Element Gatekeeper vs Axial Capra!

Axial Capra 1.9 or Element RC Enduro Gatekeeper 1.9: both are capable rock crawlers and certainly look similar. Both have performed better than nearly all the other 1.9" RTR or kit RC Crawlers we've tested to date. So, which of them is the best crawler? Find out here!

We're 3 months old today! What better way to celebrate our quarter... er, birthday (?) than with a good old head-to-head!

Some vital statistics:
GATEKEEPER
WP-1080, HH 16T 540 Crawlmaster Sport, jx 18kg LV 6v servo, 3S.
2.9KG / 6.4lb
NO DIG UNIT
11.83% O/D
Length: 18.4"
Width: 9.76"
Whlbase: 12.8"
Approach: 70.5°
Departure: 88°
Portals? Nope!

CAPRA
AXE 2100kv FOC system, HH v3 12v servo, 3S.
2.8KG / 6.2lb
DIG UNIT
NO OVERDR.
Length: 17"
Width: 10.25"
Whlbase: 12.5"
Approach: greater than 90°
Departure: greater than 90°
Portals? Yes!

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:32 Best for Rock Racing
1:00 Weight
1:10 DIG vs Overdrive
1:20 Approach & Dep Angles
1:34 Portals
1:44 Links
1:54 GK's Axle Problem
2:05 Diff Clearance
2:39 Tip Test
3:16 Vehicle Track
3:31 Body Pins!
3:41 Climb Angle
5:05 Climb Angle Results
5:15 7-Minute Epic Rock Test
6:05 Rock Test Results
6:15 Overall Thoughts
8:40 Which is Greatest?

Follow us:
Twitter @rctrailandtech and on Instagram:

#rccrawlers, #axialcapra, #elementgatekeeper

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[TheRCBuildersPost]

I have both and I'd choose the gatekeeper every time if I didn't have either and was trying to decide. Two main reasons. Simplicity and price. The gatekeeper is quite a bit cheaper and alot easier to work on. The capra, although more crawling capable, is a pain in the butt to service and modify IMO. Plus, if you own one enduro, you own them all. I have 4 and all parts interchange (except for the added trailing arms on the gatekeeper lol). But, you can't go wrong with either one!

[Nerdinacrazyworld]

Hey mate, I love the fact that you manually calculated the angle of the slopes using the formula.

[grahammarkhorn]

Really enjoying the deserve way more subs!

[federnais]

Wow, that's a great technical video... Pretty helpful!!! Thanks...

[haroldsbeaver]

Your video was extremely helpful. I have the gatekeeper and added 2.2 steel wheels, 18mm wheel extensions, and Fusion 2300kv brushless motor. Most of my rock crawling has been at the beach, and even without rear wheel steer I find the gatekeeper does just Great!

[GreenRob]

If you’re at a competitive level and have to compete against a Capra, then it would make sense to get one. If you are playing around in your yard or park, the gatekeeper is for you. Associated builds a higher quality kit than axial does. Fit and finish along with general parts quality is better in my experience.
Maybe you can’t run the exact same line on a course, but that’s impossible anyways. It’s all about the challenge! Rig ability won’t make a better driver.

[shokyTV]

Another awesome and informative video - great stuff!

[YoShImUrA]

THAT was the ultimate Gatekeeper vs Capra comparison! Such great examples of how capable they are, and who's their target audience. Really enjoyed and can't but praise this vid! I literally went and watched it back-to-back!

It's a shame the GK didn't fare any better, but being a hybrid of Element's parts-bin (IMO, especially limited in comparison to the Capra by the chassis dimensions, which force the shape of the cage to be taller, and the axle sizing+portals, mostly), limits its capability to match the Capra. I don't think it's a bad rig. As you put so well, it's a great all-rounder if you could only have one truck, but being realistic, who does? haha!

I especially loved something as simple but as visual as the tilting of the rigs, both laterally and longitudinally. Maybe this could be a standard procedure on your reviews from now on? Even a small table on the corner as you describe the trucks to get an idea of a baseline of performance for all of us. This could also be useful to appreciate your upgrades from the stock rig. I know I'd love to see this kind of info more readily available.

[mikealexis]

Now this is why we have so much rigs in our lab cause they all looks awesome..we cant choose so we go for both of them.

[numbr]

This is a great video! I really like the way you went into the testing. That was really helpful! Thanks for sharing.

[stevendauber]

Awesome video. Great comparison. I really appreciate the info.

[skidog]

Awesome job again! Love your fact based reviews. Seeing as I also have go fast vehicles I'll stick with the Capra.👍

[johnarcher]

With a few minor mods, I have my gatekeeper driving up (not just statically sitting on a board)
64-65 degree inclines.
There is a lot of potential there.

[madsrcbuggy]

That was cool to watch! I seen a couple comparison videos with the two and I guess it's kind of obvious the Capra is best. I just happened to have the Gatekeeper, and I love it. I think I commented earlier, I just barely drove it, only a few times. It's cool that now conditions aren't really for proper crawling, I can just slap a bigger pinion in it, crazy stupid tyres, and use it to drive over piles of snow like my buggies can't do it, heh...

[keiarovandersluis]

Awesome job on the video love to see how you put in work into both of the cars.
Quick question what rims do you have on the Capra??

[DirectX]

The capra and gatekeeper look identical but capra is mainly designed for crawling and it is one of the best in the market's today if not the best of all. The gatekeeper on the other hand is also designed for crawling but it is a little of failure for its high center gravity and narrow width make it easy to flip. So the gatekeeper is degraded to whom want to have a trailer with a little better climbing ability but can never expect too much of it.

[rcjoe]

I run 2.2 on my gate took care of the front cage and clearance issues

[Warby]

Well you are to blame. I'm getting a Capra kit.

[goreyboggs]

Gatekeeper kit on sale, should I order???

[matusknives]

That gatekeeper is starting to trigger a fancy I was not aware I had ...