The Rustler is a two-wheel drive car. Although four-wheel drive
vehicles often have better traction in loose terrain, the Rustler's
smart features make it well suited for driving off road. It has a full
suspension, which helps to maintain control over uneven or rocky terrain
and makes cornering easy. If you happen to wander a little too far off
the beaten track, its breaking and reversing capabilities help you keep
it from getting it stuck.
The Rustler is powered by a seven-cell Ni-MH battery and is capable of achieving speeds of up to 35 mph. Due to these high speeds, this model is not recommended for young children. Instead, it's designed to deliver the flexibility and performance that can help older RC car enthusiasts get into the hobby and explore its various possibilities.
The
most important design feature of the Rustler is that it is an RTR
(ready to run) vehicle. This term describes radio controlled cars that
require no initial assembly to drive. You can simply pull the Rustler
out of its packaging and, assuming the batteries are charged, start
driving immediately. This makes it great for beginners who aren't yet
accustomed to the assembly and maintenance required by other models.
The Rustler is durable enough to help beginners get a grasp on
driving techniques. This doesn't mean it's invulnerable, although it
certainly tries. The car's components are made from tough plastics and
metals that can withstand your inevitable bumps and crashes. Each of the
vital internal components is sealed and waterproof. Waterproof
components extend your options for when and where you can drive the
Rustler, but they also keep sand and grit out of important moving parts.
The Rustler's tires are quite impressive. With large lugs on the rear tires and ribbed front tires, it's easy to see they are made for superior off-road traction. In fact, they are designed for nitro cars capable of speeds upwards of 65 mph, so these tires are more than enough for the Rustler. The high quality of these tires also means that you'll get a lot of use out of them before they need replacing. Replacement tires, like the rest of the parts on the Rustler, shouldn't be difficult to find.
The
remote included with the Traxxas consists of a pistol-like grip and
trigger with a steering wheel mounted on the side. Pulling the trigger
causes the Rustler to spring forward, while pushing the trigger forward
initiates braking and reversing. Although some models require eight
batteries, this one only requires four AA batteries. This can make
driving somewhat more comfortable due to the reduction in weight. The
controls are precise, yet simple enough that you'll get the hang of them
quickly—a trait that's very important as you develop your skills as an
RC driver.
Traxxas also offers an optional telemetry feature with all of its
cars. With this system, you can view details like speed, battery
voltage, RPM and temperature on an Android or Apple device. This feature
will increase the cost of your investment, however, as it requires the
addition of sensors. Still, it is a nice feature to have available.
Due
to the high-risk nature of the hobby, remote control cars typically do
not have extended warranty periods. Traxxas offers a standard 30-day
warranty with the Rustler. Traxxas also offers exceptional support to
its customers. Replacement parts for the Rustler are easy to find, and
the Traxxas website has a truly impressive amount of support
information. You can find comprehensive troubleshooting and repair
instructions as well as parts lists, downloadable user manuals and
consumer forums. If somehow this wealth of information fails to answer
your questions, Traxxas phone support is available Monday through Friday
between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. CST.
The Rustler is powered by a seven-cell Ni-MH battery and is capable of achieving speeds of up to 35 mph. Due to these high speeds, this model is not recommended for young children. Instead, it's designed to deliver the flexibility and performance that can help older RC car enthusiasts get into the hobby and explore its various possibilities.
Design Features
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The Rustler's tires are quite impressive. With large lugs on the rear tires and ribbed front tires, it's easy to see they are made for superior off-road traction. In fact, they are designed for nitro cars capable of speeds upwards of 65 mph, so these tires are more than enough for the Rustler. The high quality of these tires also means that you'll get a lot of use out of them before they need replacing. Replacement tires, like the rest of the parts on the Rustler, shouldn't be difficult to find.
Remote Features
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Help & Support
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Rustler XL-5 Summary:
The Traxxas Rustler XL-5 is an excellent car that keeps things simple
for you as you explore the possibilities of RC racing. An intuitive
remote control makes learning easy without sacrificing precision. The
car's durable, waterproof construction ensures that broken parts won't
slow your progress. If something should break, widely available
replacement parts make it easy to repair and customize your Rustler as
your skills and knowledge increase.