Navy Diver
Dec 15, 2004, 02:00 AM
!Introduction
| spec2
| @913314
|> <b>Length:</b> |< 8.6"
|> <b>Width:</b> |< 7"
|> <b>Wheelbase:</b> |< 5.6"
|> <b>Height:</b> |< 3.25"
|> <b>Steering:</b> |< Proportional and adjustable
|> <b>Throttle:</b> |< Proportional with brake
|> <b>Transmitter:</b> |< Pistol grip digital proportional w/servo reverse and dual steering rate (27MHz), Incl.
|> <b>Receiver:</b> |< Included
|> <b>Batteries:</b> |< 12 Alkaline required
|> <b>Motor:</b> |< RS-280 type
|> <b>Suspension:</b> |< Independent front and rear A-arm
|> <b>Drive Train:</b> |< Gear-driven transmission with slipper clutch
|> <b>Tire Type:</b> |< Rubber ribbed tread w/ foam inserts (front), Rubber Mini-pin tread w/ foam inserts (rear)
|> <b>Manufacturer:</b> |< <a href=http://www.teamlosi.com>Team Losi</a>
|> <b>Available From:</b> |< <a href=http://www.horizonhobby.com>Horizon Hobby</a>
@913315:The perfect size to fit under the Christmas tree.
@913316:The complete RTR truck is safely packaged in a small box that can carry as a travel case.
Have you heard the expression that big things come in small packages? That is definitely the case with Team Losi's Mini-T. Team Losi, a division of Horizon Hobbies, has really come up big with it's little truck. The Mini-T is patterned after the highly successful XXX-T Matt Francis National Champion race truck. But don't let the size of this truck fool you - it is loaded with big time features. The transmission has a heavy-duty gear differential and precision ball bearings, the suspension includes four independent friction shocks, and it has disc-type racing wheels and hi-traction rubber tires.
!Box Contents and Features
@913317:Here is how everything looks straight out of the package.
When I unpacked my Mini-T, I was very impressed with the quality of workmanship that went into the design. Just like the larger 1/10 scale Triple XT, the Mini-T has a molded chassis. The electronics were mounted in the middle of the chassis over the battery holder. The ESC/receiver unit, with its integrated heat sink, pivoted out of the way for battery installation. The receiver contained a 27mHz crystal that can be changed out to enable racing with other Mini-T's. The stock battery holder was designed for 4 alkaline cells, but there was room for an after-market 6 cell Nicad or NiMH or Lithium Polymer battery packs.
<b>NOTE: If you decide to use Lithium Polymer batteries, you must watch the voltage closely to prevent damaging the cells.</b>
@913318:The ESC/Receiver unit sat in the middle of the chassis.
@913319:Here is a closeup of the ESC/Receiver unit.The battery cover was secured at the front by a small cotter pin, just like used on the body mount.
@913320:This shows the top of the steering servo and the battery hold down clip.
The motor and drive train are at the rear of the truck. The transmission gears are on ball bearings, while the wheels all ride on plastic bushings. The shock towers are mounted to the front and rear by four and three screws respectively, and the friction shocks connect the shock towers to the A-arms.
@913321:The front shock tower is mounted with 4 screws to the front bulkhead. The camber of the front wheels is controlled by the threaded rods.
@913322:A closeup look at the rear motor mount, shock tower and gearbox cover.
I found that even with the largest spacers that come with the kit, the shocks still felt mushy. Camber of the front and rear wheels is controlled by the threaded links connecting the front or rear bulkhead to the spindle carrier or rear hub. Toe in of the front wheels is controlled by the threaded steering rods.
@913323:Shocks positions are adjustable on the A-arms and spacers are available to adjust the ride. Even with the largest spacers, the shocks still felt mushy.
@913324:Note the steering and throttle trim knobs on the front of the transmitter and the steering dual rate knob on top.
The 27 mHz AM transmitter that was included features servo reversing for the steering and throttle. It also had knobs for adjusting the steering and throttle trims. One feature I particularly liked was the third knob on top of the transmitter that controls the steering dual rate. By rotating the knob, I controled how far the wheels turned in each direction.
!Road and Track Report
@913325:The Mini-T ready to rumble!
In less time than it takes to read this you can be racing around inside your house with your Mini-T. All that is required is purchasing and installing 12 AA alkaline batteries (8 for the transmitter and 4 for the truck). When it comes to "toys", I have found there are 2 kinds of people. The first type likes to completely read the operators manual to get a thorough understanding before trying anything new. The second type says "to heck" with the manual, let's run it now and figure out the details later. I am afraid I normally fall into the second category. That being said, it was about 3 minutes from the time I opened the box until I was racing around the house with the Mini-T. Everyday object were suddenly my obstacle course as I raced through the kitchen, weaving in and out of chairs and stools; bounced onto the carpet in the den and chased the dog in circles; out through the door to the front hallway skidding across the hardwood floor, then into the dining room for more weaving in and out under the table before completing the circle and heading back into the kitchen.
It didn't take much of this before I got "that look" from my lovely wife that says, "Take it outside, or else." So, I did. Zoom, out of the garage and down the driveway, out into the street for a speed run, then more slaloming in and out of the parked cars before heading onto the sidewalk and back into the driveway. Can you tell I was having fun? Both my sons were begging for a turn, so I reluctantly handed over the controller and went to look for objects to use as obstacles and jumps. We set up a small track in the street in front of our house with bumps and jumps and proceeded to run the first set of batteries down. We got about 35 minutes of fun from the first 4 cell pack and I decided we needed more power (can you hear the grunting in the background?). I dipped into my airplane supplies and came up with a two cell Apogee 1050 Lithium Polymer battery pack that fit with room to spare in the battery compartment of the truck. The voltage increase from 4.8 to 7.4 was immediately apparent by the increase in speed now available. Our fun meter was definitely pegged. Our next adventure was to take the Mini-T to a local BMX track and see how much fun we could have. The first video below shows the Mini-T in my son's hands, handling the track just like it's big brother would. The second video shows the Mini-T racing up and down the hallway at work. It the perfect way to alleviate that workday stress. Or you and some coworkers can race each other for title of "King of the Hall." The six frequency options mean you can organize a regular grand prix.
!!Hits
*
*Only minutes from the box to running
*Exceptional handling
*Quick and responsive
*Adjustable rate steering
*Six frequency choices with interchangable crystals
*Lots of hop-ups available for those who can't leave well enough alone
!!Misses
*
*The combined receiver/ESC means both pieces have to be replaced for any serious upgrades to the steering or for a brushless motor upgrade.
!!Recommendations
While the Mini-T is a blast straight out of the box, there are a few small upgrades that can make a huge difference in performance.
The first is to upgrade the battery to a 6 cell Nicad or NiMH pack or a 2 cell Lithium Polymer pack. <b>NOTE: If you chose to use Lithium Polymer batteries, you must closely monitor the pack voltage to prevent damaging the cells.</b>
Second, I would replace the wheel bushing with bearings, making the wheels spin easier.
Third, and finally I would upgrade to oil filled shocks to improve the ride.
@913326:I'll meet you at the track!
!Video
+913327:A young, rookie driver runs the Mini-T through its paces at a local BMX track.
+913328:The Mini-T dominates the hallways at work - ready to take on any and all challengers!
!Coming Soon
Up next is a brushless upgrade to the Mini-T using a Castle Creations Mamba brushless motor package. Check back here on <a href="http://www.rcpowermag.com">RC Power</a> over the next few weeks to see the result. (<i>When the article is available, a link will be added here directly to it for you!</i>)
!Conclusion
The Team Losi Mini-T gives big truck performance in a little package. It's hard to believe the level of quality packed into such a small frame. It can be run inside or outdoors and handles all the punishment you want to dish out. The quick setup makes it a perfect Chrismas morning surprise for the novice or experienced R/C modeler alike.
| spec2
| @913314
|> <b>Length:</b> |< 8.6"
|> <b>Width:</b> |< 7"
|> <b>Wheelbase:</b> |< 5.6"
|> <b>Height:</b> |< 3.25"
|> <b>Steering:</b> |< Proportional and adjustable
|> <b>Throttle:</b> |< Proportional with brake
|> <b>Transmitter:</b> |< Pistol grip digital proportional w/servo reverse and dual steering rate (27MHz), Incl.
|> <b>Receiver:</b> |< Included
|> <b>Batteries:</b> |< 12 Alkaline required
|> <b>Motor:</b> |< RS-280 type
|> <b>Suspension:</b> |< Independent front and rear A-arm
|> <b>Drive Train:</b> |< Gear-driven transmission with slipper clutch
|> <b>Tire Type:</b> |< Rubber ribbed tread w/ foam inserts (front), Rubber Mini-pin tread w/ foam inserts (rear)
|> <b>Manufacturer:</b> |< <a href=http://www.teamlosi.com>Team Losi</a>
|> <b>Available From:</b> |< <a href=http://www.horizonhobby.com>Horizon Hobby</a>
@913315:The perfect size to fit under the Christmas tree.
@913316:The complete RTR truck is safely packaged in a small box that can carry as a travel case.
Have you heard the expression that big things come in small packages? That is definitely the case with Team Losi's Mini-T. Team Losi, a division of Horizon Hobbies, has really come up big with it's little truck. The Mini-T is patterned after the highly successful XXX-T Matt Francis National Champion race truck. But don't let the size of this truck fool you - it is loaded with big time features. The transmission has a heavy-duty gear differential and precision ball bearings, the suspension includes four independent friction shocks, and it has disc-type racing wheels and hi-traction rubber tires.
!Box Contents and Features
@913317:Here is how everything looks straight out of the package.
When I unpacked my Mini-T, I was very impressed with the quality of workmanship that went into the design. Just like the larger 1/10 scale Triple XT, the Mini-T has a molded chassis. The electronics were mounted in the middle of the chassis over the battery holder. The ESC/receiver unit, with its integrated heat sink, pivoted out of the way for battery installation. The receiver contained a 27mHz crystal that can be changed out to enable racing with other Mini-T's. The stock battery holder was designed for 4 alkaline cells, but there was room for an after-market 6 cell Nicad or NiMH or Lithium Polymer battery packs.
<b>NOTE: If you decide to use Lithium Polymer batteries, you must watch the voltage closely to prevent damaging the cells.</b>
@913318:The ESC/Receiver unit sat in the middle of the chassis.
@913319:Here is a closeup of the ESC/Receiver unit.The battery cover was secured at the front by a small cotter pin, just like used on the body mount.
@913320:This shows the top of the steering servo and the battery hold down clip.
The motor and drive train are at the rear of the truck. The transmission gears are on ball bearings, while the wheels all ride on plastic bushings. The shock towers are mounted to the front and rear by four and three screws respectively, and the friction shocks connect the shock towers to the A-arms.
@913321:The front shock tower is mounted with 4 screws to the front bulkhead. The camber of the front wheels is controlled by the threaded rods.
@913322:A closeup look at the rear motor mount, shock tower and gearbox cover.
I found that even with the largest spacers that come with the kit, the shocks still felt mushy. Camber of the front and rear wheels is controlled by the threaded links connecting the front or rear bulkhead to the spindle carrier or rear hub. Toe in of the front wheels is controlled by the threaded steering rods.
@913323:Shocks positions are adjustable on the A-arms and spacers are available to adjust the ride. Even with the largest spacers, the shocks still felt mushy.
@913324:Note the steering and throttle trim knobs on the front of the transmitter and the steering dual rate knob on top.
The 27 mHz AM transmitter that was included features servo reversing for the steering and throttle. It also had knobs for adjusting the steering and throttle trims. One feature I particularly liked was the third knob on top of the transmitter that controls the steering dual rate. By rotating the knob, I controled how far the wheels turned in each direction.
!Road and Track Report
@913325:The Mini-T ready to rumble!
In less time than it takes to read this you can be racing around inside your house with your Mini-T. All that is required is purchasing and installing 12 AA alkaline batteries (8 for the transmitter and 4 for the truck). When it comes to "toys", I have found there are 2 kinds of people. The first type likes to completely read the operators manual to get a thorough understanding before trying anything new. The second type says "to heck" with the manual, let's run it now and figure out the details later. I am afraid I normally fall into the second category. That being said, it was about 3 minutes from the time I opened the box until I was racing around the house with the Mini-T. Everyday object were suddenly my obstacle course as I raced through the kitchen, weaving in and out of chairs and stools; bounced onto the carpet in the den and chased the dog in circles; out through the door to the front hallway skidding across the hardwood floor, then into the dining room for more weaving in and out under the table before completing the circle and heading back into the kitchen.
It didn't take much of this before I got "that look" from my lovely wife that says, "Take it outside, or else." So, I did. Zoom, out of the garage and down the driveway, out into the street for a speed run, then more slaloming in and out of the parked cars before heading onto the sidewalk and back into the driveway. Can you tell I was having fun? Both my sons were begging for a turn, so I reluctantly handed over the controller and went to look for objects to use as obstacles and jumps. We set up a small track in the street in front of our house with bumps and jumps and proceeded to run the first set of batteries down. We got about 35 minutes of fun from the first 4 cell pack and I decided we needed more power (can you hear the grunting in the background?). I dipped into my airplane supplies and came up with a two cell Apogee 1050 Lithium Polymer battery pack that fit with room to spare in the battery compartment of the truck. The voltage increase from 4.8 to 7.4 was immediately apparent by the increase in speed now available. Our fun meter was definitely pegged. Our next adventure was to take the Mini-T to a local BMX track and see how much fun we could have. The first video below shows the Mini-T in my son's hands, handling the track just like it's big brother would. The second video shows the Mini-T racing up and down the hallway at work. It the perfect way to alleviate that workday stress. Or you and some coworkers can race each other for title of "King of the Hall." The six frequency options mean you can organize a regular grand prix.
!!Hits
*
*Only minutes from the box to running
*Exceptional handling
*Quick and responsive
*Adjustable rate steering
*Six frequency choices with interchangable crystals
*Lots of hop-ups available for those who can't leave well enough alone
!!Misses
*
*The combined receiver/ESC means both pieces have to be replaced for any serious upgrades to the steering or for a brushless motor upgrade.
!!Recommendations
While the Mini-T is a blast straight out of the box, there are a few small upgrades that can make a huge difference in performance.
The first is to upgrade the battery to a 6 cell Nicad or NiMH pack or a 2 cell Lithium Polymer pack. <b>NOTE: If you chose to use Lithium Polymer batteries, you must closely monitor the pack voltage to prevent damaging the cells.</b>
Second, I would replace the wheel bushing with bearings, making the wheels spin easier.
Third, and finally I would upgrade to oil filled shocks to improve the ride.
@913326:I'll meet you at the track!
!Video
+913327:A young, rookie driver runs the Mini-T through its paces at a local BMX track.
+913328:The Mini-T dominates the hallways at work - ready to take on any and all challengers!
!Coming Soon
Up next is a brushless upgrade to the Mini-T using a Castle Creations Mamba brushless motor package. Check back here on <a href="http://www.rcpowermag.com">RC Power</a> over the next few weeks to see the result. (<i>When the article is available, a link will be added here directly to it for you!</i>)
!Conclusion
The Team Losi Mini-T gives big truck performance in a little package. It's hard to believe the level of quality packed into such a small frame. It can be run inside or outdoors and handles all the punishment you want to dish out. The quick setup makes it a perfect Chrismas morning surprise for the novice or experienced R/C modeler alike.