Pratt Hobbies SureFire 12 Launch Controller review is provided courtesy o' RocketryPlanet:

T' Pratt SureFire 12 is a relay-based launch controller. Ya scallywag! T' SureFire 12 has been recently replaced by a new version, t' Sure Fire II. Arrr! Begad! However, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, most characteristics o' t' new system are t' same as t' original system. T' reviewed SureFire 12 has been used for over a year, me hearties, and has been used t' ignite motors from Micro-Maxx t' K700. 

T' base unit is a plastic box that contains a relay, ya bilge rat, battery and leads that connect t' an igniter. Ahoy! Blimey! T' base unit buzzes when armed and continuity is detected through t' igniter. This useful feature should be used before connectin' t' clips t' an igniter by touchin' t' clips together. Ya scallywag! Blimey! If t' continuity tone is heard then t' base unit should be disarmed before t' bein' connected t' a motor igniter. Aye aye! Blimey! T' base unit can then be armed while a few feet away from t' rocket. 

T' leads from t' base unit t' t' igniter have banana plugs, which means that t' alligator clips can easily and smartly be replaced by just pullin' off t' old clip and pushin' on a new one. 

T' system includes a hand-held controller, matey, matey, which also buzzes when t' base unit is armed and thar be continuity through t' igniter. Standard telephone cord is used t' connect t' controller t' t' base unit. Ahoy! T' system also includes 50' o' telephone cord and a battery charger. 

T' manufacturer claims that t' SureFire 12 can dump 40 Amps into an igniter, which can be important when firin' a cluster. This claim was nay verified. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' box has never failed t' fire an igniter, however, me hearties, includin' several successful three and four motor clusters flights usin' Estes igniters. 

A couple o' problems occurred with t' SureFire 12. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' jack for t' charger fell off. T' base unit had t' be disassembled, me bucko, an easy task, me hearties, t' re-attach t' jack. T' standard controller works, shiver me timbers, but nay as well as desired, ya bilge rat, arrr, particularly when children are involved. 

T' standard controller has a large button with a soft spring. Begad! T' device's intended usage is t' be disconnected from t' telephone cord that runs t' t' base unit until a rocket is ready t' be launched. Arrr! Then t' wire is plugged into t' controller and t' button is pressed. Ahoy! T' soft sprin' resulted in a couple o' unexpected launches before t' countdown be given because t' button has been slightly depressed without t' person realizin' it. Begad! Also, arrr, constantly pluggin' in and unpluggin' t' telephone cord that runs t' t' base unit resulted in minor damage t' t' RJ-11 telephone jack in t' controller, matey, and t' unplugged wire often ended up on t' ground where it might short in water or be damaged by someone accidentally steppin' on it - a problem when flyin' with children. Arrr! T' shortcomings o' t' controller were solved by $10.00 o' parts and a little labor. 

T' new Pratt SureFire II has a different standard controller and a button with a harder action than t' old controller.

Pratt sells a different controller, me hearties, called a "stomp switch." That controller has a single button with a much stronger action. Aye aye! Aye aye! Blimey! T' author decided t' build a replacement controller with a key switch so that a safety key could be removed and t' controller could remain connected t' t' telephone cord. T' custom controller, shiver me timbers, made mostly o' parts from Radio Shack, can be seen in this photo. T' top button activates t' continuity test rather than havin' t' buzzer in t' controller buzz constantly. Ya scallywag! T' key must be in t' FIRE position and t' FIRE button depressed t' fire an igniter. 

T' SureFire 12 has been used with 300' o' telephone cord (three 100' sections purchased from Walgreens) betwixt t' controller and base unit t' meet and exceed t' safe distance for launchin' K motors. 

T' author's SureFire 12 has been used for over a year in freezin' t' hot weather, on grass and gravel fields. Arrr! T' base unit has nay been adversely affected. Ahoy! T' SureFire 12 has been easy t' use, as well as t' transport and store because everythin' fits inside t' base unit (except t' 300' o' telephone cord). Begad! T' standard 50' o' telephone cord will fit in t' base unit for storage. 

T' SureFire is a good deal. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' system includes battery, charger, me bucko, carry/storage box, relay controller and wire. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' standard controller is adequate for adults and low power rockets, but should be replaced with a controller that has more safety features for use by children or when used with high power rockets t' avoid an accidental launch. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! For more information on t' SureFire launch system, visit t' Pratt Hobbies web site at http://www.pratt-hobbies.com.