OK all you ePower gurus, say your whole electric fleet was still back at the Mabuchi Motor/Nicad powered stage when the wife approves some limited $$ for upgrades, but only enough to buy a brushless motor/ESC OR a Li-Poly battery/charger set.

If you could only pick one, which upgrade would you pick: replace a cheap brushed can motor with an outrunner, or start in with Li-Poly cells and a suitable charger?


(Say the target plane to be upgraded is a Mountain Models Switchback Sport with GWS EPS 300C and 8 cell 600 nicads, if we need to avoid the "well, it depends..." problem.)

- Norm from New England

First off GO BRUSHLESS!!! Without a question that is the best start. Now about that charging system and battery issue. I take it you are figuring about 100 bucks or so for the charger? Consider the Hobbico MKII for half that then you will still have enough $ for a 3s battery.

If you upgrade to brushless motor first make sure the motor will run descent on the voltage of your battires, I upgraded to lipo first to get run time and then upgraded to brushless for more power and more run time.

Either way is probably a wash. Brushless motor w/ESC is a little lighter, more efficiency. LiPo is a little lighter, same efficiency, but more capacity. However, if you go LiPo, you'll still either need a new ESC that can accomodate the LVC, or a LiPo saver. Given limited funds, you're probably better off going with the new motor.