Sean,

These two Hitecs I paid $70 each new. Hey...What works---works!!! Yes, Hitec has had some bad press, especially for their 56XX and 6XX series of servos. Both are similar except one is digital and the other isn't. (3 pole motor instead of coreless)

As for me I've been a JR man for a loooooong time and it really took a lot of convincing to try the 5945's. These really are good servos!!! I won't buy another 8411 OR it's new 8611 cousin until I see for myself that the sorry gear lash (gear play) is gone.

Sean, if you do a search you will see that JR had a LOT of teething problems (failures) with the 8411. When I started using these servos it took a LOT of convincing for me to try an 8411!!! A buddy of mine lost a HotSpot when an 8411 failed on an elevon. Just use what works for you...I know of several guys flying the Hitec 5945's in 40% scale planes----3Ding the crap out of them. These guys run their servos to extremes with as much moolah in their equipment as we have in ours. They swear by the 5945's. Also, all of these guys are using the Hitec programer to EFFORTLESSLY set up their planes...Ganging servos, setting end points, reversing servos, etc., etc.

I'm not trying to have a servo war---I'm impressed with the 5945 and its' versatility when used with the programer. My 8411's have served me well. (With some slop in the gears) So far, the hundreds of grueling 40% 3D flights my friends have and the ones that I have with my Rookie with the 5945's have been great. Again, just relaying my experiences...

Kevin