Topic: HiTec Servos

Would appreciate some advice on HiTec Servos.

Q1
Do the plugs fit into a Spektrum Rx without the need for any major trimming or modification?

Q2
Do HiTec have a UK Service Agent who would be willing to replace the feedback pots when they start to show appreciable wear? (I know that this would be uneconomical for a cheaper servo.  However for one of the more expensive digitals, a new pot is much cheaper than a new servo and I have found that the vibration from a large petrol engine can cause the pots to wear appreciably after 100 to 200 flights.)

Many thanks.

Hi 23MU

Yes, the plugs are fully compatible with almost all currently available radio equipment, and will go straight into a Spektrum receiver.

As you've already acknowledged repair is uneconomic on the vast majority of less expensive servos, but the £40+ jobs may be worth looking at. I'd personally recommend a chap named Mike Ridley. He's extremely good at his job, has worked for both MacGregor and Ripmax in his time, and is currently also the UK appointed repair/service agent for Multiplex radio equipment. I should imagine repairing a servo would present little problem to him. His turnround on service and repairs is also very prompt, taking less than a week usually.

His details, along with other useful info are on his website, which is here.....   Home - Model Radio Workshop

Brian,

Great information.

Deeply appreciated.

Personal experiance which I know others will disagree but there are those who will agree with me is do not use Hitec. I have had too many fail on me  in situations where a Futaba/JR has been used instead they have gone on and on.

If you want cheaper servos have you looked at Savox? They do a 20kg digital with titanium gears that is every bit as good as the JR 8511/8711's I have had but with better gears and TJD are doing them for about £54. I have had a set in a 50cc Extra all year and there is still no play in the gears. They also have a Futaba output so horns are easily avaliable. The bit rating on these servos is 4096 even though current JR/Futaba systems only go up to 2048 so resolution is not an issue 

I have an F3C flyer in my club who is now using them in his 90 size Heli's and he wouldn't be using Carp in £2.5k helis.

The Savox servos sound good so far Sizzling. I have looked at the specs, and they seem more than adequate for most model applications. I think I'll just hang fire until maybe next Summer, then I may just buy a brace of them.

The 4096 bit resolution thing sounds technically impressive. They should in theory suit my gear well, as Mpx gear runs at almost 4000 step system resolution.

Personal experiance which I know others will disagree but there are those who will agree with me is do not use Hitec. I have had too many fail on me  in situations where a Futaba/JR has been used instead they have gone on and on.

Can I be one to disagree

I use nothing but HiTec servo's, from the HS55 through to 5995TG's, and have NEVER has a single failure. Many of the servo's I have are over 200 flights old. May be worth noting that most are fitted to electric models, up to 2m span aerobatics.

I have recently started flying petrol models, so time will tell how they survive...

Can I be one to disagree

I use nothing but HiTec servo's, from the HS55 through to 5995TG's, and have NEVER has a single failure. Many of the servo's I have are over 200 flights old. May be worth noting that most are fitted to electric models, up to 2m span aerobatics.

I have recently started flying petrol models, so time will tell how they survive...

The last lot I tried about 2 years ago was 3 635hb's. One failed on the bench, one after 10 flights so the last went in the bin. This was me giving Hitec a 2nd chance after I had had problems before with them. I have seen other failures too on different models.

I know some people think they are great and have zero issues. I'm not one of them.

 The last lot I tried about 2 years ago was 3 635hb's. One failed on the bench, one after 10 flights so the last went in the bin. This was me giving Hitec a 2nd chance after I had had problems before with them. I have seen other failures too on different models.  I know some people think they are great and have zero issues. I'm not one of them.

Sorry to hear of your experience. With respect and all bias aside, have used, sold and serviced RC systems in excess of 40 years (commercially past 20+) during which time have seen more failures with the other major brands in proportion to numbers used/sold.
Without any reflection in your instance, and in answer to original post question,  most failures apart from crash related irrespective of brand, occur when users install an inappropriate servo, provide incorrect power supply or do not ensure that horn is free to swing full arc without any binding. This is well covered under:
101 - Servo FAQ & picking the right servo for the job
Hitec - General Servo FAQ's
Hitec - Troubleshooting Your Servo Problems
Hitec - Digital Servo FAQ
Hitec - Digital Servo Programmer
Hitec Programmers - Download updates for Aurora HPP-22, HPP-21 & HPP-21+ - latest series of programmers.

Further information under
"Glitches & Jitter in Receiver, Servo & ESC - causes and cures "
"Servo - Alterations, Calculators, Databases, Leads, Repairs" at:
Alan's Hobby, Model & RC FAQ Web Links

Regards
Alan T.

I am with the "don't use Hitec" group.

Every hitec servo I have ever had failed within a short period of time.  Around half of them failed on the workbench before they even got into a model and had anything to push against.  4 expensive Hitec digis went berserk within seconds of first being switched on.  The brake valve on one of my jets went through 3 Hitec 225s in 100 flights, I replaced it with a smaller, much less powerful Multiplex servo which is still there and working after another 400 flights.  One on the rudder of a model went nuts on the the model's first flight and made it crash. Several had to be binned because their movement and travels were so erratic they could not be used for twin elevators, flaps etc.  None of the hundreds of JR or Futaba or Multiplex servos I have has ever quit on me. 
In my experience Hitec servos are fit for toy cars but never in an aeroplane.

You never were a ($)hiTec fan Harry, were you?  

p.s. have you seen the new unused 3030 for sale on here ?

Its great all this . I use lots of Hitec , JR and Futaba and they are all as good as each other and as bad as each other in my book. Most of my recent servos in the last 2 years have been Hitec and I have not had any faults with them at all.
Funny old world.

Simon

Its great all this . I use lots of Hitec , JR and Futaba and they are all as good as each other and as bad as each other in my book. Most of my recent servos in the last 2 years have been Hitec and I have not had any faults with them at all.
Funny old world.

Simon

Strange isn't, I have used Hitecs on all my larger and petrol models for four years now..

Never had a problem... Fit and forget, well fit and check security from time to time!

Personal experiance which I know others will disagree

Correct I absolutely disagree, I've used JR, Futaba and Hitec's, I now standardise on Hitec because of the reliability, choice, programability and availability. NEVER had a Hitec fail at all and in my fleet I have way in excess of 50 servo's varying from Jet Turbine down to small electrics with petrol models in the middle.

Hitec HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

How many international competition flyers use Hitec? Look at F3C, F3A, IMAC and so on. Not sure I have ever seen an internatinal competitor in these demanding disaplines ever use Hitec's. I'm probably wrong but they are definately in the minority.

Probably quite a few in the US we don't get to hear about Sizzling, but you may have a point. Most of the big shots normally go with Fut or Jr.

Yet Steve Webb claims SWM sell more HiTec servos than any other......

How many international competition flyers use Hitec? Look at F3C, F3A, IMAC and so on. Not sure I have ever seen an internatinal competitor in these demanding disaplines ever use Hitec's. I'm probably wrong but they are definately in the minority.

I've seen a few patternship guys at the top level using Hitecs, and of course Ali, Alan Cardash to name but a few. I suppose you could ask the same question about OS engines and the answer would be very few, does that mean OS engines are Carp because IMAC don't use them?

J

I've seen a few patternship guys at the top level using Hitecs, and of course Ali, Alan Cardash to name but a few. I suppose you could ask the same question about OS engines and the answer would be very few, does that mean OS engines are Carp because IMAC don't use them?

J

OS don't produce anything that could be used in IMAC so your reference doesn't hold any ground. I said there were probably a few HiTec users even though I have not seen any myself but they are still the minority and when they are cheaper than the competition you have to ask why they are not as popular.

As for reference to Ali I have heard him say less than complimentary things about HiTec servos especially there accuracy. Why does he always recomend JR for jets?

Just as an additional data point I've got loads of Hitec servos, mostly in the mini to micro region (Hs225, 101, 55, 60, 80, 81 - in various combinations of plain, metal geared and BB) and haven't had an issue with them. I love 'em.

why they are not as popular.

Mainly for the fact they don't center as well as other servos (such as JR and Futaba) Where Hitec rule the roost (as far as im concerned, and many other 3D fliers on websites such as HigAlpha, Flying Giants e.t.c) is in the 3D market, the reasons being.....they are reliable, they have great holding power and torque, they don't develop tremendously bad slop after 2 flights like a certain other brand of servo I could mention   They don't develop bad centering overshoot/oscillation problems (again, like another brand i could mention), and the reason SWM reckons he sell so money is for the spec, quality and price of servo the customers receives from the complete Hitec servo range....they cant be beaten.

 

Hitec HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

John....i couldn't of put it better myself.

Just as an additional data point I've got loads of Hitec servos, mostly in the mini to micro region (Hs225, 101, 55, 60, 80, 81 - in various combinations of plain, metal geared and BB) and haven't had an issue with them. I love 'em.

I must admit I never had a problem with the smaller servos. My problems have been the higher torque standard size servos.

I know a few in my clubs that think they are great too. My comments are purely my experiance and obsivaton.

I use a range of Hitec servos from HS65s to 7955TG the only problem I have encountered was about four years ago with a couple of HS81s which died before I got to fly them. I understand there was a bad batch of 81s.

Otherwise all have been very good and for the money the 7955TGs are fantastic.

Most of my servos are Hitec (55's, 65HB, 65MG, 81MG, 85MG, 311, 475HB, 625MG, 635HB & 77BB). The only ones that I have had a problem with are the 77BB's.

Steve

I dont use anything but Hitec servos, and the reason I dont use anything else is that they have NEVER ever let me down.... ok, I'll admit, I stripped a couple of gears through bad servo selection and misuse, but never had a servo that just 'failed'.  And, I have access to futaba and JR servos, should I want to use them. But why change when I have total confidence in the ones that I'm using?
As for your luck with the Hitec ones you have tried, I find it surprising that lots of faulty ones found their way into your possession. I wont be asking you for Lottery number reccomendations 

As for reference to Ali I have heard him say less than complimentary things about HiTec servos especially there accuracy. Why does he always recomend JR for jets?

Well oddly, when I bought my Boomerang from him the very servos HE recommended and HE was using was Hitec!

Anyway as long as whatever you use you're happy with is all that matters, I'm happy with Hitec and I'm happy to recommend them as many other are.

J

As for your luck with the Hitec ones you have tried, I find it surprising that lots of faulty ones found their way into your possession. I wont be asking you for Lottery number reccomendations 

Perhaps it's not down to luck ...........

J

My many Hitec Servos have been great for years. I've stripped a couple of gear trains and they always fixed them free of charge, in 10 days or so.

Now, who are they? Amerang, who import Hitec.

Amerang Group

Would appreciate some advice on HiTec Servos.

Q1
Do the plugs fit into a Spektrum Rx without the need for any major trimming or modification?

Yes, they are fitted with the 'S' connector the same as JR/ Spektrum

Q2
Do HiTec have a UK Service Agent who would be willing to replace the feedback pots when they start to show appreciable wear? (I know that this would be uneconomical for a cheaper servo.  However for one of the more expensive digitals, a new pot is much cheaper than a new servo and I have found that the vibration from a large petrol engine can cause the pots to wear appreciably after 100 to 200 flights.)

Many thanks.

Generally Hitec are very reliable and have along life without service - the cheaper servos - say those under £20 are probably not worth servicing outside warranty as they cost less to replace, but Hitec do have a chap down at Amerang  - the U.K Hitec Distributors -  who does service and repair Hitec Servos - where it has been uneconomic he has offered  a lower price replacement or exchange on the broken servo.

Certianly dont usually see any pot failures in the warranty period.

Cheers

Steve

Can I be one to disagree

I use nothing but HiTec servo's, from the HS55 through to 5995TG's, and have NEVER has a single failure. Many of the servo's I have are over 200 flights old. May be worth noting that most are fitted to electric models, up to 2m span aerobatics.

I have recently started flying petrol models, so time will tell how they survive...

I have literally HUNDREDS of Hitec servos - very few issues and not a single failure.

Can't claim the same for JR or Futaba - I've had numerous JR 517 and 519 failures (as in letting out the magic blue smoke...) and a VERY expensive Futaba heli servo let go early on.

I am with the "don't use Hitec" group.

Every hitec servo I have ever had failed within a short period of time.  Around half of them failed on the workbench before they even got into a model and had anything to push against.  4 expensive Hitec digis went berserk within seconds of first being switched on.  The brake valve on one of my jets went through 3 Hitec 225s in 100 flights, I replaced it with a smaller, much less powerful Multiplex servo which is still there and working after another 400 flights.  One on the rudder of a model went nuts on the the model's first flight and made it crash. Several had to be binned because their movement and travels were so erratic they could not be used for twin elevators, flaps etc.  None of the hundreds of JR or Futaba or Multiplex servos I have has ever quit on me. 
In my experience Hitec servos are fit for toy cars but never in an aeroplane.

YOU (with the greatest respect Sir...) are clearly doing something majorly wrong!

YOU (with the greatest respect Sir...) are clearly doing something majorly wrong!

Yes, I am a complete numpty beginner with zero experience who hasn't a clue what he is doing.

Yes, I am a complete numpty beginner with zero experience who hasn't a clue what he is doing.

well, you can see why he said it- EVERY hitec servo? after the first one failed I would never buy another! Personally, I use them all the time (especially the 645s) and have never had a failure. Only failures I have ever had are (many years ago) Acoms, a couple of years ago, Futaba, but never Hitec. Although I have stripped the gears on a slope soarer elevator.......

A question for the die hard hi-tec fans - If all makes of servo were identical in price for a given size/spec, would you still go for the hi-tec ?

Yes I would, I have no reason to change because I have had 100% reliability.

J

I would still buy Hitec. I have just bought a load of HS645mg servos for the Tiger moth. Perfect servo for my sort of models .

Simon

Yes I would, I have no reason to change because I have had 100% reliability.

J

Same here

well, you can see why he said it- EVERY hitec servo? after the first one failed I would never buy another!

The majority were not bought by me or for my use, I often used to build models for someone else who supplied Hitec servos, many of which went faulty before fitting or after fitting but before flying, and he had to regularly supply me with replacements, or went faulty during flying and crashing his model.  One servo shredded its gearbox just in bench testing, due to plastic sprue still hanging off the gears, others went faulty or erratic.  And he will tell you he has never had a faulty Hitec servo!!  So my experience means I do not believe anyone who tells me their Hitec servos have never been faulty.
I got persuaded to try buying a few of my own because "they are so much better now, not like they used to be" and they were still junk, even expensive digitals which had a mind of their own and which had to go back to Amerang for them to repair.  I never used them, couldn't trust them.

I was concerned that it must just be me so I asked local model shop owner if he had any problems with Hitec compared to others and he told me that he would rather not stock them because of the hassle they caused him with people returning complaining about them and wanting them fixed/replaced, he would suggest to them that they spend a few more £s and get something that actually works but all they could see was the lower price and kept buying them and kept returning them.

I've just remembered, I do have a tiny hitec on the throttle of my Jungmeister and it has not failed yet, so dash it all I can't truthfully claim that all hitec I've had have failed, drat!

If Hitec work for you then carry on using them.  My models are Hitec-free zones and will remain so until the end of time, I will pay 2 or 3 or 4 times a Hitec price to get a similar size Multiplex/JR/Futaba servo because I have never ever never had a single failure or problem from them.

A question for the die hard hi-tec fans - If all makes of servo were identical in price for a given size/spec, would you still go for the hi-tec ?

Yup Hitec everytime, heard too many horror stories from the JR camp's

The majority were not bought by me or for my use, I often used to build models for someone else who supplied Hitec servos, many of which went faulty before fitting or after fitting but before flying, and he had to regularly supply me with replacements, or went faulty during flying and crashing his model. but all they could see was the lower price and kept buying them and kept returning them.

As well as not asking you for lottery numbers, as mentioned before, I wont ask you to build any planes for me either 

Just my sense (evil sense) of humour.

As well as not asking you for lottery numbers, as mentioned before, I wont ask you to build any planes for me either 

I knew when I typed it that someone would come back with that retort!

Yup Hitec everytime, heard too many horror stories from the JR camp's

Yet Dave Wilshire of Motors and Rotors writing in one of the mags (about a year or two ago, I think it was RC Model World) said that the great majority of servos at the Jet World Masters are JR because they are far and away the best.  I'm not saying that I endorse or agree with that statement from him, simply point it out as a completely opposite viewpoint from the "JR camp"!

I use mostly JR and have never had a single failure or need to replace any worn part.

Ah, I think that can only be laid at the feet of those that have made comparisons. Like myself, many of the posters have said they use them because they have not let them down. That would lead me to believe that they have confidence in them and aren't making direct comparisons. After all, like I said, why change?