The ElectrixRC brand is relatively new to RC. They are owned by Horizon Hobby. Horizon Hobby saw a need for entry level ready-to-run RC vehicles for the masses. They started ElectrixRC, and introduced the Circuit Stadium truck. The Electrix Circuit is a RTR 1/10 scale stadium truck.

Normally, a ready-to-run truck comes fully assembled, with the motor, ESC, servo, and receiver all installed. It also comes with a radio. The Circuit takes RTR to the next level. It comes with all of the above, plus a 6 cell NIMH battery, and 8 AA’s for the included 27mhz AM radio. It even includes an AC wall charger for the 6 cell NIMH. The trickle charger takes approximately 6 hours to charge the 1800 mah battery. The package also includes a second pair of crystals for the radio and receiver. This is great if you and your friend wind up having the same frequencies.

The chassis is made of a composite material. It has a little bit of flex to it. Typically this will detract from the handling of an RC vehicle, but in the case of a beginner RC such as this it is welcomed. The turnbuckles and tie rods are one piece molded plastic as well. There is no adjust-ability there, but both the camber and toe seem to be a neutral setup from the factory. The A arms are also flexible, to the point where you can  actually twist them a few degrees.

The 20T Dynamite motor that is included offers decent speed. Out of the box we saw approximately 20mph with the included 7.2V 6 cell NIMH battery. This is about average when talking about beginner RCs. The ESC can actually handle up to a 12T motor, so you can upgrade as your skills progress. Also, most 540 size motors will bolt right in, which opens the door to brushless upgrades down the road. The servo that comes with the truck is a touch on the slow side, but it works. When thinking about upgrades down the road, put some thought into a servo. A faster response will make it a more predictable turner.

Driving impressions

I bought this truck for my ten year old son. He has never driven an RC vehicle before, and this looked to be a good truck at a good price. I didn’t see the sense in spending several hundred dollars when I wasn’t even sure if he would enjoy the hobby. In one word, he thinks this truck is “cool”. He has certainly put it through its paces. There isn’t a single wall or other obstacle he has missed. The truck offers pretty good handling overall. We ran it both off road and on the street. Off road traction was ok. The ribbed front tires work well. The rear tires are spiked. They are decent on the street, but a better rear tire would help for off road use. It takes a smooth trigger to get it going offroad without excessive wheel spin.

Durability

We have only experienced one break in 6 months, and that is the stock body. It is a very thin lexan, and is very prone to cracking. Replacement bodies are available through most hobby shops, and directly from Horizon Hobby. You can either get them prepainted or clear, so you can customize it how you like.

Summary
At $120, this truck is an excellent value. It is perfect for a beginner. It has just enough speed for them to learn the ropes, and is upgradable as they gain more experience and confidence. I especially liked how we haven’t broken anything but the body on this truck. My son has really hit the wall hard quite a few times, and this truck just keeps on rocking.

Look for future articles on this truck down the road, as my son progresses from beginner into the regular Stadium truck class. There will be a power system upgrade, suspension upgrade, as well as body tests where we attempt to find another body to fit this chassis.