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Blade Nano QX RTF and BNF
Today the “big” news in the nano quadcopter world comes from the guys over at Blade with the announcement of their new Nano QX RTF and BNF. At first look it’s easy to see that the Nano QX features rotor protectors but inside is where the bigger news lies, SAFE Technology. SAFE Technology is sophisticated flight control software that keeps the quad ultra stable and easy to fly. In fact, if things get out of hand while flying just let off the sticks and the Nano QX goes straight into a stable hover.

The Nano QX weighs just over a half ounce and has a width of just 5.5 inches. Two bodies and extra rotors come with the quad and everything you need to get flying comes right in the box.

The RTF (ready to fly) version of the Nano QX has a part number of #BLH7600 and a street price of $89. For the BNF (bind and fly) the part number is #BLH7680 and the street price drops to $69. To get more information on the new Blade Nano QX’s hit THIS LINK.

Have you read our quadcopter shootout? If not you can check it out HERE.

ECX Price Drop and Upgrades
We have previously posted about the new upgrades the 10th scale line-up from ECX is receiving for 2013. The upgrades include things like a Spektrum DX2E transmitter, new body designs, wheels/tires, and waterproof electronics.

Now ECX has announced a permanent price drop on their 10th scale vehicles. While prices from other manufactures are going up, ECX is out to save you some cash. The new prices are $149 for the Boost Buggy and the Circuit Stadium Truck, while $169 is the price point for the Torment SCT and the Ruckus Monster Truck. For more information on everything ECX hit THIS LINK for their official website.

How about checking out more ECX News right here on BigSquidRC.

Horizon Hobby Sponsors Rockstar Engery Motocross Team
Horizon Hobby have just announced they are expanding their marketing sponsorship of the Rockstar Energy Motocross Team. If you don’t follow motocross, Rockstar Energy Racing has had a great year – Rockstar rider Davi Millsaps lead the 450 Supercross class points early in the season, and 250 riders Blake Wharton took a win at the Houston Supercross and Jason Anderson scored his first Supercross win in Salt Lake City. The collaboration between Horizon Hobby and the Rockstar motocross team is sure to expose many new people to the rc hobby and to all the unique products that Horizon has to offer.

To check out some of the cool products that Horizon has to offer click RIGHT HERE.

The BigSquidRC Bash Crew is just itching to get the weekend started, how about a BSRC TGIF Mystery Link?

 E-flite® J-3 Cub 450 ARF airplane
Looking for a plane that is perfect for hitting the local park to get in some flying time? If so, you should take a look at the new J-3 Cub ARF from E-flite. The J-3 Cub utilizes traditional construction and comes with a great scale appearance to make it a great option for the casual flyer.

The J-3 Cub 450 ARF has a wingspan of 51″, a length of 32.9″, and has a part number of #EFL3010. Street price of the E-flite Cub is $170 and you can hit THIS LINK for more information or to get one on pre-order.

Want to learn more about rc airplanes? Check out THIS LINK right here on BigSquidRC.

Horizon Hobby Weak Signals Booth 2013
The crew at Horizon Hobby take their flying very seriously and had a very large booth at the Weak Signals 2013 Show. All of their major product lines were well represented and they a large staff to answer any questions that people had.

Horizon had a lot of new product on display. They were showing off a multitude of new airplanes, as well as a new line of gas engines and a new Blade helicopter. We’ll be posting more information on their new releases in the coming days.

HERE is the link to the Horizon Hobby website where you can check out all their fine products, and hit THIS link for more Weak Signals show coverage right here on BigSquidRC.

THE Vaterra Twin Hammers 1.9 Rock Racer Review

Vaterra Twin Hammers 1.9 Rock Racer Review

I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that the Vaterra Twin Hammers Rock Racer is the biggest vehicle release of 2013. Its scale looks got a lot of peoples attention, while its unique chassis layout got others to look its way. So what exactly is the Twin Hammers? It’s labeled as a “1.9 Rock Racer”, but with its cantilever suspension and two speed transmission it just might be a versatile bash machine. Lets cut to the chase and find out what the Twin Hammers is really all about…

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ECX Summer 2013 updates
Horizon has announced that their updated ECX line-up will be hitting hobby shops this summer. Some of the updates include-

* New bodies/colors
* Spektrum DX2E 2.4GHz transmitters
* Waterproof Spektrum SR201 receivers
* Waterproof Dynamite 15T Tazer ESC
* Heavy duty drive-shafts
* Dynamite 15 turn motors for the Ruckus and Torment
* Dynamite 20 turn motors for the Boost and Circuit

The ECX’s are some of the most popular bashers on the market, the new updates should make them even better. Hit up the official ECX Website for more information.

Stamp it, another week in the books. How about trying your luck on a BigSquidRC TGIF Mystery Link?

Horizon Driven Apple App
The crew over at Horizon Hobby have announced their new Apple App, it’s called Driven and is available on iTunes. What does their new app do? Glad you asked, it is an interactive rc catalog that features the product lines from Vaterra, Losi, and ECX. With the Driven app you can see exclusive interviews, behind the scenes videos, and get 360° viewing options on select vehicles.

The Driven app is Free and you can download it at THIS link from iTunes. Hit up THIS link for the Horizon Hobby website.

Have you read our latest Vaterra review? If not, you can read it HERE.

THE Vaterra Kalahari 14th Scale 4wd Desert Raider Review

Vaterra Kalahari Review

Vaterra is the newest name in the rc game and today we’ll be taking a closer look at their Kalahari 14th Scale Desert Raider. The Kalahari comes with detailed scale looks, a brushless power system, and Spektrum 2.4 GHz radio gear, all the makings of a great bash machine. How does the Vaterra Kalahari stack up? Read on to find out exactly what we learned about the Kalahari after weeks of bash testing…

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THE Vaterra Kemora 14th Scale 4wd Brushless Rally Car Review

Vaterra Kemora 4wd Brushless Rally Car Review

Vaterra made quite an impression when they introduced their entirely new line-up of vehicles at Nuremberg a couple of weeks ago. People went gaga over their uber scale looks and impressive specs. For our first Vaterra review we’ve been thrashing the heck out of the Kemora, a 14th scale rally car. Vaterra is a brand aimed right at bashers, what kind of first impression have they left on the BigSquidRC Bash Crew? Read on to find out…

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Dynamite 2S Lipo for Vaterra Kemora Kalahari

The two new Vaterra 14th scaled vehicles, the Kemora and the Kalahari, come with an old school, low current, Ni-MH pack. If you really want to boost your new Vaterra’s performance a Lipo battery should be your first step.

Dynamite has announced a new Lipo that pops right into the Kemora and Kalahari. This “long” form factor Lipo is a 2 cell (7.4 volt) 2000 mAh pack that gives more power off the line as well as higher top speeds.

Part number for the new “long” Dynamite Lipo is #DYN1476 and they have a street price of $40. For more detailed information click THIS link which takes you to the official Horizon website. Don’t forget that you’ll need a Lipo charger for this battery as the one included with the Kemora and Kalahari is only for Ni-MH.

Thinking about getting a new Vaterra? Check out THIS link right here on BigSquidRC.

Vaterra Kalahari brushless 14th scale 4wd desert truck

We showed you unboxing pictures of the new Vaterra Kemora yesterday, today we are posting unboxing pictures of the Vaterra Kalahari. The Kalahari is much like the Kemora because it sits on the same 14th scale Vaterra platform, but differs with its larger tires and desert style body.

Like the Kemora, the Kalahari body is exceptionally well done. You can tell a lot of time was spent making sure it looks just as good as its full scale counterpart. Under the hood is the shaft driven 4wd system and Dynamite brushless set-up. The Ni-MH battery is easily accessed by removing the under-tray, which is attached by velcro, and two body clips on the battery bar.

Our full review for the Kalahari will go up next week, until then, click the “read more” button to see all 4 of our Kalahari unboxing galleries. Check out THIS link for more Vaterra news right here on BigSquidRC.

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Vaterra Kemora Unboxing Pictures
Here they are, the very first unboxing pictures that we’ve ever done on a Vaterra. This is the new Vaterra Kemora, their 14th scale, 4wd, brushless rally car, and we have a bunch of pictures to give you a better idea of what’s inside the box.

To start off with, of course there is the car itself. The Kemora blows you away with its immaculate body. From the lines of the body, to its rear view mirrors, to its trick looking wing, it is very impressive and scale looking. The wheels and tires also impress, they look very scale and are specific to just this model.

Under the hood you find an under-tray with a molded driver figure, this is attached by velcro and easily removed for access to the battery compartment. The chassis is quite stiff front to rear, but has some flex side-to-side. Other plastic parts like the a-arms and shock towers also seem fairly stiff for RTR units.

Our full review for the Kemora will go up later this week, until then, click the “read more” button below to see a bunch more unboxing pictures of the Kemora. Check out THIS link for more Vaterra news right here on BigSquidRC.

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