Losi 1/18 Raminator Editor's Review
When I began this review on Losi's 1/18 scale Raminator, there were three basic things that I wanted to review. First, I wanted to thoroughly test it on various terrains and surfaces to see how it handles. Second, I wanted to test the drive train to give you an idea of its speed, torque and overall performance. Finally, it was my goal to test out the durability by driving it harder than the average user would. It's our hope at BestChoiceRc.com that by the time you get to the end of this review you will have a clear picture as to whether this monster truck is the best fit for you.
I took Losi's 1/18 scale Raminator to a great little motocross track for the first part of our review. So, as you can imagine the course is bigger than the usual rc tracks and the jumps are massive. We jumped the Mini Raminator in excess of six feet and drove it off a seven foot ledge testing it to its limits. This monster trucks suspension handled the brutal jumps with ease and rarely bottomed out. On those occasions we did manage to bottom out the suspension, the proven dual-deck chassis was as strong as advertised. Body flex was kept to a minimum and we were able to keep control and hit the throttle right out of the jumps.
As promised, I tested the 1/18 scale Raminator to find out how it handled through the corners. Losi's 1/18 scale Raminator brings wide track four wheel independent suspension and huge oil filled composite shocks to this mini monster machine. The twin steering servos round out the Raminator's handling package, delivering very impressive control through the corners.
Those of you that, like me, live under the category of speed freaks only really want to know one thing. Is it FAST! The stock high torque frenzy 370 motor that comes in the RTR version is gets the job done, however Losi offers a fairly inexpensive upgrade with the Insane 370 motor that will produce a noticeable increase in the top speed of the Raminator. For those true speed freaks that want a little more, the Raminator offers an option to add a second motor for even crazier torque Making the upgrade possibilities endless.
While the Raminator is ready to run, there are a few upgrades that will make your driving experience even more enjoyable.
First, for around fifteen bucks you can get motor heat sinks that will make a drastic difference in the cooling of your motor (they will fit the upgraded motor as well) and in my opinion they will save you money fairly quickly. A cooler motor is going to last longer and Losi's heat sinks work wonders. Second, as mentioned earlier in our review, the Insane 370 motor is relatively inexpensive and offers a big improvement in top end speed. We talked with technical support to find out if the rest of the drive train could handle the added strain of the more powerful motor. They expressed that it is more than capable of handling the Insane 370 motor (remember that with any upgrade you are more likely to break other parts so talk with technical support before you purchase any upgrades). Finally, I put the Raminator threw a vigorous test and did manage to break the servos over the course of several six foot jumps that culminated in quite a cartwheel spectacle. So if you plan on being as rough as me, they have metal gear servos that are worth the investment. There are many other options for upgrades that you can find on Losi's website, but these three will make an instant difference.
At the end of the day, you want to know if this is your BestChoiceRc. The 1/18 scale Raminator has the support of the Halls Brothers Racing team and is backed by Losi's incredible customer support. The suspension and chassis were unstoppable throughout our review. From jumps to cornering, Losi's 1/18 scale Raminator chewed up the track and asked for more. The speed and torque were well balanced and ready for action. I recommend Losi's 1/18 scale Raminator for beginners of all ages and intermediate drivers looking to tweak there new ride.
