THURSDAY TESTIMONIALS: Monaco RC Diff Check

0 March 6, 2019, 2:16 p.m.

Main Photo: THURSDAY TESTIMONIALS: Monaco RC Diff Check

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

Whether it's wheel nuts, wings, tools, tracks, trinkets and/or anything in between, the LiveRC staff gives their testimonial and review of each every Thursday morning!

Monaco RC Diff Check
114,90€ (Approximately $130 USD)
www.monacorc.com

Over the years I have used a lot of different setup tools and gadgets in R/C, but never have I used something like the Monaco RC Diff Check. The Monaco RC Diff Check is a device that is used to provide a value to your differential’s hardness. This value can then be used to evaluate and/or replicate a certain hardness when rebuilding differentials, building new differentials, and choosing softer or harder diff settings.

In other words, if you like the overall feel of your diff, you measure it on the Diff Check. The Diff Check will give you a number value. Now you know that whatever that number value may be, is the same number value you want your diff to be in the future. After you rebuild that diff, or build a new diff, using the Diff Check you can ensure the rebuilt or new diff matches the diff value from before. You can also use the diff check to measure your diff hardness before and after a run for comparison.

Using the Diff Check is simple. You place the diff on the Diff Check and press the power button. It does all the work from there. Differentials can be measured outside the car or in a fully assembled vehicle using the 1/10 and 1/8-scale adapters.

Pros:

Easy to use with diffs in or out of the car using the adapters included.
Provides a way to make sure your differentials are the same hardness after builds and rebuilds.
Allows you to compare differential hardness before and after a run.
Compact design with durable zip-up carrying case included.

Cons:

There are a list of variables that can change the diff hardness value (such as where you hold the diff when using the Diff Check). Everything must done EXACTLY the same from diff to diff to give an accurate reading.
An expensive tool to have at $130 USD.

(The Diff Check includes a very nice zip-up protective carrying case.)

Final Word:

The Monaco RC Diff Check is a device that I could see being far more beneficial in on-road than it is in off-road racing, as differential setup is important in both, but in on-road racing the slightest variation in diff setup is far more noticeable than it is in off-road (in my opinion).

Where the Diff Check came in most handy to me was rebuilding by gear diffs in my Tekno RC EB410 buggy. This buggy's handling can be changed a lot by simply re-adjusting diff oils and settings. I ran my car and was extremely happy with the overall feeling so I measured the diffs in the car for a value on the Diff Check. After each run I was then able to quickly check them to ensure the value had not changed. After the oil began to breakdown, the values on the Diff Check began to change, and I knew it was time to rebuild the diffs. During the rebuild I was able to match the value I had previously by using the Diff Check, which ensured the car would handle as it had before.

The Diff Check was designed for oil-filled diffs, but I also found it to be useful for measuring and replicating my 2wd buggy ball differential tension after a rebuild. I was able to measure my diff value after a run that the car felt good to me. When it was time to rebuild that diff, I replicated the previous tension by using the Diff Check and tightening the diff in the car by small increments until it matched as close as possible to the value range shown before.

I also found the Diff Check to be useful when trying to match diff hardness when I used a different brand differential oil from one diff to another. Each brand is labeled with the same viscosity, but you might be surprised the difference in actual thickness and feel between two different brands that are labeled the same - and/or how adding a little more or less oil to your diff than previously can effect the diff hardness.

In my honest opinion, the Diff Check is not a tool/device that I feel is necessary for most average racers and it is a bit pricey, however, for those who are looking for absolute perfection and consistency in their differential setup or simply like well made gadgets - the Diff Check works well as advertised and is a quick, compact, and very helpful device to have in your pits.