SHORT COURSE STARTER – ARRMA’s Senton 4×2 Boost RTR Short Course Truck

Deciding on your first RC kit can be a daunting task. There are so many options available these days that it can be difficult to decide on exactly what you want. Luckily, there are options like the Arrma Boost series of RTR vehicles that make the decision just a bit easier. The Boost series focuses on giving you a starting point that can be improved upon as your interest and experience in the hobby grow. With several styles of off-road vehicles available, grabbing a Boost RTR as your first kit is a great way to ensure you have plenty of fun with a platform that lets you upgrade as you improve. In this review we are going to take a closer look at the Senton 4×2, Arrma’s short course truck offering from the Boost RTR lineup.

BUILT TOUGH

The Senton 4×2 Boost is designed to take on all kinds of use and abuse, from bashing at the park to running laps on-track. The Senton’s chassis is made from a strong composite material with a smooth underside that prevents getting hung up on obstacles. The chassis features large skid plates at the front and rear, fully countersunk hardware, and large front and rear bumpers. Large guards are attached to both sides of the chassis to support the short course body. Heavy duty bulkheads sit at the front and rear of the chassis and provide a solid anchor point for the Senton’s composite shock towers and suspension components.

Speaking of suspension components, the Senton Boost comes with sturdy composite suspension arms and fixed links all around, all of which are made to stand up to lots of hard use. The material Arrma uses for these components is perfect, providing a healthy amount of flex while remaining nice and strong. The solid composite shock towers sit atop the front and rear bulkheads to provide a secure mounting point for the Senton’s fluid-filled coilover shocks. These shocks feature large internal bores for optimal performance and threaded top caps for easy maintenance. The shock bodies are a non-threaded design, so Arrma includes pre-load clips for ride height adjustment.

The Senton Boost features a unique 4×2 drivetrain design all based around Arrma’s modular rear gearbox. This modular design makes it easy to remove for maintenance and includes a front-facing output shaft for the optional 4×4 expansion kit. This Boost set of 4×4 option parts includes a center driveshaft, front gearbox and front driveshafts. These are some of the many optional Boost parts that Arrma offers to expand the Senton Boost’s performance capabilities.

Arrma includes a full array of Spektrum electronics with the Senton Boost. At the helm of the truck is the Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 ESC, a 40A ESC that includes a built-in 2.4GHz receiver. This 2-in-1 combo design eliminates the need for a separate receiver, which helps to not only save on weight but also frees up space in the chassis. The Senton Boost is powered by a MEGA 550 12T brushed motor that, when combined with the included 3300mAh NiMH battery, outputs a healthy amount of power. To keep the truck on course, Arrma includes a Spektrum S650 digital waterproof steering servo. To finish off the electronics package, the Boost RTR kit includes a Spektrum Smart 3300mAh NiMH battery, a Spektrum S120 USB-C smart charger, and a Spektrum SLT2 2.4GHz transmitter.

Last, but certainly not least, the Senton 4×2 Boost includes a full set of composite SC wheels wrapped in dBoots Fortress SC tires. These tires feature an aggressive off-road tread perfect for use on both dirt and pavement. To top it all off, the Senton Boost includes a pre-painted, fully decaled polycarbonate body that completes the short course truck look.

KICKING UP DIRT

When it comes to performance, the Senton 4×2 Boost ticks all the boxes of controllability and fun. The Senton brings the usual charms of a short course truck in that it feels slightly larger and a little awkward compared to stadium and monster trucks, yet still performs well and looks more true-to-scale to its real counterpart. The Senton cruises over rough dirt with ease thanks to the MEGA 550 brushed motor. The MEGA electronics setup, like the other Boost models, is a great starting point for beginning enthusiasts as it provides plenty of power to clear obstacles and jumps while remaining easy to control.

We took the Senton Boost out to a local park that has lots of gravel and dirt, which was perfect for testing the truck’s performance. Right away the Senton dug right into the gravel without issue, the dBoots Fortress SC tires making short work of the rough terrain and helping to keep the truck controlled. The 2WD drivetrain, along with the smaller contact patch of the short course tires, does mean the Senton can get a little squirrelly in the super-loose stuff, but with a little steering and throttle input this can be easily corrected. Overall, the truck was a joy to pilot and can easily go from calm and controlled to kicking up plumes of dirt in no time. Being able to fling rocks as we saw fit was a big part of the fun of the whole experience.

The Senton’s suspension is more than up to the task of handling rough terrain and jumps. Though short course trucks aren’t the pinnacle of agility, the Senton still feels nimble enough to drive confidently around curves and over obstacles. The truck has plenty of ground clearance and can smoothly handle big landings thanks to the plush fluid-filled shocks. The whole package comes together to provide total control and confidence in the vehicle, making it great for drivers of all skill levels.

ARRMA Senton 4×2 Boost RTR Short Course Truck VEHICLE SPECS

Height: 8.27 in. (210mm)
Length: 21.97 in. (558mm)
Width: 11.7 in. (298mm)
Wheelbase: 12.87 in. (327mm)
Scale: 1/10
MSRP: $239.99
Weight (No Battery): 5 lbs., 5 oz.
Chassis: Composite tub
Shocks: Plastic, oil-filled coilover
Suspension: Independent, front and rear
Transmission: Direct drive with slipper clutch
F/R Driveshafts: Sliding universal joints
Bearings: Rubber shielded steel ball
Body: Polycarbonate, pre-painted
Wheels: SC composite with 14mm hex
Tires: dBoots Fortress SC
ESC / Receiver: Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 40A ESC and receiver
Motor: MEGA 550 12T brushed
Steering Servo: Spektrum S650 digital, waterproof
Radio: Spektrum SLT2 2.4GHz
Battery: Spektrum Smart 8.4V 3300mAh NiMH
Charger: Spektrum S120 USB-C Smart Charger

A Boost in Performance
Arrma’s Boost RTR vehicles have been designed with the ideal amount of performance for the beginning RC enthusiast, all while keeping longevity in mind. Many beginner RTR kits lack optional upgrades from the factory and can find themselves sitting unused on the shelf as the enthusiast starts to grow with the hobby. With Arrma’s Boost vehicles that is no longer a concern. Arrma offers an easy-to-follow path with a suite of Boost upgrades such as purpose-made LiPo batteries, optional 4×4 drivetrain upgrade kits, and even a full brushless electronics upgrade kit.

FINAL WORD
Looking at the Senton 4×2 Boost, I find myself impressed with just how far beginner RTR kits have come. The Senton Boost is a great option for enthusiasts who like the look of the short course truck but may not want to jump straight into higher-performance or more expensive models. The truck’s brushed MEGA electronics and overall performance make it a great starting point for newer enthusiasts and even a lot of fun for those of us with more experience. The complete starter package with battery and charger makes it simple and easy to unbox the truck and go, with no real need for extras to get started. If you’re looking for a great-performing beginner short course truck that has everything you need to get started, I highly recommend considering Arrma’s Senton 4×2 Boost short course truck.

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Text and Images by Lauren Short