From on and off-road vehicles to helicopters and boats even the occasional robotic contraption everything seems to be getting smaller. That doesn't mean that the quality of the hobby-grade RC is shrinking, just the size. Some of the best micro RCs out there are the Losi lineup, including the Micro-T. I have both the Micro-T and the Micro Raminator and they are a lot of fun to play with. The really cool thing is that they don't require a large back yard or a large dirt track to race. The living room or kitchen or that small patch of ground outside your apartment door is these little guys race arena.
On a few of the Losi micro-sized RCs I notice quite a few similarities, from chassis to motors. Even the receiver and battery packs are the same. The body and tires are the big differences. Still doesn't mean that these guys aren't great little RCs to have. Kinda like when you were a kid and you try to collect a certain series of Hot Wheel cars. I'm all grown up but I still want to collect 'em all.
1. Micro-T Stadium Truck RTR
Team Losi Micro-T; © J. James
The first RC produced in the Losi Micro line up is the 1:36 scale Micro-T. It has a good bit of pep for its size, handles great, and is a lot of fun for beginner to expert RC drivers. The Micro-T has a working suspension that I found quite nice at handling jumps and rough terrain. With a fully charged battery expect run time to be in the 7-10 minute range. I was able to get roughly about 12-15 minutes with stop-and-go driving. Comes with a full-sized pistol grip style AM radio transmitter, instruction manual, 16 x AA batteries (yess, even those were included) and a NiMH battery pack. Watch the Micro-T in action.
2. Micro-Desert Truck RTR
Losi Micro-Desert Truck image courtesy of Red Rocket Hobbies
The Micro-Desert Truck is about an inch longer than the Micro-T at just under 6 inches. Yet it is just as fun to run around the living room or kitchen floor or in your own backyard. This micro RC is also equipped stock with a NiMH battery pack, full independent suspension and a differential equipped transmission. Although from friends and other reviews I read online it was said that the Micro Desert Truck was slightly slower than the Micro-T. That bothers me though I think that sometimes speed isn't everything. I'm still going to give this Micro-sized RC a run through its paces when I get a chance to grab one for myself. As far as the looks, Losi did a pretty good job in the details department on this one. It even has simulated bead lock rims and tough looking tires. Watch the Losi Micro-Desert Truck in action.
3. Micro-HIGHroller Lifted Truck RTR
Losi Micro-HIGHroller Lifted Truck image courtesy of Red Rocket Hobbies
This is one micro RC that I think is a must-have for my collection from Losi's micro lineup. The Micro-HIGHroller RTR comes stock with the new and improved raised chassis design to tackle almost any kind of terrain. Let's not overlook the 1:36 scale Micro-HIGHroller's scaled style and appearance of its bigger brother — it's just like someone used a shrink gun on Losi's 1:10-scale HIGHroller RC. The lifted suspension, tube style chassis, front/rear skid plates (for protection), realistic front/rear vertical shocks, and a differential equipped transmission with slipper clutch — I don't think that there's any micro sized RC that can handle the terrain that this beast can handle. Watch it in action.
4. Micro-Rock Crawler Bind N Drive (also RTR)
Losi Micro-Rock Crawler image courtesy of Red Rocket Hobbies
Although this RC is 1:24 scale it is still a part of the Losi Micro Line up. After building my Axial Scorpion Rock Crawler a while back I would say I got bit by the Rock Crawler bug. So this is also going to end up in my collection. Not only do they look tough but from observing the Micro-Raminator owned by a friend of mine they are truly tough little rock crawlers. To sweeten the deal, you can use it with your 2.4 GHz radio system when you buy the Bind N Drive version (buy direct). Or, get the RTR version that comes with the 2.4 GHz radio (compare prices). Four link suspension, metal worm gears, solid axle housings, chrome bead lock style rims with soft compound rock grabbing tires, and telescoping drive shafts make this a pint sized rock crawling nightmare (the good kind). Watch it in action. And the guys at Atomic Mods, in this video, show what you can do to make your Losi Rock Crawler handle a little bit better on rougher terrain.
5. Micro-Baja RTR
Another 1:36 scale electric RC, this little guy comes with the same awesome features froun on the Micro-T but with a VW bug Baja-style body. In addition to the stock bright yellow dish style rims you also have the option of rims that have been coated with a bronze colored chrome to give them a nice shiny accent to the Baja body. This little RC is sure to give you just as much excitement as the Micro-T, although the Micro-Baja is getting hard to find. Same specs apply to the Baja as the Micro-T. Watch the Micro-Baja in action.
6. Micro-Raminator RTR
This is one of the harder-to-find micro RCs from Losi. I happened to see this one at my local hobby shop while browsing around with my son Tyler. He spotted it first and being the monster truck junkie that he is we (which meant me buying and Tyler getting) just had to have it. This little RC was pretty tough for a micro RC. The scaled down version of the original Dodge Raminator monster truck's body was just down right cool. Not to forget the red rims with yellow accents along with the oversize authentic-looking monster truck tires. It came equipped with a wheelie bar in the back which it is very capable of using. With the big monster truck tires and power that it has it will pretty much go where you want it to go within reason (can't climb walls like Spiderman). I would have to say that this was a pretty good find and my son Tyler was glad that I got it for him. Watch the Micro-Raminator in action.