Team Losi LST vs HPI Savage

[citrus]

When I get my next truck it will be out of these two,

I havn't done a hell of alot of research into it, as it will be some time before I buy,

but I wanted to know what people's opinions are and why.

Are they even comparable? which is better? stronger faster? etc...

[opAsx]

omg get the LST

bypass the savage all together.

speak to Aj about the sexiness that is the LST

[justo316]

After doing a bit of listening before I got my Revo, my conclusions were the following...

LST
- Some dodgy parts.
- Radio isn't as good as you think.
- Nice engine.
- Twin servo steering!

Savage
- Cheaper.
- More parts availability.
- Bigger user base (easier to find specific help).
- Higher center of gravity.

If money wasn't a factor though, I'd get an LST (after my revo of course) just cos it's newer and it got truck of the year this year didn't it?

[opAsx]

i thought revo got that?

i saw Aj's LST and that is what ruined the revo for me.

nothing nitro looks as imprerssive and there are dodgy parts with either purchase.

i would avoid a savage simply due the fact its as common as single teenage mum in rockingham...

[justo316]

Revo got truck of the year last year. I think the LST is this years winner.

[opAsx]

in my heart its a winner.... omg im so !gay

:(

[danhfvcsd]

The only parts i'd upgrade the LST with to make it a nice basher is prolly a-arms/roll bar/diff cases - everything else is fairly tough :)

The arms are quite strong tho - only time i snapped my arms was after about 40 minutes bottoming out on concrete with 4-8ft height -lol-

[BALISTC]

Savage is a real basher...if you want to whack some paddles on and do lots of dirt jumping and sand bashing, dont look past it.

if you want something thats going to be competitive in racing as well as a good basher, go the LST.

That being said, I've owned a Savage and if I had a chance to get a truck again, I'd go the LST...its dead sexy ;)

[Aj]

Pics in the 'readers rides' section of my hopped up LST - will update with a shot with the new body. It's my first nitro ever and I'm obviously a biased LST owner ;)

Yeah there's definitely stuff you'll break on the LST - no questions - it WILL break the following: a-arms, diff cases, stock Losi shell. There's lots of other things you'll probably want to hop-up because hey - who the hell buys and RC and NEVER buys hop-ups ;) Expect to break the same stuff with any truck if you bash HARD - turnbuckles, shock shafts and so on.

Parts availability - killerhobbies.com has EVERYTHING you'd want for the LST. Sure it's in the US but they are cheap and the service is awesome and Matt who runs it is a champ. lstcentral.com has more info and support than you'd want for this truck - there's guys there racing these things EVERY weekend so whether it's racing setups, questions about which hopup or how to get that weird problem sorted there's lots of help. Adam Drake just won the traxxas sponsored event in the US with an LST :P

Hopefully the more people in town that end up with LST's the more parts places like PerthRC will keep in stock. Sam gets some LST stuff in but obviously at the moment the demand doesn't warrant him stocking everything all the time.

The radio is great apart from the fact that the Aus version comes with the 27mhz xtal version and not the 75mhz/40mhz synth ones that other parts of the world get. 75mhz is illegal here.

The LST is SO easy to work on it's crazy. Diffs come out with 6 screws, shocks/arms with about 6 as well. The Mach .26 is a gem - I've had no problems at all with mine.

If you want to have a perve at mine you're more than welcome - add aj@dinfw.com to msn and we can sort it out ;)

The biggest thing from me after I did all the homework on lst/savvy/revo was you just can't go past how damn impressive they look - a poll on lstcentral about why people bought the LST came back with the result of the LST 'wow' factor being a big decider for lotsa people :)

[James]

I'd so get an LST, but I cant race it at many track's in Perth. Thus electric is my only choice! hehe.. go the LST !

[opAsx]

would you recommend buying it from OS then Aj?

that way getting the better radio system and also works out a shit load cheaper (i think it was killerhobbies or stormer who had them for $450 USD one only left at the time)

[Aj]

I'm working HARD to try and get people interested in MT racing. Dlux is keen as well and I know two other dudes with a crazy hopped up savvy and revo who are keen too.

Whiteman Park are keen to have MT's racing at their meets but said they haven't been able to get enough interest. They've said their track is being redone over this winter and will be good to go next season (September). Between now and then I want to try and get some interest going and get some of the nitro MT boys outta the woodwork :)

[Aj]

would you recommend buying it from OS then Aj?

that way getting the better radio system and also works out a shit load cheaper (i think it was killerhobbies or stormer who had them for $450 USD one only left at the time)

If you really want a synth radio, then yeah for sure. For me it didn't matter that much and as a complete newbie having the guys at PerthRC to lean on for a bit of post-sales love was more important :)

I bought a 2nd set of xtals so I should be kinda OK without a synth for the moment. When racing starts up then who knows - I might get pushed towards a synth.

The aus shipped XS3 with the LST has 3 channels, 3 model memory, epa, deadband, lap timer, electronic trim and a bunch of other stuff so it is good stuff. Just not 40mhz synth :(

[opAsx]

i will nitro MT race with you Aj if its from september onwards

possibly with a LST as well :P

i want to get this emaxx fully sorted and spanking before i buy any more toys (damn, i have heard this way too many times before :( )

[Aj]

Sif - I give it 2 weeks TOPS :P

Just get an LST, print my hopup list as a shopping list, add carbon fibre chassis plates, lunsford titanium turnbuckles and hinge-pins, a Collari .30, an EnVy clutch and get it over with :P

[opAsx]

rofl, i want to sort the rc18t and the emaxx out 1st.

also have to go pester the local machine shop to see where they are at modifying some drift wheels for the traveller :D

the MT will be here next week, and after seeing peters i might not hold on to it long. im such a shitty drive and his looked like it bent like it was made of tin cans :(

hehe im wondering whether i am better off to just buy your hop up list then buy the parts needed to completed the truck.

i already have a better radio and if im going to replace 60% of the truck why not just buy the replacements then buy the 40% standard parts and save the hassles of dissasembly :P

[Aj]

Eh, Peter did tag a limestone wall WOT. Show me anything that'd stand up for that :P I so wanna see the FG :P

There are guys on ebay selling whole LST's as parts if you're going to go that route. There's ALOT that I haven't replaced though - all the little things would add up I'd imagine. I'd buy a truck - even 2nd hand somewhere and then hop it up.

[opAsx]

hmmm ok, i might look at that then.

time to scour the ebay :(

[Maxd out]

IF the truck your concidering is for racing then there can only be one choice in my book MUGEN Truggy Totally Awsome.

http://www.maxxtraxxusa.com/Page.cfm?InfoID=5348

If its for bashin,Bigger is always better. :) LST

[Aj]

boooooooo to truggies :P

Nah, you're right if you want a kickass 1/8 racer then a truggy will win every time. IMHO truggies and MTs shouldn't be racing in the same class. They're totally different vehicles.

[opAsx]

i need something that can take a hit... the way i drive it also needs to to take a drop, a smasha dn have me drinking its nitro when its not looking...

the LST intimidates me... i might not drink its fuel as quick as a truggies.

[ellenbrook]

Sexiness is in the eye of the beholder.. Personally i prefer the savage looks over the LST.. plus no good havin a sexy truck if you constantly brake parts and cant get them locally..
Now before we get the normal responces.. yes the savage isnt unbreakable but its more durable than a LST.... And yes i know you can get parts interstate and overseas..but not every1 wants to wait for them and you have a much better chance of getting savage parts here in perth..
Ok think ive covered all of it.. JOIN THE SAVAGE NATION BUDDY.... HEHE

[Aj]

You know what steve - i think this calls for a showdown or some sort of TRUCK-OFF! :P

I completely agree with you though - the savvy is definitely a better basher out of the box. The LST can definitely be made durable but it'd cost. Conversely the savvy could be made into more of a racer but it'd cost.

We still need to hook up for a bash mate - in case you didn't know I'm 'adrianb' from AusRC forums :) Tentatively organising bullcreek bmx track bash for the weekend after this one.

[Dlux]

Who said TRUCK OFF!!! Bring it !super

[ellenbrook]

LOLOL.. gday aj...Yes i agree 100 %.. just i know what hes after.. (a basher).
Truck off... Bring it on.. as the old saying goes.. i thought my lst was a real truck untill i came up agains a savage !!.
OK i just made that 1 up.. hehe

[Maxd out]

So whats the go ,biggest air time ,fastest lap,hill climb,tug of war one of my favorites !fart

[opAsx]

typical... slack bastard... im in perth this weekend... and i will miss a good bash... BASTARD!!!!!!!!

[Aj]

Hmm...we'll argue about a format/date/venue and stuff when i get home but I'm totally down for it.

TRUCK-OFF 2005! WHO WILL BE THE WINNER!

[PeteOz]

Overseas isn't such a great option for the initial purchase, because as AJ said, they 75mhz radio from USA is illegal here in AUS, and the 27 mhz version in UK is the same as the AUS version....crystals. I actually purchased mine here in AUS and used the supplied radio since last November, but upgraded to teh 49mhz synth radio a few weeks ago. I do however buy a LOT of parts and upgrades from overseas (Killer Hobbies is VERY good!) because I get them faster from 12,000KM away than I can from my LHS. I bought a big box of parts on Wednesday a few weeks ago and had them on Monday Morning. Beat that Modelflight!!

[PeteOz]

Here's the GO on the LST's weak points.....


O.K. and now for the strong points. (kidding!)


Weak points
plastic diff cases are crap, replace both with alloy for $30
Stock a arms are CRAP, but cheap ($22 for two uppers and two lowers) to keep replacing if you don't want to upgrade to RPM arms ($50 US for all 4 corners)

That's it really, replace those bits and it's pretty much indestructible.

Good points:

Everything else... this truck pretty much has great everything, including a very powerful, easy to tune engine, top radio in the industry for RTR trucks, best shocks, perfect balance, all parts interchange from side to side and front to back. VERY well sorted out truck!

[anson]

If I had the money for an LST, I would get these sexy a arms.
http://www.flextekrc.com/products/LST/FXT-20000.shtml
http://www.beatyourtruck.com/prodreview-FLEXTEKLSTarms.html

[opAsx]

holy shizer they look sweet


but damn... $290 USD :(

[Aj]

yeah the flextek arms are stupid expensive. they look awesome though for sure! i've got the RPM arms - hit things twice as hard as the stock arms woulda taken.

[Dlux]

Citrus I think which ever one you get, you're gonna love things about it and you're gonna loathe things about it. Same with alot of things. But one thing I know is, you're gonna have a smile from side burn to side burn !amazed compared to what you have now.

[Aj]

dlux is spot on :P it's all good! the offer still stands if you want to have a look at an LST though :)

So...about this truck-off! Lets do it - even if just for a laugh :)

[citrus]

I heareby announce that a Truck Off will be the only way to settle this debate ha ha!

I have to say i lke the look of the LST over the Savage as the Savage looks like it will roll alot more regurlarly.

At this stage im pretty easy on my RC's and only really go bashing at this stage but it would be good to have something thats got a bit of 'race' in it.

If I was to race it would be for fun, as i'm not likely to spend money on upgrades, before I broke something.

The Terra Crusher is going great for now, it is not to powerful but it keeps me grinning, so it'll be a while away before upgrading and who knows what will be out then, I mean look at what Traxxas has gone and created now:
http://www.traxxas.com/products/nitro/jato/trx_jato.htm

gotta love the monster trucks
adam

[opAsx]

the jato does look tempting... but i thought that about the revo too

that was the 2nd quickest buy and sell process of any of my cars, the rc18t was sold before it arrived as i had already bought another :P

[Dlux]

The LST is huge! Good thing it's got dual steering servos to turn it. A guy bought his LST up to whiteman one sunday last year when we had a few MTs racing. It was the first time I'd seen it run but unfortunately for the owner, the whiteman track is quite technical and he just couldn't get this thing to turn fast enough or even stay with in the track. It's turning circle was quite wide for some reason. After some attempts he didn't race the LST. I was disappointed because I wanted to race it. He put his LST back on the bench and got his back up truck. The ol' faithful.................THE SAVAGE! Not saying the LST is no racer by a long shot. I don't care what anyone says but you do need to spend some mula on hop ups to set an rc up for the purpose you want to use it for. Bashing, racing, paper weight (tmaxx) !gay what ever.

[Aj]

yeah the LST is definitely a big truck :) Whiteman isn't exactly made for MT size vehicles - it's a tight track even for the buggies but that's no excuse, like you say if you're trying to make a racer it needs things like turning ability and stability, a basher needs strength and durability.