Digi Servos. Is expensive really better ?

[virtual120]

Im just finishing off building my new raptor 50se and have been doing a little research on digital servos for it. Of course most people recommend Futaba s9252 etc but they are big bucks. Ive seen packages for 4 servos like DS821 Digital Servo (http://www.rchelis.co.nz/product_info.php?products_id=1087) for $150 all metal gears etc.

What would be a good alternative to the "branded" type servos that wont break the bank. Or is it simply popular names are the best ?

Cheers
TIm

[Jafa]

S9252 can be sourced for $64 each in bluk blister packs (try Ricks/RonLund)

DS821 are known to fail due to vibrations - do a search
JR say they are only good for 30 size heli

[motoxmaniac93]

Ive been using the DS821's in my 50 and they are working perfectly i think. Ive been through 2 gallons with no problems at all. I am starting to do 3d too.

[AFjetmech]

Ive been using the DS821's in my 50 and they are working perfectly i think. Ive been through 2 gallons with no problems at all. I am starting to do 3d too.

Do a search on these servo's. There is a long thread started from a guy who had these in a 600 (I think) and one of them failed. He bought it from a hobby shop like that and flew it even after people warned him. So let it be said.........You've beened warned.

[Raven_darkcloud]

I have 2 600's with 821's and not one issue even through hard 3d. Any servo can fail. I have had futaba servos fail and other brands too. They are not rated for 50 class nitro but still seem to work. Most of the threads bashing 821's are by people who have never owned them.

[AFjetmech]

I was talking about a thread where they had failed. If the manufacturer suggests not using them for a 50 nitro, then I'll be damned if I'd put them in my $1,800 heli. For anyone who's got the cash to take the chance on crashing their heli, why not spend a little more money up front, and put in servos that are rated for 50 size nitros. Just makes sense to me.

[Raven_darkcloud]

True, Mine are in electrics I have just seen many 600n's with them too and the hold up fine. Don't forget most of us are also running blade above the rated speed to it kind fits in the hobby. Me I'll keep my servos within rating but rating are always lower then the fail point too.

[ghtracey]

Big difference between a 600 and a 600n... electrics don't vibrate like nitros do. There is a reason that JR/Spektrum posted a warning not to use them with .50 sized nitro helis after they had been in circulation for a while.

Motox, here's a tip: Fly responsibly. Just because you haven't wrecked yet doesn't mean you won't. Would you ignore a recall on your car to fix an issue that could cause it to go careening out of control at any moment? Anyone who flies DS821's in a .50 nitro deserves the wreck they will probably have, but I hope they don't injure any innocent bystanders in the process.


As for the poll... are Hitec servos considered branded? For a .50, the HS5625MG is an awesome servo, for much less money than a 9252. In fact, 4 of those comes in at $200, not much more than those ill-fated DS821's that you are considering for $150. Really, how much did your heli cost, compare that to the price difference in servos. Is $50 really worth risking your investment over? Honestly how can you chintz out on one of the two most important things you put in your heli (the other is the Rx battery)?

[rotorhead58d]

i have a set of 821's. they are in the closet.

[Jafa]

If I had a set they would be on ebay
If the auction failed they would be in the bin ;-)

[Raven_darkcloud]

My nitros are using hitech 6975's and they work great. As for a recall on 821's I have never seen one just that the are stated in the instructions as for no larger then 30 class nitro and 50 class electric.

[ghtracey]

Sorry Raven, I wasn't saying there was a recall, just a warning not to use them in .50 nitros. I was comparing using them in one to ignoring an auto recall for a safety hazard.

[Raven_darkcloud]

Ahh, personaly I wont put them in a nitro as the case not being rated for nitro but I also know that jr/spectrum have that rated that way to give a safty margin. So any one with them in a nitro needs to remember that the case was not designed for 50 class nitro vibes. As for my tru opinion on if its worth the money to get good digi servos. Yes it is. My 600's just have the 821's as I got lazzy and never changed them On the first to a faster servo (821's are slow but can and will do smoot 3d) and the new 600 came with them. One 600 is going scale and will keep the 821's the other I havent desided yet but for my flying style on the 600 they work great.

[iher]

There is another issue regarding servos used in nitro helis. OIL ! this could damage some plastics and electronic components.
I use 8717 on my 90 on 6v and I`m really impressed
When moved by hand they sound as if they are missing theeth.
Apparently this is comon and has no effect on perforance.

[Hotwings]

i was helping a friend this past weekend with his raptor 50 and all of a sudden it started pitching up and down, auto'd it and sure enough he had 821 's in it, they just started to go whereever they wanted, lucky i was flying it, got it down in one piece. i will never use 821's in any heli, they work well in planes. Ron

[heliadict1212]

not to beat it into the ground but I used a ds821 on my throttle in my rex600n......five flights I got out of it before I had to replace blades because it failed. I am a jr man for the most part but I'd rather use hs 55's before I ever touch a ds821 again.

[snappa]

Tim you would be better off with this set, http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUZ76&P=ML I have hitec in all my models, ohh and take care dealing with the shop you linked too... not good on warranties