It can be hard to find a decent off-road RC car at the bottom end of the budget. There are cheap cars, and there are cars that offer great off-road performance, but those two cirlces rarely overlap, but the Maisto Rock Crawler Extreme is the exception to the rule. This thing rules on rough terrain and while it can't keep up with the big boys, at a fraction of the price it's still one of the best remote control cars around.
As an off-road vehicle, the Rock Crawler Extreme features large tires, full suspension and four-wheel drive. Its tires are soft for maximum grip on steep surfaces, and they work incredibly well for crawling over rocks, logs or whatever else you might come across.
The Extreme's full suspension consists of soft springs and a solid axle. This means you get a lot of articulation out of your suspension, making it less likely that the vehicle will flip over on uneven terrain. Although this isn't a unique design, few toy-grade vehicles pull it off as well as this RC truck.
This machine requires six AA batteries, which are not included, and is only capable of reaching speeds of around 5 mph. Although this may seem slow, speed isn't what this car is designed for. Maisto intentionally designed the Extreme to be more conducive for rock crawling. Regardless, the slower speeds mean that this vehicle is manageable and safe for young children who lack the finesse required to control a high-speed vehicle.
The included pistol-grip transmitter is also great for kids. Its smaller size is suited perfectly for young hands. Be aware that the remote does not feature proportional control. You're either full throttle or nothing at all, which isn't that bad considering its low top speed. Batteries aren't included with the remote, so you have to provide two AAA batteries.
Maisto offers support for the Rock Crawler Extreme by phone or email. It also includes a 30-day warranty against defects. As is the case with most toy-grade RC cars, replacement or upgrade parts are not available from the manufacturer.
The Maisto Rock Crawler Extreme isn't the fastest RC truck out there, but it excels in difficult terrain and climbs over large obstacles incredibly well. Large tires, full suspension and four-wheel drive make this one of the most capable toy-grade off-road RC vehicles available.
