The Gorgon is Great! The LunchBox is basically the Morris Minor of the RC World. The Gorgon will come and go and be forgotten, the LunchBox will Always be Fondly Remembered and Is Timeless!
Not sure that's entirely fair to Morris Minors. A school friend of mine had one as his first car in 1990. 1000cc and 135 section tyres. It was rather amusing watching it drifting around roundabouts in the wet, at 15mph. It looked like a lot more fun than the Lunchbox.
@@cogboy302 my first RC in the late 80's was the Thunder Dragon, I've still got bits of it. I've owned a Morris Traveler, although my first car was a 2cv.
From a driving point of view The Gorgon definitely is much more durable and looks more fun to run. but in the looks department The Lunchbox is a clear winner. This Arma car is in those new ugly boring stylish look. Put The Lunchbox body on the Arma car and you have the best of both worlds.
I still take the lunch box, I have the black one, I did the front suspension with all metal parts, to tightening it up. Better motor, oil metal shock, it run and handles great. I love my launch box, would not treat it.
The Lunchbox is a legendary truck for its fun nature! I own lipo powered trucks that go 70 plus but for fun I break out the Lunchbox, it never disappoints!!!
The lunchbox is a classic, like an original VW beetle. The Gorgon is like the new beetle. They look similar, but the new one does everything so much better. I'd still rather have the old classic Beetle.
Brilliant video! We have been robbed of a summer so far in the UK and it makes our job so much harder! The gorgon is a great truck but let down by parts shortages and stupid pricing of parts. The US market doesn't seem to be having an issue it seems to be a Europe only thing. This needs to get better. The GROM range is also a problem. Expensive parts and upgrade and shortages of the actual cars again. It seems to be ARRMA's way of milking as much money out of the consumer as possible. Something i am finding harder and harder to support... Great vid gav!
The Gorgon is a prebuilt "toy" though. Kids will learn nothing about how RC cars work from it. The Lunch Box is a rite of passage for kids. My niece built hers age 9 and it still works really well :) Lunch Boc £175 all in, Gorgon £150 +charger, so much the same.
The lunchbox is terrible at everything yet still desirable. Handling, durability and overall performance are not terms you use with a lunchbox. Yet some of us got one in the 90s and another..and another. Then another for the kids. Respect to the gorgon it does do everything right for the money. You can just buy both
I can see the appeal of the Gorgon to a newcomer, modern looks, better performance and ready to run. I think most kids just want to drive it, unless your parents are into the rc scene. Then building it will be a factor. But the lunch box has been around for ages, has a huge fanbase and lots of hop ups. But i can see the Gorgan doing well esp for newbies.
I remember as a 13 year old kid going to our track on raceday with my jrx2 and seeing a field full of lunchboxes black foots, frogs and grasshoppers, happy times😂
Very interesting video. The Gorgon certainly looks like it handles and performs like a modern RC and is great value for money. I can completely see it providing huge amounts of fun. It might well be a better option for youngsters getting into the hobby but like a lot of modern RC cars they just lack any character and are rather souless. The old Tamiya stuff like the LB, Pumpkin, King Cab, Monster Beetle etc were not just a big part of RC history but a massive element of the 80s in general. It's like real cars, would it be sensible for me to buy a new Mini or a classic Mini? The new one for sure, reliable, mod cons, performance etc but I'd rather have an 80s Mini Mayfair that needs a peg to hold the choke out. Keep up the great work Gav.
People buy the Lunchbox because its iconic, fun and easy to build. Having a Gorgon myself (RTA), i can say that its a better RC than a Lunchbox. But in reality, its up to you what you want to spend your money on: something thats better or something thats iconic. I"ll take both, lol. I do need a Lunchbox in my stable, right next to my Clod, Kingcab and Mudblaster/blackfoot.
Yep that sums it up nicely. I used to recommend a Lunchbox for younger kids and that’s why my daughter had one when she was five, but things have moved on so far now for what you can get for the same money. I still think every vintage RC fan needs a LB in the collection.
The Gorgon is for people who want to drive fast and break their RC car on a concrete ramp at a skatepark. The Lunchbox is for those that appreciate the scale detail and character of a hard body and understand that higher speed doesn't necessarily mean more fun.
I've come to accept it a tamiya is about the expierience building it then bringing it to life. Its a very different type of ownership. I have a midnight pumpkin and it's actually my main runner. I'm not brutal with it but not exactly easy either. It's a very fun truck though. I did a CRP upper lower arm conversion on the front but I screwed the geometry up so it steers terribly. Eventually I'll fix it but the truck is a blast and my dogs love to chase it.
@@mrlt1 Yes, I agree. I bought an XR311 re-re just because I appreciated the fact that it was Tamiya's first off-road RC car. Driving wise it is fragile and not very good but then I decided to actually make it reasonably good to drive by fitting exquisite metal parts. I look at it and marvel at the quality of the engineering. It is like a piece of artwork! Of course I appreciate that the Gorgon is a good machine but it has a flappy thin plastic body and in a few years it will be forgotten.
I do have decent amount of different RC from retro to modern, i will still buy the gorgon because of the chassis design, value and specially durability, (not shelf queen) the less i spend on a project and less repair always will be the winner for me, any beginner and pro will love it for the many upgrade, it handling pretty good for a 2wd, as for the lunch box it will be definitely a good display piece, the awesome hard body design and over all look, i would hope Tamiya replace the plastic chassis with newer tougher plastics (this will probably change my mind about it), this lunch box is best suited for collectible display only (without the tons of upgrades), but if i going to use it more, definitely not a great investment for me.
The Gorgon is the best budget 2WD basher out there, parts yeah, stupid prices, I bought a second blue one with my ready to assemble precisely because of parts prices and availability! And I was going to make it brushless so knew I would almost certainly break something. But as yet, the only thing I broke has been the servo saver!
I got one of these a couple of weeks ago after deliberating a lot and I don't regret it. They are awesome and so much fun mate. We even take them around the Rochester RC Track for giggles. Great video buddy.
Tamiya RC's aren't usually the best at anything but are a fun build and endearing. Whatever you buy, if you have the choice of preassembled or a kit, get the kit, its a huge part of the rc experience.
Thank you for this video. I may be alone on this but that Gorgon body looks awesome. Reminds me of a Dakar car. Lunchbox is as I recall, 1/12 while the Gorgon is 1/10. I think the bigger and wider Gorgon would handle better. What country is Arrma? Never heard of them. Bottom line I would accept the Gorgon as a gift, and if I had the money give one away to a younger relative or friend's kid as a gift. It's a fresh product that delivers.
Ive bought a few RCs that were better than Tamiyas, and in every case I ended up saying to myself "shoulda just bought another Tamiya POS. smdh what was i thinking?" Gorgon does look like a great truck though. But you know what looks even better? JConcepts 85 Aerostar Clod body (and their Golden 73 tires if you want to go crazy)
I think the Gorgon is more comparable to the 2wd stampede. I feel like Arrma looked at the pede and though “how can we modernize this” and that’s when the Gorgon was born
That’s what I thought when I looked at it very stampede like , the gorgon is based on a previous Arrma model just beefed up A bit and a redesigned battery compartment , better shocks , diffs etc ( from memory)
Don't have a Gorgon, but I did recently buy a Senton. That charger is awful and the Spectrum "smart" battery stuff is frustrating. I would recommend getting a kit without the charger and battery and spending the money on a good third party charger and battery instead. Will cost more at first, but it's a much better investment.
The lunchbox is still king even 37 years later. Yes 37 years and still the most sought after rc. The kyosho madvan tried it and failed and so does this. The lunchbox is simple and right to the point bashing fun. Its like real cars yes newer models have all these bells and whistles but nothing grabs your attention like a oldschool and nothing can compare to how it feels to drive one.
I learned a long time ago when you're buying a chinese-made product that it's simply better for your price per dollar to buy a second one for your parts car. Very cool review. I do not own either one of those.
Had a lunchbox back in the day “it was terrible “ 😆 cool looking but it didn’t turn in and if it did hook up and turn it would just roll over Watching this video would suggest your actually more local to me than I thought 👍
My first proper RC car was a Tamiya Frog. An early one I got in 1984, and still own. I bought a 2nd hand Monster Beetle from a friend. It was spectacularly underwhelming, and made a mockery of the ORV chassis. I sold it on after a few months and about 100 steering servo savers, which it broke for fun.
@@RCKickschannel, I raced my Frog indoors, on wood floors, in 1990 - 91. It was already 8 years old when I started racing it. Everyone else was running Manta Ray hybrids, with lots of RW Racing upgrade parts, and then the Top Force, when it was released. Most of the other guys racing didn't even know what the Frog was. Eventually during a heat it got pushed into a wall, and the chassis snapped in two behind the front suspension. Retired it and decided to try race a Wild One against the 4WD cars. I didn't have money to buy a new car, plus my Dad wouldn't let me buy another RC car. I had two, which was one too many as far as he was concerned. Rebuilt the Frog in 2000, with obsolete NOS parts I had collected from Model Shops around the UK during the 1990s. I have a new, unpainted original body and two sets of original Frog decals knocking about. Left the Frog on display in my parent's office at their home in Ireland. Now also got a NIB Frog re-re. Will build it some day. My Mum died Friday week ago, and I was back in Ireland for her funeral. I brought my original Frog back over to England yesterday. Trip down memory lane. The original body has holes in it where a neighbour's Cocker Spaniel took a dislike to the car, bit it, and ran off with it in it's mouth. And it has Ghostbusters stickers on the body shell, - the first Ghostbusters film was released in 1984 too.
I’m not an RTR kind myself, for me part of the fun has always been the build/paint, but I understand it’s a huge market (of course the LB is available RTR too in the XB series). But if I were to be in that market I wish there was the option of a stick-type controller. The Lunchbox was one of my early cars, now fully restored, and I loved it but they are getting very long in the tooth now. Thanks for another video!
There is just something about the Gorgon that is really appealing. I think you hit the nail on the head...it IS the 'new Lunchbox'! Not as characterful as the Lunchbox but infinitely more capable out of the box.
I agree. Some are not keen on the Gorgon look, but personally I like the way it looks. I’ve even put in an order for another body colour set. I’m just so surprised you can get one for that kind of money.
@@RCKickschannel I wonder if there is a van body that would fit the Gorgon wheelbase...drive the point home with an Arrma Lunchbox...or would that be an Arrma TV dinner? 😜
Yep it looks that way lol. Not planned at all but it’s all come at once for some random reason. Next I move onto the Trickbits build so a more positive endeavour.
@@RCKickschannel Well, it is one way of getting good views on a Gorgon review! It’s a great truck, but the pre-release reviews just about saturated the search results on RUclips.
Do you have a link? After giving the Gorgon a good six packs and some hard abuse, I want to dig into it and see how things held up. I might as well upgrade some parts as I will be running it as my personal little park basher
Haha poor Gav, you struggled a lot with the rain and the sliding box xD I really want a Gorgon. Cheap enough to buy without crying. We'll see what the summer has in store.. :P My only gripe is that they sell a cool pink extra body with the colored plastic parts in a matching color. But they don't sell the pink one as a truck :(
It has to be said, but the Lunchbox is really just a Hornet on stilts. And it handles like that too. From what I've seen of the Gorgon, it's very planted by comparison and doesn't have any of the Lunchboxes weird geometry/dynamics. I've never had a Lunchbox and have never had the desire to get one. It came out down here in Aus just after the Monster Beetle, and I think the disappointment I had in that car rubbed off on the Lunchbox.
I think you should do a rc kicks meet at a track with all the you tubers as I believe they all have one bring to life truck racing (gorgon the gathering)
The gorgon and the lunchbox are cheaper in the USA. The gorgon with battery is 169 plus the plethora of coupons and discounts available on our USA website you can get it for $154. Our USA dollar always seems to buy you more then pounds. How much does an iPhone cost ya guys in the uk? Alot more then we get it for
Everything in the UK costs more than the US apart from our mobile phone contracts for some random reason. The issue has become worse as the UK pound is almost at its lowest vs the dollar since 1985! This drives up already high import prices.
LOL it’s Ok, you can like them both. I’m surprised at the Gorgan for the price point. If Arrma sorts its part prices out and parts availability outside the US, it would make it even stronger a beginner choice.
@RCKickschannel I actually only buy Arrma for my younger brother. He lives in Florida, where there is no issue with parts at all. He is also the ," can only run them, not really fix them." Kinda guy. It's a fantastic choice for the not so mechanically inclined.
The buid of the Gorgon chassis reminds me of the DT-03. The last DT03 I saw on Amazon was £64, i think I'd rather order two of those for skatepark bashing, knowing I've still saved a lot of money. But my question is this, if I want a van for bashing, how does the Gorgon conpare to tge the Squash van for durability and bashability?
I wouldn’t take a DT03 to a skatepark if I was you, even if you have two. 100% same goes for the Squash Van. These would be really bad choices vs more modern Arrma and Traxxas offerings. Tamiya are best in the garden blasting around
But its an arrma leaking shocks included and 48P gears so they strip when sand gets in the NONSEEALED GEAR BOX on each run happened to all 3 of my arrmas Don't get me started on the steering servo and ESC
“Just slap a Lipo in it”, then hurls a Lipo with a deans connector on it… You and I both know it ~ain’t quite~ that easy (for the folk that this is geared towards…)
I wouldn't be a fan of Tamiya if it weren't for the Lunchbox being my first in 1987. To this day it's still my favorite. Absolute blast to drive and provides hours of histerical lauging. If you find it lacking in precision or durability, you are missing the point entirely. If you want a Lunchbox to beat on and absolutely haul arse, get the MadVan VE. This Gorgon is a throw away toy.
Unfortunately, I have never had a Mad Van but I hear good things about them from owners. I was told you have to do a load of upgrades to make them reliable but once done it's a fantastic garden basher. I wouldn't say the Gorgon is throw away, its quality is fine and the simple box section chassis is simple and tough.
@@RCKickschannel I did all the upgrades just because I can at this point in my life. Were they needed? Definitely not. I've found the new Kyosho stuff to be pretty tough out of the box. My Mad Van and USA-1 have taken some massive crashes that would have broken my old Tamiyas easily. I admit calling the Gorgon "throw away" sounds extreme, but no Arrma RC is going to be sought after 10+ years down the road. They are good for what they are as a basic starter RC, but you either move on to Tamiya for the building and detail aspect of the hobby or one of the other brands for higher level bashing. I don't think it's a fair comparison, but I see the Lunchbox as an entry level Tamiya, but not an entry level RC if that makes sense. The antics it's designed to produce are not meant for entry level hands. BTW, thanks for your awesome channel. It's your fault I ordered the Optima Mid WC last week and it's always awesome to watch your builds.
I get it.... the Gorgon makes a lot of sense, it’s a lot of “bang for your buck” & very capable..... but that’s partly why i’d Go for the Tamiya. The Aarma is just too competent, part of the thrill of driving a Lunchbox is the fact that it’s so rubbish, it’s a challenge to control & rewarding as a result. The full construction element along with the realistic & highly detailed hard body are further reasons i’d choose Vanessa”s mode of transport 😉
While the Gorgon is technically a much better truck, the Lunchbox is iconic, always will be. Also, in 20-30 years time, will anyone fondly remember the Gorgon? NO, they won't, but the Lunchbox on the other hand......
Great vid Gav 👍, I think the Arrma is excellent value for money and way better than the Lunchbox, I've owned a lunchbox and they spend more time horizontal (on their side) than they should (also breaking the body mounts). Don't get me wrong, the Lunchbox is an amazing thing, however the Gorgon just seems better.
The Gorgon is nice but it definitely has problems. First impressions was great. Then i had steering servo saver problems. And still having peoblems with it steering cause the saver always kicks in. Second issue was the clutch constantly slipping. So obviously tighten the adjustment but it still slips like crazy. So in the you have to just tighten it right down. Which it slips again. And these problems were out of the box and still on-going. With no solution online or aftermarket parts to solve it. Body shell cracks easy where the solid plastic attaches to the shell.
So many RTR cars come with less than ideal servos, not sure why manufacturers don’t just fit appropriate servos but really it’s down to saving money, especially on ultra entry level price point products like the Gorgon. The slipper sounds like a strange one. Have you tried dismantling it to see what the pads are like? It might be worth swapping the pads out if some contaminants have gotten on the pads. That’s not expensive and the place I would start if it’s done up really tight but still slipping. I would also check that it was put together correctly as mistakes do happen in manufacturing so someone could have missed something small but important out. Polycarbonate bodies will always crack and it’s well worth doing the rubber glue and edge tap trick when you get a new body.
@@RCKickschannel Bang for buck I'm very impressed overall with the design. It's quick and strong. And for a novice it's perfect. No real adjustments an easy to work on. I don't regret getting it at all. Only other issue to watch out for is the screws for motor mounting can pull through the plastic. People over tighten them cause the motor can move. But I've used a fibre washers and haven't had that issue. I'm thinking one or two things. It was pulling wheelies when I first got it out of the box and the power surprised me. On the third battery it started slipping. Figured it needed adjustment but also check for contamination. But seem clean and not worn out. So adjusted but it carried on slipping. I eventually ran out of adjustment. Maybe the spring or clutch is weak. The servo saver issue seems similar a weak spring maybe. Couldn't get full range but found the servo was lose. It worked better but the servo saver kicks in at around ½ range out of the box. Anyways ordered new parts hopefully it solves the issues.
Arrma is owned by Horizon Hobby, though, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. You'll probably be able to find parts just fine for quite a while. Also, the Gorgon has been a huge hit, and a don't see it disappearing anytime soon, either.
I have a Tamiya lunchbox, it helps me to be a RC modeler, if you brag in urging us to stop buying Tamiya, is your choice. As for the Arrma Gorgon? I rather buy a Traxxas new Stampede.... I already had a Traxxas Rustler 4x4 I'm satisfied with it
I dont know why I never liked the lunchbox. It’s perfect for kids and small spaces it’s just not for me. The Gorgon will kill the lunchbox but it’s a RTR/RTB so I will never buy one I loath RTR kits. Your lovely UK weather is on par with my part of Canada. Love your vids it has helped me immensely right now.
Really enjoyed your channel. But don't agree with you on this one. Lunchbox has its faults, but it's like Sand Scorcher and a few others. In 10 years' time, I bet you still have a Lunchbox in your collection and that Gorgon will be long gone 😀
That English summers amazing, I might move from Malaysia to England 😂 The Gorgon is a good looking monster truck but I think your getting ripped off as thee truck and parts are not as expensive here sure cheap in the US.
I just put mine in would be an awesome new video I just blew out my brand new 13.5 justock hobby wing motor was gonna do an LEDs installation video but blew my motor made a loud pop sound and stunk up my hole room lol now I’m also with out a running Team associated T3 and will have to wait till next month for my new motor huh should have let my IT TECH best friend have a go at it hopefully your all good man all that rain and all not wanting you to get sick love your channel I will have a new video up soon can wait for it.
@@RCKickschannel I do not thick it is a option over the lunchbox or comparison for it. They are too completely different rigs and the gorgon body is terrible
Half the fun of Tamiya is you put it together yourself and paint it. You miss out on that part. when you buy a ready to run, you don't learn about how it works. I learned to soldier by having rc cars. If the cars in the 80s were R2R, I don't think thry would have been as popular.
Yep I agree, building a car helps you really understand what’s going on with it and you can then fix it yourself when it breaks. Unfortunately a large chunk of people lack the time to invest in a kit. I do like the ready to assemble idea Arrma did with the kit version as it’s a halfway option that only takes an hour. You can get a clear body to paint yourself so I guess it’s the best of both worlds.
i bought a traxxas maxx for my boys and realized its a bit much for them even with the low settings so im debating getting this for tthem seems like alot of people like it
I can't understand why they still put brushed motors in in this day and age. The cost difference between a brushed and a basic brushless is negligible.
Thats quite an unfair comparison. A better comparison would be the traxxas stampede 2wd, HPI jumpshot mt etc.. But sure, you can compare a lamborghini countach 1985 model to a 2024 model mclaren 750s. I think boht me and the kids would put our money on the mclaren. It does not mean the lambo is not a cool car. but its a car for nostalgic 50 year olds..
100% the LB is an icon and really yes, the people who should be purchasing the Lunchbox are the older vintage lovers that remember it fondly. For younger children the Lunchbox has just become so vintage, you can get far superior offerings for the same or less money these days and the Gorgon shows just how far the LB has fallen behind. A few people have commented an interesting point, will we remember the Gorgon in five years while the LB has been going strong for decades? 🤔
@@RCKickschannel I don't no. Maybe for a generation when they turn 50, if it sells really well? its hard to tell what cars goes leconic in 5 years. I am a old kyosho/Tamiya guy your age. But I see the old HPI Savage 25 and Traxxas Tmaxx nitro trucks is icons to some folks that had their golden age during that time. The first Traxxas slash's is another one that I think will turn iconic. But who knows.. I have no knowlege about Arrma. They are cool cars, I just have not got around to them yet. So I have no experience with the brand.. I liked your video though...
i think you missed the point of the lunchbox, its more of a collectable than a good driving rc truck, the gorgon and lunchbox aren't even in the same class
@@RCKickschannel yeah if its all about money i guess they are both cheep, but one is very durable, modern and can handle a brushless motor with 4 wheel independent double wishbone suspension and the lunchbox isn't
🤷🏼♂️ No master plan. Sometimes buses just come along together in two and threes. Not planned that way, it just does. Right guess what’s next? Trickbits build time!
Not a fan? I really like it myself. The graphics are not too OTT, the colours are vibrant and I like the chassis parts that match. Some say it looks a bit generic.
The Gorgon is Great! The LunchBox is basically the Morris Minor of the RC World. The Gorgon will come and go and be forgotten, the LunchBox will Always be Fondly Remembered and Is Timeless!
You said it best, my friend!
Not sure that's entirely fair to Morris Minors.
A school friend of mine had one as his first car in 1990.
1000cc and 135 section tyres. It was rather amusing watching it drifting around roundabouts in the wet, at 15mph.
It looked like a lot more fun than the Lunchbox.
@@cogboy302 it was a first car for most people, just like the LunchBox was a First RC for some.
@@Farney-gy1qo, not me. 1984 Tamiya Frog. Built it myself, aged 12. Still got it.
@@cogboy302 my first RC in the late 80's was the Thunder Dragon, I've still got bits of it. I've owned a Morris Traveler, although my first car was a 2cv.
From a driving point of view The Gorgon definitely is much more durable and looks more fun to run. but in the looks department The Lunchbox is a clear winner. This Arma car is in those new ugly boring stylish look. Put The Lunchbox body on the Arma car and you have the best of both worlds.
You can't beat the Lunchbox hardbody for looks though, the Gorgon's is just a jellymold in comparison.
Agreed😂😂😂
Exactly
I still take the lunch box, I have the black one, I did the front suspension with all metal parts, to tightening it up. Better motor, oil metal shock, it run and handles great.
I love my launch box, would not treat it.
20 years from now, the Lunchbox will still be cool, and the Gorgon will not be remembered.
The Lunchbox is a legendary truck for its fun nature! I own lipo powered trucks that go 70 plus but for fun I break out the Lunchbox, it never disappoints!!!
The lunchbox is a classic, like an original VW beetle. The Gorgon is like the new beetle. They look similar, but the new one does everything so much better. I'd still rather have the old classic Beetle.
Brilliant video! We have been robbed of a summer so far in the UK and it makes our job so much harder! The gorgon is a great truck but let down by parts shortages and stupid pricing of parts. The US market doesn't seem to be having an issue it seems to be a Europe only thing. This needs to get better. The GROM range is also a problem. Expensive parts and upgrade and shortages of the actual cars again. It seems to be ARRMA's way of milking as much money out of the consumer as possible. Something i am finding harder and harder to support... Great vid gav!
The Gorgon is a prebuilt "toy" though. Kids will learn nothing about how RC cars work from it.
The Lunch Box is a rite of passage for kids. My niece built hers age 9 and it still works really well :)
Lunch Boc £175 all in, Gorgon £150 +charger, so much the same.
Yep. Lunchbox is a title more with paints and bearings but it’s in the same ballpark
The lunchbox is terrible at everything yet still desirable. Handling, durability and overall performance are not terms you use with a lunchbox. Yet some of us got one in the 90s and another..and another. Then another for the kids. Respect to the gorgon it does do everything right for the money. You can just buy both
I can see the appeal of the Gorgon to a newcomer, modern looks, better performance and ready to run. I think most kids just want to drive it, unless your parents are into the rc scene. Then building it will be a factor. But the lunch box has been around for ages, has a huge fanbase and lots of hop ups. But i can see the Gorgan doing well esp for newbies.
I remember as a 13 year old kid going to our track on raceday with my jrx2 and seeing a field full of lunchboxes black foots, frogs and grasshoppers, happy times😂
Very interesting video. The Gorgon certainly looks like it handles and performs like a modern RC and is great value for money. I can completely see it providing huge amounts of fun. It might well be a better option for youngsters getting into the hobby but like a lot of modern RC cars they just lack any character and are rather souless. The old Tamiya stuff like the LB, Pumpkin, King Cab, Monster Beetle etc were not just a big part of RC history but a massive element of the 80s in general. It's like real cars, would it be sensible for me to buy a new Mini or a classic Mini? The new one for sure, reliable, mod cons, performance etc but I'd rather have an 80s Mini Mayfair that needs a peg to hold the choke out. Keep up the great work Gav.
People buy the Lunchbox because its iconic, fun and easy to build. Having a Gorgon myself (RTA), i can say that its a better RC than a Lunchbox. But in reality, its up to you what you want to spend your money on: something thats better or something thats iconic. I"ll take both, lol. I do need a Lunchbox in my stable, right next to my Clod, Kingcab and Mudblaster/blackfoot.
Yep that sums it up nicely. I used to recommend a Lunchbox for younger kids and that’s why my daughter had one when she was five, but things have moved on so far now for what you can get for the same money. I still think every vintage RC fan needs a LB in the collection.
The Gorgon is for people who want to drive fast and break their RC car on a concrete ramp at a skatepark. The Lunchbox is for those that appreciate the scale detail and character of a hard body and understand that higher speed doesn't necessarily mean more fun.
I’m some would agree with you and others wouldn’t but it’s an interesting comment / opinion 👍🏻👍🏻
I've come to accept it a tamiya is about the expierience building it then bringing it to life. Its a very different type of ownership. I have a midnight pumpkin and it's actually my main runner. I'm not brutal with it but not exactly easy either. It's a very fun truck though. I did a CRP upper lower arm conversion on the front but I screwed the geometry up so it steers terribly. Eventually I'll fix it but the truck is a blast and my dogs love to chase it.
@@mrlt1 Yes, I agree. I bought an XR311 re-re just because I appreciated the fact that it was Tamiya's first off-road RC car. Driving wise it is fragile and not very good but then I decided to actually make it reasonably good to drive by fitting exquisite metal parts. I look at it and marvel at the quality of the engineering. It is like a piece of artwork! Of course I appreciate that the Gorgon is a good machine but it has a flappy thin plastic body and in a few years it will be forgotten.
I'll stick with my Lunch Box, thank you.
The Lunchbox has a definite retro appeal, but the Gorgon is 30+ years of development and technology. We're loving ours!
Great comment, sums it up well :)
I'm sure the Gorgon is a great rc but when it's long forgotten the Lunchbox will still be around!
This could be the case yes. So far it’s been super popular but will it stand the test of time? 🤷🏼♂️
Love that the family enjoys RCing!
I do have decent amount of different RC from retro to modern, i will still buy the gorgon because of the chassis design, value and specially durability, (not shelf queen) the less i spend on a project and less repair always will be the winner for me, any beginner and pro will love it for the many upgrade, it handling pretty good for a 2wd, as for the lunch box it will be definitely a good display piece, the awesome hard body design and over all look, i would hope Tamiya replace the plastic chassis with newer tougher plastics (this will probably change my mind about it), this lunch box is best suited for collectible display only (without the tons of upgrades), but if i going to use it more, definitely not a great investment for me.
The Gorgon is the best budget 2WD basher out there, parts yeah, stupid prices, I bought a second blue one with my ready to assemble precisely because of parts prices and availability!
And I was going to make it brushless so knew I would almost certainly break something.
But as yet, the only thing I broke has been the servo saver!
Gorgon is apparently pretty damn tough. Hard to break.
I got one of these a couple of weeks ago after deliberating a lot and I don't regret it. They are awesome and so much fun mate. We even take them around the Rochester RC Track for giggles. Great video buddy.
For the money, I’m shocked how much you get with the Gorgon.
@@RCKickschannel yeah absolutely mate. Shame about the parts... 😆
Tamiya RC's aren't usually the best at anything but are a fun build and endearing. Whatever you buy, if you have the choice of preassembled or a kit, get the kit, its a huge part of the rc experience.
I have both! Love them both! Excellent video Gav, love seeing you and the family out!
Thank you for this video. I may be alone on this but that Gorgon body looks awesome. Reminds me of a Dakar car. Lunchbox is as I recall, 1/12 while the Gorgon is 1/10. I think the bigger and wider Gorgon would handle better. What country is Arrma? Never heard of them. Bottom line I would accept the Gorgon as a gift, and if I had the money give one away to a younger relative or friend's kid as a gift. It's a fresh product that delivers.
The Lunchbox has what very few RC cars do these days.
Character and history.
Ive bought a few RCs that were better than Tamiyas, and in every case I ended up saying to myself "shoulda just bought another Tamiya POS. smdh what was i thinking?"
Gorgon does look like a great truck though. But you know what looks even better? JConcepts 85 Aerostar Clod body (and their Golden 73 tires if you want to go crazy)
I think the Gorgon is more comparable to the 2wd stampede.
I feel like Arrma looked at the pede and though “how can we modernize this” and that’s when the Gorgon was born
Good point
That’s what I thought when I looked at it very stampede like , the gorgon is based on a previous Arrma model just beefed up
A bit and a redesigned battery compartment , better shocks , diffs etc ( from memory)
Don't have a Gorgon, but I did recently buy a Senton. That charger is awful and the Spectrum "smart" battery stuff is frustrating. I would recommend getting a kit without the charger and battery and spending the money on a good third party charger and battery instead. Will cost more at first, but it's a much better investment.
The lunchbox is still king even 37 years later. Yes 37 years and still the most sought after rc. The kyosho madvan tried it and failed and so does this. The lunchbox is simple and right to the point bashing fun. Its like real cars yes newer models have all these bells and whistles but nothing grabs your attention like a oldschool and nothing can compare to how it feels to drive one.
What is your take on the AE Monster Van I just reviewed on the show?
I learned a long time ago when you're buying a chinese-made product that it's simply better for your price per dollar to buy a second one for your parts car.
Very cool review. I do not own either one of those.
Had a lunchbox back in the day “it was terrible “ 😆 cool looking but it didn’t turn in and if it did hook up and turn it would just roll over
Watching this video would suggest your actually more local to me than I thought 👍
My first proper RC car was a Tamiya Frog. An early one I got in 1984, and still own.
I bought a 2nd hand Monster Beetle from a friend. It was spectacularly underwhelming, and made a mockery of the ORV chassis. I sold it on after a few months and about 100 steering servo savers, which it broke for fun.
Love my Frog and it drives way better than expected.
@@RCKickschannel, I raced my Frog indoors, on wood floors, in 1990 - 91. It was already 8 years old when I started racing it.
Everyone else was running Manta Ray hybrids, with lots of RW Racing upgrade parts, and then the Top Force, when it was released. Most of the other guys racing didn't even know what the Frog was.
Eventually during a heat it got pushed into a wall, and the chassis snapped in two behind the front suspension.
Retired it and decided to try race a Wild One against the 4WD cars.
I didn't have money to buy a new car, plus my Dad wouldn't let me buy another RC car. I had two, which was one too many as far as he was concerned.
Rebuilt the Frog in 2000, with obsolete NOS parts I had collected from Model Shops around the UK during the 1990s. I have a new, unpainted original body and two sets of original Frog decals knocking about.
Left the Frog on display in my parent's office at their home in Ireland.
Now also got a NIB Frog re-re. Will build it some day.
My Mum died Friday week ago, and I was back in Ireland for her funeral.
I brought my original Frog back over to England yesterday.
Trip down memory lane.
The original body has holes in it where a neighbour's Cocker Spaniel took a dislike to the car, bit it, and ran off with it in it's mouth.
And it has Ghostbusters stickers on the body shell, - the first Ghostbusters film was released in 1984 too.
I’m not an RTR kind myself, for me part of the fun has always been the build/paint, but I understand it’s a huge market (of course the LB is available RTR too in the XB series). But if I were to be in that market I wish there was the option of a stick-type controller. The Lunchbox was one of my early cars, now fully restored, and I loved it but they are getting very long in the tooth now. Thanks for another video!
Yep! Absolutely love my Gorgon!! Just as I did my LunchBox back in the day!! Great stuff man 🤙🏼 Lovin the content Buddy!!👍🏼
I was thinking the madvan is a little bit closer but it's pretty cool video though
I zip-tied an old red RadioShack Tremor body to my gorgon chassis and I couldn't be happier.
There is just something about the Gorgon that is really appealing. I think you hit the nail on the head...it IS the 'new Lunchbox'! Not as characterful as the Lunchbox but infinitely more capable out of the box.
I agree. Some are not keen on the Gorgon look, but personally I like the way it looks. I’ve even put in an order for another body colour set. I’m just so surprised you can get one for that kind of money.
The Gorgon looks like a ‘gorgon’, don’t look at it too long or you may turn to stone…
@@RCKickschannel I wonder if there is a van body that would fit the Gorgon wheelbase...drive the point home with an Arrma Lunchbox...or would that be an Arrma TV dinner? 😜
Dont forget , you need bearings / Decent shocks / All the electrics and Paint for the body with the Lunchbox !
Yes you sure do and that racks up 👍🏻
I had a lunch box as a kid in the 90s and its unbelievable just how tiny it is when your holding it here.
Great video and comparison. I love them both but I need to win that Gorgan so I can 4s it! Thanks for all the great content!
RC Kicks really on that anti-Tamiya Kick. 😂
Yep it looks that way lol. Not planned at all but it’s all come at once for some random reason. Next I move onto the Trickbits build so a more positive endeavour.
@@RCKickschannel Well, it is one way of getting good views on a Gorgon review! It’s a great truck, but the pre-release reviews just about saturated the search results on RUclips.
Could do with a barebones gordon so you can use all your own gear and not be limited to the apple only deal
This is like comparing apples to asparagus
I would say yes and also no.
The gorgon reminds me more on the kyosho hi- rider corvette, or similar chassis, than the lunch box
Crackin' video Gav, Ah put th steel idler gear an diff in mine...
Do you have a link? After giving the Gorgon a good six packs and some hard abuse, I want to dig into it and see how things held up. I might as well upgrade some parts as I will be running it as my personal little park basher
Look vise still LaunchBox❤
Haha poor Gav, you struggled a lot with the rain and the sliding box xD I really want a Gorgon. Cheap enough to buy without crying. We'll see what the summer has in store.. :P
My only gripe is that they sell a cool pink extra body with the colored plastic parts in a matching color. But they don't sell the pink one as a truck :(
It has to be said, but the Lunchbox is really just a Hornet on stilts. And it handles like that too.
From what I've seen of the Gorgon, it's very planted by comparison and doesn't have any of the Lunchboxes weird geometry/dynamics.
I've never had a Lunchbox and have never had the desire to get one. It came out down here in Aus just after the Monster Beetle, and I think the disappointment I had in that car rubbed off on the Lunchbox.
I think you should do a rc kicks meet at a track with all the you tubers as I believe they all have one bring to life truck racing (gorgon the gathering)
We have done a few already. You can find them in the RCKicks video back catalog along with another 800 plus RC videos now 👍🏻
it's hard to beat the raw charm of the lunchbox, might be fun to slap a lunchbox inspired van body on the gorgon some time
You know, that’s what I was thinking and I tried it. Doesn’t fit that well but the Team Associated RC10T2 bodies does!
That’s the skate park Kev was always at!!!
Yep just down the road from me
No comparison one is a hobby grade kit that has stood the test of time. The other just a Walmart truck you change parts on.
The gorgon and the lunchbox are cheaper in the USA. The gorgon with battery is 169 plus the plethora of coupons and discounts available on our USA website you can get it for $154. Our USA dollar always seems to buy you more then pounds. How much does an iPhone cost ya guys in the uk? Alot more then we get it for
Everything in the UK costs more than the US apart from our mobile phone contracts for some random reason. The issue has become worse as the UK pound is almost at its lowest vs the dollar since 1985! This drives up already high import prices.
That title is fighting words!!!!! And by the end of the video, I ,"Also" , and "in addition to" the Lunch box, want a Gorgon. Damn you, sir!
LOL it’s Ok, you can like them both. I’m surprised at the Gorgan for the price point. If Arrma sorts its part prices out and parts availability outside the US, it would make it even stronger a beginner choice.
@RCKickschannel I actually only buy Arrma for my younger brother. He lives in Florida, where there is no issue with parts at all. He is also the ," can only run them, not really fix them." Kinda guy. It's a fantastic choice for the not so mechanically inclined.
The buid of the Gorgon chassis reminds me of the DT-03. The last DT03 I saw on Amazon was £64, i think I'd rather order two of those for skatepark bashing, knowing I've still saved a lot of money.
But my question is this, if I want a van for bashing, how does the Gorgon conpare to tge the Squash van for durability and bashability?
I wouldn’t take a DT03 to a skatepark if I was you, even if you have two. 100% same goes for the Squash Van. These would be really bad choices vs more modern Arrma and Traxxas offerings. Tamiya are best in the garden blasting around
@@RCKickschannel The DT-03T has stood up alright at the local skatepark, but the Lunchbox is much more fun over the ramps.
But its an arrma leaking shocks included and 48P gears so they strip when sand gets in the NONSEEALED GEAR BOX on each run happened to all 3 of my arrmas Don't get me started on the steering servo and ESC
Is the newer version of the lunchbox smaller in scale compared to the original? Or was it just because I was a kid it seemed bigger?
The one in the video is the one you had back in the day.
“Just slap a Lipo in it”, then hurls a Lipo with a deans connector on it… You and I both know it ~ain’t quite~ that easy (for the folk that this is geared towards…)
Love the Gorgan and love the channel. look forward to the next one.👍👍
I wouldn't be a fan of Tamiya if it weren't for the Lunchbox being my first in 1987. To this day it's still my favorite. Absolute blast to drive and provides hours of histerical lauging. If you find it lacking in precision or durability, you are missing the point entirely. If you want a Lunchbox to beat on and absolutely haul arse, get the MadVan VE. This Gorgon is a throw away toy.
Unfortunately, I have never had a Mad Van but I hear good things about them from owners. I was told you have to do a load of upgrades to make them reliable but once done it's a fantastic garden basher. I wouldn't say the Gorgon is throw away, its quality is fine and the simple box section chassis is simple and tough.
@@RCKickschannel I did all the upgrades just because I can at this point in my life. Were they needed? Definitely not. I've found the new Kyosho stuff to be pretty tough out of the box. My Mad Van and USA-1 have taken some massive crashes that would have broken my old Tamiyas easily. I admit calling the Gorgon "throw away" sounds extreme, but no Arrma RC is going to be sought after 10+ years down the road. They are good for what they are as a basic starter RC, but you either move on to Tamiya for the building and detail aspect of the hobby or one of the other brands for higher level bashing. I don't think it's a fair comparison, but I see the Lunchbox as an entry level Tamiya, but not an entry level RC if that makes sense. The antics it's designed to produce are not meant for entry level hands. BTW, thanks for your awesome channel. It's your fault I ordered the Optima Mid WC last week and it's always awesome to watch your builds.
That intro is great works !
I absolutely love the look of the Gorgon, but, boy!!! Are parts expensive!!! 🤷🏻♂️
I get it.... the Gorgon makes a lot of sense, it’s a lot of “bang for your buck” & very capable..... but that’s partly why i’d Go for the Tamiya. The Aarma is just too competent, part of the thrill of driving a Lunchbox is the fact that it’s so rubbish, it’s a challenge to control & rewarding as a result. The full construction element along with the realistic & highly detailed hard body are further reasons i’d choose Vanessa”s mode of transport 😉
While the Gorgon is technically a much better truck, the Lunchbox is iconic, always will be. Also, in 20-30 years time, will anyone fondly remember the Gorgon? NO, they won't, but the Lunchbox on the other hand......
You make a good point
I wish Tamiya will open their shops in INDIA in 2050
If I win the raffle, I want mine fully signed body. Ill just buy another body for bashing.
100% thant can be done :)
Very cool comparison 👍 stay dry out there! 😁🫡
LOL
ok i get but let’s see if the gorgon lasts the test of time like the lunchbox has ask me again in 20years lol
That is a very good point
Fantastic review. That looks like good fun!
Great vid Gav 👍, I think the Arrma is excellent value for money and way better than the Lunchbox, I've owned a lunchbox and they spend more time horizontal (on their side) than they should (also breaking the body mounts). Don't get me wrong, the Lunchbox is an amazing thing, however the Gorgon just seems better.
The Gorgon is nice but it definitely has problems. First impressions was great. Then i had steering servo saver problems. And still having peoblems with it steering cause the saver always kicks in.
Second issue was the clutch constantly slipping. So obviously tighten the adjustment but it still slips like crazy. So in the you have to just tighten it right down. Which it slips again. And these problems were out of the box and still on-going.
With no solution online or aftermarket parts to solve it. Body shell cracks easy where the solid plastic attaches to the shell.
So many RTR cars come with less than ideal servos, not sure why manufacturers don’t just fit appropriate servos but really it’s down to saving money, especially on ultra entry level price point products like the Gorgon. The slipper sounds like a strange one. Have you tried dismantling it to see what the pads are like? It might be worth swapping the pads out if some contaminants have gotten on the pads. That’s not expensive and the place I would start if it’s done up really tight but still slipping. I would also check that it was put together correctly as mistakes do happen in manufacturing so someone could have missed something small but important out. Polycarbonate bodies will always crack and it’s well worth doing the rubber glue and edge tap trick when you get a new body.
@@RCKickschannel Bang for buck I'm very impressed overall with the design. It's quick and strong. And for a novice it's perfect. No real adjustments an easy to work on. I don't regret getting it at all. Only other issue to watch out for is the screws for motor mounting can pull through the plastic. People over tighten them cause the motor can move. But I've used a fibre washers and haven't had that issue.
I'm thinking one or two things.
It was pulling wheelies when I first got it out of the box and the power surprised me.
On the third battery it started slipping. Figured it needed adjustment but also check for contamination. But seem clean and not worn out. So adjusted but it carried on slipping. I eventually ran out of adjustment.
Maybe the spring or clutch is weak.
The servo saver issue seems similar a weak spring maybe. Couldn't get full range but found the servo was lose. It worked better but the servo saver kicks in at around ½ range out of the box. Anyways ordered new parts hopefully it solves the issues.
Why does it require a prom code in order to enter the Raffle?
I'd bet money the Gorgon gets discontinued first, with zero parts support!
I would have to agree with you on that one
Arrma is owned by Horizon Hobby, though, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. You'll probably be able to find parts just fine for quite a while. Also, the Gorgon has been a huge hit, and a don't see it disappearing anytime soon, either.
Why not just stick the lunchbox shell on the gorgon 👍
I tried it and it's too short.
Isn't this amazing I'm wearing my pink shirt and u have the pink lunch box with the family
Is it though? It's more comparable to the Traxxas Stampede IMO.
I have a Tamiya lunchbox, it helps me to be a RC modeler, if you brag in urging us to stop buying Tamiya, is your choice. As for the Arrma Gorgon? I rather buy a Traxxas new Stampede.... I already had a Traxxas Rustler 4x4 I'm satisfied with it
Although I'm a big lunchbox fan, I probably would have raised my hand too for the Gorgon…nice one!
I dont know why I never liked the lunchbox. It’s perfect for kids and small spaces it’s just not for me. The Gorgon will kill the lunchbox but it’s a RTR/RTB so I will never buy one I loath RTR kits. Your lovely UK weather is on par with my part of Canada. Love your vids it has helped me immensely right now.
Is the lower the turn motor meant to be faster?
Yep low turn faste the faster
Would the Blackfoot / Monster beetle not be a better comparison.
Or even a Tamiya WT-01 chassis. 😀😀
@@Alan-cg8gxWt-01 is discontinued
@@adrianharrison5208 yes but it's still a newer better designed chassis than a Lunchbox. 🚙
Compairing a Lunchbox vs Gorgon is like a Milk float vs Tesla.
Really enjoyed your channel. But don't agree with you on this one. Lunchbox has its faults, but it's like Sand Scorcher and a few others. In 10 years' time, I bet you still have a Lunchbox in your collection and that Gorgon will be long gone 😀
You make an interesting point. The Lunchbox is more than the sum of its parts that’s for sure an an Icon. Will the Gorgon stand the test of time? 🤔
That English summers amazing, I might move from Malaysia to England 😂 The Gorgon is a good looking monster truck but I think your getting ripped off as thee truck and parts are not as expensive here sure cheap in the US.
Welcome to the UK everything is more expensive
I’d love to win won.
Hope you got your free ticket 👍🏻
I just put mine in would be an awesome new video I just blew out my brand new 13.5 justock hobby wing motor was gonna do an LEDs installation video but blew my motor made a loud pop sound and stunk up my hole room lol now I’m also with out a running Team associated T3 and will have to wait till next month for my new motor huh should have let my IT TECH best friend have a go at it hopefully your all good man all that rain and all not wanting you to get sick love your channel I will have a new video up soon can wait for it.
KYOSHO MADVAN EVEN BETTER. tamiya lunchbox forever, history on its side.
The problem with the gorgon is it is fugly
I really like it. What didn’t you like about it?
@@RCKickschannel I do not thick it is a option over the lunchbox or comparison for it. They are too completely different rigs and the gorgon body is terrible
Half the fun of Tamiya is you put it together yourself and paint it. You miss out on that part. when you buy a ready to run, you don't learn about how it works. I learned to soldier by having rc cars. If the cars in the 80s were R2R, I don't think thry would have been as popular.
Yep I agree, building a car helps you really understand what’s going on with it and you can then fix it yourself when it breaks. Unfortunately a large chunk of people lack the time to invest in a kit. I do like the ready to assemble idea Arrma did with the kit version as it’s a halfway option that only takes an hour. You can get a clear body to paint yourself so I guess it’s the best of both worlds.
i bought a traxxas maxx for my boys and realized its a bit much for them even with the low settings so im debating getting this for tthem seems like alot of people like it
Yep the Maxx is a bit spicy for younger drivers. The Gorgon is spot on and not as heavy.
Nice, I see you do your own stunt 😂
Yep and people think I use stunt doubles 🤷🏼♂️
I can't understand why they still put brushed motors in in this day and age. The cost difference between a brushed and a basic brushless is negligible.
Because giving a beginner or a kid a 30 - 40mph brushless car isn't the greatest idea
@@professional_hater885
Maybe a 380 brushless would be a good compromise. Still cheap, reasonable speed and power, with brushless low maintenance
@@professional_hater885 who said anything about sticking a 40mph one in?
@@KT_One exactly
WHERE'S THE 10 SCALE LBOX...THAT'S THE ONE...
Gorgan or a Squash van? 😎😎😎😎
Thats quite an unfair comparison. A better comparison would be the traxxas stampede 2wd, HPI jumpshot mt etc..
But sure, you can compare a lamborghini countach 1985 model to a 2024 model mclaren 750s. I think boht me and the kids would put our money on the mclaren. It does not mean the lambo is not a cool car. but its a car for nostalgic 50 year olds..
100% the LB is an icon and really yes, the people who should be purchasing the Lunchbox are the older vintage lovers that remember it fondly. For younger children the Lunchbox has just become so vintage, you can get far superior offerings for the same or less money these days and the Gorgon shows just how far the LB has fallen behind. A few people have commented an interesting point, will we remember the Gorgon in five years while the LB has been going strong for decades? 🤔
@@RCKickschannel I don't no. Maybe for a generation when they turn 50, if it sells really well? its hard to tell what cars goes leconic in 5 years. I am a old kyosho/Tamiya guy your age. But I see the old HPI Savage 25 and Traxxas Tmaxx nitro trucks is icons to some folks that had their golden age during that time. The first Traxxas slash's is another one that I think will turn iconic. But who knows..
I have no knowlege about Arrma. They are cool cars, I just have not got around to them yet. So I have no experience with the brand..
I liked your video though...
i think you missed the point of the lunchbox, its more of a collectable than a good driving rc truck, the gorgon and lunchbox aren't even in the same class
Modern Interpretation. Low budget, monster truck style 2WD van for having fun in the garden. 🤷🏼♂️
@@RCKickschannel yeah if its all about money i guess they are both cheep, but one is very durable, modern and can handle a brushless motor with 4 wheel independent double wishbone suspension and the lunchbox isn't
I see what you are doing....careful bro 😎 it may backfire 😂
🤷🏼♂️ No master plan. Sometimes buses just come along together in two and threes. Not planned that way, it just does. Right guess what’s next? Trickbits build time!
I live in athailand 😢
The fact it is “better” than a lunchbox is the reason it is not…..
Now that is a good point. Can something really be better than the sum of its parts? 100%
Wetness
100%! LOL Never seen anything like it!
That has to be one of the UGLIEST RC's of all time.
Not a fan? I really like it myself. The graphics are not too OTT, the colours are vibrant and I like the chassis parts that match. Some say it looks a bit generic.