What do you guys use to measure the deflection of control surfaces when setting up a model? Let us know what methods work best for you.

When the aircraft is sitting on a level surface, I put a ruler(or tape measure) up to the control surface then deflect it to find the throw setting, and adjust as necessary. This is kind of inaccurate when working with tail draggers due to the angle of the control surface to the ruler, however it will get you pretty close. Tricyle config it works fine. As far as the rudder goes, I just place the ruler on the top of the tail(assuming it does not have a counter-balance at the top like extras and sukhoi do), then deflect and measure, and adjusting then. you will find it is a lot easier to use an angle of attack finder tool or the deflection tool if you want to get very precise..Thats how I do it..anyone else have any other methods? I'd love to do something that is easier and more accurate...

I got a [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK260]Great Planes AccuThrow Deflection Meter[/link] with a plane that someone gave me so I use that.

Trying to set up accurate controls without the proper gear is like trying to give an octopus a manicure- you would need more arms than he has. As rwright142 said, the GP guage works well for a modest price. I have one but find that most of the time I use a simple guage made of two balsa sticks. It took about 5 minutes to make it. The next step for you is to put a servo driver on your wish list. They are not expensive and you just dial in the control movement and it will hold it while you make adjustments without having to operate a transmitter.

I like your method desegal... think thats what i will use for now.

U can get the position you want with the TX, hold this then turn off the receiver power. On most radios the surface won't move; measure away.