[Tired Old Man]

Yep, you can buy a used DA and have the worst acting and sounding mid range with the 50, 85, and 100 that I've ever seen or heard in any engine. Same with a new one.

That where DL and RCGF have beat out the DA's. They run smoother at all rpm ranges. Perhaps not the service record of DA but that's starting to balance out. If your engine doesn't hit the ground as often because it stayed running when gooseing the gas in a hover or torque roll.........

Don't get me wrong, DA makes great engines and has an exemplary service record but when are they going to do something about the induction systems? The price would not be any consideration at all if they corrected that one fault. Most all the DA's between 50 and 100cc run like poop in the mid ranges. That's why so many sold their DA 50's off and went with Brillelli when he was there. That's also why I'm trying out several different engines in the 100cc class now. The power of the RCGF is a match for the DA, so all it has to do is stay running for a reasonable period of time and it's a winner. The DL is only slightly behind the DA in power so for many it could be a valid choice for many as well.

For me it's all about how well they run and for how long. I can afford any engine I want so the price is secondary, and as much as I hate to say it, some of the Chinese engines are coming on strong. If the engine price was the primary purchase decision factor I'd be figuring that I was in a segment of the hobby that was beyond my means. If engine manufacturers have parts and support locally available they'll have the market cornered until and unless something changes. The areas impacting an engine decision are power, running quality, reliable longevity, servicability, and price. A couple of ounces of weight either way is irrelavant. Pounds are another story. If those all balance out in the eastern engine's favor, what logical decision can you make?

Clean up the mid range and I'd be hanging DA's on the front of my planes in a heartbeat. I'd be happy to pay the additional cost just to help support all that DA does for the modeling industry. They do, and have done, quite a lot.