ESC Choice
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Doncaster, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ESC Choice
Can anyone please tell me the difference between cheap ESC's and the dear ones. for an OPTO 100A they range from about £10 to over £100. I know the more expensive will probably be more reliable, but is there really much difference ?
Thanks for your help,
Glenn
Thanks for your help,
Glenn
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Napoleon, OH
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: ESC Choice
If better reliability isn't enough for you, also consider that ESCs from top companies such as Castle Creations and Jeti may offer a warranty and repair service. For example, Castle will repair any of their ESCs for a flat fee. Getting a no-name ESC repaired may not be possible at any price.
The well known companies may be somewhat more conservative in their specifications. Would you want to operate a no-name ESC close to its specified limits? I would not.
Also, the top brands may offer more features and programmable options that can be important in some applications.
On the other hand, if you operate a no-name ESC conservatively, do not expect to need factory service and support, and do not need lots of features, they are worth considering. If possible, purchase no-name products from a dealer you know and trust to stand behind what he sells.
That is my 2 cents (or 2 pence) worth of advice.
- Jeff
The well known companies may be somewhat more conservative in their specifications. Would you want to operate a no-name ESC close to its specified limits? I would not.
Also, the top brands may offer more features and programmable options that can be important in some applications.
On the other hand, if you operate a no-name ESC conservatively, do not expect to need factory service and support, and do not need lots of features, they are worth considering. If possible, purchase no-name products from a dealer you know and trust to stand behind what he sells.
That is my 2 cents (or 2 pence) worth of advice.
- Jeff
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Doncaster, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: ESC Choice
Thanks Jeff,
I have been using a 100A opto, no brand name, for six months, bought from Giantcod.co.uk. It has been pulling around 70A with no problem.
I have been using a 100A opto, no brand name, for six months, bought from Giantcod.co.uk. It has been pulling around 70A with no problem.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Orleans, MA
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: ESC Choice
ORIGINAL: glenndening
...I have been using a 100A opto, no brand name, for six months, bought from Giantcod.co.uk. It has been pulling around 70A with no problem.
...I have been using a 100A opto, no brand name, for six months, bought from Giantcod.co.uk. It has been pulling around 70A with no problem.
I have had no failures with very inexpensive controllers. I substantially overrate the controller capacity for my intended application. This is easy to do without incurring a significant weight penalty.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin,
TX
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: ESC Choice
I am an electrical engineer and I can tell you that I will NEVER EVER pay for top brand again. I've run Castle Creations 80 amp and hextronic 80 amp (unitedhobbies.com) and they both perform the same. The hextronic is $55 where teh CA is well over $120. Go to something like a standard 30 or 40 amp and the cost is even less. They are very well built.
Same goes for their Rhino lipos. $22 for a 3S-25C 11.1v 2150 MHa battery vs a Thunderpower equivalent 25C battery at $79. Even the motors from the above website are excellent (over Axi).
It is often said you get what you pay for, but I have found excellent prices for high quality motoros, ESCs and batteries.
Same goes for their Rhino lipos. $22 for a 3S-25C 11.1v 2150 MHa battery vs a Thunderpower equivalent 25C battery at $79. Even the motors from the above website are excellent (over Axi).
It is often said you get what you pay for, but I have found excellent prices for high quality motoros, ESCs and batteries.