too many servos in the world

[trillian]

It may seem like a silly comment, and I know it serves no purpose, but I just have to say, there are way too many different models of servos on this planet (and those are just the ones I know about).

After getting slightly paranoid about the Spektrum DS821's in my Raptor 30 I started shopping for some kind of mid-priced replacement. 'Doesn't have to be the fastest or highest torque etc.

The amount of different servos is staggering! Futaba seems to be the most guilty of making so many different models with slight variations between them, it's just mad.

And then once you decide on something the price is another thing. Anyway, I am getting some from Tower hobbies in the USA and maybe some hitecs from servocity in the USA as well as a decent deal on Futaba 3152's from the servo shop in the UK, but what a time-consuming process.

[Mike W]

I know what ya mean ... i run diff servos on diff helis lol .... have to admit i do run the same servo on all my tails tho ... hitec 6965's ...... and my others are futaba 3152's ..... hitec 635's and hitec 645's ... strange really i suppose lol

[Steve]

If you check Spektrum's website, I think you'll find that those servos are ok for 30 size helis, but not recommended for anything bigger.

[trillian]

Yeah, I know they say they are OK up to .30 size nitro but I'm spooked by stories of the shaft shearing off.

And anyway it has been worthwhile researching this because before I did not pay as much attention to servos and it started me thinking how big a difference good servos might make.

I am getting new servos mainly for my other helis. I have quite expensive Futaba servos on the Predator but with so many model numbers rattling round in my brain I couldn't tell you what they are.

[steelie600]

<get on soapbox> Right i have used the ds-821's in my trex 600's and my x-treme 50 for a while now 35 hours rex and 11 gallons x-treme. I have not had a single issue with them they work great are fairly precise and reasonably quick. last week when i crashed my x-treme i stripped all my servos to check them and they were absoluetly finr no damage and most of all no signs of wear. Spektrum do not recommend them for 50 size which is fair enough, but this is down to the earlier batches of servos being made from an inferior nylon. Iirc they have changed the material they make the gears from and in my experience the servos are robust and capable of extreme 3d in the hands of a better pilot than me (Steve Gerrard). So dont succomb to scare stories if the ds-821's are serving you well stick with them and save your money as like i said they will serve you well upto and including light 3d on a 50, so your 30 will be fine. I wouldnt dream of using them in a 90 and i am considering upgrading in my x-treme but that is only because my flying is progressing and i am starting to push the limits of the heli and i feel i could do with faster servos (for shakey stick etc.)<get off soapbox>

[jamiem]

i used ds-821's in my 600e for about 200 odd flights without a single problem, and the few times i did deck it they always came out with no damage. i think theres a lot of scare mongoring on the itenret and people who just relay what someone else has written, and therefore these kind of problems get blown out of all proportion...

[Tim Procter]

i used ds-821's in my 600e for about 200 odd flights without a single problem, and the few times i did deck it they always came out with no damage.

The very same here although not quite 200 flights but well over 100..

i think theres a lot of scare mongoring on the internet and people who just relay what someone else has written, and therefore these kind of problems get blown out of all proportion...

Spot-on.

[Boggy]

yep thats all very well guys but then a newby takes your advice fits the servo's,. and puts his heli into the deck! or god forbid somebody!! they find a servo with a split shaft and contact spektrum! then what?? it aint scare mongering its what spektrum recomend!! and i have a good idea what the reply will be!!

of corse the 600e and 30 nitro's are classed as ok in the product update

[Leebert]

If anyone is looking for a servo for their type of heli, try having a look at several peoples signitures or in their profiles. That should give you a starting block of what's generally used.
Futaba 3152, 9255 & 9252 servos are all good cyclic servos with the 3152s being a great, cheap digital one.

[trillian]

Well, my comment was really more about the overwhelming amount of choices out there. It's not as difficult if money is no object, what's tougher is finding a good balance (9202s, 3152's, Hitec 5625's etc.)but
it took me some digging to find all the info and then find a good price.

I have some 3152's coming (4 for £18.00 each from the servoshop) and might get some Hitecs from a shop in the USA depending on the shipping costs.

Right now I only have one heli with the Spektrum servos and it's a Raptor 30, so technically within spec but I will be upgrading servos in several helis regardless, including the Raptor.

[Boggy]

and there you go! with expressed opinions and informed choice you've arrived in the right place