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Old 03-22-2013 | 04:54 AM
  #9  
flywilly
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From: glen allen, VA,
Default RE: Does Price Determine Reliability ?

Yes. But it does not guarantee anything. I've been flying R/C since 1969 and equipment reliability has increased incredibly. I've had top of the line servos die due to electronic component failure in the pre-IC days. I lost an Aeromaster about 30 years ago when one of the servo gears slipped out of the gear train (elevator servo, of course). Post crash examination revealed that failure was due to a ganging of tolerances (or intolerances) plus some wear of the plastic gears. It worked fine after I put it back together, but turn it upside down and cycle it or just tap it and the gear would slip.
Good servos (any brand) cost more, but consider your total investment and how long you plan to use the servos. I have Futaba S9252 digitals in an MK Topstar which have 600+ flights and are still working flawlessly with no gear slop. If you fly glow or gas powered airplanes, engine soft mounting significantly increases servo life. I don't miss cleaning servo pots every 50 flights like I did back in the 'good old days'.
- Will