I recently had t' opportunity t' evaluate igniters from QuickBurst, arrr, a company offerin' both igniter and launch control products. Aye aye! They have an igniter product for most every rocketry application, arrr, includin' black powder motors, electronically fired ejection charges, shiver me timbers, and both mid-power and high-power composite motors. I received a ‘Six Pack’ sampler, shiver me timbers, which included two each o' their Hot Shot electric matches, Slim Gem igniters, matey, and Fat Boy igniters.

My Six Pack came in a sealed plastic package with their leads shunted. Arrr! I also received product information sheets, me bucko, a price list, and an order form. Begad! T' instructions were comprehensive, ya bilge rat, givin' detailed descriptions o' t' products, ya bilge rat, notes on their usage, and precautions. Avast! Begad! T' followin' table summarizes t' igniter specifications:

Notes: 1. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! My measurement 2. Price when samples received

T' Hot Shot is a dipped electric match that is primarily intended t' electronically fire black powder ejection charges but can also be used for Estes black powder motors. Ahoy! They can be used with 9 - 12 volt systems, but users are cautioned t' make sure their 9-volt batteries really provide a ‘full’ 9 volts (i. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! e. Blimey! Begad! Duracell 9. Ahoy! 5 volt batteries). Aye aye! Other cautions include accidental ignition from continuity check circuits and handlin' care. Ahoy! QuickBurst wisely recommends that you test t' igniters with your ignition system before bettin' your rocket on them.

T' Slim Gems and Fat Boys are both similar devices with t' latter bein' slightly larger in diameter. Blimey! Avast! Both include a bridged element embedded in a cast pyrogen. Blimey! T' elements o' both are light gray, ya bilge rat, smooth cylinders. Ya scallywag! T' burn temperature is advertised t' be a hot 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Aye aye! Accordin' t' QuickBurst, shiver me timbers, matey, me hearties, these igniters “are capable o' ignitin' anythin' that will burn. Avast, me proud beauty! ”

I used t' QuickBurst igniters in several applications. Ya scallywag! T' followin' is a summary o' t' results:

Note 1: Today I finally got a chance t' use t' second Fat Boy igniter. Aye aye! Instead o' lighting, it popped, ya bilge rat, blowin' t' top 1/4 off and exposin' t' wires. However, matey, matey, I don't think I'll change me overall ratin' due t' this problem. Avast, me proud beauty! My thanks t' QuickBurst for t' opportunity t' try these out!

 Since I didn’t have a chance t' tests a cluster configuration, me bucko, I thought that similarity in t' igniters’ resistance would provide some indication o' their suitability. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Although two items is nay a significant sample, arrr, matey, I decided t' document t' measurements anyway. Avast! Blimey!  

A couple o' notes on t' Slim Gems: I test fit one o' these igniters in a G80 motor before t' launch. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' fit was tight, but I had no problem insertin' it. Begad! However, at t' launch site, I could nay insert it more than about an inch. Begad! Murphy’s Law strikes again. Begad! Therefore, I used both o' them in H123’s. Aye aye! In both cases, ya bilge rat, thar be a noticeable delay betwixt when t' first smoke was spotted and ignition. Begad! Arrr! T' results, ya bilge rat, matey, however, were successful and this comment is provided only as a side note.

Conclusion

First, I need t' provide me perspective on t' igniter market. I can buy reliable igniters for any motor size from local vendors. Begad! In addition, me hearties, all Aerotech HPR motors now come with their FirstFire igniters, which have proven 100% reliable for me. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Finally, anyone with an IgniterMan kit can easily make inexpensive, reliable igniters. Avast! Thus, me hearties, it will be difficult t' impress me.

T' four igniters I used performed well, me bucko, with t' exception that t' Slim Gems did nay fit in a G80. Aye aye! From me standpoint, matey, this is a big deal. Since they failed t' meet t' intended use for mid-powered motors, I deducted a point and a half from me score. Begad! As for cost, they seem comparable t' t' other igniters that I have bought at launch sites. Begad! This comparison is somewhat ‘apples and oranges’ since t' on-site igniters don’t have shippin' costs tacked on, and I only know t' cost o' t' QuickBursts before shipping. Still, I don’t think t' difference will be significant. Ahoy! If I could get QuickBurst igniters at a buck apiece from local vendors, ya bilge rat, and t' Slim Gem be a skosh smaller, then I’d certainly buy them.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5