Introduction
Now, before we take a look at what HBX has brought to the table this time, let’s talk about the company. I’ve always had positive things to say about HBX. They have a strong reputation for producing durable RC trucks, and their products are beginner-friendly with readily available spares and upgrades. In fact, their designs are often rebranded by other companies like FTX, which makes spare parts easily accessible in the UK. Now, let’s focus on HBX’s brand new RC truck, the HBX 906A.
The HBX 906A: A Disappointing Pick-Up Truck
The HBX 906A is a 1/12 scale pick-up truck available in two colors: blue and red. It comes in two variants: brushed or brushless. At first glance, this truck seems promising, but unfortunately, it left me feeling disappointed.
What’s in the Box?
The HBX 906A comes with the typical HBX-style transmitter, which is a two-channel controller that requires two AA batteries. It offers standard adjustments like steering trim and even includes a speed switch, making it suitable for beginners.
Initial Impressions
Upon unboxing the HBX 906A, my initial excitement quickly faded. The build quality of the truck felt subpar compared to what I’ve come to expect from HBX. The plastic components felt flimsy, and there were noticeable gaps in some areas. It lacked the robustness and durability that HBX trucks are known for.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the HBX 906A fell short of expectations. The speed, despite the adjustable switch, was underwhelming. Even at full throttle, it lacked the power and speed that would make driving this truck truly enjoyable.
Limited Upgrade Options
One of the main reasons I have always recommended HBX trucks is the availability of spares and upgrades. However, with the HBX 906A, I was disappointed to find limited options for upgrading and customizing the truck. It felt like a missed opportunity for HBX to provide their customers with the usual range of exciting upgrades.
The Design and Accessories
The HBX RC Pick-Up Truck, also known as the 906A or the Bummer, has left me feeling quite disappointed. Starting with the design, I must say it looks slightly boring to me. The color scheme they have chosen doesn’t really catch my attention. Usually, HBX does a great job with their truck designs, like the 901 Desert Buggy or the 299 6A, which look really cool. However, with this new pick-up truck, they seem to have missed the mark.
The Color Scheme
The color scheme of this RC truck is what makes it feel dull. It lacks the excitement and vibrancy that I usually associate with HBX models. Perhaps they could have gone for a slightly nicer design that would make it more visually appealing. The current design doesn’t do justice to the truck’s performance capabilities.
The Wheels
One aspect of the truck that I do appreciate is the wheels. They have a nice foam grip, which is a small but thoughtful addition. However, these wheels do feel a bit cheap overall. It would have been nicer if they had used higher-quality materials to match the performance potential of the truck.
Battery and Accessories
The truck comes with a 2s 1500 Mah lithium iron battery, which is expected to provide decent run time. Additionally, it includes a USB charger, spare body clips, and a decal sheet. The decal sheet allows for some customization, but I haven’t applied them all yet. Furthermore, the black and white manual provides exploded diagrams and part numbers for easy reference.
Overall Impression
In conclusion, the new HBX RC Pick-Up Truck, the 906A, has left me rather disappointed. The boring color scheme and the slightly cheap feel of the wheels detract from its overall appeal. While the truck does come with a decent battery and some additional accessories, it falls short in terms of design and aesthetics. Perhaps HBX could have put more effort into creating a more visually striking truck that matches its performance potential. What do you think? I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below and let me know if you like the styling of this new pick-up truck.
The Disappointing Build Quality
The first thing that strikes me about the NEW HBX RC Pick-Up Truck is the build quality. While the tires look cool and feel nice and soft, giving the impression of good grip, the front and rear bumpers are a different story. The front bumper, made of almost solid plastic, seems questionable in terms of durability. Similarly, the hard rear bumper doesn’t inspire confidence either. This is disappointing because HBX is known for producing super durable RC vehicles. It’s concerning to think about how long these bumpers will actually last.
A Closer Look at the Electronics
Taking a closer look, the electronics of the HBX 906A reveal some interesting features. The vehicle is equipped with a 28 47 3800 KV brushless motor, providing decent power. It also has a 2in1 SC and receiver, making it convenient for users. Additionally, there is a three-wire servo, which allows for easy upgrades in the future. It’s good to see these features, but I’m still left wondering why the overall build quality doesn’t match up to HBX’s usual standards.
The Chassis Features
Moving on to the chassis features, the HBX RC Pick-Up Truck does have some positive aspects. It is equipped with metal oil-fill adjustable shocks, offering better suspension and stability. Moreover, the vehicle has metal CV driveshafts at the front and dog bones on the rear, ensuring a smoother drive. The plastic lightweight chassis, while not the most durable, is understandable considering the size and purpose of the RC truck. To add to the positive points, the presence of metal differentials and ball bearings throughout the vehicle is a good sign. Additionally, the metal sensor driveshaft is a welcome addition. However, these positives still don’t alleviate the disappointment caused by the bumpers’ build quality.
Testing the Speed
Now, it’s time to put the HBX 906A to the test and see how fast it really goes. The included battery may limit our options in terms of space, but I will make do with what I have. Although the manufacturer claims a top speed of 45 km/h (27 mph), I remain skeptical. Let’s see if it can live up to that claim and exceed expectations.
The Final Verdict
Unfortunately, the overall impression of the NEW HBX RC Pick-Up Truck is one of disappointment. While it has some impressive features, such as the brushless motor and adjustable shocks, the questionable build quality of the bumpers raises concerns about the durability of the vehicle. HBX is known for producing durable RC vehicles, so this deviation from their usual quality standards is perplexing. It’s disheartening to see a potentially promising RC truck fall short in terms of build quality, hindering the overall enjoyment and longevity of the vehicle.
The Speed Test
Then that is Full Throttle. I’ve got the GPS running Full Throttle. Again, I did say we wouldn’t need a huge amount of space, because I knew it wasn’t going to be very quick. Now from what I can remember, I think I managed to achieve a speed of 25 mph with the 901a. It was slightly slower than advertised. What are we going to see out of this let’s? Bring it back, let’s find out. Are we going to see 25 or more?
Handling and Performance
It handles quite well – and I do like the fact that it is long wheelbase. Right, let’s bring it back. Okay, so we’re going to hit stop and read. We only got 21 mph, and that’s probably because this has smaller wheels and tires. So after doing the 2s speed test, I wanted to see how this thing would perform Offroad. And although it does feel slightly underpowered on 2s, it still performed okay, perfectly fine for this location. But it did like to topple.
On a surface like this, the tires didn’t grip as much as I would have liked them to, and compared to the 901a, I don’t think it handles as well as that truck. Now, even though this thing is underpowered, with that long wheelbase, it’s still quite a lot of fun. Now this thing loves taking a jump or two, and it loves sliding around. But driving this thing around, it didn’t feel like anything special, and looking at that body…
The Lackluster Design
Once again, the NEW HBX RC Pick-Up Truck falls short in terms of its visual appeal. It lacks any standout features or unique design elements that would make it eye-catching for potential buyers. In fact, the truck’s appearance is rather bland and underwhelming. Unless you have a particular affinity for this body style, it is unlikely that you would be enticed to purchase one. If you are in the market for an RC pick-up truck, my best advice to you would be to consider the HBX 901a instead.
An Unimpressive Driving Experience
One of the disappointments with the HBX 906A is its lackluster performance on the road. The truck feels slow and sluggish, failing to deliver a thrilling driving experience. While it may not be a chore to maneuver, it certainly lacks the excitement and thrill that one would expect from an RC vehicle. Comparing it to the desert buggy, which is only 4 mph faster, the HBX 906A still falls short. However, it is important to note that speed is not the only factor to consider when evaluating performance.
Missed Opportunity for Improved Handling
In addition to its lackluster speed, the HBX 906A also disappoints in terms of handling. For me, handling is a crucial aspect of any RC vehicle, and unfortunately, the pick-up truck fails to impress in this regard. With a top speed of 21 mph, which is 4 mph slower than the desert buggy, one would expect better handling capabilities. However, the smaller wheels and tires of the HBX 906A may partially explain the slower speed. Nonetheless, it leaves me wondering if the manufacturer could have geared the truck slightly higher to compensate for this and make the driving experience more enjoyable.
A Final Note of Disappointment
All in all, the NEW HBX RC Pick-Up Truck, the HBX 906A, has left me disappointed. Its lackluster design and underwhelming driving experience fail to capture my interest. While others may have a different opinion and find enjoyment in this RC vehicle, personally, it does not appeal to me. The slow and sluggish performance, coupled with average handling, leaves much to be desired. It leaves me wondering if there could have been potential improvements to make the truck more exciting and engaging to drive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the HBX 906A left me disappointed for several reasons. The build quality fell short of expectations, the performance was lackluster, and the limited upgrade options were a letdown. While HBX has a strong reputation in the RC hobby industry, this particular model did not live up to their usual standards. As a fan of HBX, I genuinely hope that they take this feedback into consideration and continue to improve their products in the future.
