RCCrawler Forums

rkj__ · 04-17-2020, 01:15 PM

For those not on Facebook and those who have not found the information through other existing sources or threads, here is the news from Rich Trujillo:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich RC Trujillo

Hi All, i'd like to address the Ascender status. For those that don't know me, i'm a Senior Product Developer for Horizon Hobby. From the start of Vaterra, I worked on all the Ascenders, Touring cars and Twin hammers. So to say the least Vaterra has been close to me..

That being said, I wanted to clarify that there will not be a new version of the Ascender and no, the Axial SCX10 III was not going to be the Ascender 2.0. The SCX10 III was a ground up design from Matt Kearney (a long time designer at Axlal). Being that I worked on the SCX10 III and Capra projects, we were able to incorporate the patented sliding chassis rails for the SCX10 III now that Axial is a brand of Horizon. Vaterra is NOT going out of business as Vaterra is a brand of Horizon (like Mountain Dew is a brand of Pepsico).

The current Vaterra line of vehicles will continue to be made and supported with spares etc as long as their is enough demand to meet production. They are not going away anytime soon.

I want to thank everyone that has supported the Ascender and continues to do so. I appreciate the loyalty to this rig. We were always the underdog but I always felt we had a killer chassis with fit and finish, its just been tough to overcome the "torque twist" comments that continues to haunt me to this day LOL. I learned a lot from this rig.

I know this info will upset many of you and you won't understand why we are not making a 2.0 version but there is a lot of thought that goes into these decisions. Our leadership at Horizon is very supportive and does not take this lightly. As the developer that worked on every Ascender, I felt i should let you guys know sooner than later and "rip the band-aid" off.

Hopefully this clears it up for you guys and don't hold too much ill will towards Horizon. I'm proud of the company i work for and we all take pride in what we do and want to offer the best experience we can to the RC consumer.

Thanks,

Rich

OSRC · 04-17-2020, 01:20 PM

Thanks for posting.

Makes sense...with both Axial and Vaterra under the same umbrella so to speak, I expected this eventually. Did have and still do have a good time with my Ascender, it's a fun truck. You did good Rich!!

Keep the new stuff coming, very excited for the future.

JatoTheRipper · 04-17-2020, 01:34 PM

Rich announced this on a live stream a week or two ago now. I think it was Harley's live stream. I'm surprised it took this long to become official. This writing was on the wall as soon as Horizon bought Axial. Very sad we'll never see another Ascender. That was a great platform with a fatal flaw that really wasn't all that fatal IMO. But, on the other hand, Axial got the boost they need to become the best and highest quality rig out there.

HumboldtEF · 04-17-2020, 05:05 PM

I heard that on Harley's stream, I though about posting it up but didn't want to be the bearer of bad news.

I think Josh took a bit too much pleasure in this news, he had a huge smile. Not cool Josh lol

M1tch · 04-18-2020, 05:08 AM

Despite the denial about the new SCX chassis not being the base of a new Ascender, I cant help feeling a bit cheated. I'm feeling grumpy about this, but put that down to being an old guy lol.

I have enough parts to keep my 2 Ascenders going for a long time anyway. I still enjoy them as much as I did when I bought them. The only problem is I can't think of any improvements I can make to them. Hard old life ain't it?

My nephew has bought and built an SCX10.3 and likes it a lot. But he lives too far away for me to see it in action.

At least Horizon have done the decent thing and improved the quality. I had an early SCX based truck and got tired of repairing it if it just took a small tumble. My Ascenders have had some big crashes, but still been able to drive them.

$uicide $hift · 04-18-2020, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1tch

Despite the denial about the new SCX chassis not being the base of a new Ascender, I cant help feeling a bit cheated. I'm feeling grumpy about this, but put that down to being an old guy lol.

I have enough parts to keep my 2 Ascenders going for a long time anyway. I still enjoy them as much as I did when I bought them. The only problem is I can't think of any improvements I can make to them. Hard old life ain't it?

My nephew has bought and built an SCX10.3 and likes it a lot. But he lives too far away for me to see it in action.

At least Horizon have done the decent thing and improved the quality. I had an early SCX based truck and got tired of repairing it if it just took a small tumble. My Ascenders have had some big crashes, but still been able to drive them.

I can understand where you are coming from. Think about it differently though. Axial is a great brand (I know you had issues in the past) and Vaterra was great under Horizon. Yes Axial designed this new rig but under Horizon and with members from the team that built the Ascender.

Basically you now get the best efforts from Axial and Vaterra combined in one new rig. I have built one and so far I have been enjoying it a lot. Is it perfect? No, that does not exist. There is always something somebody does not like or a design decision that they question. Overall this is a great rig that is not disappointing at all. From what I have seen so far this will be a very rugged rig that will be able to take abuse just like your Ascender does and just like the TRX-4 does.

M1tch · 04-18-2020, 10:23 AM

Well there might be one in the distant future, but with all the trucks coming out the last few months there is plenty of choice and I still haven't finished the Gen8 I bought almost a year ago.

The amount of stuff available now is pretty good, but to be a good seller now, it has to be good quality and good spares/upgrades available or will struggle.

Makes you wonder who will do what next.

smog · 04-18-2020, 12:31 PM

I think most of us saw this coming when Horizon took over Axial. As long as Horizon continues to support the Ascender I cant really complain.

From what I understand and the way I see it, SCXiii takes the Axial platform to where it should have been long ago. It comes with proper quality plastics and shocks that don't require replacement before its even run(just like the Ascender

). The way I see it, this is the Ascender and SCX10 blended and then impoved upon. The Axial name is only used because it has more significant history and sells. The Ascender is awesome, I still run mine, but now we have the TRX4, The Element Enduro, the SSD Trail King, the SCXiii and the VP Holy Grail. Not to mention the other fringe players. At this point do we even need another? I would rather have more body and part options please and thank you

rkj__ · 04-18-2020, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smog

. At this point do we even need another? :

I still think there is room in the market for a scale 4x4 prerunner truck.

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meatmonkey · 04-19-2020, 06:57 PM

I feel this doesn't bode well for Twin Hammer parts availability. Some are already showing up as "discontinued".

My Ascender is so reliable I'm not worried. I've got a set of gears, cvds, and housings so I should be set for years.

smog · 04-19-2020, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkj__

I still think there is room in the market for a scale 4x4 prerunner truck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How would you set up a prerunner? IFS? Wider Axles?

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatmonkey

I feel this doesn't bode well for Twin Hammer parts availability. Some are already showing up as "discontinued".

My Ascender is so reliable I'm not worried. I've got a set of gears, cvds, and housings so I should be set for years.

I hear ya. The Twin Hammers is such a great platform, to lose it is a real shame imo.

Natedog · 04-19-2020, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

I heard that on Harley's stream, I though about posting it up but didn't want to be the bearer of bad news.

I think Josh took a bit too much pleasure in this news, he had a huge smile. Not cool Josh lol

X2

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1tch

I have enough parts to keep my 2 Ascenders going for a long time anyway. I still enjoy them as much as I did when I bought them. The only problem is I can't think of any improvements I can make to them. Hard old life ain't it?

At least Horizon have done the decent thing and improved the quality.

X2

Quote:

Originally Posted by smog

I think most of us saw this coming when Horizon took over Axial. As long as Horizon continues to support the Ascender I cant really complain.

From what I understand and the way I see it, SCXiii takes the Axial platform to where it should have been long ago. It comes with proper quality plastics and shocks that don't require replacement before its even run(just like the Ascender

). The way I see it, this is the Ascender and SCX10 blended and then impoved upon. The Axial name is only used because it has more significant history and sells. The Ascender is awesome, I still run mine....more body and part options please and thank you

Still love all my Ascenders, one of the few crawlers that doesn't require a bin full of upgrade parts just to stay on the trail....until now there's also the Axial SCX10III.

rkj__ · 04-25-2020, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smog

How would you set up a prerunner? IFS? Wider Axles?
.

I’m thinking IFS, solid rear axle, and a little more speed than a typical crawler.

Now that the Element IFS kit is out, you can certainly build your own, but not everyone is a builder...

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rkj__ · 04-25-2020, 09:13 PM

And the aftermarket is starting to drop out already.

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alexleblanc · 04-28-2020, 03:25 AM

I have an ascender and it’s been a great rig, the one I’m more worried about is the TH, that’s one of my favourite rigs ever, hopefully that they will be available for a while yet.

M1tch · 04-28-2020, 08:48 AM

I'm the same. also being in the UK it can be hard to get parts, but my Ascenders have been very reliable. Also ordering stuff from the USA or Hong Kong is very slow at this time.

My TH is driving very nicely now, but parts are pretty much impossible to get.

rkj__ · 05-04-2020, 05:20 PM

F100 BND no longer available.

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rkj__ · 05-25-2020, 01:33 PM

K10 RTR is no longer available.

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Itali83 · 05-25-2020, 05:50 PM

Sadly, I think what we’ve got is what we’ve got. Better get what parts you need/want now.

Ben

rkj__ · 05-25-2020, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itali83

Sadly, I think what we’ve got is what we’ve got. Better get what parts you need/want now.

Ben

Or, use “discontinued / no longer available” as an excuse to justify getting a new truck to yourself, or your wife.

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04-17-2020, 01:20 PM	#2
OSRC I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Douglassville, PA Posts: 4,030	Re: No New Vaterra Products Thanks for posting. Makes sense...with both Axial and Vaterra under the same umbrella so to speak, I expected this eventually. Did have and still do have a good time with my Ascender, it's a fun truck. You did good Rich!! Keep the new stuff coming, very excited for the future.

04-17-2020, 01:34 PM	#3
JatoTheRipper Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA Posts: 13,511	Re: No New Vaterra Products Rich announced this on a live stream a week or two ago now. I think it was Harley's live stream. I'm surprised it took this long to become official. This writing was on the wall as soon as Horizon bought Axial. Very sad we'll never see another Ascender. That was a great platform with a fatal flaw that really wasn't all that fatal IMO. But, on the other hand, Axial got the boost they need to become the best and highest quality rig out there.

04-17-2020, 05:05 PM	#4
HumboldtEF Tiny Truck Hoarder Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Humboldt county Posts: 4,421	Re: No New Vaterra Products I heard that on Harley's stream, I though about posting it up but didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. I think Josh took a bit too much pleasure in this news, he had a huge smile. Not cool Josh lol

04-18-2020, 05:08 AM	#5
M1tch RCC Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: England Posts: 1,603	Re: No New Vaterra Products Despite the denial about the new SCX chassis not being the base of a new Ascender, I cant help feeling a bit cheated. I'm feeling grumpy about this, but put that down to being an old guy lol. I have enough parts to keep my 2 Ascenders going for a long time anyway. I still enjoy them as much as I did when I bought them. The only problem is I can't think of any improvements I can make to them. Hard old life ain't it? My nephew has bought and built an SCX10.3 and likes it a lot. But he lives too far away for me to see it in action. At least Horizon have done the decent thing and improved the quality. I had an early SCX based truck and got tired of repairing it if it just took a small tumble. My Ascenders have had some big crashes, but still been able to drive them.

04-18-2020, 10:23 AM	#7
M1tch RCC Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: England Posts: 1,603	Re: No New Vaterra Products Well there might be one in the distant future, but with all the trucks coming out the last few months there is plenty of choice and I still haven't finished the Gen8 I bought almost a year ago. The amount of stuff available now is pretty good, but to be a good seller now, it has to be good quality and good spares/upgrades available or will struggle. Makes you wonder who will do what next.

04-18-2020, 12:31 PM	#8
smog Slow is the new fast Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Winterpeg Posts: 2,652	Re: No New Vaterra Products I think most of us saw this coming when Horizon took over Axial. As long as Horizon continues to support the Ascender I cant really complain. From what I understand and the way I see it, SCXiii takes the Axial platform to where it should have been long ago. It comes with proper quality plastics and shocks that don't require replacement before its even run(just like the Ascender). The way I see it, this is the Ascender and SCX10 blended and then impoved upon. The Axial name is only used because it has more significant history and sells. The Ascender is awesome, I still run mine, but now we have the TRX4, The Element Enduro, the SSD Trail King, the SCXiii and the VP Holy Grail. Not to mention the other fringe players. At this point do we even need another? I would rather have more body and part options please and thank you

04-19-2020, 06:57 PM	#10
meatmonkey I wanna be Dave Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: central VT Posts: 2,282	Re: No New Vaterra Products I feel this doesn't bode well for Twin Hammer parts availability. Some are already showing up as "discontinued". My Ascender is so reliable I'm not worried. I've got a set of gears, cvds, and housings so I should be set for years.

04-25-2020, 09:13 PM	#14
rkj__ Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 697	Re: No New Vaterra Products And the aftermarket is starting to drop out already. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04-28-2020, 03:25 AM	#15
alexleblanc Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Moncton Posts: 278	Re: No New Vaterra Products I have an ascender and it’s been a great rig, the one I’m more worried about is the TH, that’s one of my favourite rigs ever, hopefully that they will be available for a while yet.

04-28-2020, 08:48 AM	#16
M1tch RCC Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: England Posts: 1,603	Re: No New Vaterra Products I'm the same. also being in the UK it can be hard to get parts, but my Ascenders have been very reliable. Also ordering stuff from the USA or Hong Kong is very slow at this time. My TH is driving very nicely now, but parts are pretty much impossible to get.

05-04-2020, 05:20 PM	#17
rkj__ Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 697	Re: No New Vaterra Products F100 BND no longer available. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-25-2020, 01:33 PM	#18
rkj__ Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 697	Re: No New Vaterra Products K10 RTR is no longer available. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-25-2020, 05:50 PM	#19
Itali83 RCC Addict Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,022	Re: No New Vaterra Products Sadly, I think what we’ve got is what we’ve got. Better get what parts you need/want now. Ben

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