Getting a Truggy: Mugen Seiki MB X5T Prospec or HPI Hellfire SS Kit

By Paul Piotrowski on Jun 9, 2007 in Fun and Relaxation

Well, with the summer approaching quick I have been itching to buy a new RC Truggy. I’m thinking about either a Mugen Seiki MB X5T Prospec or the HPI Hellfire SS kit. I love building RC’s so I love the kit versions. Last year when I saw HPI release the Hellfire I really wanted one, but I did not want to get an RTR so I was waiting for a kit. Unfortunately, by the time the Hellfire SS kit version came out I was smack in the middle of planning and preparing for my wedding. Then the fall and winter came and there was no point getting one just yet.

Now that summer is just around the corner, I made a visit to my local hobby store (Racetech Hobbies) to see what’s new. My friend Seb there told me to go for the Mugen MB X5T Prospec instead of the Hellfire as he says it’s much better. I have to admit, I’ve never looked into the Mugen brand so I wasn’t too sure about it. What I’ve always loved about the HPI kits I’ve built in the past is the great website HPI has which has awesome pictures and videos of their kits so it’s easy to get excited about them. Seb happened to be building the Mugen Prospec kit so I took a quick look at it and I must say I was pretty impressed. It looks really well put together. Everything looks top of the line. Besides, when it comes to RC stuff, I trust Seb’s judgement as he’s got trophies coming out of the ying-yang so I’m sure he knows what he’s talking about.

The only thing on my mind is that for my purposes, which is primarly back-yard bashing, I don’t really need a top of the line truggy. I’m more interested in something fun to build and something that looks mean when it’s finished. That’s what originally sold me on the Hellfire last year. Take a look at this picture of the Hellfire. Doesn’t it look mean?

HPI Hellfire Truggy

This is what I’ve always liked about HPI. They know how to make their products look good. However, on the other side the Mugen Seiki MB X5T Pro Spec is supposed to be such a nicely put together kit that there is absolutely nothing to upgrade. Everything you get in the kit is already top of the line. Here’s a few pics of the Mugen MBX5T:

Mugen Seiki MBX5T Pro Spec

Mugen MBX5T Pro Spec

As you can see, the Hellfire picture looks much meaner which is cool, but I think it’s because the Mugen doesn’t have a body on in these pictures and the wing is white. I’m sure if I threw on a black/red body on it would look just as mean as the Hellfire.

I haven’t made the decision yet, but I’m leaning towards the Mugen at the moment. I’ll keep you guys posted as to what I get.

Paul