I would go for the JR DS821 , cost for each is less than 30 dollars.

They'r digital and here you can compare both.

Futaba 3151 [:'(]

SPECS: Speed: 0.21 sec/60° @ 4.8V
0.17 sec/60° @ 6.0V
Torque: 43 oz-in @ 4.8V
54 oz-in @ 6.0V
Dimensions: 1.59 x 0.79 x 1.42 in (40.6 x 20 x 36mm)
Weight: 1.5oz (42g)

JR DS 821 [>:]

SPECS: Speed: .19 sec/60° @ 4.8v,
.15 sec/60° @ 6v
Torque: 72 oz/in @ 4.8v
88 oz/in @6v
Dimensions (WxLxH): 0.74"x1.50"x1.47"
Weight: 1.5 oz (42g)

I used non-digital servos in everything for years (futaba 3004s, 3010s). Now that I am getting into Pattern, it was suggested to switch to digitals. I purchased a batch of 3151s and 3152s. What a difference (particularly in aileron control)! Centering is much more precise now making it easier to get consistent results.

Like many have alluded to already in this thread, back in the "good old days", we used whatever servos we had: S148's, S28's, KPS 14's or 15's. Plastic/nylon gears and torque only in the low 40 oz. range, and I for one never had a problem. Looking back, one might think we were very lucky to have not striped gears or drained battery packs due to stalled servos. Digital servos are everything other responses in this thread say they are, but for me to use them, I have to soften them with so much expo that a nice coreless ball bearing servo that's a little slower can end up doing just as good a job. Ballistic old style pattern was set up for "slow" servos. We didn't need the instant response of today's digitals. Whether you go digital or coreless, I would suggest metal gears.

Price for futaba 3151 and JR DS 821 is the same $ 29.99 but far better response from DS821, also a analog (standard) servo drains your batteries much faster.

I try to read anythingh related to this hobby, electronics, aerodinamics ( some people dont even know why a plane fly) etc. that way I can decide better in all aspects.

One thing is sure, I use standard servos no more.

Well I'll go out on a limb here and dare to ask this, but what do you guys think about the Tower Hobbies brand of digital servos? They have good specs and a decent price too. They're made by Futaba anyway from what I understand. I have to figure out something soon since my Tower coupon for $30 off expires 31 May. It sounds like many people dislike the Hitec servos from what I've been reading elsewhere. I'm warming up to the idea of digitals since you all seem to agree they're great. The combination of digitals and LiPo receiver batteries is unnerving; I guess the idea of using new, unfamiliar technology in a plane I've been waiting forever to aquire kinda spooks me. Thanks for all your input so far guys.

There's another Futaba servo tha t Tower sells for $29.99 that I've always wanted to try that you might consider. It's analog, but has a coreless motor, is BB and has decent specs.

Anyone here ever use the S9001's?

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXH296&P=7

Well I finally just ordered a set of S9202 coreless BB servos. Not digital, but after considering everything brought up here, I feel digitals would be overkill for this plane. They seem to be better suited for 3D and helicopters. Plus the issue of power draw was unnerving. I still torn between a 6v Nicad, or a LiPo pack with regulator from Fromoco or Duralite.

I think I'm confused. Post 29 above says standard servos draw more power from the battery and post 32 above seems to suggest just the opposite. Is there a source to know what the amp draw is for different servos?

Post 29 is misleading. Digitals draw more power faster in their duty cycle and can drain a battery very fast if stalled.

Digital " sistems" Txs consume less energy not the servos, sorry for the mistake.

Is correct, digital servos consume much more energy than standard.

personally i am sold on LiPo or LiIon and a regulator...

my new 2Meter ship has 25 flights on it and 2400Mah LiIon is still 7.4voilts on the 1st charge
..i am runing 4 Futaba 9650 digital and 1 9151 all digital....

this is an electric ship, but still...it has been in the air for more than 125 minutes!!!

got to love those lithums!! lol


tony