Big Torque Servos - ProModeler PDRS420BLHV 420oz Brushless servo!

[Matt]

I just called and asked and they are indeed digital. Confusing since only the red cased servos on his site are labeled as such.

That is funny I did just the same thing because you brought it up. I called as soon as you posted.

Another cool thing are his aluminum servo arms. They are calibrated and laser etched with the torque coefficient. Since they are specced with a 1" arm all the wholes are labeled like on the 2" arm the in-board holes are etched with 1.3 because you are less than 1" so you get 1.3 times the torque. So you actually have 546ozin of torque. Kind of handy and unique

 

[Pistolera]

Do they come with arms too!

 

[acerc]

I like the four bolts encasing the output bearing, I have seen plastic cases flex a little at that point under a load.

 

[camss69]

If they came with arms that would be awesome! I don't even know why you buy an 8711HV and it comes with plastic arms? Why bother including something you can't (shouldn't/won't) use?

They do look tempting, I did look at them briefly before I bought servos last time but didn't do any research on them.

If they center like a JR, service like Horizon, have the gear train wear of the Hitec Ti gears and are reliable, they would be hard to overlook especially at that price point.

It would also be awesome if they came with hex head servo mount and arm screws! Sorry kinda went off sideways there but as long as I'm asking!

 

[Matt]

@Pistolera sorry the only arms they actually come with are your standard plastic arms but the alluninum ones he makes are quite similar to SWB again at a lower price and as I said they have the torque refrence etched on them, kind of cool.
@camss69 I hate saying it was a build but I assembled a hangar 9 beast the big one. I did a lot of research into servos for it because I wanted something good but I am not like everyone else and trying something new doesn't bother me. I had these at first on the ailerons but was so impressed that i just changed out the 8711HVs on the elevators to these servos because they out performed the JR... Now the rudder still has the JR alphabet servo that is the stupid torque brushless soft start servo. They center perfect and I am in the process of changing my IMAC plane to these now! Also the service is better than horizon. You get John's cell number! How often do you get the owners cell number?

 

[IMAC FANATIC]

Id like 7 to try on the new/old 33% Pitts, flight report included of course.

 

[jbeech]

Hi guys, I'm John Beech. I recently learned of this thread.

To begin, yes the S420 servo is digital. And unlike the JR DS8711 someone mentioned, it's got a brushless motor. Brushless motors are newer technology than coreless motors (and better because commutation is performed electronically instead of mechanically). The problem with mechanical brushes is they wear, thus creating dust, which accumulates inside the motor. This is bad in part because it sticks and begins insulating, which leads to heat. Worse, the very fine particles gets into bearings, which is really bad news. By the way, JR offers a very fine quality brushless servo like ours but if you wonder why an S420 is half their price it's because you're buying direct. Basically, without a dealer network to support (e.g. fewer outstretched hands - each taking a cut), you save because of lower overhead.

Finally, someone mentioned being worried about servos they'd never heard of. We totally understand because we're modelers like you. Thing is, somebody has to be first. Fortunately, some (brave?) customers took a chance on us. When they told us how happy they were we asked if we could share their experience with others, which is why you'll see a few photos of pilots (with their planes) on our website. And note, we've include their full names (and the city in which they live) in case you're suspicious we're maybe trying to blow smoke up your skirt! Take a look, judge for yourself: http://www.audacitymodels.com/Products/PDRS420BLHV/Default.aspx

Last thing, if you've got questions, give me a call. My cell phone is 407-302-3361

 

[Bipeguy03]

Hi guys, I'm John Beech. I recently learned of this thread.

To begin, yes the S420 servo is digital. And unlike the JR DS8711 someone mentioned, it's got a brushless motor. Brushless motors are newer technology than coreless motors (and better because commutation is performed electronically instead of mechanically). The problem with mechanical brushes is they wear, thus creating dust, which accumulates inside the motor. This is bad in part because it sticks and begins insulating, which leads to heat. Worse, the very fine particles gets into bearings, which is really bad news. By the way, JR offers a very fine quality brushless servo like ours but if you wonder why an S420 is half their price it's because you're buying direct. Basically, without a dealer network to support (e.g. fewer outstretched hands - each taking a cut), you save because of lower overhead.

Finally, someone mentioned being worried about servos they'd never heard of. We totally understand because we're modelers like you. Thing is, somebody has to be first. Fortunately, some (brave?) customers took a chance on us. When they told us how happy they were we asked if we could share their experience with others, which is why you'll see a few photos of pilots (with their planes) on our website. And note, we've include their full names (and the city in which they live) in case you're suspicious we're maybe trying to blow smoke up your skirt! Take a look, judge for yourself: http://www.audacitymodels.com/Products/PDRS420BLHV/Default.aspx

Last thing, if you've got questions, give me a call. My cell phone is 407-302-3361

Really, real... I like that!!

 

[ericb]

Awesome looking servos. Will have to try these.

 

[Pistolera]

Hi guys, I'm John Beech. I recently learned of this thread.

To begin, yes the S420 servo is digital. And unlike the JR DS8711 someone mentioned, it's got a brushless motor. Brushless motors are newer technology than coreless motors (and better because commutation is performed electronically instead of mechanically). The problem with mechanical brushes is they wear, thus creating dust, which accumulates inside the motor. This is bad in part because it sticks and begins insulating, which leads to heat. Worse, the very fine particles gets into bearings, which is really bad news. By the way, JR offers a very fine quality brushless servo like ours but if you wonder why an S420 is half their price it's because you're buying direct. Basically, without a dealer network to support (e.g. fewer outstretched hands - each taking a cut), you save because of lower overhead.

Finally, someone mentioned being worried about servos they'd never heard of. We totally understand because we're modelers like you. Thing is, somebody has to be first. Fortunately, some (brave?) customers took a chance on us. When they told us how happy they were we asked if we could share their experience with others, which is why you'll see a few photos of pilots (with their planes) on our website. And note, we've include their full names (and the city in which they live) in case you're suspicious we're maybe trying to blow smoke up your skirt! Take a look, judge for yourself: http://www.audacitymodels.com/Products/PDRS420BLHV/Default.aspx

Last thing, if you've got questions, give me a call. My cell phone is 407-302-3361

Thanks John @jbeech
I'm thinking of replacing the 3 HiTec 7955TG servos on my 42% Raven with 2 of your S420 servos. I'm only running 6v to the servos since I have Futaba 9157's on the ailerons and elevators. From what I've read I should have about the same amount of rudder power.....your thoughts???