Preston,

Tony is at a contest but I will try to answer your question. It sounds to me like your friend must of had the original Neu F3A set up which was very noisy by any standards. The version Tony, Todd, myself and so many others are using now is a lot different. It is a fan cooled motor now and has had many improvements.

Yes there have been a few unexspected issues come up but Steve Neu being the genius that he is has always been able to find a solution. I started the current F3A motor project with him almost two years ago because I really wanted to be able to talk to someone in the US about what I want out of a motor. Since then he has been absolutely incredible IMO in being able to listen to a desciption (in lamens terms) and make these motors do what they need to. I think I can speak for Tony and others on this I hope. What we have seen is the following over the Hacker to this point.

1. More Power
2. Less Load on the Batts (Typically 250-500mah less per flight or sequence flown)
3. Quieter
4. Customer Service (the customer is not always wrong I mean)
5. Approx half the price motor and controller
6. Motor controller and prop adaptor just a little less in weight. (Approx and ounce)

Now just to be clear on something, Rainer Hacker is a class act as well, and makes an unbelievable product. I ran the original C50-13xl number 001 for over 3 years and never touched it including greasing the gearbox. Realistically 250 flights. It bothered Todd so much I would not look inside he took it apart, and told me it was like new. Unfortunately Rainer is in Germany and due to some issues with the US distributor it became increasingly difficult to continue using his motors.

Steve has provided the US with the equivilant or better IMO.

My hat is off to him.

Chip