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I've gone down a rabbit hole trying to decipher the model names of earlier Novak ESCs. Here's what I've got so far:

NESC-1, 2, 4, 1X, T1, T4, T1X

• NESC = Novak Electronic Speed Control

• 1, 2, 4 = Model numbers that correlate to performance where 1 is higher performance and 4 is lower

• X = Doubles the number FETs

• T = Uses Tempfet transistors

410-M1, M1c, M5, MXc, HPc

• 410 = Number of battery cells, Min of 4, max of 10

• 1, 5 = Model numbers that correlate to performance where 1 is "racing" and 5 is "sport". Using "5" instead of "4" to designate sport model may have been used to differentiate this newer sport model as an improvement over the T4 sport model that was still being sold. From an RC Car Action article about the M5, they quoted Novak as stating "T4 + M1c = 410-M5".

• X = Doubles the number of FETs

• P = Not sure about this one. "Pro"???

• M = Uses Megafet transistors

• H = Uses Hyperfet transistors

• c = Adjustable current control

610-RV, HRV

• 610 = Number of battery cells, Min of 6, Max of 10

• RV = Reversible

• H = Uses Hyperfet transistors

Rooster Reversible, Duster Sport, Racer, Hammer Pro, Explorer Sport, Tempest Pro

• Switched to model names instead of numbers

• Pro designates their top-of-the-line product

I'm looking for corrections/comments on my assessment. I'm also am trying to figure out what the "P" in the "HPc" stands for. Was Novak setting up for the transition to the flashier model names where "P = Pro"? The replacement for the HPc was the Hammer Pro, so I'm wondering if the H and P are coincidence or preplanned marketing.

Awesome thread idea, but yeah, Rabbit Hole indeed… Novak’s naming conventions are tricky and why I hadn’t put a legend in the Novak History thread yet.

For the early 1’s/4’s and T1’s/T4’s calling the lower number high performance and the high number lower performance is fair as the 4’s came with cheaper, higher resistance FET’s than the 1’s. Though at the time they were marketed as “budget” and “race” if it matters.

I assume we’re ignoring wire count, as the early controllers could be had in both three and four wire versions with no change to their labeling.

For many controllers you also had new models labeled as previous version with “add on” decals such as early 1’s/4’s T1’s/T4’s with their round decals. Same with later controllers where labels such as an “Improved” label Racer is actually a Racer EX, as was discussed in the Novak thread.

Tempest also had a MAX version when they installed Hyperfet III's.

X was applied to controllers with double the FET's, but controllers like the NESC-2 and the 828-HV were double FET without the X so... more inconsistency.

Which also leads to the addition of:

HV = High Voltage

And for the 410-HPc:

P = Pulse Checking

HPc to Hammer Pro wasn’t preplanned marketing, it's a backronym.

I’m sure there’s more but that’s all I can think of off the top of my head.

Thanks for sharing more history. I never would have come up with Pulse Checking for the "P" in HPc. Going back to the March '93 RCCA issue with the HPc, I see it listed as one of the features: "built-in pots and pulse-checking for setting neutral and full throttle". Now I just have to get me one!