Servo choice inquiry
09-25-2017, 09:05 AM
#1
Servo choice inquiry
For the last 25 years I have been using JR servo's in everything I fly. I have never had a JR servo fail on me, or wear to where I felt I couldn't use it anymore.
With JR products seemingly becoming unobtanium, I am in need of a couple of servo's that would be equivalent to the 8611's. I don't want to go to the HV servo's as I still use NiMh 6V packs and have no need for the HV stuff.
I am having a really hard time wrapping my head around using Savox servo's (I guess I have a hard time with change and accepting newer lower cost items with confidence). I don't have an issue with Futaba servo's I guess, just have never really used them since I switched to JR and have no idea what servo number is equivalent to the 8611.
Hitec, I know there are a large number of people who use them without an issue, however many years ago when I was assembling a Rafale, the local Hitec rep wanted to see more jets with their servo's in them and gave me 5 of their digital top of the line blah blah blah for the time servo's. 2 were completely DOA and one failed about 5 minutes into the set up. I have had no confidence in hitec since. I do use the hitec monster servo on the stab of the firebird but only because it was designed around the then Multiplex Rhino which was taken over by Hitec.
The servo's will be for the flying stabs of an aviation design F16. What do you guys use and trust implicitly these days?
With JR products seemingly becoming unobtanium, I am in need of a couple of servo's that would be equivalent to the 8611's. I don't want to go to the HV servo's as I still use NiMh 6V packs and have no need for the HV stuff.
I am having a really hard time wrapping my head around using Savox servo's (I guess I have a hard time with change and accepting newer lower cost items with confidence). I don't have an issue with Futaba servo's I guess, just have never really used them since I switched to JR and have no idea what servo number is equivalent to the 8611.
Hitec, I know there are a large number of people who use them without an issue, however many years ago when I was assembling a Rafale, the local Hitec rep wanted to see more jets with their servo's in them and gave me 5 of their digital top of the line blah blah blah for the time servo's. 2 were completely DOA and one failed about 5 minutes into the set up. I have had no confidence in hitec since. I do use the hitec monster servo on the stab of the firebird but only because it was designed around the then Multiplex Rhino which was taken over by Hitec.
The servo's will be for the flying stabs of an aviation design F16. What do you guys use and trust implicitly these days?
09-25-2017, 09:27 AM
#2
My Feedback: (4)
Servo Opinion
Jeremy,
I will give you my opinion and only my opinion. I currently use HiTec 7955tg and 7950s servos in all mine and my sons 100-120cc airplanes and we put them through alot of banging around. He likes to do 3d stuff with his planes alot and I do some 3d but still more abuse than you would see with a jet. I have not had one fail on me yet and they have been in service for 3 years. We just outfitted a new 120cc sbach with Savox 1256tg on all surfaces except on the rudder where I put a Futaba 9177sv on the rudder. Have not flown it yet, but many have outfitted their jets with the Savox (check the T1 thread here on RCU) and I will be putting the Savox1256tg servos in a Kingcat that I just acquired. Also I started a thread on flying giants getting some opinions on the S9177sv servos (https://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/...highlight=9177)
On another note I have had JR, Futaba, and Hitec servos fail on me costing me aerobatic planes and a jet. I fly Futaba Transmitters/RX but I have no brand loyalty when it comes to servos and will use what works.
Patrick
I will give you my opinion and only my opinion. I currently use HiTec 7955tg and 7950s servos in all mine and my sons 100-120cc airplanes and we put them through alot of banging around. He likes to do 3d stuff with his planes alot and I do some 3d but still more abuse than you would see with a jet. I have not had one fail on me yet and they have been in service for 3 years. We just outfitted a new 120cc sbach with Savox 1256tg on all surfaces except on the rudder where I put a Futaba 9177sv on the rudder. Have not flown it yet, but many have outfitted their jets with the Savox (check the T1 thread here on RCU) and I will be putting the Savox1256tg servos in a Kingcat that I just acquired. Also I started a thread on flying giants getting some opinions on the S9177sv servos (https://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/...highlight=9177)
On another note I have had JR, Futaba, and Hitec servos fail on me costing me aerobatic planes and a jet. I fly Futaba Transmitters/RX but I have no brand loyalty when it comes to servos and will use what works.
Patrick
09-25-2017, 10:09 AM
#4
Been using nothing but savox for the last few years on all jet builds. Love them and they have worked flawless.
Now for those NiMh batteries... Get some new LIFE batteries no need to have special stuff it works with all the same voltages as your NiMh batts but it holds its voltage under load much better and holds it voltage higher longer between charges which means lower chance of brownout. Also they charge faster. Far superior battery.
Now for those NiMh batteries... Get some new LIFE batteries no need to have special stuff it works with all the same voltages as your NiMh batts but it holds its voltage under load much better and holds it voltage higher longer between charges which means lower chance of brownout. Also they charge faster. Far superior battery.
09-25-2017, 10:34 AM
#6
JR have 8511 (8611 in the USA) and had some 8911 not long ago. The 8931NX is available as a new servo, I'll be kicking and screaming away from JR servos....
09-25-2017, 12:02 PM
#7
I too have been a dyed in the wool JR servo user. The lack of a reliable supply of JR NX servos made me look at other options. I have decided to try MKS 777A+ on my next jet. I visited the MKS booth at Joe Nall and have never seen a smoother operating servo. You coud flip the servo horn and the servo would spin to the stop. No growl, no noise just perfect movement.
09-25-2017, 04:17 PM
#10
im using 777A+ Or HV1220 for full size
HV93 for little mounts and gear/valves.. and for controls on smaller jets like Habu
HV6150 for minis
HV6100s for little stuff like foaming and small jets
HV747 for 3xxx series JR replacements
mainly...... dave
09-25-2017, 05:03 PM
#12
My Feedback: (4)
servos and to a lesser extent batteries
Been using nothing but savox for the last few years on all jet builds. Love them and they have worked flawless.
Now for those NiMh batteries... Get some new LIFE batteries no need to have special stuff it works with all the same voltages as your NiMh batts but it holds its voltage under load much better and holds it voltage higher longer between charges which means lower chance of brownout. Also they charge faster. Far superior battery.
Now for those NiMh batteries... Get some new LIFE batteries no need to have special stuff it works with all the same voltages as your NiMh batts but it holds its voltage under load much better and holds it voltage higher longer between charges which means lower chance of brownout. Also they charge faster. Far superior battery.
09-26-2017, 02:23 AM
#16
My Feedback: (34)
JR servos are still out there.. but supply is limited while they ramp up production in the new factory. That said, I'm VERY happy with all of the MKS servos I've bought. I used DS75Ks in my F3K sailplanes, and am putting HBL380s in my new 40% Extra 300S. My Mini-Avanti has DS93s in it and they're working great.
I loved my JR stuff for decades, but these MKS servos I've started using are faster, stronger, and cost about the same or a little less than the JR equivalent servo. The only downside for me is I have to use a few converters in my airplanes for XBus instead of the native JR servos. But I can live with that..
I loved my JR stuff for decades, but these MKS servos I've started using are faster, stronger, and cost about the same or a little less than the JR equivalent servo. The only downside for me is I have to use a few converters in my airplanes for XBus instead of the native JR servos. But I can live with that..
09-26-2017, 08:31 AM
#17
My Feedback: (3)
My last build used all Hacker Ditex servos
They exceeded my expectations, coming from all JR servos previously
Excellent construction and performance, especially centering. The programmability options are impressive.
I especially like the fact that subtrim is no longer required; set your servo arm, control surface and linkages, then just tell the servo "this is zero".
My next F3A build will use them as well.
I am waiting for the software update to enable per servo Telemetry next.
They exceeded my expectations, coming from all JR servos previously
Excellent construction and performance, especially centering. The programmability options are impressive.
I especially like the fact that subtrim is no longer required; set your servo arm, control surface and linkages, then just tell the servo "this is zero".
My next F3A build will use them as well.
I am waiting for the software update to enable per servo Telemetry next.
09-26-2017, 08:46 AM
#18
My Feedback: (34)
S9156 Digital High-Torque Air Servo
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This is a great non HV Servo, I to do not like HV servos, even this weekend at a 110 pilot Fly In there was a guy flying a DA85 powered 3D Bird, and out of no were it stopped running and hit the ground from 8 feet up. It started smoking from inside, it turned out he had 2 3000 mah 2s lipos for his power source, one of the lipos caught fire, which lit off the 2nd lipo, the fire was not from the crash but what shut off his bird. Not Cool in my book.
Futaba servos are great, they center and have a lot less gear lash than Savox, I didn't like Savox in my jets as there was a lot of gear lash (like JR8711a) the nicer Futaba servos are way tighter. Its a person thing I guess.
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$129.99 Qty: 123456789 
VoltsTorqueSpeed:
4.8v 272 oz-in (19.6 kg-cm)0.21 sec/60°
6.0 v 340 oz-in (24.5 kg-cm)0.17 sec/60°MotorModulation Programmable coreless digital
DimensionsWeight1.57 x 0.79 x 1.44 in
(40.0 x 20.0 x 36.6 mm)2.22 oz (63.0 g) 2BB MG
FUTM0216>> Tech Notes
4.8v 272 oz-in (19.6 kg-cm)0.21 sec/60°
6.0 v 340 oz-in (24.5 kg-cm)0.17 sec/60°MotorModulation Programmable coreless digital
DimensionsWeight1.57 x 0.79 x 1.44 in
(40.0 x 20.0 x 36.6 mm)2.22 oz (63.0 g) 2BB MG
This is a great non HV Servo, I to do not like HV servos, even this weekend at a 110 pilot Fly In there was a guy flying a DA85 powered 3D Bird, and out of no were it stopped running and hit the ground from 8 feet up. It started smoking from inside, it turned out he had 2 3000 mah 2s lipos for his power source, one of the lipos caught fire, which lit off the 2nd lipo, the fire was not from the crash but what shut off his bird. Not Cool in my book.
Futaba servos are great, they center and have a lot less gear lash than Savox, I didn't like Savox in my jets as there was a lot of gear lash (like JR8711a) the nicer Futaba servos are way tighter. Its a person thing I guess.
Last edited by mikes68charger; 09-26-2017 at 08:48 AM.
09-26-2017, 08:52 AM
#19
I just bought a gaggle of Dymond servos (gulp) to use in an up coming project.
Thats right the same Dynond company that advertises in Model Aviation, the AMA magazine.
They have a 403 oz-in servo with stainless steel gears and a red metal anodized case all for a whopping a $69.
https://dymondusa.com/cgi-bin/commer...ction&key=2341
They are right here in the good ole US of A and seem to have customer service as a priority. We shall see.
I don't trust those servos on a "Jesus" surface on a jet yet, but I will start placing them on flaps and ailerons.
Wish me luck.
Now, few servos have ever instilled so much confidence as JR's 8611, 8611a, 8711 or the 8911 in my book, but with JR's future so uncertain, I need a new JR11! LOL!
I'm of the humble opinion that there are some timeless wonders that should never be replaced, BVM's Super Bandit, Hot Chicks, the thrill of riding a dirtbike, sunsets on a boat, a hug from your children and the whole line of JR 8X11's.
Thats right the same Dynond company that advertises in Model Aviation, the AMA magazine.
They have a 403 oz-in servo with stainless steel gears and a red metal anodized case all for a whopping a $69.
https://dymondusa.com/cgi-bin/commer...ction&key=2341
They are right here in the good ole US of A and seem to have customer service as a priority. We shall see.
I don't trust those servos on a "Jesus" surface on a jet yet, but I will start placing them on flaps and ailerons.
Wish me luck.
Now, few servos have ever instilled so much confidence as JR's 8611, 8611a, 8711 or the 8911 in my book, but with JR's future so uncertain, I need a new JR11! LOL!
I'm of the humble opinion that there are some timeless wonders that should never be replaced, BVM's Super Bandit, Hot Chicks, the thrill of riding a dirtbike, sunsets on a boat, a hug from your children and the whole line of JR 8X11's.
09-26-2017, 03:53 PM
#20
I actually consider flaps to be a Jesus surface.. Flap servos work a lot harder than either elevators or ailerons. A failure usually results in roll in crash..
Last edited by roger.alli; 09-26-2017 at 03:57 PM.
09-27-2017, 10:30 AM
#24
I sure wish I could get warm fuzzy feelings from these other brands. Talked to 3 hobby stores today about savox and all three said they have had issues with doa servos and cracking cases. That concerns me.
I'll probably look at futaba the closest I guess.
As for batteries, I have no interest in changing. It might be old school but I have never had a nimh failure before and the cost to switch all my batteries and buy a charger for LiFe is significant. For the amount I fly It's unnecessary money to spend.
I'll probably look at futaba the closest I guess.
As for batteries, I have no interest in changing. It might be old school but I have never had a nimh failure before and the cost to switch all my batteries and buy a charger for LiFe is significant. For the amount I fly It's unnecessary money to spend.
09-27-2017, 10:36 AM
#25
My Feedback: (53)
A few years ago I build one airplane with savox (f3a planes) after about 30 Flights I took them all out and when back to JR back then...
They were nice and tight but start having a lot of play real fast, not ideal for pattern or jets...
They were nice and tight but start having a lot of play real fast, not ideal for pattern or jets...
Last edited by Dansy; 09-28-2017 at 03:56 AM.