Forget the kids, after writing this review of the Laegendary Legend 1:10 RC Monster Truck I wanted one just for myself.
It’s sturdy, rugged, and fast while still being manageable and it looks cool, too.
Now, you’re going to want to be prepared to replace some parts over time (that’s just the nature of long-term RC vehicle ownership) but if you’re after something that’s going to last for longer than just a few months this might be perfect for you.
Laegendary Legend 1:10 RC Truck
Features
This company makes a number of options in different sizes and styles and while this isn’t the fastest one they offer it’s still got good speed a number of other features that make it an attractive choice.
Size
It’s a 1:10 scale and is 13 inches long, 12 inches wide, 6.5 inches tall and has a 2 inch clearance from the base of the frame to the ground.
It weighs a light 2.2 pounds.
I find it best to just pull out a ruler and size out those dimensions before you buy so you’re not surprised at the size when it shows up.
Color
There are two available color combinations. The first is black with red, yellow, blue, and white detail.
The second is black with lots of white, yellow and blue trim.
In both cases the word “Legend” is printed on both sides and on the top along with racing graphics.
Style
It looks like a 4×4 off-road monster truck with hood scoop, extended cap and a short bed.
The bed is not open so don’t plan on using it to transport anything unless you strap it into place.
Both versions look really sharp and have bright colors.
It comes fully assembled.
Run Time
Because the Laegendary Legend comes with two batteries you get longer run time than you would out-of-the-box with less expensive options.
In addition, this model has a connector and strap that allow you to attach both batteries at once so instead of getting 20 minutes you get 40 minutes.
However, if you run it high speeds or over rougher terrain you’ll find you don’t get that full time but something more like 12-15 per battery.
Waterproof Rating
It has an IPX 4 waterproof rating which means it can take splashes of water but you’ll still want to dry it off if it does get wet.
You don’t want to submerse it nor run it through more than an inch or so of water or snow and I wouldn’t do so for an extended period of time.
Age Range
The manufacturer recommends this for ages 14 and above and while kids younger than that would enjoy it the speed and the type of battery used really mean they’d need parental supervision.
This model really requires that you pay attention to the operating instructions in the manual in order to fully enjoy all that it can do.
The good news is that this will delight full grown adults, too. I’m tempted to get one for my dad as it would be ideal for his 2 acre, hilly property with a super long driveway.
In the Box
- RC truck
- 2.4 GHZ controller
- 2 7.4V LI-PO batteries
- Battery strap for when you use both batteries at one time
- Light kit for front and rear
- 2 USB cords
- USB plug adapter
- Fire proof battery bag
- User manual
Warranty
The manufacturer offers a 1 year limited warranty covering defects in materials, workmanship and assembly with the typical disclosures and, depending on where you buy it, you may be able to buy an extended warranty.
Max Speed
The max speed is 30 mph and that greatly depends on the terrain over which you’re driving.
On a flat, level surface – like your driveway – you can probably get that speed but once you hit thicker grass it might be a fraction slower but it’s still pretty darn quick.
It has TWO, brushed motors built in and they’re plenty strong enough to lift the front tires on acceleration, do tight spins, and drifts.
It has a 2.2 KG high torque servo and will throw rocks, sand, dirt, and even twigs into the air if you’re using at top speeds so keep your distance. No one likes a rock to the face.
The following video gives you a good overview of the truck itself and how it operates in different environments and speeds.
Frame
The frame is a sturdy but flexible plastic shell. It comes with a protective film that you peel off once you pull it out of the box.
It bends a bit on purpose so that it won’t shatter upon impact and it can take a beating. I’ve seen it fly in the air several feet and land on its top without cracking.
It comes with a light kit for bright, white front LED headlights and reddish rear brake lights but you can either skip using the lights if you don’t need them or you can unplug and remove them when you don’t need them.
You can actually order a separate version of the frame without the LED light openings if you want.
The frame is held in place by cotter pins which are those curvy clips that remind me of hair pins. They can sometimes be difficult to put back in place but they can also fly off during use. You might want to have a few spares on hand. You can get these from the manufacturer or they can often be found at hobby stores that specialize in RC vehicles.
The undercarriage is a solid piece that helps protect debris from flying up into the motor compartment.
This does not have a wheelie bar and one cannot be easily attached but it doesn’t seem necessary as the design and tire height seems to keep the truck right side up more often than not.
Tires
It comes with four, foam-filled, heavy duty tires and no spares although you can buy spares through the manufacturer.
The diameter of each is 4.25 inches.
The hubs require a 12mm hex (included) to remove them and are made of plastic.
The tires themselves have great grip, are nice and thick, but will wear over time as should be expected.
Terrain
The oil-filled, metal shocks are wrapped in red coils and are very springy.
It has independent suspension which allows it to easily handle rough terrain but stay upright and stable.
The Laegendary Legend can handle sand, rock, concrete, grass, mud, dunes, light snow, ice, and even shallow puddles.
It can climb angles up to 45 degrees and bounce down shallow, outdoor stairs like a champ.
I’d never thought of taking an RC vehicle to a skate park but several speed test videographers did so and it looked like so much fun. Of course, skate parks didn’t really exist when I was a kid.
This thing has a good amount of power and one user even showed it trying to crawl a tree trunk.
It’s definitely built for jumping ramps or dirt hills and would be a great toy to take to the beach.
The differential does seem to break more often when used on rough terrain but you can buy replacements. You might want to have an extra one on hand – especially if you’re taking this on a camping trip to keep the kids occupied.
Controller
It comes with a 2.4GHz 60A radio remote controller.
The controller pairs with the vehicle – a step you have to take each time that you turn it on.
The benefit is this means you have a unique signal between the controller and the car so you can run more than two at a time and they won’t interfere with each other.
The manufacturer states it has a range of 250 feet but that’s a lot of distance between you and a fast-moving object. You might also find it doesn’t quite reach that far if you are operating it in a suburban area where the houses are close together as other 2.4 GHz devices might interfere.
The face of the controller has several dials, buttons and switches:
- Power switch
- Steering trim to realign the tires
- Steering dual rate adjustment from 10-48 degrees to control the turning radius
- Steering reverse switch changes the right/left turning direction on the steering control in case you have a preference
- Speed mode
- Red led light for pairing
- Two blue led lights that warn you if battery is running low
There’s a wheel shaped left/right steering dial at the upper right of the controller.
The trigger in the front controls front, braking, and reverse.
Spare Parts
Besides being a great RC truck, Laegendary has done an amazing job providing strong customer support.
Their customer service is based in the US, they’re very responsive to questions asked of them, and they keep their spare parts in stock better than most.
You can find spare parts here – just use the drop down box to choose the ones you need: Replacement Parts
In addition, the parts for the competing Hosim 9125 1:10 scale vehicle supposedly also fit this model so if you can’t find what you need form Laegendary check with Hosim.
For easy reference the user manual includes images and numbers for each available part.
Batteries
The Legend comes with two Li-Po 7.4V 1600mAh rechargeable batteries and a special double battery connector so you can plug both into the vehicle at once.
While both won’t actually fit in the compartment when you want to use both at once you would leave the compartment cover off and, instead, use the included strap to secure the batteries into place.
You also get two USB charging cables so you can charge both at once but you only get one wall plug adapter so you’d need to supply the second yourself. Most of us have plenty of these laying around the house.
Many hobbyists want to know if they can upgrade to a different battery to extend the run time.
The manufacturer says you can use a battery as high as 5000 mAh but you risk overheating the motors.
It would be safer to use an Li-Po 7.4V 3000 mAh if you want to upgrade.
Each battery takes 60-90 minutes to charge.
You also need 3 AA batteries for the controller itself and those are not included.
Pros
- Speed
- Durability
- Option to lower the speed for practice
- Steering trim to keep the tires aligned
- Ability to control turning radius
- Sturdy, flexible shocks
- Strong availability of replacement parts
- Strong customer service
Cons
- Not fully waterproof
- Cotter pins can be a pain when you have to remove the frame
- Can’t really mod it out with aftermarket upgrades
Price
I spent years buying $30-50 RC toys for my kids when they were younger and regretted every one of them.
This isn’t cheap but it does have a much longer lifespan than the ones you might normally buy for kids.
Not only does it cost more than those other models but you should plan on spending the same amount or more for parts the longer you plan on using it because it will need replacements.
That doesn’t mean it’s a bad deal – I actually think it’s a very good deal – but I think those who are buying these as a gift for someone else might not know to keep the maintenance costs on mind.
Laegendary Legend 1:10 RC 4x 4 Monster Truck
Review Summary
All I kept thinking as I watched some of the test videos for the Laegendary Legend RC truck was where was this when my kids were younger?
Actually, where was it when I was younger? I wanted to use it the minute I saw the first video of it in action.
My parents have two acres with hills, grass, a long driveway, and even a shallow stream. This would have been ideal to keep around for all the grandkids.
I think this is a solid entry-level car for budding RC hobbyists who want more speed without getting into modifications but are prepared to spend some time keeping it maintained and replacing a few parts every now and then.