I’ve watched all the other unboxing/reviews of this but yours was the one I was looking forward to. I knew you’d get into the technical aspects and provide an objective point of view :)
Well thank you! I wasn't expecting it to be so good, but it's a heady mix of quality components at the right price point. This thing will be a weapon on the rocks with just some minor tweaks. It'll be one of the greats, mark my words!
yeah anyone can say whatever.. I love how he looks at every detail with a critical eye yet isn't too quick to count a rig out on one issue.. hes solid n fair... from experience...!!!
You have the best review of the Base Camp. You showed a practical obstacle with big challenges without stressing out the truck. Great job in my opinion.
Well, thank you! Wait til you find out just how many other vehicles I've tested in the same way, for a broad comparison of vehicle ability! 😎 Appreciate the comment, thank you.
Was happy when this popped up in my feed. Excellent review. The TRX4 Sport has painted windows, too, but they are dark and look much better. Silver was an odd choice. Aside from that, it looks like a great truck. I'd be tempted if I didn't already have a TRX4 and a Gen 8.
Quite impressed with how well this truck did on your course. Very solid performer out of the box. Sure the body is somewhat bland but that just means I wouldn't feel so bad chopping it up to enhance performance. I've been wanting to get a crawler that has the potential to become a comp crawler build and I think this Base Camp might just be what I've been waiting for. Thanks a tonne for the great review and I'll see you next time!
I’ve been waiting on your review to make my decision on buying one of these. I don’t need it but looks like a good one to add to the collection and have some fun with. I hope all is well with you and have a great day!
Wow really impressive performance from the Base Camp! I'm impressed it could handle all 6 problems, and furthermore impressed it did them on the stock tires! You manage some impressive results from factory tires where others struggle to find traction. I'm excited to see how this truck stacks up to the others, though it's clearly a performer! Also want to say thank you for something you maybe said in passing and I'm lucky wasn't edited out! I've been using an SLT3 transmitter for my Sendero for some time now because the momentary toggle works wonderfully with my winch. Since I'm also running a direct power servo in it, I've been using the dual rate to manage end points so it doesn't damage anything. I'll be setting the end points now and saving dual rate for some unknown use 🙌😂
Glad that was helpful! I was referring to end points for channel 3, though it's probably possibly for channel 1 as well. Manual will tell you. Glad you enjoyed this. I'm thinking we'll do a Small Tweaks video with the base camp, just to address a few little things, then we'll throw it into the ring against a few others. Looking forward to it :)
@@RCTNT Sounds great! Stage 1 / freebie mods is a great place to start. I can confirm you can set the steering end points with the SLT3. Powering on the transmitter while holding throttle to full reverse and steering to full right enters the end point programing. It's a bit harrowing because you adjust the end point after turning full lock. The NSDRC RS800 V2 I'm running is rated to some absurd torque numbers at 3 and 4s so I could hear the panhard mount torqueing for the moments before I got the end point backed down. Very happy now because the sides are now set independently of each other and won't lose adjustment like when the dual rate knob gets bumped in the backpack
This is true, it did. However, it also just won the 2023 Worlds in its class, though with bent links and a CF chassis (both Axial supplied after-market parts). The SCX10 Pro is excellent, but you'd rightly say that break-over is its greatest weakness!
Excellent review and demonstration. I've seen probably a dozen reviews and first drives of this car by now on various channels, but you know what? this is the only one that showed me everything I really wanted to see and know about this car and answered any questions I might have had before I had a chance to ask them. The one thing about this rig that I find a little disappointing is the lack of inner wheel wells. The Redcat Gen8 V2 has them. Other cheap trucks have them. Why doesn't this or the Traxxas Sport have them? For the cost of the rig, that seems like a very inexpensive thing to toss in with the kit, you know?
That's really encouraging to read, thanks for that! A thought on the wheel wells: I'd have liked to see them too, but as well as adding cost, it would have hurt center of gravity. This thing is a performer first and foremost. So there's that!
Thanks for another great review. You're the second thorough reviewer that I watched that was very positively impressed by this truck. I have a couple of questions. Does the light weight body help it as compared to other crawlers, like the TRX-4, with heavier bodies? Are body posts adjustable so you can raise the body and avoid trimming it? I really enjoyed your detailed first impression.
I went into the review expecting this rig to be okay, if overpriced. What I found was a crawler with very carefully considered sacrifices in just the right spots to ensure performance was the top outcome. Oh boy, was this rig impressive! I'm so glad I bought it! The body could be raised with the stock posts, yes. However, you don't need to do that. The trimming is very minor. Look closely at the rolling footage I threaded throughout my review, aside from the rock testing. I'd already made the trim by then and it was barely noticeable. No more rubbing. The bigger problem is the front bumper. Cutting away a little under those end corners will help. Overall, truly impressive stuff. Thanks for your thoughts here! I appreciate it.
"we've got some real weather coming in" as opposed to fake weather? hahaha "Oh man, I hate it when I get fooled into running indoors by fake weather"!!! (yeah, I'm a huge raging smartass hahaha). Great review as always, fair, accurate and concise.
@@RCTNT Oh I make fun of all mannerisms.....case in point: Met a young lady "what do you do"? "I"m a legal secretary" "as opposed to an ILLegal secretary"? SMACK lol I've actually had people I've known for 20 years unfriend me on facebook over dad jokes hahahaha...."I just can't take it anymore" A buddy's gf: Do you want some milk for your coffee? "No, I'm lactose intolerant" Oh? but you put up with your BF coming over at 3 am for a bootie call... I swear to god if she could have gotten away with it she would have killed me on the spot lol.
I got to look at one last weekend at hobby shop, was surprised us Aussies had them at release pretty much. It will be good looking enough after clearing the windows up,.. folks unfortunately judge the cheap body rather than what's underneath. Lol. It's cool that they've done a couple of servo winch mounts and the spektrum recievers bind to the upmarket radios in their range. All in all a great performing truck that can be whatever you want to make it as upgrade parts are already in abundance. Cheers mate 👍
I was pleasantly surprised, too. Axial have gotten their releases down pretty tightly. The SCX6 was similar. Announcement and boom, stock. And this rig is a beast - did not expect it to be so good! It'll be common at comps before you know it. I really like it!
Thanks! I haven't upgraded this yet but I'd suggest a Fusion power system, brushless servo, maybe 80g to 120g on the front axles, ideally on the knuckles.
Great timing. I was eyeing off this beast 🥰 ( I may of lost the Red TRX4 to the Lismore floods, I have to wait until the shop reopens to find out?? Sigh...)
Oh no! I feel for you, Jeff, that's rough. If your truck was not lost and was just drowned, it'll hopefully be salvageable, though I guess much cleaning and such would be needed still. I can replace some electrics for you, too (let me know if that comes up). Sorry you had to endure that.
@@RCTNT Thanks mate. I'm sure everyone watched it unfold on the news. Next month it should be open again. It is all water proof and can be submerged, probably not for a week though hey :), so it's a wait and see. I may just have to get a new transmitter. I can't really complain, friends, people lost their entire house and possessions. Water came up to our front step in Ballina, we were so lucky. I dumped my channel too, just gutted... Catching up on what your doing helps :) Cheers.
@@jeffparryncc1701 let me know if you need a new radio system, I can send you that. The truck may be just fine. Open the radio box before you power up. Check its dry in there. The rest of the truck would be OK, I'd think. I've seen the Clarence in flood before but never like this, it was sobering alright.
@@RCTNT Feeling the love Craig and I really do appreciate the offer. The Radiolink RC6GS is cheap enough to replace so all good mate. I found a spare Radiolink receiver I was saving for the Traxxas Slash. It's amazing how you miss driving an RC like the TRX$ I mean4. Thank you 🥰 keep the videos coming for my sanity 🥰
Thanks! 👍I did not think it would be all that interesting when I bought it. But after going over it with you guys, and especially after taking in that amazing performance *in stock form*, no less, yeah... quite a lot more interesting, eh! Cheers
I would like to see this SCX10 iii compared to a stock or mostly stock SCX10 ii. There are some really good deals on SCX10 ii and I would like to know if it is still a good budget option and how it compares with these more recent rigs.
I think you'll find the SCX10 II will compare closely in performance to the Axial Base Camp. They're similar enough in geometry and layout that there won't be a lot in it. You really could buy on price and get a similar experience - but there are a few things to keep in mind: over the 10.2, the Base Camp gives you adjustable chassis length and portal axles and, I think, better tires and definitely better shocks. Equipment quality is generally equal to or better in the SCX10 III Base Camp, then. But if you can get the 10.2 for, say, 60-70% of the 10.3 it may well be worthwhile for you.
I’m glad you got it & reviewed it I’ve been seeing how well it performs & thinking g about getting one to upgrade it & make it into a better performer. Awesome test runs & they really show how well balanced it is. Like you I have other similar RC’s including the TRX sport truck, Sendero, Gen 8 V2, & I just got the Honcho but something is telling me to pick one up & the price is decent & is a great platform for upgrades. I’d like to have the dig feature I’m wondering if it would be worth it to look into converting it. Or maybe that’s getting away from what this truck really is. Thanks for the great review.
This thing will be a common base for comp builds, I'm quite sure. Axial have outdone themselves on a basic performer with no bells and whistles here, I'm very impressed. Glad you found it helpful too! Cheers
Hello Craig. I bought the Base Camp 1982 Chevy K10 for my wife, because she loved how it looks. I am evaluating things to improve and change. I was thinking I could make a couple changes to the ESC. But can it be programmed? Mainly after reducing the reverse power, it leaps around for her when going into reverse.
I don't think this ESC is programmable, so you might be stuck with turning down throttle max with that 50/75/100 switch. Ideally, you'd put some expo on reverse, but the stock radio doesn't support that either. So... practice? That's all I've got, sorry!
@@RCTNT Sadly I was hoping for different. But that is what I was afraid of your reply being. Hmm maybe the upgrade of Ascents SE motor to fusion Pro and the SE motor into SCX10 looking like a good plan.
@HeavyHaulagePilbara I mean, if you're going to do that, you'll need a different radio anyway. Possibly even just a 1080 into the base camp when you change radios, and then you'll have esc adjustment and potentially expo on whatever radio you get too. Cheaper, and you won't see a big difference with the Redcat Fusion anyway - if you want more speed, put a one or two tooth larger pinion it and you'll have a similar time to getting a Fusion Pro.
If those windows are screen printed on, I bet you could clean them off with a q tip and some lacquer thinners. I am 99% sure it won't affect lexan but I'd test it out on an old body first. I know it doesn't affect acrylic but I haven't messed with lexan for a while now.
I'm confident I could remove it, yes. But this is a performer - now I've tested it on the rocks, I think keeping to a minimalist body would help with CoG. This rig is a performer, no doubt about it. That's the direction we'll take with it next, I think.
Seen Harley remove it with nitro fuel, zero issues, No clouding. Looked awesome after. I've heard of nitro fuel before just never got round to trying it on my Traxxas defender body yet. Cheers 👍
@@mickd8188 That might work, but you have to buy it by a gallon don't you? That's great if you have a nitro buggy to bother your neighbours with hahaha. That's why they call em "buggies" !!!!
20:35 that rubbing on the body? I'd be getting out the scissors or pen knife asap....the clackata clackata clackata would drive me bonkers in the first 3 minutes lol.
@@muskokamike127 like a tumbling snowball of everything that adds up to crushing weight of responsibility and existential dread until you can't take another hour let alone another day and oh, look! Axial released a new crawler! Neat!
Great review. Just wondering are you going to do a head to head with the Sendero Hd. If not what would you recommend out of the two? Im looking to get my first 1/10 crawler and these are the 2 I’m looking at.
That's an excellent question. Good choice of two vehicles there! I think I'd better do a head to head with these two, yes! Right now, knowing what I know but if making your decision: if one was much cheaper than the other, I'd buy that. If price was similar, I'd buy the base camp if doing a lot of trailing and crawling. I'd buy the Sendero if doing mostly crawling. That overdrive is an advantage! Let's let the video fully answer this one! I'll try to get to it in the next week or two. Cheers! PS. If you haven't seen it, you might find this one useful, too: ruclips.net/video/psFjmvRa2Mc/видео.html
@@RCTNT thanks again. I have watched it already. But Im not a fan of the rear suspension setup on the ecto. And the others are out of my budget right now. I do love the look of the trx4.
Yeah this thing is perfect for the guys who plan to do their own thing with the Scx10 iii platform. Leaves lots to the imagination. And the body can easily be replaced if wanted to some thing else. Wheel wells SHOULD OF been included in my opinion. Looking up through there during a run kind a kills it for me. lol But for the "crawler" this would be less desirable. I get that too. Anyways I did enjoy the over view and the test run. I am a HUGE axial fan specially the Scx rigs. THanks for sharing
Awesome, thanks. I'm split on the wheel wells too. I see why folks think they should have been included but honestly, this seems more of a purist's crawling machine, so as you say, less desirable - less weight, less cost, less complexity... all good! (Still, would have been nice, I hear you!)
I can't believe they release these products where testing hasn't spotted the wheels rubbing against one of the link bars underneath and body, puts me right off it. Surely that isn't good for it keep rubbing against the link? The body can be trimmed but nothing you can do about the wheel touching the link bar. Does it come with something to make the electronics waterproof?
It was a little disappointing to have the rubbing, yes! I don't think it'd hurt anything with the wheel rubbing the link, but you could just dial back the steering end point a shade to counter that. There's waterproofing for the receiver, yep. I've got a close up photo of it in my article: rc-tnt.com/manufacturer/axial/axial-base-camp-rtr-crawler/
I'm happy to see the underwhelming looks are misleading of how well it performs on your six problesms. I've always seen that body as a "free throwaway" item just to get your project started. Still, a tough pill to swallow for me when I consider that I'm not a particular fan of portals, but for a performance-oriented build, I'm sure it'll find its public.
It'll be common at comps, I'm very confident. Quite the performer!! The body ain't so bad, either. I was on the fence about it when I bought it, but now it's here it's just much nicer, especially out in the sunlight! Next, a few small mods and tweaks and we'll see how far we can take this thing in near-OEM form. Then off to the head-to-head rounds. So many great trucks these days, it's getting harder and harder to choose!!
Nice one. It'll probably vary here too. They're a similar value proposition and both at the premium end of basic crawlers. I'm glad there's a little competition between them. Keeps things interesting!
@@chadnas7781 it depends on which country you're in. I use Asiatees for the most part, plus crazyhobbies.com.au,, metrohobbies.com.au and hobbiesdirect.com.au. If I was in USA I'd be using Amain primarily. You'll need to search for that one yourself, unless you're in Australia like me! Cheers
@@chadnas7781 Google and forums will be your friend, then. There's a Canada subforum on rcgroups that'll probably have preferred vendors listed. I'd be looking there. Also you could ask on reddit.com/r/rccars for where people like to buy in Canada.
that's just great..lol. stiff competition for the sendero..lol. that i want.. ill be running comparison now 😂 maybe it good I gotta wait on income tax time for more truck purchases.. lol. except I have to buy my kid a new stampede to get my gen8 back.. so thats gotta happen soon 😂
Thanks, I've got a pretty neat one on my SCX10.2 based comp build. Really takes them to the next level, doesn't it! I have a pretty full schedule planned for videos over the coming months, but I'd definitely also like to try to get a few of those snazzy chassis kits in at some point too. Thanks for the idea, it's a good one! Cheers
@@RCTNT the best part is most of the chassis rails out there are under 100.00 which isnt bad with the cost of everything nowadays. Really enjoyed your reply. Alot of content creators dont know how to respond to people. I have a gspeed build with 2 low trans and in the process of buiding another with ar60 vanquish axles and stealth x trans from element.
@@RCTNT yea because the options on building a rig now is endless. You can use moa axles. You can choose portals or straight. Buggy style or scale or buy a rtr and do a few mods. I have a Tekno mt410 race buggy too for when i want to go fast 😁
@@jhawk1985 got the life, eh? I really enjoy the vast range of choice these days too. Things are tough in so many elements of life but rc as a hobby is better supplied than ever for a bit of escapism. I'm grateful! Cheers
Small battery for performance, large one for endurance. Small is 350-500mah 30C (or better) 2S or 450-700mah 30C (or better) 3S. Large is anything 3000mah to 7000mah 30C+ 2S or 2200mah to like 5000mah 30C+ 3S. Just a general idea there. You can make or buy adapters for whatever plugs you prefer. I put xt60s on my ESCs, but sometimes I just leave them as whatever else they came with (traxxas, ec30, ic30, deans, etc) and make an xt60 adapter by just soldering the butts of each adjoining connector together. So, if the car has an ec30 male connector, you could buy a female ec30 and a male xt60 and solder their butts together, then boom, easy and cheap adapter :)
One that may last 1hr. I want to sent this truck to my under raised foundation (house. Being a stroke survivor) with Wi-Fi camera just to check my plumbing from time to time
A 2s lipo of 4000mah or greater will do it. I don't use Amazon sorry. You just want to get the right connector and you're sorted. Look in axial website, they might suggest one if you want zero hassle.
In the UK this is more expensive than the TRX4 sport so can't see me ever getting one over that given how much better quality my TRX4 Defender feels over my SCX10.2
Fair enough. I think traxxas has done the plastics better than Axial, but there's not much between it and the Base Camp now. Performance and quality are closer than ever! It's good to see this competition. Cheers
@@RCTNT yeah the more competition the better, I think they've just massively mispriced it in the UK as is £420 versus TRX4 sport at £410 and sendero at £300. Quality wise it's just little things like I don't think those clearance issues would make it through development onto the traxxas and the chassis rail sections are way beefier on the TRX4 too. Also whilst I can only comment on the SCX10.2 shocks they basically need topping up with oil after every run whereas the TRX4 shocks maybe every 6 months of sustained use
@@eprc7585 that's fair, though we have a similar price difference in Australia. I find both the Base Camp and TRX4 Sport to be at the premium end of basic crawlers. The value isn't there like it is for cheaper stuff - and the Sendero is cracking value in particular. You're right about the clearance, that was an oversight that shouldn't have happened. You'd expect that sort of mistake on a cheaper rig, but not one of the two big ones. The shocks at least are pretty good. I'm hopeful they'll go the distance, though I must agree with you on the TRX4 shock unit, it's just beautifully engineered. Time will tell either way here, I guess. I'll keep testing and playing around with it and we'll see how things stand in 6 months or so. I think they'll sell well, despite your very fair observations here. Cheers
I think we'll do a head-to-head with a few in the same general class at some point. In the meantime, you can see how the Pioneer went on the 6-problem course right here: ruclips.net/video/XW2KO557p6U/видео.html Cheers!
You might have to look into that one yourself, sorry. There's precious little info about it online and it looks like a 3 year old model made by HSP and rebranded. It's likely going to be a lot cheaper than the Axial but that's about all I can tell you. I can barely find info about it. Sorry
I don't like axial as a Brand and don't own anything axial. This one is a bit interesting. But I really don't think is look very good. The tires is way to big and don't fit the rest of the truck and it looks stupid. The body looks very cheap. Don't like the colors. And when im look a the electronics and the way it's build I'd really think is too expensive. But a very nice video. 👍🏼👍🏼
You're entitled to your opinion, as are we all. What I like about the test course here is that I can judge rigs by their merits with a bit more objectivity, even though it's still a hobby given to the subjective by its nature. Like it or not, it certainly performs! Cheers for the comment and thanks for watching!
@@RCTNT i can it's doing well on you track and I know many people are crazy about the brand. Just saying that the brand has never said me anything. I think the gladiator is the best looking model they have. But again I feel the are way overpriced for what you get.
Nice, very in-depth review my friend!
Thank you kindly! I appreciate you watching! Cheers :)
I’ve watched all the other unboxing/reviews of this but yours was the one I was looking forward to. I knew you’d get into the technical aspects and provide an objective point of view :)
Well thank you! I wasn't expecting it to be so good, but it's a heady mix of quality components at the right price point. This thing will be a weapon on the rocks with just some minor tweaks. It'll be one of the greats, mark my words!
yeah anyone can say whatever.. I love how he looks at every detail with a critical eye yet isn't too quick to count a rig out on one issue.. hes solid n fair... from experience...!!!
@@billknepp1965 thank you kindly
You have the best review of the Base Camp. You showed a practical obstacle with big challenges without stressing out the truck. Great job in my opinion.
Well, thank you! Wait til you find out just how many other vehicles I've tested in the same way, for a broad comparison of vehicle ability! 😎
Appreciate the comment, thank you.
I absolutely love mine.
Couldn't ask for more out of box!
It's one of the best 'basic' options out there, with room to grow. Agreed!
Was happy when this popped up in my feed. Excellent review. The TRX4 Sport has painted windows, too, but they are dark and look much better. Silver was an odd choice. Aside from that, it looks like a great truck. I'd be tempted if I didn't already have a TRX4 and a Gen 8.
Thank you. It is a great truck. I do agree, silver windows are a bit weird. Works on this truck though!
@@RCTNT I believe you can take of the sticks on the windows and sand it down from the inside to remove the paint and get the clear look.
Yep, well not sanding, that would cloud the windows, but certainly methylated spirits and a rag would do the job.
Quite impressed with how well this truck did on your course. Very solid performer out of the box. Sure the body is somewhat bland but that just means I wouldn't feel so bad chopping it up to enhance performance.
I've been wanting to get a crawler that has the potential to become a comp crawler build and I think this Base Camp might just be what I've been waiting for. Thanks a tonne for the great review and I'll see you next time!
Excellent, glad it was helpful! If you grab one of these I'm sure you'll enjoy its performance. Thanks Chris
Seeing this video made me happy I picked one of these up recently from marketplace for a steal of a deal. Great review!😀👍
Ah very good! Great model, the Base Camp!
I’ve been waiting on your review to make my decision on buying one of these. I don’t need it but looks like a good one to add to the collection and have some fun with. I hope all is well with you and have a great day!
Thank you, Scott. And you. Cheers
Very enjoyable review, great job. Thanks for sharing. John
Thanks a lot, John!
Wow really impressive performance from the Base Camp! I'm impressed it could handle all 6 problems, and furthermore impressed it did them on the stock tires! You manage some impressive results from factory tires where others struggle to find traction. I'm excited to see how this truck stacks up to the others, though it's clearly a performer! Also want to say thank you for something you maybe said in passing and I'm lucky wasn't edited out! I've been using an SLT3 transmitter for my Sendero for some time now because the momentary toggle works wonderfully with my winch. Since I'm also running a direct power servo in it, I've been using the dual rate to manage end points so it doesn't damage anything. I'll be setting the end points now and saving dual rate for some unknown use 🙌😂
Glad that was helpful! I was referring to end points for channel 3, though it's probably possibly for channel 1 as well. Manual will tell you.
Glad you enjoyed this. I'm thinking we'll do a Small Tweaks video with the base camp, just to address a few little things, then we'll throw it into the ring against a few others. Looking forward to it :)
@@RCTNT Sounds great! Stage 1 / freebie mods is a great place to start. I can confirm you can set the steering end points with the SLT3. Powering on the transmitter while holding throttle to full reverse and steering to full right enters the end point programing. It's a bit harrowing because you adjust the end point after turning full lock. The NSDRC RS800 V2 I'm running is rated to some absurd torque numbers at 3 and 4s so I could hear the panhard mount torqueing for the moments before I got the end point backed down. Very happy now because the sides are now set independently of each other and won't lose adjustment like when the dual rate knob gets bumped in the backpack
@@Andy_Yates great, well done! Thanks for the info.
There are so many helpful people in the comments, I'm really grateful for all of you! Thanks Andy.
The scx10 pro as reviewed in another video even without a body really struggled on the 6 “ problems “ in comparison to this rtr. Thanks for sharing.
This is true, it did. However, it also just won the 2023 Worlds in its class, though with bent links and a CF chassis (both Axial supplied after-market parts). The SCX10 Pro is excellent, but you'd rightly say that break-over is its greatest weakness!
Cheers for the balanced review.
🙏👍
Excellent review and demonstration. I've seen probably a dozen reviews and first drives of this car by now on various channels, but you know what? this is the only one that showed me everything I really wanted to see and know about this car and answered any questions I might have had before I had a chance to ask them.
The one thing about this rig that I find a little disappointing is the lack of inner wheel wells. The Redcat Gen8 V2 has them. Other cheap trucks have them. Why doesn't this or the Traxxas Sport have them? For the cost of the rig, that seems like a very inexpensive thing to toss in with the kit, you know?
That's really encouraging to read, thanks for that!
A thought on the wheel wells: I'd have liked to see them too, but as well as adding cost, it would have hurt center of gravity. This thing is a performer first and foremost. So there's that!
Thanks for another great review. You're the second thorough reviewer that I watched that was very positively impressed by this truck. I have a couple of questions. Does the light weight body help it as compared to other crawlers, like the TRX-4, with heavier bodies? Are body posts adjustable so you can raise the body and avoid trimming it? I really enjoyed your detailed first impression.
I went into the review expecting this rig to be okay, if overpriced. What I found was a crawler with very carefully considered sacrifices in just the right spots to ensure performance was the top outcome. Oh boy, was this rig impressive! I'm so glad I bought it!
The body could be raised with the stock posts, yes. However, you don't need to do that. The trimming is very minor. Look closely at the rolling footage I threaded throughout my review, aside from the rock testing. I'd already made the trim by then and it was barely noticeable. No more rubbing.
The bigger problem is the front bumper. Cutting away a little under those end corners will help.
Overall, truly impressive stuff. Thanks for your thoughts here! I appreciate it.
sweet review, value proposition chapter was really good.
Thank you! Now I've driven it on the problems I think it's value is even greater. It is a bit of a weapon on the rocks!
"we've got some real weather coming in" as opposed to fake weather? hahaha "Oh man, I hate it when I get fooled into running indoors by fake weather"!!!
(yeah, I'm a huge raging smartass hahaha).
Great review as always, fair, accurate and concise.
Yes exactly! That's why I muttered that it was a silly saying, you're quite right!
@@RCTNT Oh I make fun of all mannerisms.....case in point:
Met a young lady "what do you do"?
"I"m a legal secretary"
"as opposed to an ILLegal secretary"? SMACK lol
I've actually had people I've known for 20 years unfriend me on facebook over dad jokes hahahaha...."I just can't take it anymore"
A buddy's gf:
Do you want some milk for your coffee?
"No, I'm lactose intolerant"
Oh? but you put up with your BF coming over at 3 am for a bootie call...
I swear to god if she could have gotten away with it she would have killed me on the spot lol.
@@muskokamike127 gotta get through the day somehow.
@@RCTNT I know right?
I got to look at one last weekend at hobby shop, was surprised us Aussies had them at release pretty much. It will be good looking enough after clearing the windows up,.. folks unfortunately judge the cheap body rather than what's underneath. Lol.
It's cool that they've done a couple of servo winch mounts and the spektrum recievers bind to the upmarket radios in their range. All in all a great performing truck that can be whatever you want to make it as upgrade parts are already in abundance.
Cheers mate 👍
I was pleasantly surprised, too. Axial have gotten their releases down pretty tightly. The SCX6 was similar. Announcement and boom, stock. And this rig is a beast - did not expect it to be so good! It'll be common at comps before you know it. I really like it!
This is why I subbed, great information. I have the 79 bronco, thinking about getting a lighter rig, sport or base camp 😅
Hey thanks, I appreciate that. Hope you get your decision nailed down :) Happy to have helped at least a little there, thank you for letting me know!
I like your reviews and this in particular. What are your whole recommendations to upgrade this car? Keep on crawling...., Cheers
Thanks!
I haven't upgraded this yet but I'd suggest a Fusion power system, brushless servo, maybe 80g to 120g on the front axles, ideally on the knuckles.
@@RCTNT thank you
🫡
Great timing. I was eyeing off this beast 🥰 ( I may of lost the Red TRX4 to the Lismore floods, I have to wait until the shop reopens to find out?? Sigh...)
Oh no! I feel for you, Jeff, that's rough. If your truck was not lost and was just drowned, it'll hopefully be salvageable, though I guess much cleaning and such would be needed still. I can replace some electrics for you, too (let me know if that comes up). Sorry you had to endure that.
@@RCTNT Thanks mate. I'm sure everyone watched it unfold on the news. Next month it should be open again. It is all water proof and can be submerged, probably not for a week though hey :), so it's a wait and see. I may just have to get a new transmitter. I can't really complain, friends, people lost their entire house and possessions. Water came up to our front step in Ballina, we were so lucky. I dumped my channel too, just gutted... Catching up on what your doing helps :) Cheers.
@@jeffparryncc1701 let me know if you need a new radio system, I can send you that.
The truck may be just fine. Open the radio box before you power up. Check its dry in there. The rest of the truck would be OK, I'd think.
I've seen the Clarence in flood before but never like this, it was sobering alright.
@@RCTNT Feeling the love Craig and I really do appreciate the offer. The Radiolink RC6GS is cheap enough to replace so all good mate. I found a spare Radiolink receiver I was saving for the Traxxas Slash. It's amazing how you miss driving an RC like the TRX$ I mean4. Thank you 🥰 keep the videos coming for my sanity 🥰
Nice review 👌 You make this truck a lot more interesting 👍
Thanks! 👍I did not think it would be all that interesting when I bought it. But after going over it with you guys, and especially after taking in that amazing performance *in stock form*, no less, yeah... quite a lot more interesting, eh! Cheers
I would like to see this SCX10 iii compared to a stock or mostly stock SCX10 ii. There are some really good deals on SCX10 ii and I would like to know if it is still a good budget option and how it compares with these more recent rigs.
I think you'll find the SCX10 II will compare closely in performance to the Axial Base Camp. They're similar enough in geometry and layout that there won't be a lot in it.
You really could buy on price and get a similar experience - but there are a few things to keep in mind: over the 10.2, the Base Camp gives you adjustable chassis length and portal axles and, I think, better tires and definitely better shocks. Equipment quality is generally equal to or better in the SCX10 III Base Camp, then. But if you can get the 10.2 for, say, 60-70% of the 10.3 it may well be worthwhile for you.
I’m glad you got it & reviewed it I’ve been seeing how well it performs & thinking g about getting one to upgrade it & make it into a better performer. Awesome test runs & they really show how well balanced it is. Like you I have other similar RC’s including the TRX sport truck, Sendero, Gen 8 V2, & I just got the Honcho but something is telling me to pick one up & the price is decent & is a great platform for upgrades. I’d like to have the dig feature I’m wondering if it would be worth it to look into converting it. Or maybe that’s getting away from what this truck really is. Thanks for the great review.
This thing will be a common base for comp builds, I'm quite sure. Axial have outdone themselves on a basic performer with no bells and whistles here, I'm very impressed. Glad you found it helpful too! Cheers
Hello Craig. I bought the Base Camp 1982 Chevy K10 for my wife, because she loved how it looks. I am evaluating things to improve and change. I was thinking I could make a couple changes to the ESC. But can it be programmed? Mainly after reducing the reverse power, it leaps around for her when going into reverse.
I don't think this ESC is programmable, so you might be stuck with turning down throttle max with that 50/75/100 switch. Ideally, you'd put some expo on reverse, but the stock radio doesn't support that either.
So... practice? That's all I've got, sorry!
@@RCTNT Sadly I was hoping for different. But that is what I was afraid of your reply being. Hmm maybe the upgrade of Ascents SE motor to fusion Pro and the SE motor into SCX10 looking like a good plan.
@HeavyHaulagePilbara I mean, if you're going to do that, you'll need a different radio anyway. Possibly even just a 1080 into the base camp when you change radios, and then you'll have esc adjustment and potentially expo on whatever radio you get too. Cheaper, and you won't see a big difference with the Redcat Fusion anyway - if you want more speed, put a one or two tooth larger pinion it and you'll have a similar time to getting a Fusion Pro.
This channel is so damn good!
Thanks David! Glad you're enjoying it!
Hello from southeast alaska love the video of the base camp bro
Hello from southeast australia. Thanks :)
If those windows are screen printed on, I bet you could clean them off with a q tip and some lacquer thinners. I am 99% sure it won't affect lexan but I'd test it out on an old body first. I know it doesn't affect acrylic but I haven't messed with lexan for a while now.
I'm confident I could remove it, yes.
But this is a performer - now I've tested it on the rocks, I think keeping to a minimalist body would help with CoG. This rig is a performer, no doubt about it. That's the direction we'll take with it next, I think.
Seen Harley remove it with nitro fuel, zero issues, No clouding. Looked awesome after. I've heard of nitro fuel before just never got round to trying it on my Traxxas defender body yet.
Cheers 👍
@@mickd8188 That might work, but you have to buy it by a gallon don't you? That's great if you have a nitro buggy to bother your neighbours with hahaha.
That's why they call em "buggies" !!!!
20:35 that rubbing on the body? I'd be getting out the scissors or pen knife asap....the clackata clackata clackata would drive me bonkers in the first 3 minutes lol.
Already done! If you look at the running videos I threaded throughout the review, I'd made the cut by then! Little quality of life improvement :)
@@RCTNT haha "it's the little things that make life more betterer"!!
"don't sweat the small stuff" but it's ALL small stuff! :-)
@@muskokamike127 like a tumbling snowball of everything that adds up to crushing weight of responsibility and existential dread until you can't take another hour let alone another day and oh, look! Axial released a new crawler! Neat!
Great review. Just wondering are you going to do a head to head with the Sendero Hd. If not what would you recommend out of the two?
Im looking to get my first 1/10 crawler and these are the 2 I’m looking at.
That's an excellent question. Good choice of two vehicles there!
I think I'd better do a head to head with these two, yes!
Right now, knowing what I know but if making your decision: if one was much cheaper than the other, I'd buy that. If price was similar, I'd buy the base camp if doing a lot of trailing and crawling. I'd buy the Sendero if doing mostly crawling. That overdrive is an advantage!
Let's let the video fully answer this one! I'll try to get to it in the next week or two. Cheers!
PS. If you haven't seen it, you might find this one useful, too: ruclips.net/video/psFjmvRa2Mc/видео.html
@@RCTNT thanks again. I have watched it already. But Im not a fan of the rear suspension setup on the ecto.
And the others are out of my budget right now. I do love the look of the trx4.
@@rickos_moto same, it's a super pretty car!
I'm thinking about where and how to do this next video. It's a good idea, thank you for it :) Cheers
love the base camp!
very good review thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching :)
- Axial's leak, a bit from the diff-cases. But the quality of the gears is
superb, with a spiral cut, and I have never had a diff. problem, ever !! 😁👌
Same, the quality is good.
Yeah this thing is perfect for the guys who plan to do their own thing with the Scx10 iii platform. Leaves lots to the imagination. And the body can easily be replaced if wanted to some thing else. Wheel wells SHOULD OF been included in my opinion. Looking up through there during a run kind a kills it for me. lol But for the "crawler" this would be less desirable. I get that too. Anyways I did enjoy the over view and the test run. I am a HUGE axial fan specially the Scx rigs. THanks for sharing
Awesome, thanks. I'm split on the wheel wells too. I see why folks think they should have been included but honestly, this seems more of a purist's crawling machine, so as you say, less desirable - less weight, less cost, less complexity... all good! (Still, would have been nice, I hear you!)
9:56 it has DeLorean spur gear?! Awesome! 😂
Delrin sounds like De Lorean a bit, doesn't it!
I can't believe they release these products where testing hasn't spotted the wheels rubbing against one of the link bars underneath and body, puts me right off it. Surely that isn't good for it keep rubbing against the link? The body can be trimmed but nothing you can do about the wheel touching the link bar. Does it come with something to make the electronics waterproof?
It was a little disappointing to have the rubbing, yes! I don't think it'd hurt anything with the wheel rubbing the link, but you could just dial back the steering end point a shade to counter that.
There's waterproofing for the receiver, yep. I've got a close up photo of it in my article:
rc-tnt.com/manufacturer/axial/axial-base-camp-rtr-crawler/
I'm happy to see the underwhelming looks are misleading of how well it performs on your six problesms.
I've always seen that body as a "free throwaway" item just to get your project started.
Still, a tough pill to swallow for me when I consider that I'm not a particular fan of portals, but for a performance-oriented build, I'm sure it'll find its public.
It'll be common at comps, I'm very confident. Quite the performer!! The body ain't so bad, either. I was on the fence about it when I bought it, but now it's here it's just much nicer, especially out in the sunlight!
Next, a few small mods and tweaks and we'll see how far we can take this thing in near-OEM form. Then off to the head-to-head rounds. So many great trucks these days, it's getting harder and harder to choose!!
the sport RTR in America is $30.00 cheaper than the basecamp. $390.00 for the Basecamp vs. $360.00 for the sport
Nice one. It'll probably vary here too. They're a similar value proposition and both at the premium end of basic crawlers. I'm glad there's a little competition between them. Keeps things interesting!
is it possible to buy painted bodies for the scx10.3?
I don't think so - but for what it's worth, painting even with just a single colour is not hard to learn to do. Polycarbonate paint is very forgiving!
@@RCTNT okay, any good sites you recomend buying from? also thank you for replying!!
@@chadnas7781 it depends on which country you're in. I use Asiatees for the most part, plus crazyhobbies.com.au,, metrohobbies.com.au and hobbiesdirect.com.au. If I was in USA I'd be using Amain primarily. You'll need to search for that one yourself, unless you're in Australia like me! Cheers
@@RCTNT im from Canada
@@chadnas7781 Google and forums will be your friend, then. There's a Canada subforum on rcgroups that'll probably have preferred vendors listed. I'd be looking there. Also you could ask on reddit.com/r/rccars for where people like to buy in Canada.
its all good that grese spot occures in the plane
Yep, just means it's been greased. That's what you want to see, really!
that's just great..lol. stiff competition for the sendero..lol. that i want.. ill be running comparison now 😂 maybe it good I gotta wait on income tax time for more truck purchases.. lol. except I have to buy my kid a new stampede to get my gen8 back.. so thats gotta happen soon 😂
Haha priorities, eh,
Check out some lcg chassis ! There are alot of great companies making great chassis rails. Ive built two now and they are very capable
Thanks, I've got a pretty neat one on my SCX10.2 based comp build. Really takes them to the next level, doesn't it!
I have a pretty full schedule planned for videos over the coming months, but I'd definitely also like to try to get a few of those snazzy chassis kits in at some point too. Thanks for the idea, it's a good one! Cheers
@@RCTNT the best part is most of the chassis rails out there are under 100.00 which isnt bad with the cost of everything nowadays. Really enjoyed your reply. Alot of content creators dont know how to respond to people. I have a gspeed build with 2 low trans and in the process of buiding another with ar60 vanquish axles and stealth x trans from element.
@@jhawk1985 ooh that sounds epic! Building this stuff is fun eh!
@@RCTNT yea because the options on building a rig now is endless. You can use moa axles. You can choose portals or straight. Buggy style or scale or buy a rtr and do a few mods. I have a Tekno mt410 race buggy too for when i want to go fast 😁
@@jhawk1985 got the life, eh? I really enjoy the vast range of choice these days too. Things are tough in so many elements of life but rc as a hobby is better supplied than ever for a bit of escapism. I'm grateful! Cheers
Recommend battery?
Small battery for performance, large one for endurance.
Small is 350-500mah 30C (or better) 2S or 450-700mah 30C (or better) 3S.
Large is anything 3000mah to 7000mah 30C+ 2S or 2200mah to like 5000mah 30C+ 3S. Just a general idea there.
You can make or buy adapters for whatever plugs you prefer. I put xt60s on my ESCs, but sometimes I just leave them as whatever else they came with (traxxas, ec30, ic30, deans, etc) and make an xt60 adapter by just soldering the butts of each adjoining connector together. So, if the car has an ec30 male connector, you could buy a female ec30 and a male xt60 and solder their butts together, then boom, easy and cheap adapter :)
@@RCTNT can you be specific for axial base camp truck, which one that recommended for it, any thing in Amazon?
One that may last 1hr. I want to sent this truck to my under raised foundation (house. Being a stroke survivor) with Wi-Fi camera just to check my plumbing from time to time
A 2s lipo of 4000mah or greater will do it. I don't use Amazon sorry. You just want to get the right connector and you're sorted. Look in axial website, they might suggest one if you want zero hassle.
@@RCTNT thanks for your times
In the UK this is more expensive than the TRX4 sport so can't see me ever getting one over that given how much better quality my TRX4 Defender feels over my SCX10.2
Fair enough. I think traxxas has done the plastics better than Axial, but there's not much between it and the Base Camp now. Performance and quality are closer than ever! It's good to see this competition. Cheers
@@RCTNT yeah the more competition the better, I think they've just massively mispriced it in the UK as is £420 versus TRX4 sport at £410 and sendero at £300. Quality wise it's just little things like I don't think those clearance issues would make it through development onto the traxxas and the chassis rail sections are way beefier on the TRX4 too. Also whilst I can only comment on the SCX10.2 shocks they basically need topping up with oil after every run whereas the TRX4 shocks maybe every 6 months of sustained use
@@eprc7585 that's fair, though we have a similar price difference in Australia. I find both the Base Camp and TRX4 Sport to be at the premium end of basic crawlers. The value isn't there like it is for cheaper stuff - and the Sendero is cracking value in particular.
You're right about the clearance, that was an oversight that shouldn't have happened. You'd expect that sort of mistake on a cheaper rig, but not one of the two big ones.
The shocks at least are pretty good. I'm hopeful they'll go the distance, though I must agree with you on the TRX4 shock unit, it's just beautifully engineered.
Time will tell either way here, I guess. I'll keep testing and playing around with it and we'll see how things stand in 6 months or so. I think they'll sell well, despite your very fair observations here. Cheers
Can't wait to see it against the rgt.
I think we'll do a head-to-head with a few in the same general class at some point. In the meantime, you can see how the Pioneer went on the 6-problem course right here: ruclips.net/video/XW2KO557p6U/видео.html
Cheers!
I just 'subbed'...
Glad you're liking my vids. Welcome!
Bro compare with fs racing freeman bronco
You might have to look into that one yourself, sorry. There's precious little info about it online and it looks like a 3 year old model made by HSP and rebranded. It's likely going to be a lot cheaper than the Axial but that's about all I can tell you. I can barely find info about it. Sorry
@@RCTNT ok bro thanks 😀
I don't like axial as a Brand and don't own anything axial. This one is a bit interesting. But I really don't think is look very good. The tires is way to big and don't fit the rest of the truck and it looks stupid. The body looks very cheap. Don't like the colors. And when im look a the electronics and the way it's build I'd really think is too expensive.
But a very nice video. 👍🏼👍🏼
You're entitled to your opinion, as are we all. What I like about the test course here is that I can judge rigs by their merits with a bit more objectivity, even though it's still a hobby given to the subjective by its nature.
Like it or not, it certainly performs! Cheers for the comment and thanks for watching!
@@RCTNT i can it's doing well on you track and I know many people are crazy about the brand.
Just saying that the brand has never said me anything. I think the gladiator is the best looking model they have. But again I feel the are way overpriced for what you get.
@@DansRcAdventures certainly makes the Sendero and the RGT Pioneer look pretty good in comparison, eh?