The Traxxas Bandit VXL expands the Extreme Sports Buggy legacy with more power than you ever thought possible. The Velineon Brushless Power System accelerates into the stratosphere with jet-like thrust and incredible 70+mph top speed*! Traxxas Stability Management keeps it under control with arrow straight acceleration and sure-footed stopping power. The Bandit VXL is a low-slung, lightweight speed machine that's rocket fast on pavement and rips incredible roost off-road. Bandit VXL is a driver's machine that will put your skills to the test with its mind-blowing top speed and lightning quick handling response.
Traxxas Stability Management
Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) lets you experience the Bandit’s extreme power, speed, and acceleration by making it much easier to control on slippery surfaces such as loose dirt, smooth concrete, and even ice and snow. Go ahead, punch it off the line! TSM senses the vehicle’s direction and makes steering corrections to provide full throttle acceleration without fishtailing or spinouts. When cornering, TSM intuitively corrects the vehicle’s line for faster exit speeds. TSM even improves braking by keeping the buggy arrow straight until you reach a complete stop. TSM does all this without intruding on driving fun or introducing unexpected side effects. TSM can be fine-tuned (or turned off) for different surfaces by simply adjusting the multi-function knob on the TQi transmitter, or by adjusting the slider in the Traxxas Link app. Drive faster and have more fun with TSM. You may not even realize how much it is helping until you try to drive without it.
*NOTE: With 3S LiPo battery and optional 33-tooth pinion gear (sold separately).
Features:
- Traxxas Stability Management
- TQi 2.4GHz Transmitter and Receiver
- Waterproof Electronics
- Traxxas High-Current Connector
- Maxx® Cable 12-Gauge Wiring
- Digital High-Torque Waterproof Steering Servo
- Precision Steel Turnbuckles with Heavy-Duty Rod Ends
- Metric Hex Hardware
- Steel Transmission Gears
- Battery and Charger Sold Separately
Length: 16.25" (413mm)
Front Track: 9.84" (250mm)
Rear Track: 9.84" (250mm)
Weight: 48oz (1.36 kg)
Height (overall): 7" (178mm)
Wheelbase: 11.25" (286mm)
Battery Tray Dimensions: 139mm x 47.5mm x 28mm (Battery expansion kit available - TRA3725X)
Skill Level: 2
Needed to Complete:
- NiMH or LiPo Battery
- Charger
- 4 "AA" Batteries for Transmitter
This product was added to our catalog on January 27, 2020
The following are a few points I like the buggy mode
1. Velineon 3500 + VXL-3S
2. Ultra shocks body/cap and springs
3. A arms and adjustable steel suspension links
4. Beautifully painted 1mm thick lexan sleek body with rear engine mount design, kind of retro style and old school
5. Overall waterproofness
6. Price point
Also a few things I think can be further improved
1. Pin-lock wheel can be changed to Hex wheel
2. Lexan body front mounting hole can be change from I to O shape that could be better impact-resistant
3. Front bumper is a little too short to protect the front A arm hinge and fiberglass reinforce bar. Could be 1 inch wider
4. Steering linkage can maybe redesigned to make it more direct driven by Servo
5. Wing could be 1 more inch wider (this is just personal preference and not necessarily a bad thing)
6. Adding two pieces of Velcro strips to keep the inside of the chassis clean when driving on dirt/dusty condition
Bandit VXL was my first buggy and I like it more than my Kyosho RB7SS which I built recently with Hobbywing XeRun XR10 Pro SS and G3R 17.5T as the powertrain. I would recommend Bandit VXL to anyone who just wants to start the hobby with an RTR buggy within $300 range.
Had to work through a radio glitch I found that drove me crazy for a while. I set the endpoints on the steering (not with the app) that would seem to disappear randomly. I figured out that if you turn the vehicle on within 20 seconds of the transmitter, your settings were not in place. Wait 20 seconds after turning on the trx to turn the car on and all is well. This is a hundred percent repeatable so it is a definite glitch hopefully isolated just to my unit. Not willing to send transmitter in to be evaluated I will live with it.
The transmitter antenna is also directional and works best when it is pointed at the vehicle. My son does a left hand control thingy that has the antenna pointed away sometimes that affects the range.
Overall I am happy with this model. Easy to work on and get parts for basher buggy. I put hex adapters and rear buggy tires on the front. This helps with understeer and general driving wile still looking like a buggy. If you treat it like a buggy and not a large wheel MT it should last a long time. Upgrading to metal gears in the Servo is a must. Plastic gears just should not be used for 1/10 scale steering.
The radio programming is ok once you get use to it. Traxxas clearly wants you to buy their app by not making adjustments via control knobs available.. Impossible for any precision without the app. The gear cover has a cutout in it that lets in dirt. Traxxas should have addressed this. Had to buy a rpm version that did not have this cutout.
Gave four stars for the glitch I had to figure out, open gear cover and the obscure transmitter programming Method. Directional antenna may have not been the best design choice. It will compensate for a low power signal, but has to be pointing at the model for optimal range.
Overall satisfied.