The Element trucks, especially the Ecto and Zuul, just blow me away when it comes to out of the box performance! The Utron and Zuul's rubber compound is absolutely brilliant as well 👍
Honestly, I don't know how I feel about this. I mean, okay, these are good cars. There's no denying that. They're really good cars. And those new tires look really good, too. So this is obviously going to be a great addition to the collection. Now I know what you're thinking. There's a "but" coming. And you're right. BUT (and this is an important but)... I am having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of buying an entire new chassis just to get the body and tires. It looks like literally everything else about the new car is identical to the old car except the body and tires. I can't justify buying a whole car to get those if I already have one of the other models in that line. They appear to be all the same. I just can't do it. Why can't they just offer this as a trim or package upgrade kit? I don't need, and really don't want, another car that isn't different from the cars that came before it. Just sell me the body and tires, allright? All that being said, I'm still excited to see what this does on the six problems. Considering its heritage, it should do pretty well. Will the smaller tires do it a disservice? will the tire features compensate for the lack of diameter? we'll just have to wait and see. I kind of think they will, but I really don't know. Can't wait to see. Thanks for yet another lovely review and presentation.
Thanks Mac! I don't think anyone would be really looking to buy this with an Ecto in the stable already. But it's good to understand this car in context with the Ecto, so one can make an informed choice. The whole Enduro range is modular, they're all similar. You only buy one or two to get the big differences, so a Knightrunner with its IFS and a Zuul with the trailing arms would have you mostly covered, for example. Add an Enduro SE for the Pin Seekers and new transmission and you're only missing the new IFS V2 setup, which is currently only under the Utron. Nice to have the choice. Modularity gives flexibility. Now I just want to be able to buy all the parts separately and the world opens right up!
By the way, I've just realised I completely forgot to add your name to the video credits on the two latest videos!! It completely slipped my mind! I'll make it part of my process and it won't happen again. I suspect getting on video credits isn't why you've selected this level of membership, but I promised it and failed to deliver after the first one. Humble apologies. Now you've put such thoughtful comments under them both, I'm loathe to delete the videos and reupload an edited version. I'll make a compromise on these and put your name prominently in the description so the credit is still there, and I'll put a post-it on my monitor so I remember to actually include the credits on subsequent videos!
Keen to see how the tyres perform! However going on looks alone I would probably buy the zuul mostly because it has somewhere to put some LED lights where as the ecto has nada
It's definitely one of the most capable 4x4 crawlers out of the box. I think I only have one or two that would beat it on rocks, head to head in stock form. Though my Fordyce doesn't get here until later today, which might change things. The Ecto is probably the best performer for the money, that's gotta be difficult to beat!
Ha ha, yes, I was wondering why you'd buy the same car again, but I guess partly just for the video purpose... And now you have an extra, it's not a bad rig to have an extra of... So far I only got the Gatekeeper, I love it! I was thinking of the Utron, but it only comes with pre-painted body, so the need to buy an extra body is just not cost effective, so I just wait and see, ha ha... Looking forward to see Zuul on the rocks!
Well, for a start I really do try to avoid learning much about new cars until they're here. I want to make my own perspective on it. This is the first time that approach has really bitten me, given it's an Ecto with new shoes and a different dress!! But that's okay, we got to learn about new Element C1 tires and also got to see that Ecto and Zuul bodies are 100% interchangeable. It also helps validate how good the Gatekeeper was in the first place - a visionary bit of design, really! I'm not sure I'm going to buy a Utron at all, at this point. Now they've released the IFS2 front end as a standalone product AND the new StealthX2 transmission separately (iirc), those two things combined will be bolt-on to whatever car you want. Indeed, buy 2x IFS2 sets and transform any of the Enduro (or other) rigs to fully independent suspension for something different. I think that'll be great! I mean, really, buy 3 of them and get a pretty interesting TRX6 or whatever else. Kinda cool, right?
You got yourself a new subscriber Brother! So glad I found your channel! Absolutely love your content and your reviews! The fun factor is up there for me. I wanted to ask you if you could recommend like a very budget 1/10 1/12 scale crawler/ trail truck?? I’m a single dad so funds are tight, everything I do is for my little one, she’s my world!!-. I’ve been in the hobby for a long time, but I never got into crawling. I would love to start getting into it as an excuse to make my kids come out in the woods with me.
Thanks and welcome! Please tell me your budget and where you are in the world, as that will really influence how helpful I can be for you. Also, I have an article that may assist: rc-tnt.com/manufacturer/multiple/what-is-the-best-rc-rock-crawler/
Ice like the body. Does it come out with a lcg element…..and ditch the trailing arms I’d like them To have gone a sendero style suspension with this body and a lower slung set up!!
I hear you. Though I think it fitting they used their highest performance config for this one. It'll need it, with those little tires! Will they release an lcg Enduro, is that what you're asking here? I suspect not, given the Enduro is the same in all their vehicles, with the front axle and the IFS options, rear trailing arms or 4-link, different wheelbase, transmission, tires and body. That's what changes between all their models, while the rails and skid are the same. But if they update that in future, then absolutely it might happen. Just not while they're still working with the Enduro.
Ball ends from the shocks (maybe links too? couldn't see it in detail) seem to be made out of Delrin in the Zuul, instead of bendy-ish plastic from the Ecto.🧐🧐🧐 I do prefer the Bushido, and I do agree the Zuul is much better looking than the Ecto, which, apart from its performance, I had no interest in, whatsoever.
Lol fair enough! And the ball ends may be delrin or nylon. They're not abs or whatever bendy plastic, that's correct. (and I still like Bushido best, too!)
I run the Ecto shell on my Gatekeeper as its the same rig because its less weight than the cage . Picked up a couple of Zuul clear bodies so I can swap the look when wanted. Well that was the plan anyway. I ended up moving the shock towers forward and fitting the narrow sliders on my Element sendero HD and the Zuul body sits nicely on it
Thank you I like it I have the Sandro HD & Ecto & the SE all perform great I see they sell just the body also & im guessing it fits the Ecto. Can’t wait to see it out on the rocks.
I think we can make some predictions. The Ecto is amazing. Small tires are not. IMO tire diameter is king, so it probably will struggle. We'll see, next video!
@rafalst for sure, if you upgrade the tires and wheels while you're at it, you'll have an Ecto, from a performance standpoint. You're absolutely right there. Of course, I'll be testing in stock form first, so we'll see!
