Which One Should YOU Buy? - FMS FCX18 vs Traxxas TRX4M Detailed Comparison

I have both. A couple things I’ve noticed that I didn’t hear mentioned: 1. Trx4m has fully waterproof electronics. Fms is more like splash proof. 2. My Trx4m suspension has always has been kind of sticky and suffers from torque deflection which distracts from the realism. I like the stiffer suspension of the fms. It’s buttery smooth and seems to flex just fine. 3. With the stock gearing the Trx4m steering binds the drive train when it gets dirty. 4. The fms drivetrain has more slop which is noticeable especially descending in 1st gear. Overall I like both but prefer the fms for the two speed transmission. It’s just simply more fun.

I have done several hours on both and one thing that many reviewers don’t mention but is worth mentioning - for out of box durability, this Traxxas is far superior. Both are very fun and crawl nicely, but within hours, my FMS rear driveshaft broke, followed by the front differential. After replacing those, the transmission was next. Then the rear differential. This is all just low gear crawling, not bashing. I’d accept this all, if it were a far better crawler, but it just isn’t - they are pretty equivalent. The FMS is more detailed and two gears is kinda handy but it comes at the downside of being a much more fragile rig. In the time I’ve replaced and upgraded nearly everything on the FMS (out of necessity), nothing on the Traxxas has broken except a side mirror. As you can imagine, the Traxxas gets probably twice as much use while the FMS is needing parts.

Solid review! 👍🏻 love the close ups.

I am about to get into this hobby and really like the way you explain how to's and the when to's when tackling obstacles, something every beginner needs. Will search your video bank for more lessons. You have a new Sub 👍

The Injora 180 48 turn motor gives it a little more speed back when running the low gear set in the TRX 👍 Great video as well 😊

I am newer to the hobby but I first bought the red Defender TRX4M early November 2023 and I just ordered my blue and silver FCX18 lc80 Pathfinder yesterday. Been seeing all the videos on the FMS FCX18 so I had to see what all the hype was about lol

FMS FCX18 & Traxxas TRX4M!!!~~~ cool new look, RC with great adventure, always good videos bro👍👍😃

Put the Holmes hobbies motor in the traxxas and some brass and it's great. I'm gonna pick up the fms during my Xmas shopping. Best thing about mini crawlers is you get all the engineering fun of bigger rigs but with a smaller price. I've used them to teach my step son mechanical engineering and physics

Best comparative video I have seen. Nice nice nice....

So far ive put a set of aluminum beadlocks on my fcx18.. night and day difference. Just recently bought weighted brass/aluminum portals, oil-less shocks, high clearance links, weighted driveshafts.. waiting for them to come in now. I think its going to make this already great RC into something epic!

Great comparison. Fully agree with the verdict.

Great Review Now I Have To Choose What Colour I Want

Hey man, first of all great video! I ordered fcx18 this week, can’t wait tbh. I had one question about the injora brass wheel rims 1plus, do these rims fit on the stock fms tires?

Really enjoying my fcx18. Just did the little steering mod and thats been it! Need to get it out in the woods next with the rest of the minis. You ever look i to the mini orlandoo stuff ? Gona try out there trophy truck next could be something you'd enjoy 😊

Thanks for helping me make my decision 😊 FCX18 it is 🎉 would have preferred the looks of the defender body though.

I just ordered the FSM. I am completly new at this and I wanted the Land Rover. But after seeing a lot of video's, and this was the last one, I go for the Landcruiser. One thing I don't like are the indicators on the car. They have to go. But thanks for helping me out and it is a nice video. Greetings from the Netherlands.

Nice rig and video! Mind if I ask how and where you hooked up your led bar? I can see that you already have the headlight kit as well as the fog lights. Do you mind sharing where you plugged the led bar?

FCX18 with superswampers is a beast XD, It's made me order portal axles for my TRX4m.

I am planning to get the TRX-4m High Trail Ranger because I love the looks of it. But I have a question: How easy is it to swap out the transmissions? I’m planning on buying the truck+the crawling transmission, and switch them out as needed. I’m just curious how long it would take to do that

MEUS just came out with a 2 speed transmission for the trx4m. I currently run the low gearing on 3s to get some wheel speed back