New Estes LED Launch Controller

Estes has already sent out new LED launch controllers to TRF members for testing. Their reviews are now being posted - here's mine:

At Jaunuary's NEFAR launch in Bunnell, Florida, John Bishop gave me one of the new Estes Launch Controllers with an LED light.

Estes had sent John some starter sets and kits for a Christmas toy drive.
The new controllers were included with a request to have a few friends try them out. I was lucky enough to get one.

Note: The controller and launch button are yellow plastic. I added a square of red electrical tape to the launch button.

• This LED upgrade is a welcome improvement!
• The LED is less likely to break than the old style glass bulb.
• The new red LED is very bright when illuminated. Even in full sunlight it's easy to see.
• I had hopes this new controller wouldn't set off a Quest Q2G2 igniter when the safety key was inserted.
• The micro clips have a heat shrink over the soldered connections.

I used this new controller at two schoolyard launches with great success using both bare nichrome and Estes standard igniters.

The micro clips could use some improvement.

The thumb pads are still round and hard to pinch open without the clip flipping around in your fingers.

On the left is the rounded thumb pad as it comes direct from Estes.

On the right is the thumb pad after flattening it out with small pliers.

After flattening down the rounded pad, it's much easier to hold and clip onto an igniter.

Here's the big test!

That's a Quest Q2G2 igniter connected to the controller.

The safety key is pressed down and the continuity light is on.

The circuit is complete and the connections are good.

The Q2G2 igniter did not go off with the safety key inserted.

Problem solved! Thanks Estes - GOOD WORK!