Best Steering Servo For Trx4: A Master’s Guide On Handling

Ever wonder why your TRX4 is swerving and flipping like a sidewinder in the desert? Well, the most common culprit behind this is the shoddy Steering servo. 

Sometimes a steering servo just isn’t the right fit for your TRX4.

If you’re unable to drive an RC properly, then where’s the fun in that. This is a problem that’ll keep up even the most patient of users at night. 

But don’t you worry, we’ve got your back.

Our post on the best steering servo for trx4 is sure to help out. Since there is a lot of vague information regarding this issue on the net, we’ve decided to do your homework for you.

This includes spending hours on the net researching this particular issue. And the fruit of our labor has taken the shape of this post before your eyes. So you know you’re getting your money’s worth (even though this is free info).

Then, what’re you waiting for, let’s strap in and go for a ride!

Comparison Table

ANNIMOS (20KG) High Torque Digital Servo

Product Overview

The first name on the list of our top servos is the “ANNIMOS 20KG Full Metal Gear Servo”. So why is this our crowned king? 

Well, it has a lot of interesting features which earned it this top spot.

For starters, this Annimos Servo is the lightest of the bunch, this means that it won’t weigh down on your Trax4 or slow it down. Lower weight also means that there will be a faster acceleration compared to heavier servos, as you’re cutting the weight.

Its torque rating is rated be 21.5 kg/cm at 6.8V and 19 kg/cm at 5V. Its operating voltage ranges from 4.8V-6.8V. And, its speed ranges from 0.16 seconds at 5V and 0.14 seconds at 6.8V.

Besides, it has a DC motor which is the most practical motor to have as it is very inexpensive. Its gears are made up of Copper and Aluminium.

This means that it is corrosion and rust-resistant and will last a long time. It has a fairly well-controlled 270-degree rotation, which makes it perfect for robotic joints.

Room For Improvement

One of the main issues with the “ANNIMOS 25KG High Torque Servo” is that its rotation is a bit weak, it has a practical rotation of about 255 degrees and not 270 degrees. In that case, we strongly suggest that you use the “ZOSKY 35KG Metal Gear Servo”.

ZOSKAY (35kg) Digital Gear Servo 

Product Overview

Coming in second is the “ZOSKY 35KG Coreless Motor Servo”. So why does the ZOSKY Coreless rank so high on our list. 

Well, why don’t we find out?

For Starters, the ZOSKY Coreless has the highest rated torque of all the servos on the list. It has a whopping 35kg rating slapped on its body, which is leaps and bounds above the average torque rating of the list.

Also, it has an operating voltage of about 5-7.4V. At 5V it has a torque of 29 kg/cm torque and at 7.4V it has a torque of about 35 kg/cm. The speed of the servo at those voltages is 0.13 seconds and 0.11 seconds. This also makes it one of the fastest of the servos on the list.

As for its casing and gears, they are made of high-quality materials. It’s made of copper, aluminum, and stainless steel parts. This makes it quite the tough cookie.

It even boasts a coreless motor that is perfect for dynamic turning, which also explains its high torque rating.

Other than that, its features include high-precision gears and dual ball-bearings, and lastly a CNC aluminum casing.

However, its extreme bulk has its drawbacks. It is also the heaviest of the bunch, weighing at a staggering 3.20 ounces. This might not sound a lot, but for RC crawlers even the slightest weight is responsible for slowing the entire vehicle down.

Its bulk also means that it’s a bit hard to fit into crawlers meaning that it won’t be that compatible with so many models.

Room For Improvement

The “ZOSKY 35kg Coreless Metal Servo” is the heaviest of the servos on the list. If you need speed and want to cut as much weight as possible, regardless of the power it provides, then we suggest you go with the top pick, which is the “ANNIMOS 20KG DC Motor” which is the lightest. 

ZOSKAY 1X DS3218 (20kg) Full-Metal Digital Servo

Product Overview

In third place, we have the “ZOSKY 20KG Full-Metal Gear Digital Servo”. This officially ends the top 3 race of the top metal servos known to man. 

So why does the ZOSKY 20KG take this spot on the list? 

Let’s find out-

The operating voltage for this DC motor servo is 4.8V to 6.8V. Also, the operating speed and torque at 5V are 0.15 seconds and 18 kg/cm. Lastly, the operating speed and torque at 6.8V are 0.13 seconds and 21.5 kg/cm.

Its standard cable length is 11.2 inches and it’s surrounded by a tough outer metal casing. Plus, it even has an IP67 rated waterproof design which states that its electronics won’t be damaged even if it’s submerged in water.

However, the “ZOSKY 20KG DC Motor Servo” has a smaller control angle which is about 180 degrees. This is a bit less than the previous servos. This is probably why it got bumped down the list.

Room For Improvement

The “ZOSKY’s 20KG DC Motor” has but one issue. And it is none other than its low control angle which is quite important when it comes to servos turning. So if you don’t fancy this servo, then we strongly suggest you go for the “ANNIMOS 20KG DC motor Servo”.

ZOSKAY (25kg) High Torque Servo

Product Overview

Coming in 4th on our legendary list is another familiar name on the list. It’s the infamous ZOSKY brand. But everyone saw this coming from a mile away as the ZOSKY brand has filled this list with a lot of its contenders.

So why don’t we go over the specifics which made the ZOSKY rank so high up on the list?

For starters, the ZOSKY 25KG has a DC motor seems to be quite the popular choice nowadays. It has an operating voltage range of 4.8 to 6.8V. And its lowest speed at 5V is rated to be 0.15 seconds and at its fastest at 6.8V its speed increases to 0.13 seconds. 

Its torque at 5V is 21 kg/cm and at 6.8V it’s rated to be at 24.5 kg/cm.

Room For Improvement

The “Zoskay 25KG Standard Digital Servo” has a control angle of just 180 degrees. If you are requiring a greater turning or control angle then we suggest the “ANNIMOS 25KG Full Metal Servo” which has a higher control angle.

ANNIMOS (25kg) Full Metal Gear Digital Servo

Product Overview

In 5th on our legendary list is another familiar name on the list. It’s none other than the famous ANNIMOS brand. Although it shouldn’t be such a surprise given how ANNIMOS is a reputed name in the electronic servo sector.

They’ve produced some great servos over the years, and it’s no different. So, why do we go over the specifics?

For starters, the ANNIMOS 25KG has a 3-pole motor which is quite an interesting feature.  Furthermore, it’s very durable and has an IP66 waterproof rating.

It has an operating voltage range of 4.8 to 6.8V. And its lowest speed at 5V is rated to be 0.15 seconds and at its fastest at 6.8V its speed increases to 0.13 seconds. Its stall torque at 5V is 21 kg/cm and at 6.8V it’s rated to be at 25 kg/cm.

Room For Improvement

The “ANNIMOS 25KG 3-pole Motor” has a waterproof rating of just IP66, which means that it can withstand rough splashes but cannot survive being fully submerged. In that case, we suggest you go for the “ZOSKAY 1X DS3218 (20kg) Servo”.

Powerhobby 729MBL High-Voltage Brushless Servo

Product Overview

Last but not least, we have the Powehobby 729MBL. This may be ranked last on the list but it doesn’t mean you should write it off just yet. After all, it did beat a lot of worthy competitors to get this spot.

For starters, let’s look at its stats regarding the torque. At 6V it has a torque of about 31.68 kg/cm. And at a voltage of 8.4V, it has a torque of about 40.68 kg/cm.

It has a built-in magnetic sensor. And as for its gears and casing, it’s made of high-quality CNC aluminum hulls and ball-bearings. Its operating speed at 6.0V is 0.12 seconds and at 8.4V it’s 0.085 seconds.

Moreover, its motor is of a brushless nature. This means when it comes to power and durability, its motor is second to none.

Room For Improvement

The Powerhobby’s IP67 waterproof rating is reported to be a sham at times as it fails to operate underwater. So instead you could go for the “ZOSKAY 1X DS3218 (20kg) Servo”.

Things To Consider Before Buying A Trx4 Servo 

Before you go on and get the servo of your dreams, hold up for a second. Now, if you’re one of those unfortunate souls that are perplexed by the numbers on the labels of the servos, then this is for you.

Down below, we’ve deciphered what each of these ratings means, into plain English that even a 5-year old can digest. So fret not, after reading through this section you’ll learn a lot of new things.

So without further ado, let’s get on with it-

Why Does Size Matter?

Servos are now available in a variety of forms and sizes, depending on the mount size of your vehicle. Trx4 are outdoor RC cars. And as such, they require more clearance and will have a servo motor that is higher in height.

The dimensions of a conventional RC servo are now 40mm in length, 38mm in height, and 20mm in width. All 1/10 and 1/8 sized RC vehicles and crawlers should be compatible with servos of these dimensions.

What’s The Meaning Behind Speed & Torque Rating?

These are by far the prominent features of the servo. To put it another way, torque rating refers to how much weight a servo can lift off the ground. 

It’s a straightforward measurement of the motor’s torque. In most circumstances, kilogram centimeters (kg-cm) and, in certain cases, ounce inches are used as a standard measurement (oz-in).

Then there’s the speed rating. This is the speed at which the servo rotates 60 degrees from side to side. The normal servo time is 0.9 seconds, however quicker servos, such as 0.1 seconds, are becoming common nowadays.

If you’re interested in RC racing, not for crawlers, but for quick cornering, speed ratings are vital to consider. Higher torque is more critical for crawlers since they must operate on difficult terrain.

A Servo’s Making- What It Implies?

Metal casings are most likely to be used for RC crawler servos. This makes it strong and long-lasting, making it ideal for use outside.

However, there are also plastic cases available nowadays.

Servos with plastic casings are a less expensive but less durable alternative. These are a fraction of the price of metal versions. This isn’t to say that plastic cases don’t provide enough protection, they’re quite durable too.

The makings of the gears matter too! 

This is because the quality of the gears has an impact on the servos’ performance. Plastic gears are less expensive, but they are less likely to absorb impact. 

This makes metal-made servos more suitable for RC crawlers, as they are more exposed to the elements. So if you have to choose between the two, always go for metal gears.

What’s Behind The Power Source and Voltage Rating?

The voltage that the Servo can sustain is the next element to consider. The current minimum requirement is 4-4.8V and above.

The higher the voltage, the more power the motor produces. It’s not a good idea to utilize a greater voltage than the one it’s rated at. The servo may be irreparably destroyed as a result of this.

Following that is the servo’s power supply wire. Normally, an ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) modifies the radio receiver’s PWM signal and operates the servo motor.

It accomplishes this by giving only the amount of electricity required to drive the motor.

The acronym BEC stands for Battery Elimination Circuit. It’s just a fancy way of saying, voltage regulator.

By converting the primary battery of a LiPo battery pack, the voltage is reduced.

In addition, the BEC is usually included within the ESC, eliminating the need for a separate battery to power the servo.

However, if you’re dead set on turning on the servo, For servos, there are direct powered supply lines. They have a standard signal wire as well as an additional power wire that feeds the Servo directly without conversion.

The Three Motor Types- Brushless, Coreless, Or DC?

DC, coreless, and brushless servos are the most common types of servos found in electric engines. The most cost-effective and suited for less demanding applications are DC engines.

Next, up we have coreless motors. They specialize in increased power and reliability, as well as the ability to alter direction more rapidly and accurately, which are all advantages of coreless motors. As a result, it’s great for racing RC vehicles that require dynamic turning.

Brushless engines provide extreme force, have a faster reaction time, produce more power, and last the longest. As a result, it’s the ideal contender for tough off-road conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the criteria I should consider before buying a servo?

In general, the stronger the torque provided by your servo, the larger and heavier the model. The dimensions of an RC plane’s control surface and the length of the servo arm are a factor to consider for airborne RCs. The ‘feel’ of your model will be affected by the speed of your servo. However, a servo gives a jittery feeling if it’s too fast.

What’s The Difference Between Splashproof and Waterproof?

There is a significant distinction between being splashproof and waterproof. Traxxas’ proprietary waterproof technology allows you to tackle streams, snow, and dirt without fear of water getting into your electronics. However, being splashproof doesn’t mean the electronics are immune to water.

What’s The Purpose Behind BEC in a Traxxas?

To prevent the receiver from sending too much voltage to the servos, a BEC is utilized to “step down” battery voltage. A “Battery Eliminator Circuit,” or BEC, was the circuitry that was used to eliminate the requirement for the receiver battery so it doesn’t sort itself out.

Ending Remarks

Well, well, seems like we’re at the very end of our insightful post. We hope you had quite the epiphany after reading our post on the best steering servo for trx4.

You’ve probably made your pick by now. But if you haven’t then we suggest you go with our top pick, as it won’t lead you astray. Plus it won’t be such a bad thing if you brush up on the topic a bit more.

Till then, enjoy yourself out there and have fun. Take care and stay safe!