What does evryone think about FMA servos? I am looking to see what kind of servos I want to upgrade my raptor 50 to. I was thinking of going to the Futaba 9202s but I want to leave my options open.

I heared that FMAs are good, I can see that they are more powerful, faster and cheaper than the 9202s. I am looking at the FMA S3501, S3551, and the S3601. The specs are here. http://www.nesail.com/fmaservo.html

I really like the specs on the S3601, 108 in/oz torque, .13 transit time all for $45.

What about Hobbico, JR, airtronics, and hitec servos?

BTW, I'm using a Futaba Radio and reciever.

Thanks!

As there is no governing body that defines how servos should be rated, one cannot compare servos by the paper specs alone. e.g. the electronic circuit may be one that theoretically should deliver X amount of torque and Y amount of speed, but if the geartrain is poorly molded or cut and if the motors used are of inconsistant performance quality, then these specs go right out the window.

I have tested many servos from Grand Wing Servos who make the FMA servo (along with those from Global and a few other off name brands) and have found NON of them in the $50.00 price range could compare to the 9202 even though some on paper looked a lot better!!!

I have done these tests using a special board on which I can mount two servos across from each other with special servo wheels with pointers. Connecting both servos to a Y conector to the same channel on a receiver will alow you to "race them" for checking speed. The torque can be checked by having them lift weights over a simple pulley system) Not too scientific but very effective for direct comparisons. I would always buy at least four (usually 10) so that I had a good idea of their consistancy in manufacture also. And I found some of these even varied greatly from one sample to the next!!

And a spec that is never given is the one for reliability. Here the 9202 really shines. They are without a doubt the most reliable servo I have ever used.

As I haven't the time to check every servo out there, I finally gave up trying to find a cheaper, better performer with the same dependability and have just stuck with the 9202s.

Those you mentioned may be better then those I tested, but for the money saved on four servos can all be wasted if they result in only one minor crash.

Other product from FMA that I love is their Super Nova 250S charger and I hear great things about their Co-Pilot also. But neither of these have any mechanical moving parts.

I have good news and bad news.

The good news - these servos ROCK. I first tried a set two years ago in an ARF warbird - 3501Ms on ailerons and elevator and a 3601M on the rudder, using a regular 4-cell pack. They are *very* fast, *very* precise. I was so impressed with their performance and price that I've equipped most of my high-performance aircraft with them on the critical surfaces. Twelve servos, two years of service, zero failures.

The bad news - FMA has discontinued all the excellent Standard series servos.

Bugger.

I still have either five or six of the 3501Ms, unsed. These will be going into my 1/4-scale Cap.

If Sal @ NESAIL still has these in stock, buy them!

Visioneer,

Had you tried them in the high frequency vibration environment of an RC heli?

I found them dependable enough on my airplanes but not so in the higher vibration environment of the helis.

afraid not. I opted to go with digitals - my Raptor is fitted with MPX mc/V2 Royals and a GY401/9253 combo on the tail.

BTW I do pot the wires on all my servos with automotive RTV. This keeps them from breaking away from the pads due to vibration.

What's the price of going digital?

Depends on the servos you chose.

Hitec 5625 and 5645 servos have been getting pretty favorable reviews. Metal gears, 5-pole motors. $55 bucks apiece from Servo City.

(Servo City also sells Futaba servos. 9202s cost $55.)

JR, Futaba digitals all cost $100+ bucks each. The FUtaba ones seem to be nigh-bulletproof. There have been *lots* of reports about early-revision JR DS8411s failing in-flight, though. Uncool.

The MPX digitals I use are quite nice. Specs are very similar to the HS5625s above, except that the MPX servos use plastic gears and have th same output spline pattern as JR servos. I paid $46 apiece - this was before Multiplex raised prices on them by $30!