I
finally got a JPS Clod today (bought from a moderator on RCMT)
Just
FYI about the JPS Clod, it got the highest overall rating
in RC Cat Action June 2000 edition among 5 big name Clod
chassis.
My JPS
Clod setup:
- JPS
Chassis
- Dual Blue Speedgem Motor
- Super Chicken ESC
- Gold Shocks
- Giant Trac Tires
- Full ball bearing
- 7 Cells BB 2400
My Fully
Hop Up Tamiya TXT-1 Setup
- Stock
Chassis
- Dual Mayhem Motor
- Super Chicken ESC
- Associated Blue Shocks
- Giant Trac Tires
- Locked Rear Diff
- Full ball bearing
- 8 Cells BB 3000
(just
FYI both truck don't have the exact setup and this comparison
is written for fun purpose ;-)
My last
and first clod was about 2 years ago, I upgraded to Z4,
but didn't like that much back then, end up sold it in a
short period of time.
I have
been a very big fan of Tamiya TXT-1 for a long time, since it came
out. But I always wanted to know is it better or worth than
a hop up clod.
I took
both truck to a construction site for some hardcore testing
today.
>>>
Jump
First
thing is very clear that the JPS Clod is much lighter than
Tamiya TXT-1. So it can feel the differences right away when it
do jumps. It stay in the air much longer, both truck have
very good suspension, so both truck land fairly nicely.
(note, my Tamiya TXT-1 has tons of alum. upgrades on it, but even
at stock level is heavier than JPS clod, due to the center
transmission)
Result:
Even
>>>
Rock/Sand Crawling
Tamiya TXT-1
does a very good job already, but Clod just goes another
level up. I was able to go over big rocks with Clod, where
Tamiya TXT-1 just get stuck.
Result:
Clod
>>>
Construction / durability
By looking
at the picture, you can tell that the fully hop up Tamiya TXT-1
is stronger. It has aluminum lower support, aluminum bumper,
aluminum front/rear/center skip plate. JPS Clod will be
hit on the cantilever rod, if it hit a rock from the bottom,
where this Tamiya TXT-1 will just hit the skip plate. Having said
that, that doesn't mean the JPS Clod is weak, it just doesn't
have the same amount of extra protection like the Tamiya TXT-1.
Result:
Tamiya TXT-1
>>>
Speed & Wheelies
It's
hard to compare that, because I don't have the exact same
setup on both truck. But by looking at both, the speed is
about the same (I could get the actual number, if any of
you guys interested, I just got a speed gun last week).
Both
truck are very fast, at least 15+ MPH. Tamiya TXT-1 can do wheelie
all the time at start, Clod doesn't.
Result:
Same
>>>
Flip Over Rate
Both
truck will filp over, if you go full speed (both truck can
go very fast) and turn. Since both truck has about the same
width and length. JPS clod does have better weight distribution,
since the battery is mounted very low.
Result:
when both truck reach top speed, the same (clod might be
better at lower speed)
>>>
Hill Climbing / Torque
There
is a rocky hill near my house, which is about 65%, it's
not easy to walk up even for a me. Both clod and Tamiya TXT-1 goes
up without a problem. Very fast or slowly climbing up. I
was very surprise about the Clod performance, since I haven't
got the rear diff locked yet. And the Tamiya TXT-1 should have
more torque, due to the Mayhem motor, but Clod is just so
much lighter.
Result:
same
>>>
Pulling
This
is a tough one. With help of my neighbor, we lauch both
truck at the same time to full force. Tamiya TXT-1 is very agressive
and try to move hard by lifting it's front wheel. But Clod
on the other hand, just stand there and doesn't move at
all. I think the mayhem does have more torque power, but
Tamiya TXT-1 wasn't able to pull the clod away, rock solid.
Result: Even! From the picture, it looks Clod won, but not
really, the Tamiya TXT-1 flip over on it's own.
>>>
Wheel independent travel
I would
same about the same, look at those pictures below:
Result:
Same**
**FYI There is an new extended arms by JPS, which promise
to increase another 1" inch more wheel travel.
>>>
Price
Very
similar, if you don't get a complete clod, just get the
front/rear gear and JPS chassis. Close to $400.
For
Tamiya TXT-1 you can just kept it stock and upgrade only those
stuff that you must upgrade (rod end, bearing) Close to
$400.
(then
you will be just paying about the same for battery, motor,
esc for both truck)
Result:
Close
------------------------------------------------------
Again
both clod and Tamiya TXT-1 are fun trucks, I would not prefer one
over the other. Tamiya TXT-1 can be further upgraded with an emaxx
2 speed tranny and it has more realism with the universal
shaft. Clod is just a rock crawling king, mainly due to
it's weight.
-RC4WD
