We've now had the SG 1602 brushless RC Truck (same as SG 1601, HBX 16889) for 6 months and it has been abused several times per weekend by my 5 year old (and myself!) in that time. I'm delighted to say that it is still running, still fast and I haven't needed to buy any spare parts. So far the list of casualties are:
So, as you may be able to see, this fast and light truck has taken an incredible amount of abuse and has very little damage to show for it, even then the damage is purely cosmetic. So what are my thoughts on the good and the bad of this now and my more recommendation based on the additional experience? Read on:
Recommendations 6 months in I can wholeheartedly recommend this rapid little RC truck. The list of good and not so good means I think it is probably the very first RC vehicle I think of when friends ask me for the "next"RC car for their kids - after they have finished with their little toy grade car that has no proportional steering (or throttle) and runs of AA batteries. This SG 1602 and it alternatives are fast, efficient, reliable and stand up to abuse. Even the list of "not so good" above actually make this more suitable for younger ones - shorter range means the car won't run away on you: it stops when out of range. Hard tyres mean less grip but it is still 4wd and most the time kids enjoy skids, donuts and power slides. It also means they are much harder wearing, even on concrete. Lack of adjustable tie rods is of benefit too because this is one less setting to keep an eye on. Bouncy suspension is less important for kids but something you may want to consider to improve handling and performance on jumps. The only real shortcoming for me is the lack of dual rate to limit high speed crashes, however the durability of this car makes this less important it it will teach them throttle control anyway. Just a reminder, under the body these are all the same car so get whichever one you like the look of most or for me, which one is cheapest! Do make sure you get the brushless variant though Recommended Parts:
Thanks for reading, if you found this article useful please feel free to like or share, the facebook links below directly link/like this article. Links are affiliated and help me buy the bits I need to produce this type of content. If you are looking for RC cars, quads or parts check out my coupons and discounts page which I keep updated with only the RC cars, parts and quads I like at a proper discoun
38 Comments
Joel hitchon
30/7/2020 09:01:30 pm
hi I would just like to say your page and advice is great and iv followed your guide to the 144001 with great success
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Quadify RC
31/7/2020 09:55:34 am
Hey Joel
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Richard Dzidek
11/8/2021 08:49:31 am
They must have changed the electronics since your review, the ESC is certainly different, but there is now dual rate for the throttle (I slow it down for my son) and the range is over 50m. In fact it’s got better range than my 144001 with the stock radio!
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raul
6/8/2020 05:54:43 pm
Just want to say i enjoy your guides. I'm considering getting this as a basher but want to know if theres any way to get more speed out of it, perhaps a larger brushless. Know anything that would still fit?
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Quadify RC
6/8/2020 09:59:50 pm
Hey Raul, thanks. I think you may be pleasantly surprised just how fast this is. Upgrading would get expensive because you need to to the radio and receiver too. I think this is great as is with the upgraded shocks but if you are looking to tinker then check out the 144001 in my other articles
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Raul
4/1/2021 11:46:33 am
Bought the car, including the 144001. I've done the 144001 brushless upgrade too. In hindsight, wish I didn't haha. As fun as the 144001 is, it's not a basher. Stock I was getting less than 6 minutes of runtime and the tinker was fun while it lasted but I expect more durabllity for what I had planned. So far I've broken an arm, c hub, steering hub, drive shaft bent, diff, dog bone in about....3 "simple" crashes. It's being replaced with an LC EMB T and MT.
QuadifyRC
4/1/2021 10:06:22 pm
Yeah the 144001 are good value for money but the LC racing series are just better cars all round - better material, tighter engineering, better equipment. I would say better design but WL toys copied most of it 🤣
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Thomas B
12/8/2020 07:21:26 am
My HBX 16889 just came in, ordered based on your recommendation and it is great fun. One addition, this model (as linked on Banggood in the article) does come with dual rate setting, there is a 'speed' dial on the controller.
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joel hitchon
12/8/2020 07:50:07 am
my 16889 had the new esc with speed control and It was great for two days and 4-5 runs then stopped working so I hope there's not a problem with them all
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Quadify RC
12/8/2020 09:36:07 pm
That sucks Joel. It's the first issue I've heard with this series of ESCs so hopefully it's a one-off and the retailer comes to the party
Magnus A.
1/12/2020 06:13:24 am
I just received two cars, one HBX16889 and one HBX16890, and one of them have issue with the transmitter. Steering works fine but the throttle has its own life... The same behaviour is noted regardless which car the transmitter is connected to.
Quadify RC
12/8/2020 09:38:10 pm
Great to hear about the throttle dual rate. It sounds like they have revised the control system based on your comments and the pictures that Joel sent. Sounds like range has improved as well
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joel hitchon
12/8/2020 10:16:22 pm
Banggood have agreed to refund me the full amount so I'm going to start again with another 16889a I've purchased off ebay with nectar point so only cost me £30 of real money,
Evan
10/9/2020 06:25:27 pm
What are your thoughts on the SG 1602 versus the WL Toys 144001?
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Joel
10/9/2020 08:27:42 pm
To be honest I prefer the 16889 (same as 1602) over the 144001, its so much fun as a basher with the brushless motor and the wheelie bar adds to the fun and is essential, id say the car is easier to work on and once you've uprated the shocks and put a lipo in the car is a blast with better steering and breaking than the wltoys only down side is top speed is down on 144001 by about 5mph
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Quadify RC
10/9/2020 10:00:18 pm
Horses for courses a bit. If you want to go fast with no fuss on something that won't break easy, go with the SG 1601/1602 or HBX 16889. The 144001 handles better and has more potential to be upgraded but needs a little more attention to get it running nicely. 144001 is more for tinkerers
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Alex
24/11/2020 04:20:56 pm
Hello,great review!
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QuadifyRC
24/11/2020 04:30:41 pm
Thanks Alex! I recommend a 40wt for this little truck with the upgraded shocks. I just go with whatever silicon oil is cheapest at my local hobby store - in my case I used Team Associated Silicon Shock oil.
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sohail khaliq
2/1/2021 08:51:58 am
SG 1601 is this car has metal dog bones or the plastic one
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QuadifyRC
2/1/2021 11:38:12 am
Metal on the brushless version linked in the article
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Neal
25/1/2021 08:02:10 pm
Help! Had since 8/11/20. It crashed into my leg recently. Would accelerate but not turn. Within minutes, it spotted accelerating and lights would flicker. Then stopped turning on completely. Any tips or things i can replace?
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QuadifyRC
28/1/2021 11:45:07 pm
Hi Neal, I'm afraid it sounds like the ESC/receiver unit may be toast. Which model have you got? If the SG 1602 or 1601 I can't seem to find a replacement part. For the HBX 16889 it is https://bit.ly/3ouY4P7
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Guilherme
1/2/2021 12:37:22 am
Very good and durable car !! congratulations prls recommendation. I would like to rate another model, the Xinlehong Q901. Another wonderful car for the price.
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QuadifyRC
1/2/2021 09:58:11 pm
Thanks and yes, might have to check that one out ;)
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Thomas Bosboom
22/3/2021 04:15:15 am
My little one just drove his SG1602 into a pond - thankfully we were able to fish it out fairly quickly. Guess we will now find out how water resistent the setup is!
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QuadifyRC
22/3/2021 09:37:44 am
Yikes!
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Thomas Bosboom
23/3/2021 09:04:07 am
Thnx! I can now confirm the car seems absolutely fine now that it is dried - thankfully!
Euwan
18/4/2021 11:05:11 pm
Hi,
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Euwan
18/4/2021 11:07:05 pm
forgot to include the link sorry
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QuadifyRC
19/4/2021 03:44:41 pm
Hi there. The ESC and motor will fit but don't believe the servo would. You'd also need a new transmitter and receiver if you went down this path. Personally I'd keep it stock, Every component ties in so nicely - it is a very well balanced car out of the factory.
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Hartkor
21/4/2021 02:13:04 am
Hi!
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QuadifyRC
21/4/2021 08:42:14 am
Hi there
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Raihan Muhammad
27/5/2021 11:41:14 pm
love the review, i just wanna ask, are the wheels and tires upgradable (what size of hex does it use, if it has them) and what size is the battery tray? thanks
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QuadifyRC
30/5/2021 12:18:32 pm
Thanks Raihan
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patrick
11/6/2021 12:02:57 am
I actually asked the same question in advance of my son's arriving this week. They do use a standard 12mm hex but its held on by some plastic "ribs" which look like a week point long term. I think if you get the hbx upgrade it gives dogbones which take a conventional hex attachment.
Richard Dzidek
11/8/2021 10:34:47 am
They must have changed the electronics since you did your review, the ESC is certainly different, but there is now dual rate for the throttle (I slow it down for my son) and the range is over 50m. In fact it’s got better range than my 144001 with the stock radio!
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QuadifyRC
11/8/2021 05:40:15 pm
Hey Richard, I like the look of the upgraded ESC and saw that they now have throttle dual rate which is a great addition. Definitely good that range has increased too because it was a little on the low side before. Have fun with your little man!
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Josh S
8/7/2022 11:52:36 am
I love this car, which I bought for my sons 5yr birthday based on your review and suggestions. He drives it nonstop and has progressed to being able to control it nearly as well as I can on full throttle.
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