Redcat Ascent-18 Apex 1/18 4WD RTR Brushless Rock Crawler (Dark Metallic Gray) w/2.4GHz Radio, Battery & Charger
About this part
Advanced Micro Crawler with High-Performance Features
The Redcat Ascent-18 Apex 1/18 4WD RTR Brushless Rock Crawler is engineered for serious off-road enthusiasts who demand performance and durability. With over 80% of the platform redesigned from the original Ascent-18, this crawler is built to tackle challenging terrain with ease. Its lightweight carbon fiber chassis, high-steer portal axles, and upgraded drivetrain make it a standout choice for precision crawling.
About the Ascent-18 Apex Brushless Rock Crawler
Performance-Driven Chassis
The Ascent-18 Apex features a carbon fiber low center of gravity chassis with aluminum bracing for balanced weight distribution. This lightweight yet durable frame enhances stability on rocky trails and steep inclines. Ball bearings throughout the drivetrain ensure smooth operation, reducing friction and improving overall responsiveness.
High Clearance Portal Axles
Equipped with high-steer portal axles, the Ascent-18 Apex gains improved ground clearance and a tighter turning radius. The front axles include upgraded brass outer portal boxes and differential covers, while overdrive gears and an enhanced ring and pinion gear provide better climbing power. These features allow the crawler to navigate obstacles with increased stability and control.
Ready-to-Run Setup
This crawler comes with a Hobbywing brushless motor and ESC, a metal gear micro servo, and beadlock wheels with aggressive 1.3-inch soft compound tires. The RTX-4C 4-Channel 2.4GHz Transmitter allows full control with adjustable trims and endpoints, while the 3S LiPo battery and USB charger make it ready to run right out of the box. Additionally, an optional two-piece body lets you run it as a cab only or add the included bed for extra customization.
Features:
- Carbon fiber low center of gravity chassis
- High-steer portal axles for improved steering radius
- Upgraded brass outer portal box and front differential cover
- Overdrive gears with enhanced ring and pinion ratio
- Ball bearings throughout for smoother performance
- Aluminum-capped oil-filled shocks for better traction
- Hobbywing brushless motor and ESC for 3S LiPo power
- Metal gear micro servo for precise control
- Soft compound aggressive 1.3-inch crawler tires on beadlock wheels
- Optional two-piece body with forward-tilt bed mounting system
Includes:
- (1) Ascent-18 Apex 1/18 4WD RTR Brushless Rock Crawler
- (1) RTX-4C 4-Channel 2.4GHz Radio System
- (1) Coreless 4kg Metal Gear Micro Steering Servo
- (1) Optional Truck Bed
- (1) 3S 200mAh LiPo Battery (11.1V) w/JST Connector
- (1) Hobbywing Brushless Motor
- (1) Hobbywing Brushless ESC
- (1) USB Battery Charger
- Product Manual
Needed To Complete:
- (4) AA Batteries for Transmitter
Specifications:
| Scale | 1:18 | ||||||||
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| Drive | 4WD | ||||||||
| Power Source | 3S LiPo | ||||||||
| Length | 8.74in (222mm) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 6.14in (156mm) | ||||||||
| Width | 5.6in (143mm) | ||||||||
| Height | 3.8in (98mm) | ||||||||
| Weight (With Battery) | 15.4oz (439g) | ||||||||
Electronics
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Wheels
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Tires
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| Assembly Level | RTR | ||||||||
*Tech Note: Ready-to-Run models come equipped with all electronics and include the transmitter needed for use. Please check the "Needed To Complete" above to make sure you have everything you need to get out and enjoy your RC model.
Manuals:
User Manual
CA Residents Prop 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov Details...Reviews4.6 · 16 reviews
I have had this little truck for a month now as I’m writing this review, so far it I haven’t had any issues with the truck. But the charger that comes with it,.. mine was bad, said the battery was charged when it was dead dead, luckily I was able to bring it back to life with a hobby grade charger. This little truck is a complete package right out of the box, I have a few little crawlers that I’ve put upgrades on, and this one seems to out perform all of them, I did add some brass rings to the front wheels, maybe to much front now, but I like the way it climbs up things that seem almost impossible, and 3s helps with that sometimes as well. This is an amazing little crawler, the hype is real. If your on the fence on getting this truck, I would say from my time with it, after hours of running it has been a reliable truck so far, the performance is top notch, I would recommend this truck.
Insanely capable RTR. My local drift track started building a crawler course and this thing could do all of it no problem while my other crawlers struggled on most sections. Good stock weight bias, good fleex, and the stock tires are soft and very grippy. I did however completely kill the stock battery, either I accidentally shorted it, or the stock ESC cut-off voltage is way too low. And with how small it's packaged, there aren't a lot of good third-party battery replacements that are as small as the stock one. One thing I don't like is how sensitive the stock throttle is, you need to be very gentle to get the fine slow speed control, but with a $25 das mikro receiver I now have it on my futaba and it feels much better, plus I can add throttle expo, thank you redcat for not using a combined receiver/esc.
I had to get this after getting the 1:10 Fusion a year ago because it just seemed like that but scaled down. By far the best out of the box crawler I've ever ever had. With mostly SCX24 and TRX-4M in my background this was the first crawler that showed me how a real performance geared crawler could be. Just as my Fusion was this seems really well built and been a lot of fun.
amazing product, handles well for a mini! the included truck bed is sick.
Apex is a beast! Hands down the best RTR there is. Put a few upgrades, like metal wheels, brass steering links, rear outer portal covers, brass hex nut, etc. Now this thing is OMG, most competent crawler I ever had. So much fun to drive when you can take lines you never thought possible with a 1/18 scale.
Most reviewers rate the Redcat Ascent-18 Apex highly, praising its out-of-the-box capability on rock crawling terrain, solid build, and strong performance relative to other 1/18 crawlers, with several noting upgrades such as brass rings, metal wheels, and larger tires. Recurring criticisms include a stock battery that some owners say is hard to replace with third-party options and can be over-discharged, an overly sensitive stock throttle needing gentle input for slow control, and a charger that failed for one owner. One owner reported a dead battery on arrival, and another reported a breakage on the first ride with a warranty dispute. Some reviews are short and generic, so the overall picture rests on a mix of detailed and brief feedback.
- + Capable out-of-the-box crawling performance
- + Solid build and good stock weight bias
- + Strong value compared with other 1/18 crawlers
- + Responsive upgrade potential
- − Stock battery hard to replace and can be over-discharged
- − Sensitive stock throttle at low speeds
- − Charger reported to fail on one unit
- − Warranty and customer service concerns for one owner