The Losi Mini-T provides a huge
amount of bang for the buck. Team Losi is an industry leader, so
if you need support or parts, you should be able to find them
easily. Also, the aftermarket industry has came out with a huge
variety of aftermarket parts.
I really like the fact it takes
almost no time from opening the box to running your new truck.
Everything you need for basic operation is included. Hey, they
even throw in a ramp for added fun. The radio is a very good
match for this setup, and fits the hand of an adult very well,
but it is still a good size for a younger user.
The Mini-T is well built and fun to drive, although there are a
few areas that could see an immediate improvement by some
upgrades. I think the most bang for your buck upgrade would a
NI-MH battery pack. Alkaline batteries really do not do the
Mini-T any justice whatsoever.
More expensive but not truly needed for average use would be
swapping out the stock shocks for a set that's fluid-filled;
they provide better dampening action from the suspension. One
last item that would really help, would be swapping the stock
plastic bushings for bearings. It's easy to see why so many
Mini-T’s have been sold, spend some time with one and you will
see why. Losi has done an excellent job taking a 1/10 truck
suspension technology and shrinking down into a 1/18 size mini.
Electronics
The Mini-t has an integrated receiver/ESC
unit sits in the middle of the Mini-T's small chassis. The
digital ESC provides fairly good throttle response, braking and
reverse. The front servo is a non-standard 4 wire servo greatly
reducing the replacement options.
Many
people have reported problems with the steering servo. The
plastic gears inside of it seem to break easily. Either a better
servo saver or better servo/more easily replaced with an
upgraded servo would solve some of the problem.
CHASSIS.
Just like the 1/10-scale Triple-XT, the Mini-T has a molded,
semi-tub chassis. The electronics sit in the middle of the
chassis, and the 4-cell alkaline battery holder sits just
underneath the combo ESC/receiver unit via a pivoting plate with
servo tape, and that allows fairly easy access to the 4 AA
alkaline cells that are required to power the truck (I would
like to see the optional rechargeable pack included).
BODY, WHEELS AND TIRES.
The Mini-T's precut body shell has a
two-color paint job, and the flame decals are applied at the
factory. The truck's one-piece, yellow dish wheels look very
similar to the ones on 1/10-scale Team Losi trucks. All four
tires are supported by foam inserts. The rear tires are actually
smaller copies of Losi's Taper Pins.
SPECIFICATIONS
MANUFACTURER Team Losi
MODEL Mini-T
DISTRIBUTED BY Horizon Hobby
SCALE 1.18
PRICE $99 +/- Price varies with dealer
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 5.6 in. (142mm)
Width 7 in. (178mm)
WEIGHT
Total, as tested 18.5 oz. (518g)
CHASSIS
Type Molded semi-tub
Material Plastic
DRIVE TRAIN
Type 3-gear transmission
Primary 14-tooth pinion/60-tooth spur (4.29:1)
Transmission ratio 2.71:1
Final drive ratio 11.63:1
Drive shafts Steel dogbones
Differential Bevel-gear
Bearing type Plastic bushings (wheels and rear hubs
SUSPENSION (F/R)
Type Lower A-arms with upper links
Shocks Plastic-body, coil-over friction shocks
ELECTRONICS
Transmitter/receiver Team Losi 27MHz
ESC Team Losi w/integrated receiver
Servo Team Losi micro
Battery/charger Not included
WHEELS
Type One-piece yellow dish
TIRES
(F/R) Soft-compound Directional
Ribs/soft-compound Taper Pins
THE VERDICT
Losi's Mini-T surpassed many of my
expectations. It can take more abuse than I thought it could
withstand, and it’s impressive how well it steers and handles.
The Mini-T is a good buy, not just on price, but also because it
is versatile and has long run times. Cheap to own, cheap to run
and goes almost anywhere. But on the down side, it’s not as fast
as I expected.
LIKES
Exceptional 1/10-scaletype handling.
Quick and responsive.
Fun to drive.
Inexpensive.
DISLIKES
Suspension is a little too bouncy off the jumps.
Non-standard servo/ receiver/esc unit.
Needs too many upgrades to become a true backyard basher, and to
hold interest level.