Traxxas had a display that shows the cell and total voltage of the battery.
I typically don’t watch articles like this from start to finish nor did I know Amain made articles! Since then this guy Bret has me perusal everyone, even talking about stuff I’m not interested in. And grandma… “for when grandma wants to play, and she’ll never knew it happen because you’ll switch the profiles right there on your phone”!!!!! Hahahahahah. That’s what I’m talking about!
Great article 👍👍 I use first and second items shown, Wireless link is really nice you dont realize it untill you try it, Voltage checker is a must have for the person who works on there own stuff, The fans are awesome also but i think Traxxas may have fixed there fans i have not had a problem with fans in quit a while, Motor or ESC both hold up well now….But still great upgrade, amain is awesome 💯