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

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

Notes: 1. My measurement 2. Avast! 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. Avast! They can be used with 9 - 12 volt systems, arrr, but users are cautioned t' make sure their 9-volt batteries really provide a ‘full’ 9 volts (i. e. Begad! Duracell 9. 5 volt batteries). Other cautions include accidental ignition from continuity check circuits and handlin' care. Begad! 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. Both include a bridged element embedded in a cast pyrogen. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' elements o' both are light gray, smooth cylinders. Begad! Blimey! T' burn temperature is advertised t' be a hot 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Accordin' t' QuickBurst, me hearties, ya bilge rat, these igniters “are capable o' ignitin' anythin' that will burn. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! ”

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

Note 1: Today I finally got a chance t' use t' second Fat Boy igniter. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Instead o' lighting, ya bilge rat, it popped, arrr, blowin' t' top 1/4 off and exposin' t' wires. Ahoy! However, matey, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, I don't think I'll change me overall ratin' due t' this problem. Arrr! 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, I thought that similarity in t' igniters’ resistance would provide some indication o' their suitability. Arrr! Begad! Although two items is nay a significant sample, matey, I decided t' document t' measurements anyway. Well, blow me down! Blimey!  

A couple o' notes on t' Slim Gems: I test fit one o' these igniters in a G80 motor before t' launch. Begad! T' fit was tight, but I had no problem insertin' it. Begad! Aye aye! However, at t' launch site, arrr, matey, I could nay insert it more than about an inch. Well, blow me down! Murphy’s Law strikes again. Well, blow me down! Therefore, I used both o' them in H123’s. In both cases, thar was a noticeable delay betwixt when t' first smoke was spotted and ignition. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' results, me hearties, however, me hearties, me bucko, 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, arrr, all Aerotech HPR motors now come with their FirstFire igniters, ya bilge rat, which have proven 100% reliable for me. Finally, matey, me hearties, arrr, anyone with an IgniterMan kit can easily make inexpensive, reliable igniters. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Thus, it will be difficult t' impress me.

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

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5