My thoughts on the DBXL from a long time hobbyist

[sloppydogdrool]

I don't normally post reviews but the DBXL has been getting such a negative hit I wanted to post some positive. I have almost 40 years in the R/C hobby. I bought this with the realization it wasn't perfect but figured for $900 I'll give it a shot. I can't be happier with my purchase. It's not the fastest or best at anything but for just having a good time with a 5th scale RC I can't complain a bit. The only failure I've experienced is a screw pulling out of the throttle/brake cam. Used a longer screw and nut to secure it.

I can basically just charge it, put gas in and go run it. My center diff is not leaky, at least not yet. The rear shocks are a little soft but over lots of small bumps the whole suspension works great.

I think if you get really rough on this buggy or slapped in a huge engine it would have some failures. I had bought an Oneal brothers engine I had intended to put in but I think I am happy enough with stock that I will put that up for sale or save it for a Losi 5T.

Take it for what it's worth but if you have an itch for 5th scale, don't want to break the bank and are content with stock power then this is a really nice buggy for $900. I bought two of them when there was a 10% discount coupon floating around from horizon.

I posted a couple videos on youtube of messing around on a hill with it.

 

[nitrocat]

Having got one of the first and raced it at two large events
It broke while leading both with that being said
I have to agree for some one just getting started it might get them in it
But it might drive them away to only time will tell
If I could fix only one thing on it I would fix all the drive shaft pins they need to be press in not Held in with set screw

 

[Marky]

I just won the Canadian 5th Scale Nationals in Walton Ontario (4wd buggy, DBXL) yesterday and it never let me down. I did replace the centre rear u-joint drive pins (the ones right beside the engine) and it was tough to hammer out. Used heat and it came out with a good wack of the hammer and punch. If you want to race anything, you have to beef up everything. They claim 40 min of runtime to a tank of fuel! Check your mileage after a 14 min heat! I went through 7/8 of a tank. Constantly on the throttle, pushing the buggy to it's limits isn't easy on any kind of vehicle. I love my buggy and quite a few 5ive T drivers complimented on it saying "that thing rips!" It's a good entry level vehicle that can be built to withstand the abuse we subject it to and throw down fast lap times and win races.

 

[maudsley]

marky, what mods have you done to your dbxl to make a race winning reliable buggy? is it a stock engine? and what have you done to the stock shocks? are you running extended hubs etc for handling? I've had every baja model and all seriously hopped up which i love but i fancied one of these bdxls to race at local bash events (nothing to serious) but was slightly put off due to reliability stories. I'm willing to upgrade what evers need to make this a great bit of kit. so is this possible? i can't really justify a 5ive t and prefer the look of this anyway

 

[mickthrottlejunky]

I agree with all of you guys. I have been racing for over 20 years. Started out in Nitro then went to electric. I went to electric because I was tired of tuning my nitro car when the wind blew the wrong way and changed the temp. Lol. But I miss the sound of a gas motor rippin' across the race track. So here I am with my DBXL. I love it. Sure I changed a lot of things like beefed up the drivetrane and such. Went with my normal Hitec servos and receiver. Running my Spektrum radio. I know this rig is sluggish on the bottom end but I tuned it a bit and put a pipe on it. It runs a lot better. I would still like a bit more power out of the hole so I am looking at the OBR G320. I have been running the sh%t out of this thing with out any failures.