HPI vs Clone (Rovan/King Motor) - What is The Best RC Baja to Buy?

What RC Baja Should I Buy? - HPI vs Clone (Rovan/King Motor)

One of the most frequent queries from anyone wishing to buy their first 1/5 scale RC Baja buggy is this one.

I will contrast the HPI with the two clone businesses (King Motor and Rovan Sports) in order to assist us in answering this question. I'll evaluate them based on performance, cost, and dependability. To help you understand what to anticipate if you get an HPI or a Clone RC Baja, I will offer my personal opinions and provide a score out of 10. The photo below shows how successfully Rovan copied the HPI Baja 5B. Thus, it's no surprise that most people are unable to distinguish between the original and a clone.

Overview

I plan to clear up a few common misconceptions before moving on.

In my years of working in the hobby industry, I have read in forums and blog posts that HPI and clone Bajas are all produced at the same plant. This, of course, is not true. In truth, I visited Rovan's plant in Yongkang, Zhejiang, China, and I had a great time. They were excited about the wonderful pastime and are such lovely individuals. There was not a single HPI, King Motor part, or Baja insight during my tour of the entire factory.

Unfortunately, statements such as "the only difference is the servos" or "just change the engine and everything else is the same" are untrue. No part of a cloned Baja may be changed to achieve the same level of overall quality as the HPI Baja. The car as a whole, not just a particular part, has a discernible quality difference.

Everything is drastically different and generally worse for the clone brands (Rovan and King Motor), including the aluminum, plastics, bearings, screws, electrical systems, and even the factory quality control procedure.

Each of these brands has a place in the market, and the hobby sector has benefited overall from the clone businesses' ability to make 1/5-size RC car enjoyment relatively affordable.

Reliability

HPI Bajas – 9/10

Regardless of its moniker, HPI's Chung Yang engine, which has been rebranded as "Fuelie," is incredibly well-built and always starts in four to six pulls. In my experience, problems that don't cause a significant crash or a lot of use are highly uncommon.

Clone Bajas – 6/10

It's a little challenging to rate clones; in my experience, clone Bajas can be a little "hit or miss." The quality of the parts itself has not been as problematic as the assembly of a clone Baja. For instance, I've encountered loose wheel nuts, throttle linkages that aren't properly adjusted, and screws that are missing right out of the box. These are all minor flaws that may be readily resolved, but if they aren't identified and addressed before use, they could lead to serious difficulties. Because of this, I would always advise giving the automobile a thorough inspection, tightening all the screws, and making sure all the adjustments are in place before using it. Contrary to what several online forums have claimed, I have never seen a significant malfunction like a whole engine explosion or electronics catching fire.

When compared to clones such as King Motor and Rovan, HPI is unquestionably the most dependable RC Baja. To learn more about the quality distinctions between King Motor RC Bajas, Rovan, and HPI

Price

Comparing HPI to clone brands is challenging because, although HPI currently offers seven Baja variations, the clone companies offer over twenty variations, with the differences ranging from larger engines to upgraded exhaust pipes and various aluminum parts to create a selling point over HPI's Baja. In a similar vein, HPI introduced the D-Box 2, a stability management system that improves the car's responsiveness and prevents it from spinning out when cornering. Rovan and King Motor have not yet "cloned" this functionality.

Clones, on average, are 52% cheaper than HPI's equivalent Baja.

The main factor contributing to the current popularity of clone Bajas is the fact that they can be purchased for less than half the price of HPI's equal standard Baja. Although the D-Box 2 is included with HPI's Baja, there is still a significant pricing difference.

Performance

HPI Bajas – 8.5/10

With lots of power (particularly with a tuned pipe), crisp and responsive steering, a pleasant and smooth suspension system, and brakes that apply smoothly and comfortably lock up the back wheels, HPI's Baja performs incredibly well on the track.

Clone Bajas – 7/10

The performance of the clone Bajas is surprisingly good considering their price range; they are similar in power but fall short in handling. Since steering and suspension components must be accurate, clone Bajas typically have significant tolerances on the majority of their parts.

The HPI Baja will outperform the clones in a race, but overall, both the HPI and clone Bajas will perform relatively equally on the circuit.

What RC Baja Should I Buy?

In my experience, even after pointing out the quality differences, clones have grown in popularity more than the HPI Baja itself. In the end, it all boils down to your goals and financial constraints. I would look into your possibilities at Rovan or King Motor if cost is your top concern and you don't care too much about maintaining or working on your Baja. Rovan and King Motor offer nearly identical quality and value. You can still replace the entire engine and save money compared to purchasing an HPI Baja, even if you do have a serious problem with a clone Baja. Examine the distinctions between Rovan and King Motor RC Bajas if you're considering purchasing a clone but are unsure which one to choose.

In contrast, you won't regret purchasing any of HPI's Baja models if you're looking for a high-quality, dependable Baja with excellent service and support. If you're buying for a friend who has little to no mechanical knowledge of how cars (or, more precisely, RC cars) work, I would also suggest an HPI Baja. Ultimately, purchase an HPI Baja if you want the best.

We hope this information has been helpful to you in your search for the ideal radio-controlled vehicle. We hope your pastime is a great success.