This is kinda like the Ford vs. Chevy argument, both sides have merits, and flaws, in the end you choose what you are comfortable with personally.

I have bought and used many of both types of high end servos (8411, 8611, 8711, 5955, 5645)...I had several early 8611's fail (flaky optical position sensors, I think?) and they were replaced by Horizon with no questions and no cost. I have had 4 documented 5955 failures - two on the flaps of a Reaction 54, one on the aileron of a CARF Extra 330 and one on the stab of a large fun fly. Hitec did not service the first two but a local HS swapped them, the other two were trashed after getting the same response as Sean got from Hitec. The guy that bought my Reaction has since had another 5955 fail (on stab this time). On the JR debit side, I have had premature gear train wear (excessive slop after 50 to 100 flights or so) on 8411's and 8611's on the big gasser IMAC models, never had this happen with the Hitecs.

I still buy and use both brands on my sport models but use only JR's on my jets and large IMAC birds...the risk vs. $$ savings ratio in using the Hitecs is not enough for me. My $.02, FWIW.

Barry