I need to buy some servos for 2 projects I'm going to be building here in the near future and I need to know what servos I can get away with. I definetly going to get Futabas too. Currently I only use Futaba S3004's in all my planes,but my new projects will be a couple inches bigger perhaps.

The first project will be a CMP Katana 140.....72",11+lbs,O.S. 1.60 engine probably.
http://www.raidentech.com/cmpkas14072a.html

Then second will be a Seagull models Edge 540....68",8+lbs,1.00-1.25 4 stoke.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=706 (check out that review by Minnflyer!)

I'm a reletively new pilot and FAR from doing any fancy 3D or anything. So,what servos do you recommend for these planes? The recommendations are very specific on "high torque" ones or "digital" ones etc. My S3004's have been great for me so far,but the larger control surfaces of these planes concerns me.

OH.....and I'm CHEAP,so keep that into consideration,lol.

If you want good servos cheaper than Futaba (who isn't?), go with Hitec or Hobbico.

Dr.1

I definely want Futabas(just because),but I dont want to have to buy super high end ones if I dont need to.

just use the same Futaba S3004's that you have been using. a couple of inches bigger shouldn't make a difference

for the heavier plane i would suggest something like hitec/futaba metal gear servos for the rudder elevators,other than that standard 3004's will do fine.but like gamesbeer1 said the standard 3004 should be good.on a plane over 10 lb i like a slightly heavier servo is why i would suggest metal gear types.

I wouldn't use s3004's for an 11lb plane

This link will tell you what torque servos you need.

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/eflight/calcs_servo.htm

I'm also considering the Seagull Edge 540 and did a ton of reading on here about it.. There is at least one guy who tried using Futaba 3004's and had them strip out on him.. I thought about using the kryptonite or whatever gears, but hear that they are finicky as well.. Probably just bite the bullet and buy a couple of Hitec HS625's.. Metal gears, and fast movement.. It would kill me to lose a plane because I cheaped out on servos!

I use alot of futaba 3004's there fine and have served me well in all my planes I havent had any strip out on any of my planes mostly 60 size warbirds and sport planes.

Yeah Geardad,I think you sold me too. I wasnt sure if I want to go with Futaba S3305's with metal gears or your pick of Hitec 625MG's,but they both say they are recommended for Helis,boats and cars and does not mention planes. Its probly just a given that their also for planes,but now I'm even more confused. The futaba 3305's look like they have more torque and are cheaper then the 625's though. Tad bit bigger though. Wow,just noticed the Hitecs are a good bit heavier too,wonder if thats a good thing? Wonder if I'd have any trouble getting either of them to fit because they are a tiny bit bigger then my 3004's.

What do you other experts think about these servos?

Yes, the 3305's are .3 ounces less per servo.. The HS625's are much faster though, look at the 60deg transit time differences.. Don't know if that matters much to you. I've also read that the Hitec metal gear servos are more "precise" than similar futaba servos.. Don't know about that as all of my planes have the 3004's currently.. (I have noticed that the 3004's have a good bit of 'play' in them).. I think that you will be in great shape with either the HS625, or the Futaba 3305.. Maybe look around for a better deal on the Hitec..?

Futaba does NOT recommend the 3305 for planes. Check the chart at the bottom of this page:
http://www.futaba-rc.com/servos/digitalservos.html Not smart to ASSUME anything.

some info on certain Hi-tec servos,alot of the warbird guys have had some problems with some of them,mostly the carbonite ones,I know nothing about them since I use Futaba exclusively,but since the brand came up I figured some info/feed back might be helpfull http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_28...tm.htm#2881068

I like the Futaba S3152 (69 oz.in. I believe). You may even need two for the rudder and one for each elevator half. I've got .40 and .60 size models with the HiTec HD605SS (now the 645SS) and have never had a problem with them. I like a beefy rudder servo on taildraggers.

You can get by on amazingly large aircraft with a S3004, but if you get into "3-D" even a .60 sized plane (with a 1.20 sized engine for 3-D) will quickly "outgrow" what they can muster. You need 50% more torque for high alpha OR high (aircraft) speed throws.

The S3010 is slightly faster and more powerful than the S3004. It is under $30.

Yeah,it looks like the S3152 and also the S3010 would get plenty powerful enough,but what about them not having metal gears? Would that matter? You would think if there designed for more torque they would be designed to handle it without metal gears huh?