What can we say about the HPI Blackzon Slyder
To call anything indestructible is a big statement and there are many exceptions to this but, the HPI Blackzon Slyder is a tough little mini beast. We now have two of these and we have been doing silly things with them and they keep on going. The 1/16th RC world is a great place to start when entering the RC Hobby. You could go out and buy a toy shop model for £30-£40 and get a model that works. The Blackzon Slyder is not a Toy, it is a realistic entry point for the RC Hobby, and here is why!
Blackzon Slyder Technology
The Blackzon Slyder comes packed with technology that you find in the larger hobby-grade RC Cars. This 1/16th-sized truck can hold its own at the skate park.
The first point to notice is the quality of the Slyder, the chassis is constructed from good quality composite plastic and the truck has a stocky feel in your hand. The Shell is made from a strong polycarbonate material and it comes ready-painted. You just need to install the stickers. The Blackzon Slyder also has an all-around independent suspension which can be adjusted to add control.
The Receiver and ESC which is the brain of the car is a dual purpose unit. This can be replaced at a later date if you wish to upgrade. The Steering servo is small but does the job for a 1/6th truck. This can also be replaced if you wish to upgrade. The motor that comes as standard is a 390 brushed unit which will not set the world on fire it produces up to 17mph. There are upgraded brushless motors available if you want more speed.
This makes the HPI Blackzon Slyder a hobby-grade unit.
Driving the Blackzon Slyder
This is the fun part of owning a Blackzon Slyder. They are so much fun to drive. They are only doing around 15mph but they seem like they are going 200mph and this is because of scale speed.
The Slyder is a 1/16th scale buggy. We have taken them to the local skate park and it seems they are made for this kind of location. We found that even when the cars landed upside down on concrete, they kept going. The Blaczon Slyder has no problem pulling off some fun jumps and stunts. We tested one car with our speed analyzer and it was doing 14mph at the skate park.
About the 1/16 Truck / Truggy
The Blackzon Slyder is available in two forms the first option is a stadium Truck and the second option is a Monster Truck. We purchased one of each style. They look great and both units come in multiple colours. There is also a brushless version if you want to spend more money. We purchased the cheaper brushed versions from Rochester RC for £64.00 as we feel that this is the best version as a starter kit. £64.00 is a brilliant price for a ready-to-run unit.
What is in the Box
The Blackzon Slyder comes packaged in a Ready To Run Kit which mean when you open the box, you get almost everything you need. You get the Truck or Truggy, the radio transmitter, the battery for the car, the battery charger, a set of headlights, and some extra shell clips. All you need to do is purchase a set of AA batteries for the controller and away you go.
In Conclusion
If you are looking for a cheap, tough, and fun introduction to the RC hobby then the Blackzon Slyder is the one for you. Any Child would love this as it is not a slow knockoff, it is a real entry-level vehicle with upgrade possibilities.
