Robart 1/2A vs GWS micro retracts

[bsoder]

Let the games begin! :)

Seems like the GWS blue retracts have some strength issues. Are the Robart 1/2A retracts 1. the same size and weight, roughly, and 2. stronger?

[coosbaylumber]

I got both styles around here someplace. The GWS are a bit more "springy" then the Robart. I think due in part to their light A/C designs. They have a bit small pad for mounting too, and the flexibility may enable the unit to bend on hard landing. I would think if you wanted a short stubby style for 1/2 A they would work OK.

The Robart design is a bit more strudy, but then too appears a bit flimsy the same. It will easily handle a 1/2 A crash. But here too they need a bit bigger pad for mounting, as for if the landing is rough, it also rips out too much structure.

Either way, they appear of different design purposes, although both being rated for 1/2 A. Sort of depends on your design and flying abilities.

Wm.

[bsoder]

I read recently that the robarts don't lock in the up position? know if that's true?

[dogon1013]

The Robarts retracts design http://www.robart.com/retracts/12A.aspx looks identical to the black GWS micro retracts which I had in a GWS zero for a while. They DO NOT lock in the up position, and don't always lock in the down position either. You have to get the servo end points just right.

The blue GWS retracts on the other hand use a cam system, instead of the link system. the Cam system allows for full locking in both up and down positions, plus you can be a little off in your end-points and still be locked. The cam system is superior IMO so I give the Blue GWS retracts the thumbs up over the robarts.

On thing that was a problem with any of the small retracts i had is that there is no spring bent into the gear wire. everytime you hit a bump too hard the wire would bend and then the gear would not retract all the way or would get stuck in the wheel well. I will have to experiment with bending my own gear wire with a spring one of these days.

[dogon1013]

I just noticed one thing, the Robarts are adjustable to be 85 degree or 90 degree. so if you need 85 degree, you might be stuck with the Robarts.

Robarts also offers a steerable nose gear, GWS does not (though you could modify one into a stearable nose gear).

[DRETW]

I just went out in my shop and compared all three.
The 1/2A robarts look to be at least 50% larger than the Blue GWS and 3 times larger than the Black's.
The weights for ONE main with strut for the robart, blue, & black are 11 grams, 6.7 grams and 4.3 grams respectively.
Looks like the robarts strut is kinda short so you might also consider ground clearance. Mine are "brand new" but at least 20 years old and its also a tri-gear set.
ted

Last note, the robarts do not lock in "up".

[Matt Halton]

I used the Robart 1/2A's in my modified GWS Zero,and never had a problem.Plenty strong enough,was able to get them locked up and down,really like them. Take your time setting them up and you should have no problems.One single Naro servo did the trick!

Matt

[P-47]

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