https://web.archive.org/web/20110814033105/http://teamnovak.com/timeline/timeline_2/timeline_2.html
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| 1989-1998Go to 1978-1988 Go to 1999-2008 Go to 2009-present | ||||
 | Although only one product was introduced in 1989, this year provided major breakthroughs in speed control design. Novak was the first to design and incorporate reverse voltage protection into a speed control for R/C applications. In addition, the 828-HV was the first fully digital, high-frequency ESC available on the market. | |||
| “828-HV”High Voltage Speed Control• First ESC with built-in Reverse Voltage Protection• First High-Frequency, Fully Digital ESC•Discontinued in 1994 | ||||
 | Novak incorporates the successful External Current Limiter (designed in 1988) into the 410-M1c and 410-MXc, which are the first speed controls in the industry to utilize an adjustable current limiter. The 410-M1c and 410-MXc are also the first 4-10 cell ESCs on the market that are fully digital and high-frequency. Customers demand reverse in their ESC, which Novak provides by releasing the 610-RV. The popular NESC-T1 and NESC-T1X models are retired. | |||
| “610-RV Reversible”Speed Control• Novak’s First Reversible ESC•Discontinued in 1992 | “Hydro Cooling Kit”Waterproofing Kit•Discontinued | |||
| “410-M1c”Speed Control• Novak’s first ESC with built-in Current Limiting and MEGAFET transistors• World Champion•Updated in 1991 | “410-MXc”Speed Control•Updated in 1991 | |||
 | This is Novak’s biggest year for releasing products with 7 new or updated products introduced. It’s also a big year for Novak’s charger line, which enters the digital age. The Peak and Peak Plus chargers are discontinued, but are replaced with the more accurate, digital counterparts: the Digi-Peak and Digi-Peak Plus. Novak designs and introduces the Solder Pop Fuse to the R/C industry. The 410-M1c and 410-MXc ESCs incorporate this new feature, which protects the ESC against reverse voltage, resulting in improved ESC reliability. The M-series speed control line is completed with the introduction of the 410-M5 (sport level), and 410-M1 (mid-level) ESCs. With FM gaining popularity, Novak introduces the NER-3FM receiver. | |||
| “Digi-Peak Plus”“Digi-Peak”(no meter)Digital-Peak Detection Chargers•Discontinued in 1995 (Digi Peak); 1998 (Digi-Peak Plus) | “410-MXc” (SPF)Speed Control• First ESC with Solder Pop Fuse•Discontinued in 1994 | |||
| “410-M1c” (SPF)Speed Control• 2-Time World Champion•Updated in 1992 | “410-M5”Speed Control•Updated in 1992•Discontinued in 1995 | |||
| “410-M1” (SPF)Speed Control•Updated in 1992 | “NER-3FM”3-Channel FM Receiver• Novak’s first FM receiver for Cars/Boats• 3-Time World Champion•Discontinued in 1996 | |||
 | Novak improves their reverse voltage protection design by introducing solid-state Reverse Voltage Protection (RVP) to the market in their M-series speed controls. With this technological advance, users no longer need to replace fuses or repair blown Solder Pop Fuses. Another fully digital, high-frequency speed control makes its debut, the 410-HPc, which is the first Novak ESC to use the newest technology HYPERFET transistors. The 410-HPc sweeps both the 1992 On- Road and 1993 Off-Road World Championships–the most World Titles of any ESC on the market. The 610-RV speed control is updated with a fully digital, high-frequency design, and introduced as the 610-HRV speed control. | |||
| “410-M1c”(RVP)Speed Control• First ESC with Solid State Reverse Voltage Protection (RVP)•Discontinued in 1994 | “410-M1” (RVP)Speed Control•Discontinued in 1994 | |||
| “410-M5” (RVP)Speed Control•Discontinued in 1995 | “410-HPc”Speed Control• 4-Time World Champion• First Novak ESC to use HYPERFET transistors•Discontinued in 1995 | |||
 | One-Touch Set-Up, which Novak was the first to design, is introduced. This revolutionary feature allows the user to automatically adjust the speed control to the transmitter with the simple touch of a button, thereby eliminating the need for manual transmitter adjustments using the neutral and high speed pots. Compared to the pot adjustment method, this much-welcomed feature allows users to set up their transmitters more quickly and easily. One-Touch Set-Up was first introduced in the Rooster Reversible ESC, the first entry-level reversible ESC Novak designed, and one of Novak’s most popular speed controls. | |||
| “Rooster Reversible”Speed Control• Discontinued 1998• First ESC to incorporate One-Touch Programming• Updated in 1998 to include Reverse Disable and Smart Braking. | ||||
 | One-Touch Set-Up becomes a standard feature in Novak speed controls. This fully digital, high-frequency design is incorporated into Novak’s forward-only speed control models: the entry-level Duster, mid-level Racer ESC, and top-of-the-line Hammer Pro. The NER-2X Receiver is discontinued and replaced with the PolarisAM Receiver. The following speed controls retire: 410-M1, 410-M1c, and the 410-MXc. | |||
| “Duster Sport”Speed Control• Discontinued in 1998 | “Hammer Pro”Speed Control• Discontinued in 1996 | |||
| “Racer”Speed Control• Discontinued in 1996 | “Polaris AM”3-Channel Receiver• Discontinued in 1999 | |||
 | Novak breaks the $100 ESC barrier by introducing the Explorer Sport. Although the price is low, the Explorer Sport still includes important reliability features such as reverse voltage and thermal protection. Back to their airplane roots, Novak introduces the Arrow Aircraft ESC–a sport level ESC specifically designed for aircraft. HYPERFET transistors improve, and the Tempest Pro incorporates the HYPERFET II transistors for top performance. Novak also introduces the Rhino charger–giving high quality peak detection charging to the entry-level user. The following speed controls and charger retire: 410-M5, 410-HPc, and the Digi-Peak Charger. | |||
| “Rhino”DC Charger• Discontinued 2001 | “Arrow Aircraft”Speed Control• First Novak ESC specifically designed for aircraft applications• Discontinued in 2000 | |||
| “Explorer Sport”Speed Control• First Novak ESC under $100• Discontinued in 1998 | “Tempest Pro”Speed Control• Discontinued in 1997 | |||
 | Novak pushes the limits of speed control technology by designing a fully programmable, microprocessor-based speed control, the Cyclone, which becomes the smallest and lightest programmable speed control on the market with the lowest on-resistance. Novak also designs and introduces Polar Drive Technology, which provides ESCs with a smoother, cooler operation without the use of heat sinks. Polar Drive Technology also allows Novak to increase the Drive Frequency up to 23,400 Hertz–the highest on the market. The Racer ESC gets a technological makeover. Replacement of the Racer’s MEGAFET transistors with the more powerful HYPERFET transistors make this ESC more dynamic. With a lower on-resistance, a higher rated current. and tougher braking power, the Racer is transformed into the Racer-EX. The Duster also receives technological improvements. With upgraded HYPERFET II transistors resulting in a lower on-resistance, the new Polar Drive Technology, and now equipped with Brake Light Circuitry, the Duster becomes the Duster II. The R/C Analyzer is introduced, allowing users to test ESCs, servos, receivers. Brian Kinwald wins the 1997 Off-Road World Championships with the Cyclone. The Hammer Pro ESC and the NER-3FM receiver retire. | |||
| “Racer-EX”Speed Control• Discontinued in 1999 | “R/C Analyzer”Diagnostic Instrument• Discontinued | |||
| “Cyclone”Speed Control• First ESC to use Polar Drive• World Champion• 5-Time R/C Car Action Reader’s Choice Award Winner• Updated in 1999 | “Duster II”Speed Control• Discontinued in 1999 | |||
 | Novak brings full design control to the Cyclone customer with the introduction of the ESC Profile Software and Pit Wizard. No other speed control or ESC system on the market allows the same customization. The first of its kind, the ESC Profile Software allows users to customize their Cyclone (and later the Atom and Cyclone TC) speed control via a personal or laptop computer. A simple upload to their speed control gives drivers their own personalized ESC. Another Novak first, the Pit Wizard hand-held programming device, allows users to conveniently customize their Cyclone or Atom speed controls in the palm of their hand. Novak designs Smart Braking and incorporates this feature into its first dual-motor reversible speed control, the Super Rooster. The Tempest Pro is transformed into the mighty Tempest MAX after it is equipped with an internal Schottky diode, and upgrades to the more powerful HYPERFET III transistors, which consequently lower its on-resistance. Novak also introduces chrome shield protection with the Mercury FM receiver. | |||
| “ESC Profile Software“ESC Programming Software• Discontinued in 1999 | “Pit Wizard“ Hand-Held ESC Programming Device• Discontinued 2002• World Champion | |||
| “Tempest MAX”Speed Control• Discontinued in 2000 | “Super Rooster Reversible”Speed Control• Current product• First ESC to incorporate Smart Braking | |||
| “Mercury FM” 3- Channel Receiver• First Radio-Frequency & Electromagnetic Interference protected receiver• World Champion• Discontinued in 1998 | ||||
 | Novak introduces the Atom, the smallest, fully programmable ESC available. Like the Cyclone, the Atom includes 3 pre-set profiles and interfaces with the ESC Profile Software and Pit Wizard for full customization. With the introduction of the Explorer II, Fusion, and Reactor, all Novak ESCs incorporate the One-Touch Set-Up feature. The Explorer II becomes the first ESC available under $90 to include a non pot-adjustment system–a definite plus for the entry-level user. The Fusion ESC becomes the first ESC on the market to incorporate two profiles, giving customers added flexibility. With the introduction of the Reactor, all 3 products in Novak’s Reversible line include Reverse Disable, Smart Braking, and One-Touch Set-Up. The Digi-Peak Plus charger, the Duster, and Explorer ESCs retire. | |||
| “Explorer II Sport”Speed Control• Discontinued 2004• First ESC under $90 to incorporate One-Touch Set-Up | “Fusion Dual Profile”Speed Control• Discontinued 2004• 1st ESC to incorporate 2 profiles | |||
| “Reactor Reversible”Speed Control• Discontinued in 2002 | “Atom”Speed Control• Discontinued 2002• Smallest, fully programmable ESC | |||
| “Rooster w/Reverse Disable”Speed Control• Current product• First ESC to incorporate One-Touch ProgrammingUpdated in 1998 to include Reverse Disable and Smart Braking. | ||||
| Go to 1978-1988 Go to 1999-2008Go to 2009-presentGo to Homepage | ||||
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