KST X08 plus V2.0

[Konrad]

I didn’t read on the sales page about a version upgrade of the X08 plus being released .

Can anybody tell us what has been changed with V2.0. It might have been helpful to know that the servos have been upgraded. This is particularly true if you needs matched servos such as with V-tails.

KST X08H+ Servo - 5.30Kg (73.60 oz in), 0.09 sec - Wide Voltage

The X08H+'s larger motor has more torque and is being controlled by a new custom chip (v5) that provides better accuracy, especially around center. The gear train has been refined to reduce backlash and the overall travel has been increased to 120° allow

alofthobbies.com

Rather confusing when the sales write up mentions a new chip in V5. I assume that V5 is for the std X0-8. And that the X0-8 plus had this new chip when the larger motor was added to the X0-8 making it a X0-8 plus.

So if the X08+ has progressed one generation I assume that the smaller X0-8 has also (v6.0?)

All the best,
Konrad

P.S.
I've learned that v2.0 has a stronger gearbox. If this is so, has there been an upgrade to the gear sets. What does the gear set interchangeability look like?

 

[Wayne]

Sorry KST does not tell us about new products or even upgrades. We usually find out via events like this. We instead just offer the most current versions. While we could still buy older versions like the X08 V3 and some shops sell those, they are inferior and we have opted not to offer them as they only cost a couple of dollars less.

Recently we have altered our arrangement with KST and are hoping to have better information and enjoy a closer relationship with them. Time will tell.

 

[Konrad]

Wow, product life cycle is as fast or faster than the news cycle, that the OEM's can't be bothered to let their distribution network know of changes coming down the supply line! I've learned that if changing out things that need to be matched like servos for V-tails, dual ailerons and dual flaps that it is best to swap them out as sets. This often means that I have many good single units in the bottom of my servo drawer. I use these on cruciform tails or set ups where I'm only using one servo to actuate the flaps or ailerons.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Wayne]

I just use a FrSky radio, I have matched up some pretty different servos without issues.

 

[Konrad]

Now you tell me to use the power of Open TX!

I guess that is one way to solve the problem: finding a software solution. While I do use software to fine tune the response of systems to my needs. I find it best to try to get the system responding the best possible with the hardware. With the fine templets, like that from Mike Shellim, it is simple to use the curves to balance the response of the control surface as far as speed and motion. But I find that if relying too heavily on these programs the resolution and power often are way out of sync. I think even the big boys are coming to much the same realization that software is no substitute for solid mechanics!

Actually I’m using this purchase of X0-8+ V2.0 as new aileron servos replacing the KST DS 125 in this build. The fact that V2 has an improved gearbox was a pleasant surprise.

Redshift; Used Purchase

As a result of family issues and that the race season is coming to an end I don’t think I’ll be racing any F3F until 2020. During the 2019 season I was using the very economical (read cheap!) and well dated Strega’s. These did what I hoped they would. That is give me a chance to learn what F3F...

forum.alofthobbies.com

 

[Konrad]

I've just learned that the gear sets are interchangeable. I'm not finding any information that actually states what was changed to reinforce the gearbox. I fear I'll need to take down both a X0-8+ and X0-8+ V.2 and see if there actually are any dimensional or material changes to the gearbox.

We as customer need to pressure manufactures to give us the consumer meaningful documentation (real data) to help in the selection and maintenance of the sub system in our models.

Using throw away crap from Hobby King is one thing. But higher end components like the KST servo needs adequate documentation! Our FAI F3J, F3K and F5J models demand this kind of technical understanding to extract the full potential from our models/hobby.

Great products need great support!

Is there a reason the marketing guys* don't want to differentiate themselves from the competition with real engineering data? I can see not supplying meaningful data if the marketing guys are just selling hype! But if there is a real change in a product why not document it?

*This issue is general issue in the consumer market. I come from an era when this hobby was a technical hobby, driven by engineers not marketing MBA.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Konrad]

OK, KST has made some real changes to the gearbox in the X0-8 plus V2.0. The main (only ones I can see) change is changing the material of the later stage gears to steel and changing the pressed in pinion gears of the earlier stages from steel to brass for V2.0.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Wayne]

Interesting.

I know KST is proud of their gears, and in my research they should be. There may be a lot of servos that look similar on the outside, but on the inside they are constantly trying to improve things.

 

[two_can]

Hi there Wayne I agree with conrad. There is never enough information or documentation about modelling gear in general. Most of the gear we use is complex or very complex and I think we deserve better from the manufacturers (in this case kst). I just bought a couple of these servos from you so I'm having my 2-bob's worth!
I will never complain about the prices though, the packaging or the great service - aloft servos were better value than the same local product and usps basic postage will usually arrive to my door from Novato within 2 weeks.
Thanks conrad for pulling the top off the servos so I can have a peep, was all that grease already in there or did you add it? Also. I am keen to dismantle mine to see how they have fixed the motor into the gearbox.
I hope that Aloft get some more gears for these J.I.C.

Cheers, Phil

 

[Konrad]

The grease was as found. I think the gear supply issue, is just a supply issue we are all suffering with Covid-19.

I don't know how the motor is held in place. I've had servos fail (not KST) were the motor mounting screws back out from vibration, I've had glues fail from motor heat. I tend to like the glued in motors as a hot motor is usually failing anyway.

Besides weight savings I like that the motor is outside the case to aid cooling.

I started this hobby in the 60's and am amazed at the value and performance of today's hobby components.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Wayne]

I will say, when I am looking at brining in a new servo brand we start with some basic performance testing. How well do they center, do they seem to offer the basic specs the manufacturer claims, etc.

If they are still looking good to us, time to open them up. This is where many brands fail. Typically on a servo they will hand solder a few items like the pigtail, and motor wires. This is alarmingly bad with some brands. Cold joint, dirty joints, exposed wire, etc. Some attempt to deal with vibration control, most do not.

If the wiring looks good we move onto the gears.

If they pass these simple steps, they are well on their way to us offering them at Aloft.

If a manufacturer has something unique that shows promise, we will work with them to improve. To me that can be very enjoyable, but time consuming.

 

[two_can]

That sounds like a pretty thorough way to go about things Wayne. I really think these kst servos are the ducks guts and they centre well. Buy the right ones and you can run the rx on 2S LIPO or LiIo. In the past I used a lot of those DS239HV wing servos that you stock and never had one fail in the 5 or 6 years I was using them. I will use them in the future too, but If I buy and expensive model, I feel compelled to spend a bit more on my servos - simply for peace of mind. This is when I buy the kst servos. Like Konrad I am amazed at the variety and superb quality of all the modelling gear now days. I think I may be ten years younger than Konrad* but I can remember the 'good ol' days' too. *given that I started flying in the late sixties - early seventies.

 

[Konrad]

*Konrad, started modeling toy airplanes in 1969 (CL-FF), flew my first RC airplane in 1977-78. I think I'm still under 60

 

[Konrad]

Another gearbox upgrade. but this time I didn't see a change in the version #. Note,that all the gears are now steel