The Axial SCX24 Deadbolt RTR 1/24 Scale Mini Crawler is the first Axial® off-roader in 1/24 scale. At less than 8" long, it's ideal for indoor fun, but performs so well, its equally suited to outdoor adventures as well. Even new drivers will be well-equipped to tackle tough climbs and rough trails. Like it's SCX10 big brother, the SCX24 uses plenty of steel components - from the C-channel frame rails to the front and rear axles and dogbones. Offering ready to run simplicity, scale looks, and confident handling on any trail, the SCX24 has the strength to keep pushing onward and upward.
The SCX24 chassis features a three-link front and four-link rear suspension for realistic handling. The combination of coil-over shocks and durable plastic suspension links delivers Axial-worthy crawling performance even at this small scale. Plus, worm gear axles provide high ground clearance with a low gear ratio that helps to reduce torque twist.
Powered by an included 180-size motor and LiPo battery, the SCX24 Deadbolt shows off competence and charisma on the trails. The shrunk down Deadbolt body provides the classic stance, bulging hood, realistic driver figure, and molded roll cage with realistic light bar that makes the 1/10 Deadbolt a performer - and the realism continues right down to the licensed KMC XD229 Machete Crawl wheels wrapped in Nitto Trail Grappler tires.
Adding even more to its beginner appeal, the SCX24 Deadbolt comes 100% complete and ready to run. Everything required for action is in the box: assembled and finished vehicle; Axial 2-channel 2.4GHz radio system with servo and ESC/receiver unit; Dynamite® 88T brushed electric motor and 350mAh 2S 7.4V LiPo battery; USB LiPo charger; and even four AA cells for the transmitter!
Features:
- Includes radio system, ESC and transmitter batteries
- Includes motor and on-board LiPo battery
- Realistic narrow-stance rock crawler body in olive green or red
- Molded roll cage with realistic light bar
- Realistic driver figure and many other scale details
- Officially licensed KMC XD229 Machete Crawl wheels
- Officially licensed Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires (S30 compound, large block tread)
- Full-time 4WD
- Splined and sleeved front and rear drive shafts allow for maximum suspension travel while keeping the power to the wheels
- Steel front and rear axles, front stub axles and dogbones provide strength and durability
- Rugged steel C-channel frame rails with bracing keep everything rigid and aligned
- Front and rear axles consist of a two-piece, molded plastic solid axle design
- 3-Link front and 4-link rear suspension supply optimal handling
- Coil-over shocks with simulated reservoir and durable plastic suspension links deliver proven Axial crawling performance
- Front and rear differentials each house a worm gear setup to power the axles and create higher ground clearance. Worm gear drive also provides a low gear ratio to reduce torque twist
- Two LEDs in the front bumper for night driving
Specifications:
Includes:
- (1) SCX24™ Deadbolt™ 1/24 Scale 4WD Truck
- (1) Axial AE-6 ESC/receiver combo (installed)
- (1) Dynamite® 88T brushed electric motor (installed)
- (1) Axial AS-1 steering servo (installed)
- (1) Axial® AX-4 2.4GHz 2-channel radio
- (4) AA transmitter batteries
- (1) 350mAh 2S 7.4V LiPo battery
- (1) USB LiPo charger
- (1) Product Manual
- Nothing! Everything you need to begin having fun with your 1/24 scale Deadbolt is included!
This product was added to our catalog on May 29, 2019
Pros:
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- Small but powerful. The SCX24 is a very capable crawler and has plenty of power to get the job done.
- Easy to maintain. So far, all I have had to do is keep it clean. If you have experience with RCs, taking care of this is a piece of cake. If you don't, it won't take long for you to get the hang of it.
- LEDs in bumper are a cool touch. Haven't done a bunch of running around at night but testing it out, the lights are very bright. Think of them more like headlights as they just project forward.
- Decent transmitter (Controller) out of the box. No need to adjust anything, just put batteries in and run it. Controls seem accurate and response time is very good considering it is just a cheap model.
- Water resistant. I have run this thing over a dozen times into muddy water puddles that submerged the bottom half of the crawler. So far no issues but from all of the reading I have done, it is best you don't think this is water proof and use good judgement.
Cons:
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- LiPo Charger is absolute trash. The first time I went to use it, it was dead on arrival. You will know instantly when you plug the battery in and you see the red led flashing. Amain did replace it and the second unit worked. However, you will want to buy something right away. There is 2-3s Reedy charger that is highly recommended. I ended up going to Amazon and buying a cheap 2-3s charger and it has done a great job through 20 charges so far (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WSDCZM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 <--$17 and it works awesome).
- Motor reliability. This is strictly from my experience so yours may vary. My SCX runs just fine in forward and for about 20 minutes, reverse works just fine as well. However, after about 20-25 minutes, going in reverse is problematic. It goes from being the same speed as going forward to half speed and not a smooth power transfer. It goes jerky. Between Amain support and Horizon Hobby, there has been no consensus on why. I have a second SCX24 that I swapped ESC and battery from and my red SCX24 continues to exhibit the same behavior. Swapping my ESC and battery to the second SCX24 showed that the motor on the second car ran normally. This could only mean that something is wrong with the motor. I would swap and Horizon Hobby is sending a new one but it's out of stock, so who knows...
Conclusion:
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I would give this a 4/5, even with the motor issue. This little guy has been a blast to drive around and is a great way to get into the hobby or train a younger driver how to work a crawler. There are a lot of parts out there for this thing so you can go wild with customizing it but it is not needed. If you really wanted to though, I would say start with weight kits because I can see how that would provide a better crawl experience, less tip over.
Again, if you are adding this to your cart, you are doing a good thing but don't forget an aftermarket charger. From all of the reading I have done, you are literally 70/30 on a dead charger in that box so screw the heart ache and get a good one now.
Now on to the bad. These are fairly pricey for the size. For that, I'd expect good design and quality components. I got one of the two. The electronics are absolute crap! Reliability is AWFUL. For two trucks that we've had for basically a week (truck #3 is still en route), here's the list:
Two dead motors
One dead steering servo
One glitchy ESC (stutters in reverse)
One dead charger (literally started to catch fire)
One dead LED headlight
Read that list again. Two trucks. One week. Most usage INSIDE A HOUSE. That's abysmal, borderline garbage.
A bright spot: I solved the burnt up motor issue. One of the suspension components, the front upper Y-Link makes contact with the driveshaft. it's constantly rubbing and you can feel it if you take the axle off with the link in place & try to rotate it by hand. A zip with a dremel to eliminate the contact and all is right.
Fun: 10/10
Quality: 2/10
Would I buy one again? All day long, but plan accordingly.
As always, Amain has the best customer service! Fast shipping, beat the estimate by 2 days!
Thanks from the guys here at H&A Crawlin' Co.!
We will be back for more!
Great quality and so many available upgrades.
Amain has fast shipping, amazing inventory,and great communication.
Highly recommend them
Scott
Like it's Chevy & Wrangler siblings, the Deadbolt is shares a similar chassis with some minor links and wheel/tire differences. With a worm gear the effect of a drag brake is significant. The stock tires get pretty decent grip, though the lightweight of the overall model does mean some wheel hop and slipping on some obstacles. For steep inclines the lack of overdrive results in lots of torque rotate onto the back.
Overall, it's pretty capable out of the box for such a small crawler. Many hopups are becoming available to further enhance the capabilities. My kids (2 & 5) love using these models (we have one of each model) and have been a lot of fun.
Due to Axial/Horizon not fixing the charger, I can't recommend this as a first RC.
SCX24 $110 battery charger and battery that will work $100.
After writing review horizon did return my call and will send a charger once out of backorder in maybe a month. Person on phone could not say the charger problem has been fixed, just keep ordering them when they break.
The only issue I have is the battery and charger system. So...I give the rig itself 5 stars but the battery system...3? We did the initial charge up and all was good, ripped around and had fun. Charged a second time and off we went. I must have made a mistake and left the battery plugged into the car overnight, although it was turned off. The next day both batteries were toast and the chargers could not restore them. One charger flat out broke and the other sorta did a slow death; from what I read online, they seem pretty fragile. Anyway, went off to the local hobby shop and they confirmed both batteries were totally discharged and dead. I picked up a small Dynamite charger and did a brief Nimh charge on the Lipo's to get them to accept a Lipo charge. Then I balanced charged up both batteries and they work great. Success! Now they work awesome again. The batteries take a good charge, balance out, and have worked awesome with plenty of run time. I monitor the batteries better and am sure to unplug everything etc. So, I'm sure I caused the batteries to totally discharge originally...but it is just something to be aware of. Link to the Dynamite charger is below. As long as you don't sink the batteries like I did early on you should have a great time!
https://www.amainhobbies.com/dynamite-passport-p1-mini-ac-charger-4s-6a-60w-dync3015/p789629