Best RC Services/Vendors/Companies

[Aros]

I thought it would be a pretty cool thread to start to share our experiences of the best companies, services, organizations, etc that you have encountered along the way. Please offer some examples of your experience with them and why you think they are the best in the business at what they do. While it's obvious for me to list Motion RC at the top for various good reasons, I will instead start the list with some other services I have really found success with dealing with them through the years. If any of mine are the same as yours, please add your own experiences to the mix.

This could serve as a very useful thread for those inquiring about where to turn for certain services.

Best International Distributors:

RC Castle http://www.rc-castle.com/

PW-RC http://pw-rc.com/

Back in the days when you could not get quality support state side for those "must have" foam electrics (Pre Motion RC days, oh the humanity!!), I turned to RC Castle and PW-RC. Sure, you paid extra for international shipping rates but their quality of service and support was worth every penny and then some. I considered the extra cost insurance for protection. Bad part? No problem. Almost always I would email them and within a few hours I would get a response with a tracking number! Both guys that run their respective sites are attentive, kind, and anxious to get you the help you need and pronto! Sounds like a certain company I work for... :)

Best Decal Service:

Callie Graphics http://www.callie-graphics.com/

Callie but of course! Quality decals at a great price and service with a smile. Callie loves what she does and it shows in her service. Quick turn around, fair rates, and custom jobs no problem. Callie has single-handedly been the primary reason for the beautification of many of my models over the years. When I need decals, be them standard or custom, she's my go to gal.

Those are a few to get things started...What about you?

[Alpha]

Great thread!

I've had great service from Parkflyer Plastics, www.parkflyerplastics.com, for plastic weapons and canopies.

Also high on my list is Jet Hangar Hobby, www.jethangar.com, for pilot figures and amazing EDF kits. They're passionate modelers with a personal touch to everything they do.

For motor adapters, www.smallpartscnc.com is my go to guy.

I recently had a great experience from Adam, www.adambomb.com, for these really nifty droppable, reusable, plastic bombs that you fill with baby powder. It's a near effect when dropped on the runway!

I've had good experience from PW-RC, like Aros. Phillip is a dedicated guy.

For high end EDF setups, Gary at EffluxRC, www.effluxrc.com, holds the world record for fastest Habu 32 at 208mph so suffice to say his gear speaks for itself.

I used to buy a lot from Tam at Tamjets.com. Nice guy, hard worker, trustworthy businessman.

I've mentioned Callie before many times did her high quality vinyl decals and service.'Nuff said.

[Aros]

Awesome adds Alpha! (Alliteration not intended, lol)...

I too have had good experience with Parkflyer Plastics...A lot of great parts to customize for your model. I look forward to checking your other recommendations out!

[xviper]

My bookmarked list of sellers for this hobby is very extensive. I'm not even talking about the "dormant" list I have for all things helicopters. I've done business with a good majority of them in some degree or another. However, many of them have been the occasional (even one time) purchase for something hard to find. When those go without incident, I can't really say it was a "good" company as there hasn't been sufficient transactions to give them a rating. Only a few times, have I been "gooned" with bad product and bad response to those problems. Needles to say, HobbyKing, RC Castle and of course, MotionRC are my primary "go to" companies.
Of the others that I've dealt with on a more frequent basis and have had good experience with are (not in any order of quality or preference):

Flitetest (sold through Great Hobbies in Canada) ............ makers of foamboard kits. http://www.greathobbies.com/index.php (also for batteries)

http://store.flitetest.com/

Tower Hobbies ...................... planes and various supplies. http://www.towerhobbies.com/
SN Hobbies in Canada ............ planes and supplies. http://www.snhobbies.com/index.php?c...5c1c26c22c03f2
Hobby Alley in Canada ............ http://hobbyalley.com/store/
Windrider (Hong Kong) ........... http://www.windrider.com.hk/product.asp?id=164
Horizon Hobby (for service and warranty) ........... http://www.horizonhobby.com/
Esprit Tech .............. http://www.espritmodel.com/
Hoosier Cutout Service (laser cut foam kits) .............. http://www.hoosiercutoutservice.com/index.htm
West Michigan Park Flyers (makers of the MAKO float plane. We have about a dozen of these in our flying field) .............. http://www.wmparkflyers.com/planes-c-63.html
Rotorquest in Canada (for Gens Ace LiPos and FPV gear) ................... https://www.rotorquest.com/

[Konrad]

I strongly second Parkflier Plastics. He has great products that actually fit! Getting vacuum formed parts to fit this is even an issue for many OEMS. To see an aftermarket vendor make so many parts that fit is great.

Here is a photo of the Multiplex Cularis Belly Pan and Canopy. There actually is a nose bra on that Mig 15 (look closely at the #2), and I'm showing his NMPRA approved wing tip extension for the La-1 Pogo. I show how I installed them with a false spar.

He also has a lot of canopies for long lost classic models. I got a canopy for my Mach One, and Dirty Birdy.

If there is a flaw in PP is that he uses an exclusionary site rather than an inclusionary site like Hobby Squawk to post his instruction.

[wrongroad]

G'day Blokes,
I can fully endorse RC Castle and PW-RC. Never had dud service from either company and if I could get my batteries off them I would as well.
Callie is fantastic for decals and cheap as. I tried to source decals from a local sign writer who promptly wanted an arm and a leg for the decals for my Drone Control Navy T-28.
Callie charged me $27 landed at my front door and knew exactly what I wanted and needed for my one off project.
Robby King is not worth while dealing with here in Australia. $106 freight for parcel no bigger than a shoe box from the Australian warehouse. When I asked Australia post how much it should have been, the freight charge was $16.50!
The current FMS importer is a joke and we all find it hard to get good service there.
Most of us Australian blokes wish we had the level of service that you all seem to enjoy in the USA.
Regards and respect
Daryl

[doctormike]

Motion RC...Foamies. Tower hobbies... ARF's and scale parts. And, of course...Callie. None better in my never so humble opinion. Doc

[martmichals]

Motion RC- when they've got what I need, because of customer service
Tower Hobbies- Glow engines and accessories
Hobbyking- A gamble, because of customer service, or lack thereof. Cheap Prices.
Flite Test- Complete power packages for planes built off of plans