Smartech Traveller 1/5 scale petrol (gas) buggy

*cough* 99% FG Marder *cough*

27-12-03

OK, this started a few years ago when I was looking for the biggest most reliable off-road platform for mounting wireless video cameras on for 'telepresence' fun! Essentially that means sitting in a cockpit with a control or steering wheel looking at a video monitor that represents what u would see if u were a little person driving (or flying etc..) in the cockpit of the scale model. Now it needed to be physically LARGE with heap of ground clearance for getting around on rough terrain without getting stuck, as the driver wasn't out there to fix that problem by hand. It also had to be MUCH more reliable than a nitro truck because they overheated when sitting still and constantly stall or need tuning unless ur going flat out racing all the time. This vehicle had to be able to idle in one spot reliably, and put around at low speeds as well as flat out... The only solution at the time seemed to be the amazing 1/5 buggies from FG. These bad boys were AWESOME it seemed, but the Australian agent only had the on-road ones and I couldn't get my hands on a buggy anywhere at the time to fondle it and see if it suited :( Add to that the baseline price tag of over $2000au before gear and digital servo etc... and OUCH! It was damned expensive !!!

Now we come to xmas 2003, I walk into my local hobby shop and see what I at first think is an FG buggy with $1200au on the price tag !!!!
I couldn't believe my eyes! Turns out it's the Japanese made Smartech Traveller, taking off the shell reveals a Zenoah G230RC, the SAME engine from the SAME manufacturer as the expensive FG. Further examination reveals the same gearbox components!! and MANY other near identical and/or compatible components with the FG! This buggy is almost ENTIRELY part exchangeable with FG - It's a carbon copy, I was in heaven :) ... Then it was off home to beg my wife for days on end to buy it for me for Christmas.

Well that story ends with Christmas morning when the 1/5 buggy was waiting under the tree for me :)

Shell off, a nice side and top view of the internals

The G230RC Zenoah engines gives out STACKS of power even standard. The instructions said it came pre-tuned out of the box and you don't have to fiddle with it. Naturally I didn't believe this, but thought I would give it a little run and see before tuning. Guess what??? NO TUNING was required!! It ran like a DEMON straight out of the box :)

On the other side of the Zenoah note the gearbox setup, my only complaint is that the stoneguard has a small open area at the back where very small stones could potentially enter the gears. The disc brake system is behind that gearbox and works very well :)

Roar!! The Smartech Traveller asserts is BIGness by waggling menacingly at the camera.

A couple of shots to give u an idea of scale. To the left is my Chevy Nitro Truck (without body) parked next to the Traveller to show u how she sizes up against an average truck. Below I have put a standard 375ml softdrink can next to the back wheel.

• How does it run?
  INSANE ... well balanced, incredibly fast, way beyond my expectations!
• Would I recommend it?
  HELL YES ... this is money WELL SPENT and greatly exceeds the enjoyment I have ever received from smaller nitro trucks & cars. it's VERY reliable ... will idle for an hour without overheating or stalling ... and LAUNCH HARD on command whenever u want ... all of the fun of a nitro car * 3 and none of the pain.
• Can it take a beating?
  In 4 days I have already smashed it into fences & trees and rolled it (often in spectacular fashion) at least 50 times while pushing it to find its limits in cornering on different surfaces and jumping etc.. I haven't been able to break anything yet- and believe me, I've tried ;) It's also worth noting that it has a tendency to roll back onto its wheels perhaps 80% of the times you roll it or more. Due to its bulbous tall curvy body shape.
• But what about the FG cars?
  After careful examination 1 on 1 I can guarantee you this car is in fact an FG MARDER - its a 100% faithful copy and I really don't see any less quality in the Smartech over the FG (in fact I think it's better!!! read italics below!), However the Smartech is a LOT cheaper for us here in Australia, so it WINS! For some reason FG is a lot dearer here than in other countries. Note that the Traveller comes with a several of the 'upgrades' already done that FG Marder owners will often pay to do straight away to their buggies, like adjustable camber, adjustable alloy shocks with capacity compensation, Sealed RX box, sealed RX battery case and pinion gear covers etc.. - The marder comes with NONE of these.
• I heard Smartechs were hard to get parts for?
  I phoned the Australian importer Model Engines, and checked on parts - they stock HEAPS. Not only that but ALL of the parts are compatible with with FG - All suspension /steering / wheels / shocks / gearbox - They are ALL 100% IDENTICAL to FG and totally exchangeable - in fact the only difference I could find was very subtle in changes in the servo tray!. The Zenoah engine is the most popular in big RC and of course parts for it are no problem, even a huge range of hot-up parts like big bore kits and sports exhausts or intakes & carbies. This engine is also the most popular Scooter Engine. There's even Nitrous Oxide kits for Zenoahs (although they would take a lot of room on the car chassis :) - they were really meant for scooters).

More to come soon ... I will get out with the camera and get some action shots and maybe short videos. As I was not able to find ANY information at all on this car ANYWHERE on the internet, I hope this page will serve as informative to others that are thinking of buying one. Please email me if u have any questions or if u own one!

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