Servo Test - 7 popular micro (9g) servos compared

[@hifinsword]

This is the most comprehensive servo testing I've seen. Great work! BTW that Turnigy servo tester is the same one that has caused problems of jittering with my servos too. It's a POS!

[@MrD]

Thanks. Yeah, these cheap servo testers are really bad.

[@whoho1]

Are you sure those current measurements are correct, some of those go near 30W which would make the tiny windings in the motor catch fire in the time you show in the video. Those readings are more realistic at 1/10th the power, maybe your meter was set up wrong.

[@MrD]

I’m building a new testing rig, so will double check this.

[@mustakrakish6614]

@@MrD Yeah. Would love to have an update on this. Generally the amperage should never go beyond 1A (extreme case).

[@TerrariumFirma]

Also, the MG90D that i saw on Ebay is advertised as having 'continuous rotation' and 360 degree rotation. Is this normal for a RC plane servos, or would it make it unsuitable? Ta.

[@MrD]

They must be different servos. The MG90D that I have are regular 120 degree servos. To be honest, I wouldn’t trust eBay to get servos. There are too many fakes on there. Even fakes of fakes.

[@TerrariumFirma]

@@MrD OK thats very helpful. Thanks!

[@MrD]

@@TerrariumFirma you’re welcome

[@VetteWay2Fast]

Great vid! In the future, could we see the reefs 99 servo tested?

[@terryanderson326]

Very good, it looks like they are all up to the job but for me centering is the most important issue.

[@TerrariumFirma]

Hi. Excellent video, very helpful. Please could you tell me what battery pack would be best if i am running 4x ES3352 servos. I was told the LiFE batterys are the best but they only come in 6.6V. The servos are rated 4.8-6.0V so would this be a problem? I am new to this so just don't really understand. 😃Cheers!

[@MrD]

Batteries voltages can only be changed by increasing or decreasing the cell count. So for LiFe batteries, they are rated at 3.3v. This is their nominal voltage, where you want them to be at storage. Discharged, their voltage is 2.5v. Fully charged they are 3.6v. So your 6.6v LiFe is a 2S pack (2 cells in series). 6.6v is the nominal voltage. Fully charged it will be 7.2v. To use that battery with your ES3353 servos, you would need to use a BEC to bring the voltage down to 6v. To not use a BEC with a 2S LiFe battery, the servos need to accept 7.2v.

[@jp7585]

Excellent!! I'm glad you noticed the centering issue disappeared with the receiver vs the servo tester. Also, in the future, I'd really like to see you include more servos and start the video with the conclusions because most people aren't going to want to watch all that testing and disassembly. My favorite servos are the Emax ES08MA II, the MG90S Metal gear Digital 9g direct from China (no brand name), and the Miuzei SG90 9G analog servos with plastic gears. All of these seem equally tough and capable, with the Emax ES08MA II costing about twice as much.

[@MrD]

Thanks JP. I’m currently working on a better test rig that will highlight centring issues as well as range and average use amps. I’ll definitely be using a receiver from now on as it was a massive difference to the servo tester. The future videos will have one servo per video, so should be reduced to around 3-5 minutes. I understand that this was a long video, which is why I’ll be separating them out. You’ll find that pretty much all reviewers leave the conclusion to the end. That is because KZbin down rates videos if people only watch the first part. However, I included jump points in the description, and will use this same technique for the other videos. I was the same as you, I used the EMAX ES08MA II as my go to servo. However, I think that will change to the MG90D now, as they’re cheaper and outperform the EMAX. I used to use the MG90S, but noticed centring issues on planes. After doing these tests, they are pretty under spec too. Thanks for watching and stay safe 👍🏻

[@Freebird_67]

As you may no I purchased a PNP Volantex 2400 glider called The Phoenix. It came with servos already installed and from my understanding they are 9g 5v spec servos. My question is , Since I'll have A total of 6 working servos because of flaps should I set my Matek F405-wing board to send the Default 5v for these servos, OR ,should I bridge the solder points to send them 6v or even 7v since I'll be running so many servos. Thanks for your kind help.

[@MrD]

100% keep it at 5v. The PnP servos may not handle a higher voltage. The more servos you’re running, the more amps the servo BEC needs. You don’t raise the voltage unless the servos can handle that voltage. BTW, you may find the elevator servo is bigger than 9g. It is on my Phoenix 2000.

[@highster]

Your testing is inaccurate because the load was not exactly perpendicular to the servo arm. That's why you got the high results.

[@MrD]

The load is never perpendicular to the servo arm. Think about control surface setup. When the servo is centred, the control rod is at 90° to the servo arm. This is when it will have the least force acting against it. It’s not until the control surface moves in to the airflow that the force increases.

[@gfhfmf]

4:23 that MG90S servo I use on my RC car and It works perfect and very fast with 7.4(8.4) 2S lipo battery. P.S. Gtreat video.

[@Darfail]

You use them with no BEC? How long did they last did you have any issues? Thanks

[@gfhfmf]

@@Darfail Unfortunetly it didn't last for a long time and I swaped with a little bit expensive Kingmax servo(9g), works hard and well, 4 kgs with 5volts...

[@Darfail]

Hey thanks for the reply yea I thought it probably wouldn't I was hoping to overvolt mine

[@Lawzy]

A great review, thanks for the effort in pulling it together. What servos do you use on the Mini Drak?

[@MrD]

Thanks Lawzy. In the Mini Drak are Hitec HS-5245 MG servos

[@shortmovieclips6194]

Hey bro the tower pro mg90d u used is not original or the names has changed ,because the one u tested with name tower pro mg90d is actually tower pro mg92b which weighs around 13.8grams

[@MrD]

I have checked on the TowerPro site. And looking at the specs. The servos I’m using would be MG90D. The MG92B has a taller case by around 2.5mm. They are not originals, or they have now changed to non-originals at Banggood; as the casing is a slightly different shape at the top. It’s squared, rather than having a slight chamfer at the label. www.towerpro.com.tw/product-category/servos-parts/mini-servo/

[@franciscoduran3688]

Super video Mr.D. ! I have been buying servos lately to build flaps in a T-28 1,1 ; or build my Multiplex FunCub NG. But last week I bought an old E-Flite Mini FuntanaX (3D 1,1 m balsa plane) and the old servo did not center well. Also the hinges were a bit hart to move. I put some cheap MG90S and MG90D but with max travel they don´t manage to center properly. I went some hole into the inside and increase travel on my transmitter and it was better but still no good enough. My last flight yesterday after maiden her and having a lot of fun wasn´t so good since the elevator wasn´t centering and that pretty irritating for a beginner as me. I´m wondering if I try some of this Emax or the blue TowerPro MG90D. Why you recommend the Emax ES08MA II and not the better "A II" ? I found that my servos have like a little play or loose travel in the center point. May digital ones be better ? Thank you a lot in advance!

[@MrD]

The A II is not a better servo. It is just plastic geared, whereas the MA II is metal geared. I’ve found the EMAX to be good, budget servos. The MD II and the ES09MD are decent too. For more speed and precision, more expensive servos would be required.

[@franciscoduran3688]

@@MrD Hello Mr.D. and thank you for your fast answer! I have answered you before but the comment wasn´t posted. I´m looking to buy now some Emax 09MD maybe if they have more precision. On Ali I found them around €29 one pair. Is there any precision difference between the MA II (analog) and the MD II (digital)? Thank you!

[@victorcoloma9896]

links? i wanna buy them

[@beefybeef1326]

Hi Darren! Is it normal to have a tiny bit of slop in the servo? When the servo is off i can free rotate it slightly before i feel the resistance of the mechanism..... i have 2 identical servos and both have very little use ( around 7 flights). Both have slight slop but one has slightly more than the other. The servo is the ES08MDII. When the servo is powered they work fine and there is no slop. They feel strong and torquey. Should i be concerned about the slop and just change them to be safe?

[@MrD]

That could be the motor turning slightly. You would still notice slop when it is powered up.

[@beefybeef1326]

@@MrD cheers Darren!

[@mortache]

Please consider doing these tests with smaller servos like 5g servos! Maybe even some 2.5g servos. With the new regulations i am trying to build smaller and smaller.

[@MrD]

I’ll keep that in mind. I’m only really testing servos that I’m buying at the moment. But I do have some small servos coming for a demo desk plane, so I’ll test those.

[@DP69264]

I have had nothing but trouble with the MG90S servos. Bought a pack of 6, two dead on arrival, one died during testing after install, and one more just died today crashing my mini skyhunter. I am trashing all of them and going with a more reputable brand like Spektrum or Emax.

[@MrD]

They are garbage. EMAX have been a very good budget servo for me. They have Noble potentiometers, which are decent. GDW make some nice servos at decent prices too.

[@TrailcamsRCPhotoFlying2000]

@@MrD I agree about TowerPro servos. Someone recommended TowerPro MG92B so I bought four for a new 3D plane. One was DOA, two won't come close to re-centering with the receiver. On the other hand, the four Emax ES08MA ll I recently purchased are working well. Twisted Hobbys servos have been great, but I can't afford to use them in every aircraft. Would love to see them tested and compared.

[@yosi408]

PTK 7455 MG-D 9g Digital Servo Metal is good ?

[@MrD]

I’ve not tried that servo, sorry.

[@bestamerica]

' i use very good HiTec / Traxxas servos are good on my any R/C tamiyas / traxxases... few futabas servos... this video is a bad videocamera with bad blurry focus

[@manvendravikrampratapsingh6584]

Can you please recommend a servo motor that can replace sg90 and is not too costly?

[@MrD]

I would go for an EMAX ES08A II. This is a plastic geared servo, the same as the SG90. If you want to go for metal geared, the EMAX ES08MA II, EMAX ES08MD II, or the MG90D are good options, and cheap.

[@JohnFHendry]

Edit 4/2/21 I tried two of the ES3352's and using an accurate meter measured the amp draw and it was measuring about the same as the ES09MD at both 5v and 6v.... the highest amp draw I could get was 0.37a yanking it hard for a fraction of a second. The average draw on auto at medium speed on a Turnigy servo tester is 0.7a to 0.10a which is way under what you are getting here, BUT the two I got which Emax's site say are real have a little play in the gears unlike the ES08 MDII and ES09MD that are really tight new so seems like the gears are tight on yours and loose on the ones I got. Excellent information! Thanks...

[@MrD]

No problem John. I have plans for more servo testing soon. I’m currently building a better test rig.

[@JohnFHendry]

@@MrD Great... look forward to seeing it.

[@egtreadway4232]

Thanks for this servo comparison, I've been playing with my ar wing pro and can't figure out the brand of the stock servos there's no label, they seem to do fine but I'm thinking of replacing them with some emax digital servos that I have as spares but I would like to think this would be a upgrade but not sure, that might be a down grade? Your thoughts on this Please

[@MrD]

They are probably the ZOHD servos, which are supposed to be ok. The EMAX ES08MD II or ES09MD II would probably be better though. I don’t think the ZOHD servos use Noble potentiometers.

[@egtreadway4232]

Thanks Darren for all you do for this hobby, are you using the stock servos on your ar pro?

[@51im]

Great video. Been using the 08mall as my go to servo for about 3 years. Very impressed by them. Have you got any method of comparing the resolution / smoothness of servo movement. Thanks

[@MrD]

Thanks Mr. Shadey. The ES08MA II has been my go to for a while too. Glad that choice was justified. I’m thinking about making videos like this for more servos. Maybe I could incorporate a test for that. Maybe using a switch on the transmitter to do a minimum to maximum sweep over 10 seconds. Perhaps have a protractor in the background for a scale. How does that sound?

[@51im]

@@MrD Yeah maybe an extension of the servo arm would help see any difference. Sticking a toothpick to the arms would probably do it. I've done a little video comparing genuine and fake emax servo. The fake has got deadband in the centre, less resolution and doesn't centre very accurately. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIm8Z2mLi9GUZ80

[@lopezlopezjesus]

Test excelent my Friend, thanks you

[@MrD]

Thank you.

[@thatsmyrc]

great info do you have a preferance on a quick micro servo?

[@MrD]

Not really, I just go for decent all rounders at the moment. My go-to servos are the EMAX ES08/09 range or the MG90D.

[@thatsmyrc]

@@MrD yea I’ve just stuck to using my good old stand by hitec85mg servos for gear drives on a few of my custom Conversions. Wish they were a bit quicker but they are solid and bearing servos

[@MrD]

@@thatsmyrc You can't really go wrong with Hitechs :)

[@Stevenmb24]

Thank you for this!

[@MrD]

You’re welcome Steve.

[@shortmovieclips6194]

As u have all the perfect setup to calculate the torque ,make a test video of all tower pro 11-20grams category models,visit this below link and check different servo models of tower pro www.towerpro.com.tw/product-category/servos-parts/mini-servo/

[@MrD]

If TowerPro want to send me their servos, I'll test them.

[@M-H433]

Darren do you prefer digital or the analog servos on your fixed wings using inav.

[@MrD]

I’ve mostly used analogue. But the digitals in my Nano Goblin were nice. I have a few builds with digitals, but they need finishing and maidens.

[@M-H433]

@@MrD should i go with digital on my new builds from now on,i just want them to be a solid buikd thsts all,i see mixed reviews and it confuses me a bit,sorry for dragging this topic out.

[@MrD]

Digital and analogue servos of the same type, for example the EMAX ES08MA II and ES08MD II, will be just as well built as each other. The digital servos can have more precision than analogue, when they are used at higher frequencies. However, digital can suffer from twitching. This seems to be more prominent with 900MHz receiver systems, like Crossfire. But it can be fixed bu moving cables or adding shielding. Maybe try digital on one of your new builds and see what you think.

[@M-H433]

@@MrD Thanks heaps for your reply Darren,I will,I'm still using immersion rc uhf systems on my fixed wings doing consistent 25 klms flights at the moment nothing to silly at the moment...ha ha ,keep up your great work I look forward to your inav topics all the time. Kind Regards Mark

[@MrD]

Awesome Mark. I’ve not tried UHF yet. I have an Orange LRS module and receiver somewhere that I was given, but not tried it out. Andrew Boulton keeps tempting me with DragonLink too. Pricey though.

[@victorcoloma9896]

Finally i found one of this videos.... make one with the mg996r and other plssss

[@MrD]

Thanks. Soon I will have better tests. I will see what servos I can get tested.

[@per3510]

Thank you!

[@MrD]

You’re welcome Per. Thanks for your comment.

[@haydenhoodless2055]

I can't believe these little 9g servos are pulling so much current

[@MrD]

That’s stall current, so you won’t get that in normal flight. But its interesting to see what can happen. Most BECs seem pretty under rated.

[@nicktk]

Great video..that helps me alot to make a ideea.

[@MrD]

Awesome! Thank you!