Estes Pro Series II

Affirm

Peter Olivola said:

Estes makes three launch rods now: 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4"

The first two have been in the Estes catalog for a very long time. The last is the standard size for MPR and smaller HPR. I would note, as I have one of the new pads, that standard 1/4" launch lugs are loose on the Estes 1/4" rod.

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I agree, it´s "standard size" if you compare it with other manufacturers such as AeroTech (the Mantis comes with a 1/4" rod as well). For Estes, they only sold 1/8" & 3/16" (3 and 5 mm) rods so far.

However, if I recall it correctly, Estes shipped out a 1/4" rod along with "The Dude" about 10 years ago?

Oliver

Any new delays with the Nike Smoke? Just looked at the online catalog and there's no reference to it. Thought I might have seen it as 'Coming Soon'... it was in the pdf catalog I downloaded a couple weeks back...that's the one I am waiting for... :clap:

Oliver said:

I agree, it´s "standard size" if you compare it with other manufacturers such as AeroTech (the Mantis comes with a 1/4" rod as well). For Estes, they only sold 1/8" & 3/16" (3 and 5 mm) rods so far.

However, if I recall it correctly, Estes shipped out a 1/4" rod along with "The Dude" about 10 years ago?

Oliver

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Estes 1/4" rod is included with the Porta-Pad-E.

https://www.google.com/products/cat...a=X&ei=B46ZT8aqAbPXiAKDpvnTDw&ved=0CFoQ8wIwAQ#

...the new PVC based pad has been packed and will be shipping soon if they haven't started to do so already. I don't think its on the website yet either...but again, we'll get it posted soon as we can.
Rod on this is 1/4" thread together and 60" tall...PN is 3552 and retail is $79.99...image is one that was pulled off the line.
Mike

be69ar said:

...the new PVC based pad has been packed and will be shipping soon if they haven't started to do so already. I don't think its on the website yet either...but again, we'll get it posted soon as we can.
Rod on this is 1/4" thread together and 60" tall...PN is 3552 and retail is $79.99...image is one that was pulled off the line.
Mike

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It looks very much like the pad that came with the Hobbylab SR-71. And that's not a bad thing. The Hobbylab launch pad was simple to assemble and sturdy. And the thread-together launch was nice. It was the best part of the SR-71 package.

-- Roger

Remember the Rocketvision "Trans Pod"? those were cool. The legs attached together to form a tube to carry the rod inside. The legs had coarse threads to easily screw into the hub without getting stuck. I ordered one, but alas, it never came...

one thing you can do to improve the chutes is to gently hand wash them in warm soapy (I used washing up liquid/dish detergent) water, rinse well and let dry. this washes the sizing out and makes for a 'softer' chute that is eaier to pack.
rex

be69ar said:

...the new PVC based pad has been packed and will be shipping soon if they haven't started to do so already. I don't think its on the website yet either...but again, we'll get it posted soon as we can.
Rod on this is 1/4" thread together and 60" tall...PN is 3552 and retail is $79.99...image is one that was pulled off the line.
Mike

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Eighty bucks for that? Is that priced to counter the 40% off coupons everyone will use? Doesn't look like much pad for the price. A Mantis is less from hobbylinc.

yeah no kidding. that's at most twenty bucks of material there.

Hi all! My [amazing] girlfriend bought me the Leviathan for my birthday. What a great quality kit! Bear in mind that this is my first mid power adventure, so I'm still a little star struck. Parts were all just about perfect. I cant wait to fly it! Here's a pic of the finished build, before clear coat.

Mentat said:

Hi all! My [amazing] girlfriend bought me the Leviathan for my birthday. What a great quality kit! Bear in mind that this is my first mid power adventure, so I'm still a little star struck. Parts were all just about perfect. I cant wait to fly it! Here's a pic of the finished build, before clear coat.

View attachment 82952

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Nice buid for your first MP.. keep us posted on how it flys... I know your going to love it!

Grimracer

Yeah, plus facility costs (mortgage/rent, utilities) labor, marketing, shipping/Receiving, customer service, Samples to customers, preproduction costs, Liability Insurance...

Manufacturing a product and running a business takes more than people think...

James Haylow said:

yeah no kidding. that's at most twenty bucks of material there.

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Estes has posted fully-dimensioned paint scheme diagrams for the Pro Series II rockets, to enable the builder to reproduce that "catalog look." This is yet another example of grade A+ service. Thanks, Estes!