Helion Contakt 12TR [REVIEW]

Helion Contakt 12TR [REVIEW]

Helion Contakt 12TR 1

Helion’s line of affordable RTRs has been joined by another 1/12 scale entry with the Contakt 12TR, which dresses a 2WD platform with truggy styling. Just like the other 1/12 scale cars in their lineup, the Contakt packs a lot of value into a small package at a low price. A 2.4GHz radio system controls a water-resistant electronics package, and there’s no skimping on the included battery; it’s a high-capacity (for its size) LiPo, and there’s even a balance charger and charging bag included. All you need to add are four AA batteries, and the Contakt is ready to go directly from box to back yard.

Click to enlarge

Helion Contakt 12TR chassis

BEHIND THE WHEEL
It didn’t take long to get the Contakt out of the box and ready for action. The partially charged LiPo battery only took about a half hour before it was fully charged with the included charger. Once the Contakt was ready to go, I put it down on the tarmac and ripped on the throttle and it took off with authority. The Contakt has strong acceleration, especially on high-traction surfaces. Top speed is a GPS-confirmed 18.3mph, and it was easy to pop wheelies by rolling backward with reverse then blasting full throttle. The Contakt’s tires have lots of grip on asphalt and it is very reactive to steering inputs, enough to traction-roll. The little truck proved to be pretty resilient, and came back for more despite a few hard tumbles. On the dirt, the Contakt still exhibited a good amount of traction despite the tire tread’s wide-and-flat lug design. The front end gets light under power which contributes to understeer while accelerating, but once the front tires are on the ground and at speed, the Contakt turns exceptionally well as it moves from obstacle to obstacle. The Contakt doesn’t mind airtime and the truck flies nice and level, but hard landings can bottom-out the shocks and slap the chassis. The friction dampers do an adequate job soaking up small bumps and imperfections, but the Contakt tends to bounce and bottom out in very rough terrain. Since the Contakt is a 1/12-scale truck, I didn’t expect it to get over all the obstacles a 1/10 scale (or larger) car would. On surfaces appropriate for its size, it’s an excellent fun-runner.

Helion Contakt 12TR action 2

 

PLUS
• LiPo battery and balance charger included
• Responsive handling
• Water resistant electronics

MINUS
• Friction shocks give a bouncy ride

 

Final Word
The Helion Contakt delivers a lot for about $150 bucks. Its user-friendliness makes it easy for a first-time driver to get a feel for the wheel, and the reduced-power settings are especially helpful for little guys. Responsive handling makes the Contakt fun to rip on and off road, and its 1/12 scale size offers easy portability for anytime RC action.

HelionRC.com

Helion Contakt 12TR battery compartment

No body clips to remove here. The bottom loading battery compartment makes it easy to access the battery for quick removal and installation.

Helion Contakt 12TR charger lipo

No upgrade required in the battery department, there’s a LiPo right in the box. Helion supplies an AC-powered mini balance charger to juice it up.

Helion Contakt 12TR charger lipo bag

For extra safety, Helion includes a charging bag for the LiPo.

Helion Contakt 12TR driver

The speed control/receiver combo unit mounts ahead of the battery pack. The driver is hard to see with the body on, but he looks good under the roll cage.

Helion Contakt 12TR motor

The 390RR brushed motor had a good balance of punch and speed that makes the Contakt fun to drive.

Helion Contakt 12TR radio 2

The HRSS-2.1 transmitter appears the same as the HRSS-2 we last tested with the Helion Impakt 12B, but the new model adds steering dual-rate capability and two limited-throttle modes for new drivers. You can select 50% or 70% power if the default 100% setting is too quick for whoever you’re handing the radio to.

Helion Contakt 12TR suspension 1

The plastic friction shocks do a good job of taming smaller obstacles, but are bouncy when the going gets rough.

 

Helion Contakt 12TR top speed

SPECIFICATIONS

Item no: HLNA0545

Scale: 1/12

Price: $155

Wheelbase: 9.8 in (250mm)

Length: 16.5 in. (420mm)

Width: 8.1 in. (205mm)

Height: 5.6 in. (143mm)

Weight: 2.0 lbs. (907g)

CHASSIS

Type: Tub

Material: Plastic

SUSPENSION

Type F/R: Front and rear H-arm with fixedlength

camber link

Inboard camber link position (F/R): 1/1

Outboard camber-link positions (F/R): 1/1

Shock positions, towers (F/R): 1/1

Shock positions, arms (F/R): 2/2

SHOCKS

Bodies: Plastic, friction type

Shafts: 2.5mm steel

DRIVETRAIN

Type/ratio: 2WD enclosed gearbox

Differential: Sealed bevel gear

Driveshafts: Plastic dogbones

Bearings: Metal shielded in gearbox, oilite bushings on axles

WHEELS & TIRES

Wheels: Black spoke with 12mm hex

Tires: Helion all-terrain

INCLUDED ELECTRONICS

Transmitter: Helion HRSS-2.1 2.4GHz

Speed control/receiver: Helion 2-in-1 combination unit

Motor: Helion 390RR brushed

Battery: Helion 1500mAh 2S 7.4V LiPo

Charger: Helion AC LiPo balance, 0.5amp

REQUIRES

4 AA batteries for transmitter

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Updated: April 3, 2018 — 11:59 AM
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