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Pure power, pure fun—and ready to run
Traxxas has
made quite a name for itself with its Maxx line of RC trucks. Now,
you might be wondering what that has to do with anything since this
is an RC boat magazine, but it's mentioned for good reason. The
technology developed and used in the formidable E-Maxx has found its
way into a Traxxas watercraft. The result is the RTR Villain EX with
14.4 volts of juice, twin Titan 550 motors and a Novak electronic
speed control (ESC) that makes it all possible.
OPENING THE BOX
I knew the Villain EX was ready to run, but I must admit I was
pleasantly surprised when I opened the large box that the boat
arrived in. You need only install 8 AA batteries in the 27MHz AM
transmitter, apply the die-cut decals and plug two battery packs in
the hull.
The boat comes with a small bag of tools, a boat stand, a Traxxas
TQ transmitter and a 24-page owner's manual. The manual is almost
entirely in color (only one illustration is black and white), and
it's very informative. With many detailed explanations, great
diagrams and even a glossary of RC boating terms, new hobbyists can
take to the water with confidence after they have read it.
Its hull is constructed of lightweight, solid white plastic and
is, of course, completely assembled to earn its RTR status. The
cockpit hatch and lid of the radio box are secured with Twist-Lock
thumbscrews. A battery-hold-down strap fastens two packs in front of
the two Titan 550 motors. Heading toward the stern, a radio box with
a clear lid protects the EVX Marine ESC, the receiver and the
steering servo. The EVX is water-cooled, so it has a pick-up at the
base of the transom and an outlet on the hull's rear starboard side.
This heavy-duty ESC is a result of collaboration between Novak and
Traxxas. The on/off switch is under a rubber boot that protrudes
through a hole in the hull's lid. A rubber boot is also used to seal
the antenna mast. The radio box (and the boat as a whole) is very
well engineered.
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Right:
The radio box contains the receiver, an EVX ESC, an on/off
switch and a steering servo; it's sealed with a rubber gasket to
keep the electronics' worst enemy—water—at bay. The clear lid is
secured with a Twist-Lock thumbscrew. Keep the lid open between
visits to the water to prevent condensation from honing in on
your radio gear. |
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