A Matter of Control...

Hello to the 52nd installment of Shroudlines, the Blog. It's not actually our one year anniversary because we double posted one week. Such is life.

Anyway, this week I'm going to look at a really cool item in my collection, the Command Control Launch Controller by Estes.

The front of the box

The back of the box is more interesting than the front...

Out of the box....

Instructions and whatnot....

As you can see, this controller was designed and marketed with the "High Impulse" crowd in mind. It was part of the North Coast Rocketry line (a company which shall be mourned for many moons) and as such was aimed at mid-power flyers. This just in: North Coast Rocketry lives again thanks to Matt Steele! Thanks for the info, John Dyer!!

The controller itself is an over-engineered thing of beauty. Why only have a safety key when you can also have dual launch buttons? Why not have a display that shows battery life? Why not have muti- power settings? Why not have a spool for the launch wires? Why not design it for nicads? Why not charge almost 60 bucks for it???

The sound you just heard was the echos of hundreds of rocketeers wallets slamming shut. The fact of the matter is that for what it did, the controller was just too danged expensive. A more powerful controller was designed over 50 years ago that can still be built for about ten bucks (not including the car battery, but you already have one of those under your hood). And thus we have a lesson in "new and shiny is not always better."

I purchased my controller on closeout at a local hobby shop for a little less than 20 bucks. I have never used it, and probably won't. Why? Well, first of all DARS has wonderful launch equipment that it provides at all club launches. Secondly, I have this:

Yep, its my original 1970's Estes Solar Launch Controller. A little grimy, a little worn, but still functioning perfectly after 40 years. (I did rewire it a couple of times). And it fits in my range box. That was $3.95 well spent in 1973! So in the launch controller showdown, old-school wins!

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!