LRP Quantum Competition 2

[knucklebusta]

What do you guys think about this ESC? Any idea when it will be available? Price? What makes this thing look really attractive is a limited lifetime warranty. What is the warranty on Novak Electronics? 90? 180? Days

Kevin

[TBone77]

Not sure if my comments will result in this thread getting locked, but here goes...

1. The LRP QC2 is available and has been for some time. It sells for around $150. If you mean the QC3, then you're probably looking at February/March. Tower says mid-January, but LRP - in a rare public appearance - stated that it would likely be later than that and definitely after the release of the Sphere Competition.

2. Regarding warranty support, no one can touch Novak, especially LRP. From my own experiences, friends, and posts in other forums, LRP customer service is simply attrocious. US residents have some relief from this as the warranty is backed by AE, but it's still not what it should be. Some people have had better luck than others, but at the very least, they're inconsistent. What's worse is that LRP is almost 100% silent even on their own support forums. I think that's reprehensible. Not to sound pessimistic, but don't be fooled by the "Limited Lifetime Warranty". There's nothing "lifetime" about it. They're actually referring to an arbitrarily set "lifetime" of the product itself. A friend of mine sent in an IPC 7.1 that had this warranty, and they charged him $80 for the repair since (and I quote) "it was an old ESC". He hadn't even had it for a year. Novak's warranty is 120 days (I think). It doesn't sound as catchy as a "Limited Lifetime Warranty", but at least they're straight-up with you about it. Plus, they've been known to make exceptions beyond that period.

Anyway, my point is, don't buy the LRP simply because of this warranty.

The competing product from Novak is the GTX. It's a very small ESC (smaller than the QC2 and QC3), but it has a capacitor that's almost the same size as the ESC that you need to secure in the chassis. It doesn't bother some people, but others find it rather inconvenient if you're already tight on space. The wire harnesses are all detachable, which is nice if you need to replace them. Also, the GTX has a 36A Schottky already installed in the ESC. You should still run one on your motor, especially if you're running < 19 turns, but if you're in a pinch, it will protect you. The GTX is also more customizable than the QC2.

I'm not trying to sell you on one or the other; I have both and haven't had problems with either one. At the same time, I'm aware of issues that people have had with both of them (though they all seem to have been addressed). I like the small size of my QC2 (no capacitor), but I like the customizability of the GTX. I also think the GTX feels better behind the wheel, but it's definitely not a huge difference.

You might also want to look into the Tekin G11 Pro. It's larger than both of these ESCs, but it uses no capacitor and people swear by them. I've never owned a Tekin so I can't comment.

If you need an ESC *now*, then don't wait around for the QC3. Besides the fact that it's release date is unpredictable, LRP doesn't have the best track record for first-run electronics. I'd wait until it's been on the market for 6 months or so. That way you can get a feel for other people's opinions, how reliable it is, and the price might even drop a few bucks.

JMO

[knucklebusta]

Thanks T-b for edujamacating me on LRP. I've heard BAD things about LRP's customer service. Actually I haven't heard 1 good thing. Novak treated me right. They got my ESC back within a week. They overcharged me for shipping, then refunded my account, actually sent a receipt by mail that my account had been refunded. What more could you want.

What I meant to post about was this, not the competition 3

LRP Sphere Competition

LRP's exclusive Automatic Brushless/Brushed Adaptation. This pushes the convenient use of brushless and brushed motors to the next level. It detects the motor type and adjusts the correct brushless or brushed mode automatically without any switching or adjustment by the user. Therefore, no more manual setups are required after changing the motor type. The LRP SPHERE COMPETITION Brushless + Brushed will do this for you automatically!

[highroller]

I had issues with almost all manufacturers at one time or another is dealing with warranty items. To avoid problems copy the receipt, warranty and file it, mail in the warranty card that comes with product. Notify manufacturer by email, phone that you are returning item to be checked or repaired -when you mail item request a delivery confirmation be sent back to you so you are sure it's in the company's hands. You can also request that if repairs do exceed a certain amount that you be contacted first, the checking fee can be as little as $35.

Read the fine print in any warranty, the lifetime warranty covers a limited area on parts. Even Novaks 190 day warranty may no cover parts if it's deemed was caused by users neglect or failure to use esc properly. In my case I was trying out the GT7 when it first came out for 6cell modified oval racing, with ESC less than a week old. Most of the car was and equipment was broken or bent with esc being questionable - because esc was involved in a collision according to the person doing the work ESC was not covered under warranty.

[losiguy1090]

I'd go w/ the novak, I've got 2 and I've been using them since they came out and have yet to have a problem. The prices are also starting to go down on them a lil bit.

[InspGadgt]

The one time I had to send my LRP in for warranty repair I got a personal call from AE to discuss the options. I later got a follow up call to make sure everything was settled to my satisfaction. For me the customer service was handled excellently. I've always had outstanding customer service from Novak. The only company I've really had a hard time with was Horizon who takes care of the warranty for JR.

[highroller]

I still have older Tekins, Novaks, the first LRP ISP and for years never had a problems with equipment then this monkey got on my back.
Both esc were sent to manfacturers for repair after car was involved in seriuos collisions and didn't seem right after, figured it would be cheaper to repair than buy new ones at the time. Novak sent back a new GT7 with letter stating problem at no cost, received the Quantum2 back with letter stating esc was checked on equipments but no problem was found, case and wires were replaced - no charge for that. This instances of my bad luck made my day concerning their customer service, even though I was given different information by the person I spoke with.
In personal use each brand tends to feel more ideal in certain types of rc racing.

[TBone77]

I still have older Tekins, Novaks, the first LRP ISP and for years never had a problems with equipment then this monkey got on my back.
Both esc were sent to manfacturers for repair after car was involved in seriuos collisions and didn't seem right after, figured it would be cheaper to repair than buy new ones at the time. Novak sent back a new GT7 with letter stating problem at no cost, received the Quantum2 back with letter stating esc was checked on equipments but no problem was found, case and wires were replaced - no charge for that. This instances of my bad luck made my day concerning their customer service, even though I was given different information by the person I spoke with.
In personal use each brand tends to feel more ideal in certain types of rc racing.

Which is one of the things that sucks about AE's service, at least with LRP equipment. I've sent things to them twice, and both times they just sent me equipment back telling me nothing was wrong with it. Do you think they would have at least CALLED me first? Nope.

It's like "look you freakin geniuses, if there was nothing wrong with it I wouldn't have sent it to you in the first place".

[highroller]

Regardless in my case I got more than I thought, one was replaced the other was checked with additional service performed at no charge to me both work as well as they did before or like the new model I purchased.

[KyoshoKev]

i used to have a LRP QC2, but my transponder light always use to flicker when i turn the servos. I changed to MRT MX Pro Esc. It has prob the best specs on the market atm. http://www.team-mrt.com/

[TEM]

I still have older Tekins, Novaks, the first LRP ISP and for years never had a problems with equipment then this monkey got on my back.
Both esc were sent to manfacturers for repair after car was involved in seriuos collisions and didn't seem right after, figured it would be cheaper to repair than buy new ones at the time. Novak sent back a new GT7 with letter stating problem at no cost, received the Quantum2 back with letter stating esc was checked on equipments but no problem was found, case and wires were replaced - no charge for that. This instances of my bad luck made my day concerning their customer service, even though I was given different information by the person I spoke with.
In personal use each brand tends to feel more ideal in certain types of rc racing.

I had 1 experience with Novak. They returned my Atom stating it was tested and worked properly (Think I'm a dumba$$ or something?). I ended up opening it myself and found the problem. The solder around one of the solder posts on the board side has a thin crack around it; causing the speedo to work intermittenly and erratically. I just resoldered it myself! Maybe they should do more than plug it in and say the light goes on, return to sender! But other wise; out of 6 Novak speedos, never any other problems whatsoever!