muddymooose
Hoopy Frood
Since I got back into rocketry last summer and quickly moved into HPR, I've been using Loki motors exclusively. This was a result of my club vendor having and recommending Loki hardware and reloads. I currently have a 38mm/240Ns (H) and 38mm/480Ns (I) case and they've been great in my PML Ariel and Endeavor.
I'm currently looking for motors for my LOC Precision Warlock with a 54mm mount and no adapter. My default motor choice was going to be a Loki 54mm/1200Ns case and J reload for an L2 attempt. I am however a fan of doing a modest "shakedown" flight on new rockets using the lowest-power motor that will safely achieve a successful flight. A large I would do the job, but Loki doesn't offer a 54mm I option. To be honest I've been kind of frustrated with the limited number of reloads for a given Loki case.
So I was looking around and found the CTI Pro54 Starter Kit. It includes a 3G case, a 6G case, forward enclosures, and spacers that allow for the use of anything from 1G to 6G. This gives an incredible range of reload selections for the given hardware (at least 30 reloads in the I through K range). So that got me intrigued.
The next thing I noticed was the price. A CTI Pro54 Starter Kit is about $220. Seems steep, but let's look at the cost of Loki cases:
38mm/240Ns (H): $80
38mm/480Ns (I): $90
54mm/1200Ns (J): $150
54mm/2000Ns (K): $170
Total Loki cost for H through K cases: $490
Total CTI Pro54 Starter Kit cost for I through K cases: $220
Loki 54mm J reload: $85
CTI 54mm J reload: $90
At this point jumping over from Loki to CTI seems like a no-brainer. More flexible hardware at much lower cost, much larger range of reloads, similarly-priced reloads. Only difference I see is CTI reloads require HAZMAT fees for shipping, which is negated if I buy in quantity or pick up from a local vendor.
So is CTI really that much more cost-effective, or am I missing something?
Are CTI loads more prone to failure than Loki? Is there anything else that makes them less desirable?
I'm currently looking for motors for my LOC Precision Warlock with a 54mm mount and no adapter. My default motor choice was going to be a Loki 54mm/1200Ns case and J reload for an L2 attempt. I am however a fan of doing a modest "shakedown" flight on new rockets using the lowest-power motor that will safely achieve a successful flight. A large I would do the job, but Loki doesn't offer a 54mm I option. To be honest I've been kind of frustrated with the limited number of reloads for a given Loki case.
So I was looking around and found the CTI Pro54 Starter Kit. It includes a 3G case, a 6G case, forward enclosures, and spacers that allow for the use of anything from 1G to 6G. This gives an incredible range of reload selections for the given hardware (at least 30 reloads in the I through K range). So that got me intrigued.
The next thing I noticed was the price. A CTI Pro54 Starter Kit is about $220. Seems steep, but let's look at the cost of Loki cases:
38mm/240Ns (H): $80
38mm/480Ns (I): $90
54mm/1200Ns (J): $150
54mm/2000Ns (K): $170
Total Loki cost for H through K cases: $490
Total CTI Pro54 Starter Kit cost for I through K cases: $220
Loki 54mm J reload: $85
CTI 54mm J reload: $90
At this point jumping over from Loki to CTI seems like a no-brainer. More flexible hardware at much lower cost, much larger range of reloads, similarly-priced reloads. Only difference I see is CTI reloads require HAZMAT fees for shipping, which is negated if I buy in quantity or pick up from a local vendor.
So is CTI really that much more cost-effective, or am I missing something?
Are CTI loads more prone to failure than Loki? Is there anything else that makes them less desirable?