Is the MATO brass 3:1 gear box really that bad? I've read opinions but nothing substantial. And is RC COMMAND still selling asiatam parts or are they phasing out slowly. I've read rumors of health concerns. (Hope they're over stated)

other better gearboxes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcoNiKjWBGc
http://www.mijnwebwinkel.nl/winkel/m...egoryID=315382

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzBHF...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNAQq...layer_embedded

these 2 gearboxes' gears are fully stainless steel material


but the price difference to Mato/Asiatam cannot be compared on the same level

I bought Asiatam's from Bill recently.

The Mato versions are cheap knock offs, and accordingly need a little more attention - bending the frames, shiming the gear shafts, make sure that all the grub screws are tightened properly, etc. They also need running in, just like the older monkey metal HL gears.
I've been using them in several tanks since the start of the year and not had any problems that I couldn't fix, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that they are as good as the Asiatams or Tamiya's.

If you can get the Asiatam's I would recommend you go that route, or look at RCC's steel gearboxes. I use the Mato ones primarily because they are easier to get hold of (Mato always has stock, and they are just across the border from me), and the RCC steel gears make tanks like the Tiger way to fast for our club rules

I would highly recommend going to asaitam boxes as they require much less effort tpo maintain. I tried Mato boxes and I will not buy a set. As was stated above, they are cheap knock offs and it shows. Go asiatam.

It seems to be a quality control thing. I have four Mato Boxes in use. Only one required attention, and that one being the last one for my Leo.

I have 3. One was fine the other two had problems with heavy loads. I think with a smaller tank (panzer III or IV) they would be fine

It is a QC thing. i know who makes both and it is the same manufacturer but for licensing reason the Matos are the way they are.

The gears and the motors are fine. the problem is the case material. It is soft aluminum and has a tendency to move when the gearbox is under load. The movement can be in the motor and pinion moving away from the first driven gear and therefore slipping or skipping. The second problem is the final drive can also do the same thing. If you can brace the gearbox frame or replace it with something stiffer then it would be pretty good. the Asiatam boxes use the same design but they use a steel frame and therefore it is stiffer and less prone to allowing deflection or gear-shaft sideways movement. The design could be improved!! I think the QC question has more to do with the shaft collar grub screws being tightened and secured correctly.