One Battery That Powers Both SCX24 Crawlers and UMX Planes? Yes.
We’ve been running our SCX24 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 RTR (Orange) on trails for a few weeks now. The scale body is a beauty. The performance out of the box? Decent. But like most SCX24 rigs—including the SCX24 Summit Racing Jeep Gladiator 4X4 RTR (Gray)—the stock battery doesn’t last long enough, and buying extra packs—especially Spektrum-branded ones—adds up fast.
So we started testing alternatives. That’s when the CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 2S came onto our radar. And we’re honestly impressed. Not only does it work perfectly in the SCX24 (whether it’s the Toyota 4Runner or the Jeep Gladiator) thanks to the PH2.0 plug, but it also fits many of our E-flite UMX planes straight out of the box. No adapters, no soldering, just fly or crawl.
A Closer Look: How It Performs in the SCX24 Toyota 4Runner & Jeep Gladiator
Compared to the original 350mAh pack, the 900mAh from CNHL delivers more than double the runtime. In one of our tests, we got just over 40 minutes of consistent crawling on the 4Runner. We then tried the same battery on the Jeep Gladiator and saw equally strong results—no voltage sag, no overheating, and no surprises. The 30C discharge rating does a great job supporting the stock electronics, even when we pushed it a little harder on inclines.
And the weight? Still light enough that it doesn't shift the center of gravity in any noticeable way. That’s important if you’re doing tight turns or vertical climbs, whether in the 4Runner or the Gladiator body style.
Let’s Talk Air: UMX Planes Love JST
Because the CNHL 900mAh also includes a JST plug, we figured—why not try it on a few of our UMX planes? We tested it on:
- UMX Timber X (570mm)
- UMX Ultrix and Ultrix 600
- UMX Twin Otter
- UMX Turbo Timber Evolution
- UMX Citation Longitude Twin EDF
Results? All of them powered up and flew just fine. The fit inside the battery bay was tight but manageable, and the performance was right on par with E-flite’s more expensive LiPos. One tip: if your bay is narrow, route the wires flat to avoid foam pressure.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | CNHL 900mAh 2S | Spektrum 350mAh 2S |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 900mAh | 350mAh |
| Plugs | PH2.0 + JST | PH2.0 only |
| Runtime (SCX24) | ~40 min | ~15 min |
| Average Price | $13.99 (2-pack) | $19.99 (single) |
When you consider that two CNHL packs cost less than one Spektrum battery—and give you more than double the runtime—it starts to become a pretty easy decision.
Also Compatible with Joysway E1 RaceBird Hydrofoil Boats
In addition to rock crawlers and UMX planes, the CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 2S LiPo Battery is also a smart upgrade for the new Joysway 1:14 E1 RaceBird Lite Hydrofoil Boat series. These officially licensed RC boats are inspired by the E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing series, backed by global icons like Tom Brady, Steve Aoki, and Rafael Nadal.
Models such as the Westbrook Racing S1 LIMITED EDITION, Team Brady, Team Miami, and Aoki Racing Team versions are all equipped with a brushed motor and a 7.4V 900mAh Li-Ion battery—making the MiniStar 900mAh 2S a powerful alternative. Though slightly lighter, the LiPo chemistry delivers a more responsive power curve and higher output under load.
Whether you're sailing across calm ponds or showcasing hydrofoil action in your backyard pool, this battery holds up—delivering consistent voltage and faster acceleration, ideal for boats with tight turns and bursty throttle usage.
Connector Note: JST/PH2.0 to XT60 Adapter Required
The MiniStar 900mAh 2S (SKU: 90302) comes with a JST/PH2.0 plug, which is different from the XT60 connector used in Joysway RaceBird boats. To use this battery with any of the Joysway 1:14 S1 LIMITED EDITION boats, you’ll need a JST/PH2.0 to XT60 adapter. This simple connector swap makes the battery plug-and-play ready, while still offering a noticeable boost in performance compared to the original Li-Ion pack.
What Others Are Saying
We’re not the only ones using this pack in both cars and planes. A few RC groups online had similar thoughts:
“The stock 4Runner battery was gone before I even hit the first gate. I swapped in the CNHL 900 and haven’t looked back.”
“I fly my UMX Timber and crawl my SCX24 Deadbolt with the same pair of packs. No more digging around for different chargers or plugs.”
Get Yours Here
Click here to grab the CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 2S 2-pack—perfect for both your SCX24 Toyota 4Runner, the SCX24 Summit Racing Jeep Gladiator, and your lineup of UMX planes.
We’ll be honest—finding a micro battery that works for both crawling and flying isn’t easy. But this one does, and it does it well.
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