1:8 TC8 Marksman Crawler, Olive

Introduction

The Marksman is a highly capable RTR scale trail crawler that includes our trusted RCR-2CENR 2-channel 2.4GHz radio system, HobbyWing QuicRun WP Crawler 80A ESC, and Holmes Hobbies 13T Crawlmaster 550 brushed motor. This amazing electronics combination is reliable, super smooth, and has incredibly accurate low end throttle control for the most technical trails.

Overview

The Holmes Hobbies powerful 550 size 13T Crawlmaster brushed motor uses a 5-slot rotor, for industry leading smoothness, and a 1/8th inch diameter shaft. This motor, paired with the Marksman’s precision gearing, provides loads of power and more than enough wheel speed to make it over stubborn obstacles. The Hobbywing QuicRun WP 80A programmable electronic speed controller is all-weather, waterproof, and dustproof. This Hobbywing ESC has fifteen different programmable parameter items. This enables the driver to tweak the Marksman’s ESC performance characteristics for the ultimate driving experience on any trail. The programmable parameter items include the running mode, battery type, cutoff voltage, initial start force, maximum start force, maximum reverse force, initial brake force, drag brake percentage, drag brake rate, neutral range, start mode/punch, PWM frequency, BEC voltage and freewheeling control. The Hobbywing QuicRun WP 80A ESC even has nine levels of drag brake adjustment. We understand that this level of tuning capability may sound a bit overwhelming to some but don’t worry, we’re making it easy by including an official Hobbywing ESC programming box. The Hobbywing programming box is easy to use and allows Marksman owners to make all of their ESC performance tweaks while at the bench or on the trail. This allows drivers to focus on the pure enjoyment of driving a TC8-Marksman that is electronically tuned to its fullest potential. Take full control of the Marksman in minutes.

We understand that many scale RC enthusiasts already own a favorite charger and several battery packs, so we’ve decided to let the customer choose their own battery and charger. The Marksman requires a single 2S or 3S LIPO battery or a 5-9cell NiMH battery pack and appropriate charger, sold seperately. The Marksman was designed to run best on a 3S LIPO battery pack, but will certainly perform with one of these other options. If you are in need of a battery and charger for the Marksman, please check out our Hexfly battery and charger offerings. We are sure you will be pleased with the Hexfly brand.

The Marksman was created for serious trail crawling and uses the new well-balanced TC8 1:8 scale chassis platform. The TC8 platform features a front-mounted motor, centrally-mounted divorced transfer case, and center-mounted battery tray. This setup offers excellent weight distribution which provides consistent handling while navigating a large range of obstacles and terrain. The Marksman’s large 1:8 scale TC8 platform allows for greater ease in overcoming obstacles in which a smaller 1:10 scale truck may struggle.

A 1:8 scale trail crawler needs to be able to take some serious abuse, so we’ve included heavy-duty gears in its single speed transmission with a gear ratio of 1.54:1 (20/13) and a 32 pitch pinion and spur gear. A built-in adjustable slipper clutch allows the driver to manage wheel spin when necessary.

The centrally-mounted divorced transfer case utilizes heavy-duty MOD1 gears and has a gear ratio of 1.92:1 (25/13). As you would expect from any quality rig, the TC8-Marksman is fitted with a complete set of rubber sealed bearings.

The Marksman utilizes Redcat’s XR247 heavy-duty trussed axle housings. The XR247 axle housings include diamond shaped central housings, integrated trusses and heavy-duty double shear mounting points, which are capable of enduring the levels of abuse expected from a large 1:8 scale trail rig. A one piece pinion gear and metal spool provide balanced power transfer to both the left and right axles with a 2.91:1 gear ratio.

Because the Marksman utilizes specially-designed high strength 1.5mm steel ladder-type frame rails, this truck not only has a solid backbone, but the wheelbase can be adjusted to a length of 355mm, 361mm, 367mm (stock), 373mm and 379mm. This allows the driver to fine tune the Marksman’s front to rear stability. The Marksman’s heavy-duty drive shafts have metal ends for strength and they offer the perfect amount of telescoping action to accommodate each of the five different length wheelbase configurations.

The Marksman uses a panhard bar with 3-link suspension up front and a 4-link suspension setup in the rear. This is a proven suspension design with outstanding performance and stability. The 5mm heavy-duty metal links with flared heavy-duty rod ends are super durable and do a great job of keeping the XR247 axles in check. A set of 100mm long-travel aluminum-body, oil-filled shocks provide consistently smooth dampening. Ride height can be quickly adjusted thanks to the shock’s threaded bodies and collars. Each of the four shock towers offer nine upper shock mounting positions for even more suspension tuning and is sure to please highly competitive drivers.

A Hexfly high-torque 25kg digital steering servo is used to aim the Marksman’s large off-road tires with consistency and accuracy. The Hexfly digital servo uses anodized metal gears, metal servo horn and an aluminum center case for consistent cooling. The Hexfly digital servo can be powered by 5-7.4 volts and is waterproof, for those that enjoy navigating wet trails. The Marksman has impressive steering geometry with a 47 degree inside steering angle and a 32 degree outside steering angle. This combination of steering geometry and high torque digital steering servo allows this large 1:8 scale trail crawler to maneuver in and out of tight situations.

A 1:8 scale trail truck wouldn’t be complete without large 1:8 scale off-road tires. The Marksman rides on an officially licensed set of INTERCO SS-M16 hybrid performance off-road tires, which are mounted to a set of 8-spoke licensed Raceline Avenger wheels. This combo not only looks great, but the SS-M16’s high traction tread design performs well on a variety of different surfaces.

While the TC8-Marksman definitely has the makings of a high quality performance trail crawler, it doesn’t stop there. Redcat incorporated many additional scale details into the Marksman’s appearance, giving the user the best possible trail crawling experience available. The injection-molded plastic driver’s head, with cowboy hat, sits on top of a detailed body, allowing the user to add immediate personality to their vehicle with a few swipes of a paint brush. Other added details include LED-ready headlights, LED-ready off-road light buckets, plastic roll cage, realistic looking non-functional winch, rugged bumpers, rock sliders, inner wheel wells, spare tire mount and scrape away paint system.

The Marksman is painted with a different color quality paint on the inside and outside of the body shell. This technique provides an interesting effect when grinding through rocky canyons. As the outer green layer of paint is scraped away, a rusty metal looking color is revealed beneath. This adds even more realism and excitement to the TC8-Marksman driving experience. This may possibly be the first time you actually want to get out and scrape up your brand new scale vehicle.

Video Overview