New Site Format
     As you know
  StampedeProject has
  become way more than
  just Stampede, Traxxas,
  to now include other
  RC brands, accessories,
  and cars. I still don't sell
  anything, I just
  enthusiastically promote
  those RC products I think
  are great.
     Take a look through
  the above links.
  I simply had too much
  information for my
  old site format.
  More fun projects
  coming...
  - Tony

  StampedeProject.com

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  Copyright 2007
  all rights reserved 

Review & Test of the New 2006 Traxxas XL-5 Bandit
by Tony Arnold - StampedeProject.com
as published in RC Car Magazine

Street Price as tested about $170 each

Many experienced R/C'ers would scoff at the opportunity to review the humble Bandit, however I relish the opportunity to review an R/C that has not only become a cult classic but brought thousands to our hobby.  There is just something about this super durable high speed buggy that remains a bashing and modifying favorite of even advanced drivers. Maybe it's the speed, durability, price, or the Traxxas support network, but the Bandit has remained a highly recommended entry RC.  Now updated for the first time since its 1995 introduction, the Bandit is back with more power and features - it all adds up to an even better all time favorite.

New Gray Plastic
Stepping into the voodoo that is plastic chemistry, Traxxas is using a new graphite impregnated material on various parts. The new gray plastic is stiffer, stronger and marginally lighter than the old black stuff and the finish is even better with fewer tooling marks. Don't argue with the chemists - it's better and it's gray.   The arms and various other parts stay the same previous black material. 

New Stuff and Carryovers
The Bandit has always been a pretty good performer, but now shroud in the new grey Ultra-Shocks with lower friction X-Ring seals, softer more responsive springs, high-torque 2055 steering servo, and new stickier compound Jato inspired tires, the handling is becoming pretty impressive for a stock machine. 

The Bandit's full transmission assembly is the same ball-bearing equipped unit with improved motor mount and Revo inspired slipper clutch shared with the previously reviewed Traxxas Stampede and Rustler.  The Revo race inspired slipper drastically reduced my personal pain and agony of swapping spur gears for track and speed tuning with much better clutch feel and adjustment - a big thumbs up.

Though the new graphics and colors almost pull off an updated image, I find myself disappointingly gritting my teeth that the same vintage Battlestar Galactica fighter body was used from last run. The body also barely fits over the new larger transmission cover and the antenna hole needs a bit of reaming to allow for full body removal due to the new upgraded larger antenna tip. Further, the "updated" wired wing should have been completely revamped to a more durable and functional bolt on model. I guess we can't have everything.  The familiar and reliable TX and RX remain unchanged.

ESC and motor
I know what you are thinking, who cares about all the new stuff, give me speed, give me power. With the new XL-5 ESC and Titan 550 sized 12 turn motor, Traxxas has provided chest thumping speeds from a stock R/C.

The diminutive cool looking XL-5 ESC securely bolted to the chassis is the heart of the speed upgrade.  Probably the most important feature is the "Training Mode" which regulates down all that power and speed by 50% of battery power to crash limiting speeds and also doubles the run time - very nice.  Now with a push of the button you can breath a sigh of relief as you hand the controls to a newbie entering the hobby. 

[-----------]
XL-5 Specs:
Sport Mode (Forward / Brake / Reverse)
Race Mode - (Forward / Brake)
8-cell limit
12-Turn 550 motor size limit
15-Turn 540 motor size limit
Integrated push button on/off switch
Traxxas EZ-Set one-button setup.
[-----------]

The Titan, although more menacing looking than the old hot running Stinger motor and certainly a huge upgrade, still looks cheap compared to... well any other motor.  Although looks are lacking, the new fan cooled Titan runs cooler and more consistently than the old Stinger while delivering a loads of fun torque and speed - another thumbs up.

The Magic 31T Speed Pinion & Caveats
Traxxas knows speed sells and by simply specifying how to safely go fast using the included 31-tooth pinion (copiously labeled as "only for on road use"), high quality 4300Mh 7-cell packs, and omitting the wing, Traxxas claims 35+MPH top speeds. Skeptical as I was the Bandit is a speedster. Cheating a bit with my trusty GP3300 high-current side-by-side packs and Deans plugs installed, I saw GPS verified speeds of 33.2MPH with 6-cells and a stunning 40.1MPH with 8-cells - In my book that's smoking fast for stock even with caveats and disclaimers. High current/Mh packs will obviously deliver higher speeds while sport packs will deliver 25MPH speeds.

What We Like?
Improved ESC, motor, plastic, shocks, tires, servo, transmission, and paint addressed all the major complaints and updated the fun level and the Bandit can still take tons of abuse and still keep going.  I am not really sure when a 40+ MPH R/C became entry level, but I think I would be hard pressed to find more speed for the the same amount of cash. 

What We Would Change?
I like the new graphics but the dated looking "Vintage" body needs an update along with the flimsy wire mounted wing that makes battery and ESC changes a pain. The Bandit may have the corner on durability and speed, but dollar-for-dollar other players in this space are offering adjustable camber links, more adjustable shock placement on towers, aluminum shocks, a bolt on wing, and full bearings - a lot has happened in twelve years.

Conclusion
This go around the Traxxas designers put more bang Bandit with more fun and speed right from the box. The Bandit's remains its sub-$200 entry level price all while boosting performance. Although Traxxas came a long way, it may not be far enough to make it another decade, competition's is now tough in this price range. Gripes aside, the Bandit is a rocket compared to almost anything else in its class, still rules from a shear durability, and even features a training mode and with unrestrained 40+ MPH speeds a trigger throw away.  This old favorite again put a surprised smile on my face and added up to a very fun, fast, inexpensive entry level R/C, just don't make us wait another twelve years for the next update.

The Final Call
Highs - All this time and Traxxas support is still outstanding. New grey plastic, Revo-spec slipper, high power ESC and motor. Seriously this 40+MPH R/C is considered entry level?
Lows -  Capt. Apollo and Lt. Starbuck called and want the body for their fighter back. Needs bearings & more tuning amenities. Twelve year product update schedule.

SPECS Type: 1/10 Scale RC
PRICE: $180
Class Rivals: Duratrax Evader BX Off-Road RTR Buggy, Tamiya XB Rising Storm 4WD RTR, Tamiya Expert Built Sand-Viper RTR, Associated RC10B4 Stealth Team Buggy Kit, Sportwerks Raven BX
SOURCES: Traxxas www.Traxxas.com

Brushless Bandit Sleeper
Yes, I am that guy, you know me, the guy that procures a bone stock bulletproof Bandit and then embarrasses everyone within challenging distance with my latest warp speed brushless power plant - its my own R/C version of creating a tuner car cheap.  This week my newly acquired Bandit received merely some tuning and a breakage limiting RPM bumper upgrade, and ... ohh yeah the much anticipated Castle Creations 6900 Mamba Max brushless motor/ESC system with that stock supplied 31T speed pinion in place.  Giggles and big stupid laughs aside, I hit 45.7MPH on 6-cells. The results were sadistically satisfying on only 8-cells, delivering a warp like 54.3 MPH at the 6900's 8-cell limit (which could have been higher with further tweaking or better batteries). With this simple plug-and-play upgrade, you too can absolutely smoke a vast myriad of electric and nitro R/C's for a meager sum of only $430 including Bandit, batteries, bumper and the new Castle 6900 Mamba Max system.  For these stupid stunts the Bandit is the perfect platform that won't require you to put off a real car payment for repairs after a 50+MPH tumble. From my March review of the the other Castle Mamba Max systems, you already know the system is fast, powerful, and feature packed.  This 8-cell NiMh and 2s LiPo max input 6900 motored system is no exception and delivered obscene speed and wheelies even with the 31T pinion in place. This Castle Creation powered Bandit is durable, inexpensive, and guaranteed to again put that "it's that guy" look on everyone's face at the track, neighborhood, and local bashing spot. Insert evil laugh...

SOURCES: Traxxas www.Traxxas.com, Castle Creations www.CastleCreations.com