Redcat Ascent-18 Apex 1/18 4WD RTR Brushless Rock Crawler (Red) 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 · 28 reviews
This is my first Redcat model. The marketing on it sold me. I have a Trx4m that doesn’t have a single stock part on it other than maybe a handful of screws. I built it for high performance crawling. This Apex completely walks all over everything my Trx4m struggles with or can’t do, right out of the box at that. For what you pay for the Apex- you are getting an extremely capable little machine at a great value. Fit and finish is very nice. It is so smooth and the quality of the parts seem top notch. It is an absolute blast to drive and in my opinion an absolute bargain for the quality and performance out of the box that you get. Definitely a fan of Redcat now. And Amain is top notch as always with their service!!
The performance of this truck blew me away. My previous micro crawler experience is a TRX-4M. On obstacles made for the capability of the TRX-4M, this truck drives over them like they aren’t even there. So good it feels like cheating. I kinda wish the body came with bed reinstalled. The install was a pain because it changes how the body mounts to the truck (which is way easier and clipless by the way). Beyond a few screws, you need double sticky tape since you have to unstick the receiver and attach it to another part, and unstick the esc to get access to a screw. Beyond that, you need to ream new holes in the body. They are pre located, but not well - the hole locations did not line up well with the plastic mount structure. Big plus - Hobby wing electronics from the factory that can be programmed with the hobby wing programmers, unlike other brands that make you buy their proprietary programmer.
So sick. Quality parts that all work together flawlessly. My first Redcat. My normal crawler is a Vanquish VS410 Ultra with all top of the line electronics so I'm used to Quality
I don’t know anything about RC cars, I bought the two Redcat Apex’s for me and my grandson. These trucks are so good, that a rank amateur, like me, can crawl like a pro right out of the box. AMain hobbies is a class “A” act, highly recommended.
I have a couple TRX4m, I have HPI VENTURE which is Awesome, I also have a Furitek Terra Comp, SCX24, scx10 3 x2, and I’m not exaggerating when I say my first Red Cat , the Accent-18 Apex is the hands down best out of the box if you want performance. Now for an update went to run battery number two the next day and the pinion chewed itself to death. The overall performance Is great but a plastic pinion. Now I can’t find the replacement?
Reviewers broadly praise the Redcat Ascent-18 Apex's out-of-the-box crawling performance, smooth running, and value, with many comparing it favourably to TRX-4M, SCX24 and other micro crawlers. Several note fit and finish and a generally capable drivetrain. Recurring criticisms include battery and charger problems (some batteries not taking a charge), a plastic pinion that failed under use, a power button that is hard to reach without removing the body, body mounting that required modifications, and a missing hub nut wrench. One reviewer reported an ESC and servo failure after a short period, and another reported the truck stopped working within a month. Several reviews praise customer service and shipping speed from the seller. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, though reliability reports are mixed.
- + Strong out-of-the-box crawling performance
- + Smooth running and capable on obstacles
- + Good value for the price
- + Responsive customer service and fast shipping
- − Battery and charger problems reported
- − Plastic pinion failed under use
- − Power button hard to access
- − Some reports of electronics failure