My first unpleasant experience with Towerhobbies, WHAT KIND OF SERVO DOES A 18T TAKE?

[FlashLCD33]

Well after looking at Tower's site, when I was ordering my RC18T, I ordered a standard servo. Tower says that the 18T takes a standard servo, and reccomend a radio that includes a S3003. After seeing that, I went ahead and ordered a standard-sized servo.

Then, I looked around to find people using micro servos, and rc10.com says a micro servo is needed. Well I called Tower to ask them, and I get a dumb broad on the phone.

First, she seems nice and knows what she's talking about. I gave her my name, zip, and order number so she has a reference of what all I bought. Then I asked her if the 18t takes a standard servo like the website claims, or, if it needs a micro servo like other things I have read. Well, she went and asked a tech, which was fine by me because I'd like to know for sure what will work. After she came back, she fed me some line of BS about how they are out of the kits and wont be shipping any. I once again reminded her that I ordered an FT kit, and it was shipped today.

After that didn't work, she went to my radio gear. She asked what kind of radio gear I would be using, and I said Futaba, like it really matters. Then I get the bombshell. "Ummm yeah it appears that that servo will work with your radio gear". Before I about blew up, I said "yes mam I know this, my question is, does the RC18t take a standard size servo or a micro servo."

More unintelligence later, talking about those are the requirements AE gave tower, she dropped another bombshell. "Well if it doesn't fit, be sure to let us know so we can change our website." Wasn't quite sure what to say after that one. After a couple seconds I said "Well I paid extra money for 2 day shipping so I would have it for sure by the Holiday, and I'm going to be upset if it isn't able to run. After that, she said "ok well is that all I can help you with today?" Dumbfounded, I replied "yes, thank you."

Worst experience I've ever had, even worse then one time I was accused of credit card fraud from HorizonHobby because they could not get my CC to work, although the day after I ordered from tower and everything was happy joy.

[FlashLCD33]

The real question is, WILL AN 18T TAKE A STANDARD SERVO?!?!?

I can't find a definate answer......

[LD3Furious]

So far, I have found this...
Airtronics Servo info...

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I posted this question on another forum, but it doesn't seem that anybody there has any info to help. I have to wait until Christmas to open my 18T, but I ordered up an Airtronics 94091 Super Micro Servo, and the matching servo saver. I understand that it's a direct fit...which is why I jumped on buying it. But what I don't know is...how much of an improvement is the Airtronics in torque and speed compared to the stock one. I found the Airtronics stats on the product website, but I can't find any stats for the stock servo. I mean, did the torque only increase by a couple oz's...or did it double the oz's? Is it faster, slower, etc?

This post was on the RC18 thread here on RCZ. It doesn't give any info on servo stats, however.

[2ndGeneration]

No

It will take a micro servo, Hitec hs56 is a direct fit, the hs 55 will fit also, but Associated's servo saver is splined to large to fit the 55. The Hitec mg81 is a micro servo but you would have to modify (cut) the chassis for it to drop in. Airtronics also makes a drop in servo for the 18t, mod # escapes me at the present.

Did you try researching any of the micro forums ?

[FlashLCD33]

Well just found out that the 94091z seems to be the only drop in servo thus far. Ordered one with 2nd day air so I can have it for christmas time, $41 spent.

Basically I got screwed out of $26, $10 for the servo on my first order and $16 for an extra 2nd day air charge on my 2nd order.

Teachs me to order before I do a ton of reasearch, but I figured towerhobbies would know what I needed.

[Dr_Isotope]

Research, research, research.

If you had looked at the specs for the AE servo that comes with the RTRs ( .9w x .9d x .4h) you'd have seen immediately that a std size servo won't fit.

In my experience, by the time you've gotten to the point that a call to customer service is warranted... you're going to end up spending more money. :P

[FlashLCD33]

Research, research, research.

If you had looked at the specs for the AE servo that comes with the RTRs ( .9w x .9d x .4h) you'd have seen immediately that a std size servo won't fit.

In my experience, by the time you've gotten to the point that a call to customer service is warranted... you're going to end up spending more money. :P

Yes well I had grown to trust Tower and didn't second guess it, since my friends Vendetta takes a standard servo. And I didn't even bother looking at the stock servo.

Yep, you're right, more was spent.

[ducati777]

Hehehe not only does tower not know, you didn't either! Not flaming, just find a bit of humor in it. Had you known what you wanted, TH would have served you just fine. I've found its kinda like that in this hobby though, you're pretty much on your own to do research and figure out what works.

[FlashLCD33]

The thing that made me the most angry about the situation, is all the BS they tried to feed me. And the servo will work with my radio? Why does that matter? And the lady was persistant that a standard servo WILL work.

[Grizzbob]

Really, best thing to do is remember a saying I heard many years ago..."Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe.". In other words, you can't be guaranteed that ANYONE trying to help over the phone will actually know exactly what you need, so it's best not to put much faith in them(& I know this because I've worked on that side of the phone before, doing tech support for both Sprint & DIRECTV, I think I did well to help people, but I can't count how many times a customer got exactly the WRONG advice on something, & that's just of the customers that I talked to). You really NEED to do the research before you buy(& in this case, you CAN trust what Associated's factory website has to say about it, which is where you visited & saw it say it needs a micro servo).... :cool:

[nitro_n00b]

Hehehe not only does tower not know, you didn't either! Not flaming, just find a bit of humor in it. Had you known what you wanted, TH would have served you just fine. I've found its kinda like that in this hobby though, you're pretty much on your own to do research and figure out what works.

isn't the whole purpose of a support line one which can help you?

I don't think it's beyond the realms of comprehension for the person on the other end of the phone to be able to differentiate between a radio system and a vehicle.

Maybe you just got a bad support person, because it sounds like she completely misunderstood the question, and then proceeded to ask the tech the wrong question. The OP should have asked to speak to the tech directly.

[DaveG]

Not to flame Flash but we were not privy to the conversation and do not know the Tower reps side of the story so speculation is useless.

Flash, If you feel that strongly about your experence then I suggest disputing the cc charge on the basis of recieving incorrect advice and the incorrect part. I'd ask that the part be refunded and the shipping charges remove or reduced.
I'd also suggest calling Tower again and complaining. Go to at least supervisor level. If you don't make your displeasure known to them, they cannot try to make it right.

[johnstoys]

I know this is only indirectly related because you were actually talking to a person (who you rely on for the information), but one of my nits with Tower is their tech notes. I don't have any examples at hand, but through the years I've found several instances where the tech notes for various vehicles were out of date or just plain wrong. I've been dealing w/Tower for years and generally think they're great, but this is one area to watch.

Bottom line is (not to beat a dead horse) to do all the research ahead of time before ordering.

[desfjr1300]

Umm, one other thing. You're gonna want to poke me with a sharp stick, but the Airtronics servo's specs (18oz/in, speed .12) aren't as good as the stock AE servo. The AE servo is faster and stronger, and really doesn't need to be replaced.
http://www.rc10.com/newprod/29128_servo.htm
Sorry man!

[FlashLCD33]

Not to flame Flash but we were not privy to the conversation and do not know the Tower reps side of the story so speculation is useless.

Flash, If you feel that strongly about your experence then I suggest disputing the cc charge on the basis of recieving incorrect advice and the incorrect part. I'd ask that the part be refunded and the shipping charges remove or reduced.
I'd also suggest calling Tower again and complaining. Go to at least supervisor level. If you don't make your displeasure known to them, they cannot try to make it right.

I don't feel that strongly about it, more or less just annoyed.

And seriously, the tech told her that 18t's were out of stock and not shipping anymore? Come on, I have the tracking number saying that mine will be delivered.

It is an extra $16 for 2nd day air on the servo, plus there's $10 of servo that I dont need on the first order. $26 isn't much but it's still annoying waiting another day for a servo to come in before I can finish building the kit and drive it.

[FlashLCD33]

Umm, one other thing. You're gonna want to poke me with a sharp stick, but the Airtronics servo's specs (18oz/in, speed .12) aren't as good as the stock AE servo. The AE servo is faster and stronger, and really doesn't need to be replaced.
http://www.rc10.com/newprod/29128_servo.htm
Sorry man!

I noticed that too, as well as everyone on one18th that has bought the servo, but everyone also said they saw a huge gain of torque and speed, which is why I bought it instead of the AE

Just a classic tale of over/underrating. Happens every single day.

[desfjr1300]

I hear ya, Flash. So many opinions, so little thought! Anyway, wasn't trying to rub it in, just making an observation. Either way I think you'll be happy with the T-especially once you put that mamba in it! :D