Futaba Digital Servo Opinions

[ben_beyer]

I'm interested in hearing what people have to say about the Futaba digital servos. Specifically, how do they feel and how quickly do they develop slop compared to JR and Hitec servos.

I do not want to start a brand war. I've flown with nothing but Hitec digitals and I currently have 5955's all the way around in the plane I'm flying now. However, I'm interested in trying out some of the new Futaba S9156's that are coming out.

[RightThrust]

I have 4 9152's on my 260 in single-servo applications on the elevators and push-pull on the rudder with over 500 flights and they have virtually no more slop than they did when they were new. If you were to regrease the gears they would feel new.

I'm also going to use the 9156's in the new plane and expect good gear wear from them. I'm running 9155's, which has similar gears, in the wings and the slop is great, especially for a standard sized servo. I'm looking forward to trying them out.

-Kelly

[BR289]

I use Futaba stuff, but do have some Hi-Tech servos. Some say that Hi-Tech s dont center as well as Futaba or JR, but I cant really tell.
The problem with Futaba is they dont have any servos comparable to the JR8611-8711 or the Hi-Tech 5955's. I have asked them why but they never give an answer that makes any sense.
I use almost all digital servos ( I have a truckload of planes ) and really like the Futaba 3050 and my smaller stuff. I use 9451's on bigger stuff but even those are only 120oz on 6v. I do like them though and havent burned any out. I do take the time to get the linkages as good as possible to avoid binding.
Overall, I am happy with Futaba Digital servos...I would just like to see some higher torque servos in the standard size cases...
Blair

[ben_beyer]

You're in luck! The 9156 is a standard size servo and has 340 oz./in. of torque:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXRAX0&P=SM

[ben_beyer]

Hey Kelly, I just remembered that you had a detailed set up of the 42% Dalton 260 and so I went to check it out. I'm building the 35% Dalton 260 by the way.

Anyways, I noticed your method for adjusting the centers of the servos so that matchboxes and equilizers aren't needed without adjust the subtrim either. I'd like some more information on that. The main reason I use Hitec is because I can program them to get perfect geometry. Another thing I've heard about the Futaba digitals is that they are very linear and the endpoints will match up. I really like that, so I may have to give these a try using your adjustment method.

[torquen]

I find that the Futaba servos hold up better than any brand that I have used in the past. If you like your Hitec servos then you will love the Futaba servo. They center awesome, have some great speed numbers, make a servo for pretty much any application and don't develop slop. I have 9451,9351, 9152 in my Colombo extra that is over 3.5 years old and have only had one servo go out and I believe that may have been my fault.
My 37% yak that I'm building now will be all 9156 and 9152's. I love the 9152's for rudder applications because I feel that the bigger gear train holds up a bit better.
Garrett Morrison
Team Futaba

[ben_beyer]

Thanks Garrett!

I used Futaba radios until a few months ago when I bought a JR 9303. I think the ultimate 9 channel radio would be to take some of the features of the 9303 (mostly the programming offered) and put it in to a 9 channel Futaba. I went with the JR for that reason, but I've missed my Futaba systems that have always worked. I've battled radio interference with my gasser since I got the 9303 and lucky for me, the Xtreme Link systems just came out so I'm hoping that's all going to go away. In all honesty, I wanted to get the 12Z or better yet, the 14MZ. Unfortunately, all of those are more than I can really spend right now, but maybe in a year or so, I can get the spread spectrum 12Z or 14MZ.

I got to do some flying with Todd Blose when I was home for spring break and his 14MZ felt great and I really like it. Just too much $$$ for now and for someone that's a sport flyer.

[BR289]

Awesome...After I posted I checked into the 9156 more and the case size is standard! FINALLY!!!!! I will be getting a bunch of these now............

[BR289]

Ben Beyer,
I have both the 14 and the 12MZ and I really like the 12 alot.....It has a great feel to it. If you wanted to go 2.4 geta 12 in 2.4 when it comes out.....you will like it.

[itai]

i use futaba 9541 servo .10 sec/6v 121oz-in 6v for more then 3 years
no problem here

itai

[Eury]

A lot of heli guys use Futaba digitals. They are awesome on CCPM, where they need to match up and center perfectly time after time. I wouldn't hesitate to put them in anything I own, I've never had anything but great luck with them.

[enephel]

How can Futaba advertise sevos as metal gear when two large gears are nylon. I just bought 8 S9206 servos after reading several places they are metal gear and I also have seen them advertised as all metal gear. Then I find that the gear sets are two different numbers. One nylon and one metal. Half and half. Do I want to even consider putting these in a 35% plane (131 oz.)? S9452 servos also have a nylon gear in them. Should I be concerned?