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Thread: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

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Old 01-17-2012, 06:45 PM   #1
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Default Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

ok, before i get yelled at, let me explain my question. what im asking is, is there a difference in feel betweeen one Esc and another? example: does a traxxas xl5 "feel" different than say a Tekin? is throttle control different? I know programming is way different and stuff like that, but acceleration, is that different?
I only ask because i currently am running an xl5 and was wondering if it was worth the money to upgrade to a better esc if im just scale crawling?
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Old 01-17-2012, 06:50 PM   #2
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

Oh yea. A good quality esc has a real smooth low end (if paired with a good motor)
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Old 01-17-2012, 06:54 PM   #3
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

oh, in regards to adding the power, its smother from one to another? ecause mine feels likes its tring to add it smooth, then gets alittle choppy...not so smooth
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Old 01-17-2012, 07:04 PM   #4
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

If it's a brushed motor, maybe getting it cleaned & serviced would be a "cheap" start.
Know any locals that can cut a comm for you?

A great ESC won't make a crap motor feel great.
A great motor won't make a crap ESC work well.

It's a system, it works based on the worst bits in it.

Milford.....which one??
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Old 01-17-2012, 07:12 PM   #5
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

milford Pa, its right nnext to Nj and Ny....and i see what u are saying...as far as the motor i have, its basically a brand new 27t..nothing crazy, but i guess my system is on the low end, so i cant expect much out of it..
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Old 01-17-2012, 09:53 PM   #6
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

So what is a good esc for crawling ? Cause I need one
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:21 PM   #7
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingscx10 View Post
So what is a good esc for crawling ? Cause I need one
Depends on the truck... If it is a shafty, you'll only need one, if it is a MOA, you might want to get two.

In addition to how smooth an ESC is, you have to look at its features and if they are right for what you want to do with your RC. For instance, the XL-5, not too bad for a scaler, it is waterproof, but it does not have a drag brake and it has a double clutch reverse. A Novak Rooster Crawler, great for a scaler and a shafty, but not really a good choice for an MOA.

The best bet is to research the specific section for your truck, look at what others are running for that RC, this will give you a good starting point.
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:53 PM   #8
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

If you want the best bang for your buck in the brushed market of ESC's...
And yes, there's a huge difference in smoothness.

Go with the Holmes BR-XL. It is stupid smooth on the low end.
Its drag brake can make a rig tumble.
Its rated for 6s, so it won't break a sweat on 3s lipo.

Price wise, its actually very reasonable, considering it has a 5amp-6volt continuous BEC inside.
For most guys, that's plenty for a beefy servo.
You can get them new for $100 or used for $80 +/-.

Consider that you'll pay $45-$65 for a cheaper esc - XL5, Sidewinder, Tazer, then an additional $20 for an external BEC.
So you save what, $10-20 dollars, if that? And get less...

Call me a Holmes groupie, but I saw a big jump from the XL5 to the Castle Sidewinder, then another HUGE jump to the BRXL.
It is the Bee's Knees.
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Old 01-18-2012, 06:14 AM   #9
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FordFixer View Post
Milford Pa, it's right next to NJ and NY....and I see what you are saying...as far as the motor I have, it's basically a brand new 27t..nothing crazy, but I guess my system is on the low end, so I can't expect much out of it..
Not "too far" from me (check my zip code).

If your ESC has a decent drag brake and an immediate reverse option, then the differences become smaller.
Whether or not those differences are worth a bit more $ is up to you.

Example, Castle Mamba Max (old style) vs. Tekin FX-R. Both are good ESC's, both get used a LOT in crawlers.
I run both.
Other than the smaller size of the FX-R, I prefer the Castle.
Some of it is the adjustability of throttle/brake curves, some is feel, some is drag brake and one of the last is that I can do a set-up in one ESC, save the settings and then load into another ESC. Not something that I do all the time, but it's nice. The FX-R can't do that. The FX-R also allows me to use "what an engineer/programmer" did for curves which is not exactly what I want.

As to differences between those 2 ESC's, they drive pretty much the same (other than I have a modified throttle curve in the MM's that I prefer).

Some of the better ESC's also have a little more margin when you overload them, they can keep running where a cheaper ESC may die.
Then there is customer support.

So, lots to consider.
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Old 01-18-2012, 10:17 AM   #10
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Default Re: Is there really a Difference in an ESC?

cool,thanks for the info guys,and charlie, i sometimes visit that hobby shop in suffern, so i know where about u are..
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