I have a few 5625 servos purchased in jan 2001 that were used for a short time in 2001 and not since. I noticed the warning about Hitec digital servos on the hitec website.
All of these servos do not have a date code on them as far as I can tell. Does the servo need to be taken apart to find this date code? Do these servos need to be reprogrammed? Is there a canadian repair location or do I have to deal with customs and a 1 month turnaround if sent to the US?

Thanks

All you need to do is reset them with a current HFP-10 programmer to update the software.

Mike.

Mike,
I assume that your post means that they do need reprogramming. Is that correct? I have no access to the programmer you speak of. Is there a service location in canada?

Is this some kind of joke! My original post includes 3 questions which I will reword.

1) Where is the date code for the servos, do the servos need to be taken apart to determine this?

2) If there is no date code, does this mean that they do not need to be reprogrammed?

3) Is there a repair facility in Canada?

The answer to all these questions is: "All you need to do is reset them with a current HFP-10 programmer to update the software".

Not one of the questions was answered.

I guess this is not a support forum after all, or is this Hitec's definition of support?

I'll try again at the Hitec website, thanks for your time.

Holly cow! [X(][X(][X(]

I appologize for not answering all your questions but my reply is accurate as to what you need to do. Anyone with a current programmer could do this for you including many hobby shops that have programmers for in house use. You might try contacting High Flight R/C who is our exclusive Canadian agent (780 485 2003) if you don't want to send them to the USA.

The date code would be on the outside of the servo.

There is no date code on the latest versions but your servos most likely have the old software as should be updates as I suggested.

Sorry again for upsetting you!

Thanks for the reply Mike and sorry for being so harsh. There is nothing but mail order where I live, so when you suggest I get a $250 programmer to fix my servos, i got a little uptight. I guess it's not worth losing a heli over this so I will send them to hitec. It would have been nice if the message on your website was a little less confusing.

It states
"that our digital servo product manufactured prior to October 2001 may act erratically "

My servos qualify - purchased Jan 2001

It also states
"The affected servos are labeled as"Modified" with the dates listed below:
APR2001
MAY2001
JUNE2001
JULY2001
AUG2001
"

My servos do not qualify.
This was the reason for my questions.

No worries! Sometimes I get too quick with my replies.

You basically got the first batch of these servos ever to be sold, so you will need to update them. If you send them into Hitec we will update them at no charge.

Here's the info on how to send them in: http://www.hitecrcd.com/Support/service_and_repair.htm

Mike.

This is insane! Both purolator (direct or through Canada Post) and fedex want around $65 for shipping, plus $20 for $500 insurance, plus a minimum of $19.50 for brokerage (maybe more), and they were not sure about duty and exchange. This is one way only.

Looks like I need to dump my Hitec equipment. It's my fault for not checking that Hitec does not have a Canadian repair facility. I just assumed they did since Futaba does.

Why does Hitec assume that US service is acceptable for Canadians.
IT IS NOT.

Thanks for buying Hitec

That is insane! We get packages from Canada all the time and I can't imagin everyone is paying that much for shipping or we would hear more about it.

Try contacting J.N. R/C Electronics @ (604) 929-7477

They are in N. Vancouver BC and John should be able to help you out to get the servos updated.

Mike.

I was able to ship for $50 using a puropak, I had to repackage to fit in the envelope. I shipped to Hitec since I also included a receiver for checkout due to a couple of crashes. I think the reason for the costs may be due to my remote location in Northern Ontario, but I'm not sure. Futaba no longer seem to be supported in Canada either, or at least they don't have anything on their website. It has been about ten years since I sent anything futaba or hitec out for repair. I'm pretty much all Hitec now, except for my transmitter. I will say that I have been totally satisfied with all of the Hitec equipment I own.
I will search some more on the shipping issue Mike because I think you are right that more people would be complaining. My mistake may have been the need for insurance, this may be what flags it for brokerage fees? I don't feel at ease sending out expensive parts with no tracking or insurance.
Trade between Canada and US seems to be discouraged.
I will update you on final costs, and I will be particularly interested in the shipping method Hitec uses to send the stuff back to me. They probably know the best method.

I got my stuff back from Hitec service today. Hitec have disappointed me again. This deserves another thread.

I was doing a setup maintenance check on the raptor heli, and I noticed that when I switched into throttle hold at full pitch, the pitch did not change. It should change since it is programmed to give slightly more positive pitch for autorotations. To my horror, as soon as I just barely touched the transmitter stick, the servo bumped up to where it should be and then would work properly. This was repeatable on all my Hitec 5625 servos, but not on my new Hitec 5925, Hitec 6975, Futaba 3151 and Futaba 9254. The ATV is over 120%, but only the 5625's have the problem.
I SENT MY SERVOS IN, HAD THEM REPROGRAMMED, AND THEY STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ATV OVER 120%.

I also set up my new Raptor heli with the 5925 servos, and they don't fit properly and thus don't get much benefit from the rubber grommets. The 5925 mounting is shorter than the hitec 5625, Hitec 6975, Futaba 3151, and Futaba 9254. Hitec just decided to make this servo different mounting than their other servos??????

There's always some "issues" with Hitec servos. Sending them in to get "fixed" is a waste of money. I'm done with Hitec.