What's the difference between standard and digital servos?

[malici]

I have seen that digital servos have started to come into the market, but what's the difference between a digital servo and a standard servo? I don't see much difference in there spec's.

Malici

[XXXER]

I believe it is the Holding power of them, plus, they are more precise, and some can be programmed.

[Distro]

Digital servos use a microprocessor to track the movement of the servo and what its location is. This allows it to be set at any point for centering and gives it limetless end points.

[joe]

vs. a potentialmeter in a regular servo

[Tiggs1]

From what I've heard, digital servos have a higher freq switching then a reg servo. Reg servos do not use potentiometers but use a mini elec speed controls. Digital servos use the same kind of speed control but it has more "positions" then a standard servo (higher freq switching). Servo centering has nothing to do with endpoint adjustment...this is done with the radio.

[joe]

and that mini speed control is controled by the mini potentialmeter underneath the output gear, go on and take one apart, remove the gears, swich the radio set on and twist the stub that the output geat sits on and you will see.

[malici]

I thought I would ask what's the difference in a FETed servo

Malici

[Nairb]

FET servos use a Field Effect Transistor (F.E.T.) to get more speed and power. The only stipulation is that you must have a wire directly from the ESC to it, because it requires the full 7.2 volts.

[Tiggs1]

Since I have never taken apart a servo, wouldn't you also find this potentiomete on a digital servo?

[This message has been edited by Tiggs1 (edited 03-13-2001).]

[Tiggs1]

Who makes the FET servos? I've heard of FET electronic speed controllers but not servos. I would be interested in check those out.

Thanks

[malici]

KO makes a few.

[Tiggs1]

Thanks for the info! Here is a great article that explains all this digital vs regular vs FET stuff!!
http://www.futaba-rc.com/servos/digitalservos.pdf

....it looks like FET and Digital might be one in the same?

[This message has been edited by Tiggs1 (edited 03-14-2001).]