Kyosho Mini-Z Buggy Brushless MB-010VE 2.0: Increase Brake Performance with ESC Programming (82082)

Okay today we have something not commonly seen on the Internet. I picked up the programming dongle for the Mini-Z Buggy. The brushless MB-010VE 2.0 buggy is programmable, but it requires this unique USB device different from EVO/ASF Mini-Z. That's because Kyosho uses Scorpion electronics on the brushless buggy instead of the usual KO Propo boards. It's pretty annoying this is an extra purchase. That said, unlike MR-03EVO which really needs programming (e.g: steering trim, reverse delay), the buggy is fine without one. But now that I have one, let's see what it can do.

Out of the box, the buggy is a great performer. Still, there are two things I'd like to investigate with ESC programming. First, the brushless ESC is not good with low end throttle control. This is me finding its minimum speed. The second issue is the brake power. It brakes okay, but not as much as its tires and suspension allow. Ideally, there should be so much brake that I can tune it down via the EPA setting on the NB4 transmitter. I'm doing a brake test here. It takes 50-100cm of distance to stop. The tires don't skid on this smooth surface.

Let's see the software setup process. Download the USB driver for part 82082 and the Sproto ICS software. Pro tip: Be sure to download the V3.x SprotoPlatform software. Another Kyosho Mini-Z page links to the V1.x version and that won't work. The instruction manual describes the installation process in a lot of details. I found it very useful.

When using the Scorpion ICS software for the first time, I need to first search and download the MB-010VE 2.0 module. It's safe to assume that Scorpion supports many ESC products with the Mini-Z buggy being one of many configurations. Be sure to also install the USB driver. To verify everything is working when the USB dongle is plugged, check here.

The cable from the dongle plugs into the 5-pin port that's normally used to connect the two buggy boards together. Please be super careful unplugging this connector. I accidentally broke two solder joints of these tiny wires! It was quite stressful to solder them back on.

After nearly having a heart attack with that accident, I'm ready to do the programming finally. In the "Punch" menu, I want to first lower the throttle punch from the default 100% to 1%. Will that improve low end throttle control? In the "Brake" menu, I'm surprised to see a default 10% drag brake setting. I've never noticed it. The default value of the Maximum brake setting is 50%. It's going to 100% now. I'm not sure what Brake frequency does, but let's bump it up to Medium.

The difference between 100% Punch (default) to 1% is huge unsurprisingly. It seems to have the effect of slow channel speed. It takes time to ramp up to the intended throttle level. Unfortunately, even at 1% punch, there's no change to the low end throttle control. The ESC isn't able to drive more slowly. That's too bad. We are so spoiled by the performance of other great modern brushless ESC these days. Since 1% punch doesn't help, and it's far too unresponsive, I eventually dialed up the setting to 90%.

On the other hand, the revised brake setting works wonders! It brakes in half of the distance needed compared to stock. I have to wonder why Kyosho/Scorpion didn't default to 100%.

So in the end, I was able to solve the brake issue but not the low end throttle control issue. Is this worth the $17 and the risk of breaking small solder joints? To be honest, I don't think so. Maybe it'd be useful if I used the buggy for racing. I'm happy to lend this out to anyone in NYC interested in updating the brake setting of their MB-010VE 2.0.

This is Sammy and thanks for watching!

Music: "Instructions for Living a Life", Savfk (   • Instructions for Living a Life by Savfk [C...  )