GY401 - Fakes

[darker4308]

I think I am posting in the right section now.

Do not buy any GY-401's on ebay right now. The place is flooded with some really good looking fakes. Even the futaba website can't help you. They are not clones they just a nut in the GY401 case.

Be aware. Only buy used out of america and make sure that you have buyer protection.

[haha]

dam chinese , copy everything they can get their hands on.

[BAER]

I know.... Got my fake GY401 from Ebay seller hobbyrc-y. At first it was no problem with a refund, but the money never came to my Paypal account. And now they don`t reply on mail...

[sparky66]

How can you tell if it is a fake or the real thing?

[Larry227]

How much were they selling for? Links? Usually if it sounds too good to be true.......

[AceTheAxe]

someone said the connectors are not golden color and they are silver color.

[davebz]

In addition to the connector tangs being silver instead of gold, Futaba says the "401" font used on the paperboard package is different - it's a very minor difference, but their site shows pics of each for comparison:

http://www.futabarc.com/techsupport/counterfeit.html

Note that Futaba also says some servos are also fakes on that webpage
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The imitations and their packaging are visibly different than the true Futaba items. Refer to the photographs below to learn how you can easily tell between them.
GY401 Gyro Comparison

1. Compare the GY401 packages.

The "GY401" type fonts are different.
2. Examine the plating on the gyro connector terminals.

The terminals on the genuine Futaba gyros are gold-plated to lower contact resistance. Those on the counterfeit versions are silver.
S9254 & S9257 Servo Comparison

Differences can be found in the plating on the servo connector terminals and in the shapes of the grommets.

1. Connector terminals on the genuine Futaba servo is gold-plated to lower contact resistance. Those on the counterfeit version are silver.
2. The grommet on the counterfeit servo is slightly shorter than that on the genuine Futaba product.

[Larry227]

Another thing on the genuine 401 are the screws in the bottom. The real deal has three point tamper proof screws opposed to normal phillips screws.

[rctinman]

FYI, just got a fake 401 & servo with gold contacts. This SUCKS!!!

Steve

[davebz]

Originally Posted by rctinman

FYI, just got a fake 401 & servo with gold contacts. This SUCKS!!!

Steve

Where did you buy it, and how do you know it's a fake?

[rctinman]

Got it from a guy on RCUniverse. He sold it "as is" so I'm stuck. The gyro has the regular philips screws, and dosn't work worth a darn, and the servo has a very stiff wire lead on it.

Originally Posted by davebz

Where did you buy it, and how do you know it's a fake?

[smaner]

It does not matter if it was sold 'as is" if add is fraudulent....fraud is fraud and illegle...

[Skiddz]

Originally Posted by smaner

It does not matter if it was sold 'as is" if add is fraudulent....fraud is fraud and illegle...

Exactly. If the seller advertises it as genuine Futaba and it turns out it's not, that's fraud. I'd be after that guy with a vengeance....

[Crash549]

I bought a new GY-401 on Ebay for about $70.00 Works great ill check for gold or silver contacts. It was in the plastic futaba box. operates just like my other GY401's.

[SYMAWD]

Originally Posted by Crash549

I bought a new GY-401 on Ebay for about $70.00 Works great ill check for gold or silver contacts. It was in the plastic futaba box. operates just like my other GY401's.

The real way to check is the screws on the back. If they are 3 slot security screws, it is genuine Futaba, if they are not 3 slot screws, you got a fake.

[1DavidH]

Originally Posted by SYMAWD

The real way to check is the screws on the back. If they are 3 slot security screws, it is genuine Futaba, if they are not 3 slot screws, you got a fake.

All the Futaba gyros I have had thru the years were put together with cross point ( phillips) type screws. 154BB, 153BB, G501, GY401, GY601. What are the security screws your talking about? When I replaced the top cover on my GY401, I just use an 0 size phillips screw driver.

[SYMAWD]

Originally Posted by 1DavidH

All the Futaba gyros I have had thru the years were put together with cross point ( phillips) type screws. 154BB, 153BB, G501, GY401, GY601. What are the security screws your talking about? When I replaced the top cover on my GY401, I just use an 0 size phillips screw driver.

The one on the right is real.

[1DavidH]

Top case looks like it is white on the one on the right. Is it painted? Also forgot to mention, I know all the Futaba gyros I had over the years were from Futaba. I was a Futaba team member for 15 years. <G>

[SYMAWD]

Originally Posted by 1DavidH

Top case looks like it is white on the one on the right. Is it painted? Also forgot to mention, I know all the Futaba gyros I had over the years were from Futaba. I was a Futaba team member for 15 years. <G>

Not my picture so I can't tell you if it is painted, but I'll say no. My genuine Futaba has the security screws.

[chansen1953]

wow.. I never realized this.. I bought a futuba GY401 about 6 month ago.. on ebay.. it turned out to be pretty crap and wouldn't hold "the skin on a custard" !! ..
I then bought a Spartan Quark, and just assumed that Futuba GY401 was crap gyro , or I got a bad one.. it did work.. but not very well .compared to a spartan quark !!