Review: RGT Adventurer V2 Small-scale R/C Crawler
A small-scale crawler that boasts performance, appearance, and a very reasonable price.
It’s hard to deny that small-scale R/C crawlers are one of the hottest segments of the hobby right now. Over the past few years, I’ve seen my own collection of tiny trucks expand at a rapid pace. The RGT Adventurer V2 trail truck is the latest addition to my personal fleet of 1/24-scale crawlers, and it’s quickly become one of my favorites.
Holding its own against the likes of Axial’s SCX24 and Carisma’s MSA-1E, the Adventurer V2 has been a pleasant surprise in both appearance and performance. If you’re a fan of R/C crawling and trail-driving vehicles, the RGT Adventurer V2 is one model that’s worth learning more about. Thanks to the folks at Banggood, for the opportunity to review this model firsthand.
RGT Adventurer V2 Specs:
- Length: 215mm
- Width: 102mm
- Height: 115mm
- Weight: 250g
- Wheelbase: 120mm
- Gear Ratio: 62:1
- Wheel: 25*18
- Ground-clearance: 28mm
- Price: $95.99
The Body: Durability & Details Galore
If you appreciate detail and durability in your R/C bodies, the RGT Adventurer V2 has you covered. Sporting a Land Rover Defender-esque body shell, this small-scale crawler features plenty of rugged, adventure-ready visual detail. The polycarbonate body includes a number of molded features and is made from thicker polycarbonate material, allowing it to resist cracks and incidental damage.
By itself, the body is enough to sell me on this rig, but when you add the full exo-cage, side-view mirrors, and a rear-mounted spare tire, then you’ve got a true small-scale “scaler”. With all of the additional bits, it’s easy to think that this rig might suffer from being too top-heavy. On the contrary, as you’ll soon find out, this rig has what I’d call the perfect balance of scale detail and crawling capability.
The Chassis, Suspension & Tires: Solid Performance in a Small Package
While appearance is great, the real test of a small-scale crawler is how it performs on the trail. On that side of the equation, the RGT Adventurer V2 has you covered quite nicely. Like much of its 1/24-scale competition, this rig utilizes a ladder-frame chassis with four-link suspension, which is what you’ll find on many 1/10-scale (and larger) R/C crawlers.
The suspension and shocks for this model are on the softer side, allowing for smooth movement over obstacles. Working in tandem with the suspension setup are the tires which use a softer rubber compound and no foams. This keeps them malleable enough to form themselves around objects and grab traction when needed. The chassis is also very well-balanced.
While I have managed to tip this truck over a time or two, it is a very stable and solid performer. Even with the taller body and additional scale details, it manages to keep a low-enough center-of-gravity to make it perform at its peak.
The Radio System: Comfort & Control
The Adventurer V2’s radio system is one of the nicer models I’ve encountered from a small-scale model. The transmitter is a bit smaller than what you’ll find on a standard 1/10-scale vehicle, but that doesn’t impact its comfort or performance. All of the major adjustment knobs are available on the top panel of the transmitter, including throttle and steering trim and throttle and steering dual rate.
An additional third-channel toggle button is also available if you’re running an auxiliary component from the receiver’s third-channel port. The range for this radio system appears to be as good as any that I’ve encountered. With most R/C trail and rock crawlers, you’re often following closely behind your rig, ensuring you have the right line and approach for your next obstacle. Small-scale crawlers are no different, however, it’s nice to know that you can let this machine roam a bit without losing connectivity and control.
Ready for Adventures Both Indoors & Out
For a change of pace, I've driven this small-scale crawler outdoors more than in. In fact, aside from a short shakedown drive in my basement, the Adventurer V2 has almost exclusively been driven in an outside setting. For larger-scale radio-controlled machines, this may not seem like a big deal, but for a 1/24-scale crawler, it's akin to trial by fire.
All of the vehicles in my current small-scale crawler lineup have proven that they can handle outdoor adventures, and RGT's model is no different. The way it maneuvers over obstacles is nearly identical to a 1/10-scale vehicle, both in suspension movement and body roll.
My first outing with this truck involved some random sticks, logs, and a few small rocks. The second go-around involved a makeshift crawling course which combined a number of elements to make for an interesting experience. Whether by itself or up against other 1/24-scale machines, the Adventurer held its own.
RGT Adventurer V2 Photo Gallery:
What's the Verdict? Is the RGT Adventurer a Worthwhile Addition to Your R/C Garage?
We all buy R/C vehicles for a variety of reasons. Some are hooked solely on appearance, while others want a machine that can perform with perfection. Then you have folks who want it all, jaw-dropping looks and top-notch performance. Sadly, it's rare that you'll get both of these without putting in a bit of aftermarket work.
While the RGT Adventurer V2 isn't a licensed replica of a real-world, 1:1 vehicle, it does offer quite a bit of visual intrigue and detail. The body provides plenty of opportunity for personalization through 3D printing and custom decals. And it's hard to argue with the performance that this machine offers in spite of its size. From what I've seen so-far, this is one small-scale R/C crawler that's worth taking a closer look at.
