Servos = Futaba -vs- HiTec -vs- JR

[gr33nlite]

Is there really a difference in quality between them? I've only ever been around smaller Futabas, and they seemed alright. I'm looking around at servos for DIG w/an R2D, and constantly hear one of these being better than the other. I've got a JR 8711 for a steer servo and it definitely seems worth the price build and appearance wise (haven't installed it yet). Locally, HiTecs seem to be compared behind JRs or Futabas. On here, more than once I've heard about people having Futabas last for years... But the larger 5XXX HiTecs definitely seem to have a following on here at least.

Thanks"thumbsup"

 

[Mnster]

Futaba makes junk, every servo I have had from then has failed within a month. Do to gear failure or electrionic gizmos. They don't make servos with enough torque for our application anyways.

High end hitec's are good, stay away from the 645mg and the 5945mg, weak gear sets. Best servo ever created is the 5955tg.

JR makes great stuff, I've never seen anyone report major constant repair with their products.

 

[Roobforme]

I've never had a problem with any of my Futaba servos. I use them in my monster trucks and touring cars, both gas and electric. However, I always buy thier higher end servos (i.e. high torque, high speed, coreless, ect.). Just recently (within the past 2 years) I've been using high end Hitecs without any problems either. And I find the Hitecs give better bang for the buck performance than Futabas. As far as JR's are, I've never used them, but never heard anything bad about them either.

So, there's my $.02 for ya to chew on.

 

[binaryterror]

Ok Here's my run down. This is through racing nitro and electric off road vehicles and my findings over the last 10 years.

Futaba, never used one...so I'm not going to say anything.

Hitec: The problem is they price them low so you think "good deal". In the end you find out you are getting an over rated servo that will soon fail. Luckily their service is fast, but I got tired of having to have so many spares in a loop to guarantee a solid race day. I especially have had most issues with their Digital line.

Airtronics: You didn't ask but I'm going to tell you. They SUCK. The servos are fine but if you need service good luck. They lost one of mine once they received it (I have UPS tracking proof they got it). The other one died so I sent it in, 3 months later I got it back as it was with a note saying "You must have over stressed the servo which caused the failure. We do not cover mis-use." This was a Airtronics 94357 being used in a XXX-T MF2. Hardly over stressed.

JR: Finally done with Hitec I bought all JR. I can tell you smartest move I've ever made. Their servos are faster than the same rating Hitec (is Hitec lying or is JR under rating?). Even their cheapo ones last longer than higher rated Hitec did, which shocked me. I had one fail after nitro engine break in on steering, a 650M sent it back, solid 3 year warranty and fast service to boot. Got it back and now it is on my Comp AX-10 with Aluminum wheels. Sure it stalls, but has never once failed even when I thought it should! I have an 8800T waiting to go in, but until the comp season hits again in spring I want to keep torture testing this 650M.

Personally I'll never own another Hitec...ever. I have no reason to try Futaba, since my JR's are working well and I love the 3 year warranty with great service.

 

[Ced RC]

You can't go wrong with the 5955TG's

 

[JUSTGOINGSLOW]

I agree with Binaryterror I used all of the different radio gear over a period of 20 years in off road racing. And JR PROPO is second to none there servos are incredable and the service the best "thumbsup"