The new Estes website is up and running!
Go to www.estesrockets.com
The new 2019 catalog is also up for viewing: CLICK HERE
The catalog is much different than before. Clean and easy to read. Lots of technical information is there for first timers.
Skill Levels 1 - 5 are now
"Building Classifications"
Here's one of the new offerings, the SA-2061 Sasha. You can find it on Page 60.
Other new models are:
Boosted Bertha - Page 38
Double Ringer - Page 42
Black Brant II (new reissue) - Page 56
New equipment and accessories:
Display Cradle - Page 79
Lifetime Launch System - Page 90
Phantom - Page 92
Overall I do like the new layout - clean and easy to read, with a nice big picture of rocket and description off to the side. I do however miss the textual descriptions found in the older catalogs.
ReplyDeleteI do have to express some concern over the new "building classification":
* will confuse people already familiar with the numeric skill level classification
* Could be problematic in translation. Although single-letter code makes sense in English (where it is the first letter of the description), they may not translate as well into other languages.
* Colour-coding is likely to cause problems for people who have colour blindness.
Have noticed that the catalogue image for the Interceptor now matches the decal sheet included. It does show one minor issue in the revised markings -- the "AIR FORCE FC-803" markings on the left and right side of the fuselage no longer align and causes asymmetrical appearance that may appear awkward. Perhaps repositioning the lettering on the port side (i.e. reposition it so that the stripe goes between "AIR FORCE" and "FC-803" as on the starboard side) could help to reduce the visual asymmetry.
They should rename the building skill level with today's PC culture...... ADHD, ADD, OCD ratings.OCD would be skill level 5 and demanding, ADHD are Ready to fly. etc.
DeleteThe Sasha is 3" in diameter? The new Black Brant is listed as 2.6"? What gives?
ReplyDeleteThere are some mistakes in the online version of the catalog. If you download the .pdf file you’ll see that the BBII is 1.33” in diameter and that the Sash’s is 1.64”.
DeleteHaving pasted up many catalogs over the years, you can bet some of the descriptive copy was a block of words they set down as a "place holder" while waiting for the correct dimensions. Some edits weren't complete when the catalog went online.
DeleteOf the three mini-engine powered kits that looked like a futuristic jet fighter (Scorpion, Lynx, and Puma), it appears Scorpion ( https://estesrockets.com/product/007232-scorpion/ ) is the one that dropped from the catalog.
ReplyDeleteHi Naoto,
DeleteThe Scorpion is listed on the Estes website https://estesrockets.com/product-category/rockets/advanced/page/2/
Maybe it was just omitted from the catalog?
The new website and catalog are a nice surprise. While flipping thru the catalog online, the image of the Shuttle Express caught my attention — it still says NASA on the side of it. How did that one squeak thru? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee,
DeleteI don't have an answer for that! The Interceptor says "AIR FORCE", but not "U.S. AIR FORCE". Maybe that's the workaround?
(smirk) perhaps they didn't get any complaints from the National Auto Sport Association?
DeleteThe markings on the Shuttle Express are a bit out-of-whack as it's a mish-mash -- NASA marking would imply civilian, though stars-and-bars would seem to imply military (though it lacks Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines markings). I'm guessing that at some point during development, it was supposed to have peel-and-stick markings, but eventually it the markings pre-printed onto the wrap. Almost surprised that there weren't lightning bolt decorations and a shark mouth.
The mobile version of the Web site is still very poorly done. I hope they fix that in the near future.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed that the descriptive text for the Sasha is identical to that of the Big Daddy shown just above......
ReplyDeleteThe Sasha is a pretty cool looking rocket. Just might have to spring for one. It also looks as if it is beckoning to be converted into a multi-stager....
ReplyDeleteDis-regard that last reply. The catalog on the Estes website describes it as a two stager. 24mm motors, no less!
ReplyDelete