Which servo for me?
 

So I'm dabbling at the thought of racing again, 8th scale this time because Thornhill is close. Planning on ebuggy only so I'll only need one steering servo.

It's been a few years and I was very happy with protek 170's but over these past few years a lot of people have been using cheaper or "knock offs" like the AGFRC servos which i did buy one for my SMT10 project I worked on and saw how good and bad they ended up being. I decided to not go "all out" and break the bank to save a few hundred and went with the Noble NB4 radio, and due to me running a Max 10 setup in my monster truck project I'm already in the HW ecosystem so I'll be running Hobby-wing for my ESC and motor. So please help me fill in my last blank...
I wasn't unhappy with the Protek servos just more wondering if I'll find similar performance in a cheaper servo?

Chassis - HB E819RS
ESC/M - HW XR8
Radio - Noble NB4
Batt - SMC
Servo - _______??

Athough not a buggy, it is a buggy chassis:
https://www.rctech.net/forum/nitro-r...-8-gt-car.html

Wouldn't running a buggy off-road would subject it to different conditions than running a buggy on smooth surfaces, no? I would think with all the jumps and bumps that a buggy would need a stronger / more durable servo than a GT car would.

20 years ago the best servo's had only 8kg force power, now you can find them up to even 40kg, the question is if you do need it. Any decent servo today is at least 10kg and will be enough.

I have run the Bluebird BMS-28a on my Truggy and was very happy. I just built an HB E819rs and I used an MKS HBL599, only because I picked it up used for $75, it’s pretty amazing but I don’t think it’s 2x the Bluebird if I was paying retail.

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/blue-bir...ucts_analytics

don't skimp on the steering servo, it's no all about its strength, speed and consistency is key,, something the cheap servos aren't known for

Protek still has good servos and their warranty is good.

I know dude, I've been doing this since the 80's and I've never skimped before. I don't know why I'm thinking of starting now lol

I'll probably just buy another 170, I did love those removable cables and I don't know anyone else doing it.

Welcome back to the hobby!

I'm a local to Thornhill and currently race an E819RS as well, looking forward to running with you soon!

If you're not in a hurry to buy the servo, I would recommend visiting the track this weekend for RC Pro and see what some of the fast drivers are running. If you look for me (my name is on the back of my shirt, I'll be happy to introduce you to all the HB Team drivers, I typically sit in the center of the main pit room) I think all of us are running something different so you're going to get a very wide range of opinions and options to consider!

The majority of locals are running Savox, I don't know the specific model number but if you go into the shop at the track, they will get you the right one that most folks are using.

I am currently running an SRT 9032 in my eBuggy and have used this servo in the past, it's been a VERY stable servo for me.

I tried AGFrc servos and found out that they are the OEM where there are many rebrands who use them, more info here:

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly about AGFRC servos

In my eTruggy I am currently running a NitroPro CT2 servo and that servo is also a beast... note that NitroPro is a rebrand of AGFrc but NitroPro has upgraded all the flaws that I listed in the link I just referenced. Nitro Pro is a solid brand who stands behind their product with a solid warranty.

I recommend always having a spare servo because you never know when one will fail (regardless of brand) at the very least I would carry a replacement gear set. If you don't like the idea of carrying spare parts, then I would get the same Savox that most others are running at the track, I know the shop does a good job of keeping a bunch of those in stock.

See you at the track!
Bill DeLong

yeah I've been here since 1987 and haven't left, dove in deep in the pan cars
Never had a futaba or a hitech let me down.
Been into 1/5 scale late models for the last 6 years

I've run the AGF in my axial because of your posts, and also found some of the same issues as you have using them, hence my reluctance to use them again. Besides their prices have been steadily creeping up as well. And of course you're also right, have a spare and I used to always but with the cost these days its insane lol

I'll try and head out this weekend and I'll be on the lookout for you!

It was nice meeting you at the track today Bailey, great resource here for the local racers if you haven't already been to this page yet:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1223792691083778

They score all the race results here:
https://trc.liverc.com/events/

It was good meeting you as well! Already ordered that JTP Nitro Pros servo lol

Gonna be a bit before I can find the buggy in stock but expect me there in the nearer future! I'll email you on the side for you setup from last weekend.

Here's a great baseline setup that I started with:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E7k...ew?usp=sharing


Only changes I've made are 7K on front diff, full droop, 450 on the shocks and arm stiffeners removed