The Backyard – The LMT 2.0 is Legit
Greetings all!
Last weekend I had the chance to attend a Horizon Hobby Factory Tour cease, which happened at my native interest shop- Mark Twain Hobby Center in St. Charles, MO. It was numerous enjoyable! The Horizon crew had varied automobiles available for hobbyists to strive, and it was a terrific alternative for each seasoned or potential hobbyists to get wheel time in with varieties of automobiles they’d perhaps by no means strive in any other case.
The Horizon crew is hitting up varied interest outlets all through the Spring, and if the tour is close to you, I’d advocate stopping into your LHS to test it out.
But that’s not what I’m wanting to speak about at this time. At stated occasion I used to be in a position to get in some wheel time with the brand new Losi LMT 2.0, and I’m excited to speak about it.
First off, the proportions- they actually nailed the Monster Jam look. The LMT 1.0 regarded adequate, however the 2.0 positively has extra refined cosmetics. The larger tires (with correct 2.6 wheels!), the tweaked wheelbase and stance, the brand new scale shocks- it REALLY seems the half now.
This might sound a bit humorous, however naked with me- the LMT 1.0 was extra a 1/8 truck that was type of taking part in round within the 1/10 scale house. The 2.0 is now firmly in 1/8 territory, and as such it’s a greater platform. The solely actual draw back I see right here is {that a} myriad of aftermarket monster truck our bodies gained’t match it as they’re too small and too brief. Hopefully we see some lexan releases on this new, barely larger measurement.
The steering is unquestionably improved over the OG RTR. This was the one space the place somebody wanted to improve ASAP, however this unit (together with with new servo saver) feels so much higher. You’d wish to improve for those who have been racing it, however for bashing it feels utterly high-quality.
Ok, so let’s discuss in regards to the elephant within the room. The new Spektrum DRIVE freestyle/trick expertise that’s included with it.
For these unaware, the LMT 2.0 is marketed as letting the motive force simply pull off many two wheel methods that full measurement monster vans carry out. Stoppies, wheelies, and bicycling to be extra particular. More on these in a second.
I’ll be sincere, after I noticed this introduced, I figured it was a gimmick. Here’s the factor though- the tech truly works!
The truck handles as regular till you turn the radio into Freestyle mode. When you do, it’s prepared to help with methods. When you set the truck right into a wheelie, you may really feel the throttle pulse to try to hold the truck balanced so the wheelie can hold going. This is the simplest trick and it’s one which isn’t that arduous to do with some other excessive powered stable axle r/c monster truck, assuming you’ve got a clean throttle hand….nevertheless it’s nonetheless enjoyable with the ability to do it a lot simpler and extra persistently, right here.
Next up is the stoppie- you stand up to hurry and hit the brakes to the place the rear begins to carry. Instead of toppling over although, you may really feel the throttle begin to pulse and it retains the truck using on the entrance wheels, assuming you’re mild on steering enter. This is a mega-ton of enjoyable, as doing this on a traditional stable axle r/c monster truck with any form of regularity is principally inconceivable.
The third trick is the bicycle, which is the place a monster truck rides on two of its facet tires. You have to show laborious at pace, however not too laborious, for the truck to go up on its wheels with out tumbling over. The DRIVE system then does its finest to maintain the truck balanced and shifting. It’s enjoyable, however that is a lot more durable than wheelies or stoppies. Given the physics at play right here, it’s exceptional to me that it may be achieved in any respect with any form of regularity, even when it’s for brief bursts. Another massive W for the electronics.
It ought to be famous that prime chew surfaces are finest for the trick features to work correctly, because the onboard gyro can’t make the corrections it wants quick sufficient if you’re driving on unfastened stuff.
I like it, and it’s not a case the place the truck is driving for you, both. The driver very a lot has to the drive the truck, nevertheless it makes for a a lot simpler time of pulling off stunts- particularly wheelies and stoppies. Big fan of it.
And after a day of bashing, I’m an enormous fan of the Losi LMT 2.0 normally! The authentic was and is a stable launch, and is one in every of my favourite automobiles of all time. The 2.0 looks like a nicely thought-out refinement of the primary design, after which you’ve got the large addition with the DRIVE expertise that I feel many of us, new and skilled hobbyists alike, will actually get pleasure from.
I’m trying ahead to selecting up my very own to Rotten Apple-ify it.
That’s it for me this week. Happy Easter weekend!
Until subsequent time, hold it on all 4’s!